Silk V-neck Pullover

I found this bargain yarn at my fav' Elann, and decided to create a V-Neck, raglan pullover, with a slim, contoured fit. The yarn is a South West Trading Company 100% silk ribbon, knit on 4.5mm needles. I ordered it early in December, and it sat for a couple of weeks as I worked out the pattern, then whipped it up over the Christmas break. It is so comfy, light and cool as cotton, but a bit warmer for the winter months.

Yarn: Amerah, SWTC, 10 balls in vineyard

Needles: 4.5mm (US 6)

Size: 36" chest.

Gauge: 16 sts and 24 rows = 4 inches. (substitute with ribbon yarn that knits to this gauge)

Back: Cast on 69 sts. Rib : K1, P1 ribbingfor 15 rows, on row 16 increase by [rib 6, inc 1 in next st] 9 times, then rib last 6 sts (78 sts total now).

Change to stocking stitch (knit right side, purl wrong side) work body.

Decrease one stitch at each side on row 18 and 36, then increase one stitch on row 46 and 64. Continue until back measures 15inches.

Raglan Shaping: Bind off 8 sts each side. Dec 1 st each side every 2nd row 13 times. then Dec 1 st each side every 4th row 7 times.

Bind off remaining 22 sts.

Front: Work as for back including all shaping, AND when piece measures 15 inches, begin neck shaping. Wrok to center, attach another ball of yarn and complete row. Turn. Work both sides at once, Dec 1 sts at each neck edge every 4th row 11 times.

Continue shaping as for back. End with one stitch on each side of neck and bind off.

Sleeves: Cast on 31 sts. Work rib as for body for 15 rows. Increase on row 16: Rib 5 [increase one in next st, work 4, increase one in next st, work 5] once, [increase one in next sts, work 4] 3 times.

Change to stocking stitch, increase one st on each side every 7th row 12 times. Continue in st st until sleevemeasures 17.5 inches.

Cap Shaping: Bind off 8 sts each side. On the next right side row, dec 1 st each side, then dec 1 st each side every second row 11 times. Decrease 1 st each side every 4th row 8 times. Bind off last 4 sts. (make 2 sleeves)

Finishing: sew sleeves to yoke, seam sleeves and sides.

Neck finishing: With circular needles and right side facing, pick up 22 sts from back of neck, 46 sts from left neck edge, place marker at center, make a center stitch at base of V,pick up 46 up right neck edge. (115 sts)
Round 1: work in K1, P1 ribbing to within 2 sts of center marker, ssk, move marker, k1 in center, k2tog, work in K1, P1 rib to end.

Repeat this ribbing row for 1 inch, then bind off loosely in ribbing.