Designed for a sleek, modern silhouette inspired by traditional Chinese details: short mandarin collar, asymmetrical front overlap with decorative frog-button placement, gentle A-line body and three-quarter set-in sleeves. Worked flat in pieces and seamed. Fit notes: designed for 0–4"/0–10cm positive ease depending on size below; pick your size based on finished chest measurement.
XS (S, M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL, 4XL): 32 (36, 40, 44, 48, 52, 56, 60) in / 81 (91.5, 102, 112, 122, 132, 142, 152) cm
20 sts x 28 rows = 4 in / 10 cm in stockinette stitch on US 6 / 4.0 mm needles. IMPORTANT: check gauge. Adjust needle size if necessary.
k = knit; p = purl; st(s) = stitch(es); RS = right side; WS = wrong side; yo = yarn over; k2tog = knit 2 together (right-leaning decrease); ssk = slip, slip, knit (left-leaning decrease); M1L = make 1 left; M1R = make 1 right; CO = cast on; BO = bind off.
Simple Lattice Panel (worked over 12 sts, multiple of 12):
Back and two Front panels worked flat from hem to shoulder. Sleeves worked flat and set in. Collar picked up and worked in short rows or small rib band to form mandarin collar. Asymmetrical overlap: Left front extends to overlap right front by about 2.5cm, with 4 frog-button anchor points along neckline and shoulder.
Work for all sizes in the order below. Cast on and rib hem then change to main pattern.
Cast on 86 (96, 106, 116, 126, 136, 146, 156) sts on US 6 / 4.0 mm. Work 1x1 rib (k1, p1) on smaller needles (US 4) for 1.5 in / 4 cm. Switch to US 6 and work in stockinette while placing lattice panels as follows: From RS, set markers for side shaping so central back lattice panel is centered: place a 12-st lattice panel centered on back; remaining sts on either side in stockinette.
Maintain pattern until work measures 14 (14, 14.5, 15, 15.5, 16, 16.5, 17) in / 35.5 (35.5, 37, 38, 39.5, 40.5, 42, 43) cm from cast-on or desired length to underarm. End WS row.
Bind off 4 (4, 5, 5, 6, 6, 7, 7) sts at each armhole edge once at the beginning of the next 2 rows (total bound per side: same number on each side). Then decrease 1 st each side every other row 3 (3, 3, 4, 4, 5, 5, 6) times. Continue until armhole depth is 8 (8.5, 9, 9.5, 10, 10.5, 11, 11.5) in / 20.5 (21.5, 23, 24, 25.5, 26.5, 28, 29) cm or until shoulder shaping line is reached. Place remaining center back sts on holder for neck if working shoulder shaping separately.
Cast on 44 (48, 52, 56, 60, 64, 68, 72) sts. Rib hem as back for same length. Work stockinette with the right half of the centered lattice panel positioned toward center front edge on RS. Work until same length as back to underarm.
Cast on 44 (48, 52, 56, 60, 64, 68, 72) sts. Rib hem. On the left front, work an extra 6 (6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 6) sts at the rightmost edge of left front for overlap if desired (i.e. increase along edge lightly) OR simply extend the front band later when seaming: recommended method below uses a turned band. Work the lattice panel mirrored so the motif visually mirrors the right front. Work to underarm same length as others.
Cast on 40 (42, 44, 46, 48, 50, 52, 54) sts. Rib 1.5 in / 4 cm then change to US 6. Work increases every 6th row 8 (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14) times to shape sleeve until width reaches 64 (68, 72, 76, 80, 84, 88, 92) sts or until comfortable. Place markers at center if including small lattice on sleeve cap (optional). Work straight until sleeve measures 15 (15, 15.5, 16, 16.5, 17, 17.5, 18) in / 38 (38, 39.5, 40.5, 42, 43, 44.5, 46) cm from cast-on to underarm. Bind off 4 (4, 4, 5, 5, 6, 6, 7) sts at beginning of next 2 rows, then decrease 1 st each side every other row until sleeve cap matches armhole depth measured on body (should fit into the back and fronts' armholes).
Join shoulders: block pieces gently. Use 3-needle bind off or mattress stitch to seam shoulders, leaving center neck opening as per finished measurements: bind off center 18 (18, 18, 20, 20, 22, 22, 24) sts for neck if working flat; then finish shoulder seams in two parts.
Place 4 frog buttons evenly along the neckline/shoulder overlap: typical placement: one near base of neck, second near shoulder seam, third mid-shoulder line, fourth near upper chest—measure on wearer to ensure comfortable closure. Attach small supporting backing buttons or fabric if frog button loops are large.
To shorten length: subtract equal number of rows from body before armhole shaping. To lengthen sleeves: add rounds in sleeve body before sleeve cap shaping. If you prefer yoke construction instead of seamed shoulders, adapt by working raglan increases from collar outward—pattern will need reworking of stitch counts and lattice placement.
C4F: slip next 2 sts to cable needle and hold to front, k2, then k2 from cable. C4B: slip next 2 sts to cable needle and hold to back, k2, then k2 from cable. M1L: pick up strand between sts from left to right and knit through back loop to make a left-leaning increase. M1R: pick up strand between sts from right to left and knit through front loop to make a right-leaning increase.
Pattern by PurlJam. For questions about fit or substitutions email team@verde.uk. Visit https://purljam.verde.uk for more patterns and tutorials. Share finished projects with tag #purljam. This pattern is for personal use only; do not redistribute for sale.