Delicate Scottish Blouse — Knitting Pattern

A lightweight, slightly fitted top with a circular lace yoke inspired by Scottish shearwater motifs, worked top-down in fingering weight yarn. Features a delicate curved hem, subtle waist shaping and 3/4 or full sleeves. Written for six sizes with full measurements, stitch counts, and finishing notes.

Sizes & Finished Measurements

• XS: Bust 32 in / 81 cm (recommended body bust 30–32 in / 76–81 cm)
• S: Bust 36 in / 91 cm (recommended 34–36 in / 86–91 cm)
• M: Bust 40 in / 102 cm (recommended 38–40 in / 97–102 cm)
• L: Bust 44 in / 112 cm (recommended 42–44 in / 107–112 cm)
• XL: Bust 48 in / 122 cm (recommended 46–48 in / 117–122 cm)
• XXL: Bust 52 in / 132 cm (recommended 50–52 in / 127–132 cm)

Suggested Ease

Designed for 0–2 in (0–5 cm) positive ease. Choose your size according to your preferred ease and bust measurement.

Materials

• Yarn: Fingering weight. Approximate yardage by size (imperial and metric): XS 900 yd / 825 m; S 1000 yd / 915 m; M 1150 yd / 1050 m; L 1300 yd / 1188 m; XL 1450 yd / 1326 m; XXL 1600 yd / 1463 m. Use a smooth 4-ply or sock/fingering yarn that blocks open for lace.
• Needles: Circular needles and DPNs as required. US, UK (old) and Metric sizes listed:
  
  • For ribbing: US 2 (UK 12, 2.75 mm)
  • Main body/lace yoke: US 3 (UK 11, 3.25 mm)
  • Optional if you knit looser: US 4 (UK 8, 3.5 mm)
  Use 16"/40 cm, 24"/60 cm, and 32"/80 cm circulars as needed; 32"/80 cm or longer recommended for yoke. Adjust needle size for gauge.
• Notions: stitch markers (4–6), waste yarn or stitch holders, tapestry needle, removable markers for raglan lines, measuring tape, blocking wires or pins.

Gauge

20 stitches and 28 rounds = 4 in / 10 cm in stockinette on US 3 / 3.25 mm after blocking. If your gauge differs, swatch and change needle size to match.

Stitch Abbreviations

• k: knit
• p: purl
• k2tog: knit 2 together
• ssk: slip, slip, knit (left-leaning decrease)
• yo: yarn over
• m1: make 1 increase (lift strand and knit through back loop)
• CO: cast on
• BO: bind off
• st(s): stitch(es)

Lace Yoke Pattern (multiple of 8 sts + edge)

Row 1 (RS): *k2, yo, k3, ssk, k1; repeat from * to end
Row 2 (WS): purl all sts
Row 3: *k1, k2tog, k3, yo, k2; repeat
Row 4: purl
Row 5: *k2, yo, k1, k2tog, k3; repeat
Row 6: purl
Row 7: *k3, ssk, k1, yo, k2; repeat
Row 8: purl
(Repeat Rows 1-8 for motif)

Note: Lace motif is symmetrical across raglan lines; use removable markers to keep raglan increases separate from lace repeats.

Construction Overview

Worked top-down in the round to the underarm. Raglan-style increases separate yoke from body and sleeves. Once underarm is reached, body is joined in the round and sleeves are placed on holders/DPNs to work later. Body is worked to hem with optional waist shaping; sleeves are worked from the top down or joined and worked in the round after picking up stitches.

Cast On & Yoke

Using US 2 (2.75 mm) provisional cast-on or long-tail CO for the neck, CO the number of stitches for chosen size’s neck circumference plus markers for raglan lines. Neck gauge given as guideline; you may prefer a narrower or wider neckline.

• Neck CO suggestion (approx.): XS 120 sts; S 128 sts; M 136 sts; L 144 sts; XL 152 sts; XXL 160 sts. Place 4 raglan markers spaced: Front raglan, right sleeve, back raglan, left sleeve.

Work 1–2 in / 2.5–5 cm of neck ribbing (k1, p1) on smaller needle (US 2) if you want a defined neck; or start directly in lace on main needle (US 3) for a rolled edge.

Change to US 3 (3.25 mm). Begin lace yoke pattern across body and sleeve sections, working raglan increases every RS round as follows:

• RS round (increase round): Work lace pattern to 2 sts before marker, kfb (or m1R), slip marker, k1 (marker stitch), slip marker, m1L (or kfb), continue in lace to next marker; repeat at each raglan marker. This increases 8 sts per round (2 at each raglan).

Continue repeating lace pattern and increase round every 2nd round until you reach the stitch counts for underarm separation (measure yoke depth as you go). Typical yoke depth: 8–9 in / 20–23 cm from cast-on edge to underarm for fingering weight; adjust to fit.

Underarm Separation

When yoke depth is reached, place sleeve stitches on holders: Slip sleeve stitch groups (stitches between raglan markers that belong to sleeves) onto waste yarn or holders. Join body stitches in the round and continue body pattern. Do not join for body if you prefer slightly closer fit—check fit before proceeding.

Body

Work body in stockinette (knit every round) or continue lace panel down center front/back if desired. For a delicate look, continue a subtle vertical lace panel (multiple of 8 sts) over the front center (optional: see notes).

• At hip shaping (optional): Decrease evenly 6–10 sts across body over 4–6 in / 10–15 cm to create a subtle taper. Or leave straight for boxier fit.
• Length to hem: XS 20 in / 51 cm; S 20.5 in / 52 cm; M 21 in / 53 cm; L 21.5 in / 54.5 cm; XL 22 in / 56 cm; XXL 22.5 in / 57 cm (adjustable).

Finish hem with 1–2 in / 2.5–5 cm of ribbing (k1, p1) on US 2 or work a gentle eyelet hem (k2tog, yo). Bind off loosely in pattern.

Sleeves

Pick up sleeve stitches from holders. Join in the round. Work decrease rounds to shape top of sleeve for smoother set-in look if desired (even decreases around the top 1–2 in / 2.5–5 cm), then work sleeve in stockinette decreasing at intervals to desired upper arm circumference.

• Target upper arm circumference: 11–13 in / 28–33 cm depending on size and preferred ease. Decrease every 4–6 rounds until target is reached.
• Sleeve length options: 3/4 length 16–17 in / 41–43 cm; full length 18–19 in / 46–48 cm. Finish with 1–2 in / 2.5–5 cm ribbing on US 2 and bind off loosely.

Finishing

1. Weave in all ends with tapestry needle.
2. Block gently to measurements: soak in lukewarm water with wool wash, roll in towel to remove excess moisture, lay flat and stretch gently to measurements. Pin the lace motifs open as needed to show pattern.
3. Sew any shoulder seams if you used provisional CO for the neck, graft neck if desired, and secure set-in shaping if used.
4. Steam-block the neckline and hems for a neat finish.

Optional Variations

• Make it sleeveless: finish sleeve openings with 1 in / 2.5 cm ribbing.
• Add a small picot edge at neck: BO with picot method after neck rib.
• Work a vertical lace column down center front for a more ornate Scottish-inspired look; chart can be adapted from the yoke pattern.

Notes & Tips

• Place a marker immediately after dividing for sleeves; count stitches to ensure symmetry.
• If your lace looks too dense, block aggressively to open pattern (careful with delicate yarn).
• Yarn substitution: choose a multi-fiber fingering yarn (wool/silk or wool/nylon) for good stitch definition and drape.

Abbreviated Row Counts (reference)

Example for size M:

• Cast on 136; after raglan increases and working to 9 in yoke depth, underarm separation at approx 240 sts total (body + sleeves combined) — adjust according to fit. Sleeve stitches approx 48 sts each when separated; body approx 144 sts in the round.

Support

If you have questions about fit, substitutions, or troubleshooting lace repeats, contact support at team@verde.uk or visit our website https://purljam.verde.uk. Share your makes with #purljam on social.

Pattern License & Copyright

Designed by PurlJam for personal use. You may sell items made from this pattern but please credit PurlJam and do not resell or redistribute the pattern itself. For wholesale or pattern licensing, contact team@verde.uk.

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