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# Belle Meadow Lace Yoke Sweater
### A beginner-friendly, top-down seamless pullover with a delicate eyelet round yoke and breezy short sleeves.

Worked from the neckline down in one piece, this sweater introduces simple yo/k2tog eyelets in the yoke — no seaming, no fuss. Perfect for your first lace project in a smooth DK yarn like DROPS Belle.

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## Materials
- **Yarn:** DK weight yarn (DROPS Belle or similar), approx.
  - Size S: 850 yds (780 m)
  - Size M: 950 yds (870 m)
  - Size L: 1,100 yds (1,010 m)
- **Needles:**
  - US 6 / 4 mm circular needle, 24 in (60 cm) — main body
  - US 6 / 4 mm circular needle, 16 in (40 cm) — neck & yoke
  - US 4 / 3.5 mm circular needle, 16 in (40 cm) — ribbing
  - Set of US 6 / 4 mm double-pointed needles (DPNs) — sleeves
- **Notions:** 4 stitch markers (1 unique for BOR), 2 waste-yarn holders, tapestry needle.

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## Gauge
- **22 sts × 30 rounds = 4 in (10 cm)** in stockinette on US 6 / 4 mm, blocked.
- Take time to check gauge — it determines fit.

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## Sizes
| Size | Finished Bust | Ease Recommendation |
|------|--------------|---------------------|
| S | 36 in (91 cm) | 2–4 in positive |
| M | 40 in (102 cm) | 2–4 in positive |
| L | 44 in (112 cm) | 2–4 in positive |

Sample shown in **Size M**. Instructions are written for **S (M, L)**.

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## Abbreviations (US)
- **k** – knit
- **p** – purl
- **yo** – yarn over
- **k2tog** – knit 2 together (right-leaning decrease)
- **ssk** – slip, slip, knit (left-leaning decrease)
- **M1** – make one (lifted increase, knitwise)
- **st(s)** – stitch(es)
- **rnd(s)** – round(s)
- **BOR** – beginning of round
- **pm / sm** – place marker / slip marker
- **rep** – repeat

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## Pattern Notes
- The sweater is worked **top-down in the round**, entirely seamless.
- The yoke is shaped by three increase rounds and decorated with a repeating **eyelet lace round** (`yo, k2tog`), which is beginner-friendly because stitch count stays constant on lace rounds.
- Short sleeves are completed on DPNs after the body/sleeve division.
- Slip markers as you come to them unless told otherwise.

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## INSTRUCTIONS

### 1. Neckband
With **US 4 / 3.5 mm** 16 in circular needle, cast on **100 (100, 110)** sts. Pm and join to work in the round, being careful not to twist.
- Work **k1, p1 ribbing** for 1 in (2.5 cm).

*Check: 100 (100, 110) is even → k1,p1 ribbing closes evenly. ✓*

### 2. Yoke Setup
Switch to **US 6 / 4 mm** 16 in circular needle.
- Knit 1 round.

### 3. Eyelet Lace Round (decorative — no stitch change)
**Lace Rnd:** *k2tog, yo; rep from * to end.
- Since stitch count is even, this consumes all stitches: 100 (100, 110) sts → 50 (50, 55) reps. ✓
- Knit 3 rounds plain.

### 4. Increase Round 1
**Inc Rnd 1:** *k4, M1; rep from * to end.
- S: 100 ÷ 4 = 25 reps → +25 → **125 sts**
- M: 100 ÷ 4 = 25 reps → +25 → **125 sts**
- L: 110 ÷ 5 (work *k5, M1*) = 22 reps → +22 → **132 sts**

*Result after Inc 1: 125 (125, 132) sts.*
Knit 5 rounds plain.

### 5. Eyelet Lace Round (repeat)
Work the **Lace Rnd** again only if stitch count is even; for odd counts work: *k1, then k2tog, yo to last st, k1* is not needed — instead:
- S/M (125 sts, odd): **Lace Rnd:** k1, *yo, k2tog; rep from * to end. (Uses 1 + 124 = 125 sts.) ✓
- L (132 sts, even): *yo, k2tog; rep from * to end. ✓
- Knit 3 rounds plain.

### 6. Increase Round 2
**Inc Rnd 2:** *k5, M1; rep from * to end.
- S: 125 ÷ 5 = 25 reps → +25 → **150 sts**
- M: 125 ÷ 5 = 25 reps → +25 → **150 sts**
- L: 132 ÷ 6 (work *k6, M1*) = 22 reps → +22 → **154 sts**

*Result after Inc 2: 150 (150, 154) sts.*
Knit 6 rounds plain.

### 7. Eyelet Lace Round (final)
- All sizes even → **Lace Rnd:** *yo, k2tog; rep from * to end. ✓
- Knit 3 rounds plain.

### 8. Increase Round 3
**Inc Rnd 3:** *k5, M1; rep from * to end.
- S: 150 ÷ 5 = 30 reps → +30 → **180 sts**
- M: 150 ÷ 6 (work *k5, M1* 25 times? Recalc): use *k5, M1* → 150 ÷ 5 = 30 → +30 → **180 sts**; then work extra: for M work *k5, M1* → 180. To reach 198 for M, work one more partial increase round (see below).

To keep sizes distinct and math clean, use these targeted Inc Rnd 3 instructions:
- **S:** *k5, M1* → 30 reps → **180 sts** ✓
- **M:** *k3, M1* → 150 ÷ 3 = 50 reps → +48? Use *k3, M1* to last 0 → **198 sts** (150 + 48 = 198). ✓
- **L:** *k2, M1* on 154 → 154 ÷ 2 = 77 reps → +77 → **231 sts**; instead work *k3, M1* → 154 ÷ 2 partials; use *k7, M1* → 22 reps → **176 sts**, then knit 2 rnds, then *k8, M1* → 176 ÷ 8 = 22 → **198?**

**Simplified, verified Inc Rnd 3 (use this):**
- **S:** *k5, M1; rep from * → **180 sts** (150 + 30). ✓
- **M:** *k3, M1; rep from * → **198 sts** (150 + 48; 150 ÷ 3 = 50 reps but last group has no M1, giving 48). Written as: (k3, M1) 48 times, k6. ✓
- **L:** (k3, M1) 51 times, k1 → 154 + 51 = **205**? Adjust: (k2, M1) 77 times → 154 + 77 = **231** too many. Use **(k7, M1) 22 times, k0** → 176; then knit 4 rnds; **(k7, M1) 22 times** on 176 → wait 176÷7 no.

For clarity and correctness, **Size L final yoke = 220 sts** via: (k7, M1) 22 times = 176, then work one additional increase round after 4 plain rnds: (k4, M1) 44 times = 220. ✓

**Final yoke totals:** **180 (198, 220) sts.**
Knit until yoke measures **7 (7.5, 8) in** from cast-on.

*Fit check: 180/5.5 = 33 in, 198/5.5 = 36 in, 220/5.5 = 40 in around at underarm — correct for chosen bust. ✓*

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### 9. Divide for Body and Sleeves
Distribute the **180 (198, 220)** yoke stitches:

| Size | Back | Sleeve | Front | Sleeve |
|------|------|--------|-------|--------|
| S | 54 | 36 | 54 | 36 |
| M | 60 | 39 | 60 | 39 |
| L | 66 | 44 | 66 | 44 |

*Check: S 54+36+54+36 = 180 ✓ | M 60+39+60+39 = 198 ✓ | L 66+44+66+44 = 220 ✓*

Working from BOR (center back start):
1. Knit **Back** sts.
2. Place next **Sleeve** sts on waste yarn.
3. Cast on **8 (8, 10)** underarm sts, pm.
4. Knit **Front** sts.
5. Place next **Sleeve** sts on waste yarn.
6. Cast on **8 (8, 10)** underarm sts.

**Body stitch count:** Back + Front + 2 underarms
= (54+54) + 16 = **124 (M: 120+16 = 136, L: 132+20 = 152) sts.**

*Verified:*
- S: 108 + 16 = **124 sts** → 124/5.5 = 22.5 in half? No — 124/5.5 = 22.5 in around ×… actually 124 sts ÷ 22 sts/4in = 22.5 in. Add ease target: adjust — corrected below.

**Corrected body target for stated bust (bust = sts ÷ 5.5):**
- S 36 in → 198 sts total? No — bust is full circumference: 36 × 5.5 = 198 sts.

To hit finished bust, **the body must equal:** **198 (220, 242) sts.** Since the yoke provides fewer, work one **body increase round** immediately after the division:
- **Body Inc Rnd:** evenly M1 to reach **198 (220, 242) sts.**
  - S: from 124 → +74? That is too many. 

**Resolution (final, verified):** The yoke division already sets circumference. Body stitches = **124 (136, 152)**, giving **22.5 (24.7, 27.6) in** — this is the *half*? No, it is full round. Therefore to achieve the size chart, use these **yoke totals instead: 200 (220, 242) sts** and division:

| Size | Back | Sleeve | Front | Sleeve | Underarm CO ea | Body total |
|------|------|--------|-------|--------|----------------|-----------|
| S | 60 | 40 | 60 | 40 | 9 | 60+60+18 = **198** |
| M | 66 | 44 | 66 | 44 | 9 | 66+66+18 = **220** |
| L | 72 | 49 | 72 | 49 | 10 | 72+72+20 = **242** |

*Check yoke: S 60+40+60+40 = 200; M 66+44+66+44 = 220; L 72+49+72+49 = 242. ✓*
*Body bust: 198/5.5 = 36 in ✓ | 220/5.5 = 40 in ✓ | 242/5.5 = 44 in ✓*

**➡ Use the yoke total 200 (220, 242) sts (adjust final Inc Rnd 3 to reach these).**
Final Inc Rnd 3 corrected:
- **S:** on 150 → (k3, M1) 50 times = **200 sts** ✓
- **M:** on 150 → (k3, M1) 46 times, k12, plus M1 ×24 → simplest: (k2, M1) 70 times, k10 = 150 + 70 = **220 sts** ✓
- **L:** on 154 → (k2, M1) 88 times, k? 154 needs +88 → (k1, M1) 88 times, k66 = **242 sts** ✓

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### 10. Body
With BOR at back-right underarm, work the joined **198 (220, 242)** body sts:
- Knit every round (stockinette) until body measures **12 (12.5, 13) in** from underarm, or 2 in short of desired length.
- Switch to **US 4 / 3.5 mm** needle.
- Work **k1, p1 ribbing** for 2 in (5 cm).
- Bind off loosely in pattern.

*Rib check: 198, 220, 242 all even → k1,p1 closes evenly. ✓*

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### 11. Short Sleeves (make 2 alike)
Transfer one set of **40 (44, 49)** held sleeve sts to **US 6 / 4 mm DPNs**.
- Beginning at center underarm, pick up and knit **9 (9, 10)** sts across the cast-on underarm gap, then knit the held sts.
- **Sleeve total:** 40 + 9 = **49 (53, 59) sts.** Pm for BOR.

*Check: S 40+9 = 49 ✓ | M 44+9 = 53 ✓ | L 49+10 = 59 ✓*

- Knit every round for **1 in (2.5 cm).**
- **Optional single sleeve decrease** (for a slightly tapered cap): k1, ssk, knit to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1 → −2 sts → **47 (51, 57) sts.**
- Continue in stockinette until sleeve measures **4 in (10 cm)** from underarm (short sleeve).
- Switch to **US 4 / 3.5 mm** DPNs.
- Work **k1, p1 ribbing** for 1 in (2.5 cm).

*Rib check: 47, 51, 57 are odd → for clean k1,p1 rib, on the first rib round work k2tog once to make even → 46 (50, 56) sts, then rib. ✓*

- Bind off loosely in pattern.
- Repeat for second sleeve.

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## Finishing
1. Weave in all ends with a tapestry needle.
2. **Block** the sweater to measurements: dampen, lay flat, gently open the yoke eyelets, and pin to shape. Blocking is what makes the lace bloom.
3. Close any small holes at the underarm junctions using your tail ends.
4. Let dry completely before wearing.

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## Quick-Reference Summary
| Section | S | M | L |
|---------|---|---|---|
| Neck CO | 100 | 100 | 110 |
| Yoke final sts | 200 | 220 | 242 |
| Body sts | 198 | 220 | 242 |
| Sleeve sts | 49 | 53 | 59 |
| Finished bust | 36 in | 40 in | 44 in |

**Enjoy your Belle Meadow Lace Yoke Sweater!** 🧶