A knitted bodice (Nordisk Mönstertidning, 15 augusit 1894)

It is described to be knitted with a yarn called Estramadura no 4½. It also says it should be knitted on thick needles to create a loos knit.

I have not yet found any references to this kind of yarn. However there is a region in Portugal called Estramadura/Estremadura, and during the early 20th C Portugal appears to have had a reasonably large export of cotton yarns. If this has anything to do with the yarn quality in question I have no idea. Only 80 gr have been calculated for the bodice, why the yarn is probably quite fine.I decided to try it out in Blue Skyes Alpacasilk, in a light creamy pink.

PATTERN (not finished!)

Size: was supposed to be a XS (measurements: hip/ waist/ bust = 87/ 65/ 82 cm), but turned into a size M?

needels: 3½ mm

gague: (pattern) 15 stiches and 17 rows for 5 x 5 cm

Checked knit-purl pattern:

Row 1 and 3: Slip first stitch, k1, * p2, k2 *, repeat * until end of row

Row 2 and 4: Slip fist stitch, p1, * k2, p2 *, repeat * until end of row

Row 5 and 7: Repeat row 2

Row 6 and 8: Repeat row 1

Twisted rib:

Row 1: Slip first stitch, p1, * k1b, p1 *, repeat * until end of row

Row 2: Slip fist stitch, k1b, * p1, k1b *, repeat * until end of row

Back

CO XX st. Establish pattern and knit X repeats of pattern (row 1-8), Knit 32 rows of twisted rib pattern

Left front

CO XX/2 stitches. Establish pattern and knit X repeats of pattern (row 1-8), Knit 32 rows of twisted rib pattern (row 1-2)

Right front

CO XX/2 stitches. Establish pattern and as left front.

Sew side seams and shoulder seams together and bind in loose ends.

Edging

Crochet chain stitches along front

bodice is here pinned in the back to get a fitted look. This is how it looks on me unpinned...

Myra ©2005