purlJam

<pattern>

# RACER BACK LACE CAMISOLE

**Difficulty Level**: Advanced

A close-fitting fingering weight camisole featuring a delicate lace panel down the center front, structured twisted rib for support, and a flattering racer back design. Designed with D cup fitting in mind, this camisole includes an under-bust support band and optional elastic casing for additional security. The minimal positive ease (1cm/0.4") creates a supportive, body-hugging fit perfect for wearing alone or as a layering piece.

## SIZES
XS (S, M, L, XL)

**Finished Bust Circumference**: 32.4 (34.4, 36.4, 38.4, 40.4)" / 82 (87, 92, 97, 103) cm
*Designed to be worn with approximately 0.4" / 1cm positive ease*

**To fit bust measurements**: 32 (34, 36, 38, 40)" / 81 (86, 91, 97, 102) cm

**Sample shown in size S**

### Finished Measurements Table
| Size | Bust | Under-bust Band | Front Length† | Back Length‡ | Strap Length |
|------|------|-----------------|---------------|--------------|--------------|
| XS | 32.4" / 82cm | 27" / 69cm | 13" / 33cm | 10.5" / 27cm | 14" / 36cm |
| S | 34.4" / 87cm | 29" / 74cm | 13.5" / 34cm | 11" / 28cm | 14.5" / 37cm |
| M | 36.4" / 92cm | 31" / 79cm | 14" / 36cm | 11.5" / 29cm | 15" / 38cm |
| L | 38.4" / 97cm | 33" / 84cm | 14.5" / 37cm | 12" / 30cm | 15.5" / 39cm |
| XL | 40.4" / 103cm | 35" / 89cm | 15" / 38cm | 12.5" / 32cm | 16" / 41cm |

† Front length measured from under-bust band to top of strap
‡ Back length measured from under-bust band to top of racer back join

## MATERIALS

**Yarn**: Fingering weight yarn with good structure (wool, wool blend, or wool/cotton blend recommended)
- **Yardage**: 700 (800, 900, 1000, 1100) yards / 640 (730, 820, 915, 1005) meters
- **Suggested yarn**: Malabrigo Sock, Hedgehog Fibres Sock, Sweet Fiber Cashmerino Skinny, or similar
- **Note**: Avoid 100% silk, bamboo, or Tencel as they lack the structure needed for support

**Needles**: 
- US 2 (2.75mm) needles for twisted rib (circular or straight for flat knitting)
- US 3 (3.25mm) needles for main body (circular or straight for flat knitting)
- US 2 (2.75mm) DPNs or long circular for I-cord straps
- Or sizes needed to obtain gauge

**Notions**:
- Stitch markers (including 1 unique marker for center front)
- Stitch holders or waste yarn
- Tapestry needle for seaming
- Optional: 1/4" (6mm) braided elastic, 24-28" length (for under-bust support)
- Optional: Sewing needle and thread (for elastic attachment)
- Blocking wires or pins

## GAUGE

**Critical for fit**: 26 sts × 36 rows = 4" / 10cm in stockinette stitch on US 3 (3.25mm) needles, blocked

**Twisted Rib Gauge**: 28 sts × 40 rows = 4" / 10cm in Twisted Rib (slightly stretched) on US 2 (2.75mm) needles

**Lace Panel Gauge**: 25 sts × 36 rows = 3.75" wide × 4" tall on US 3 (3.25mm) needles, blocked

⚠️ **GAUGE IS CRITICAL**: With only 1cm positive ease, accurate gauge is essential for proper fit and support. Take time to swatch and measure carefully. Swatch should be at least 6" × 6" and blocked as you will block the garment.

## PATTERN NOTES

**Construction**: This camisole is worked flat in two pieces (front and back), then seamed at sides. The racer back creates deep armholes that angle sharply toward the center back. I-cord straps are worked separately and attached.

**Twisted Rib**: Creates a firm, non-stretchy fabric ideal for the under-bust support band. The rib should fit snugly.

**Lace Panel**: Centered on front piece, worked over 25 stitches throughout. Chart and written instructions provided.

**D Cup Fitting**: Additional length is built into the front piece (2-3" more than back) to accommodate D cup bust. The twisted rib under-bust band should sit directly under the bust for support.

**Positive Ease**: The 1cm (0.4") positive ease creates a close, supportive fit. The garment should feel snug but not constricting at the bust measurement.

**Racer Back Shaping**: The back piece has aggressive armhole shaping that creates a narrow (2-3" wide) upper back panel between the deep armholes.

**Blocking**: Block pieces before seaming, but do not aggressively block the twisted rib sections—you want them to retain their structure. Pin lace panel open to display pattern.

## STITCH GLOSSARY

**K1tbl**: Knit 1 through back loop (twisted knit stitch)
**P1tbl**: Purl 1 through back loop (twisted purl stitch)
**Yo**: Yarn over
**K2tog**: Knit 2 together (right-leaning decrease)
**Ssk**: Slip, slip, knit (left-leaning decrease)
**S2kp**: Slip 2 stitches together knitwise, knit 1, pass slipped stitches over (centered double decrease)

**Twisted Rib (worked flat over even number of sts)**:
- RS: *K1tbl, p1; repeat from * to end
- WS: *K1, p1tbl; repeat from * to end

**I-Cord (worked on DPNs or circular)**:
- *Knit all sts, slide sts to opposite end of needle without turning; repeat from * for desired length, pulling yarn firmly across back of work.

## LACE PANEL PATTERN

**Lace Panel Chart** (25 sts wide, 12-row repeat)

Worked over 25 sts. Read RS rows (odd numbers) right to left, WS rows (even numbers) left to right.

```
Row 12 (WS): P all sts
Row 11 (RS): K2, yo, ssk, k2, yo, ssk, k5, k2tog, yo, k2, k2tog, yo, k2
Row 10 (WS): P all sts
Row 9 (RS): K3, yo, ssk, k2, yo, ssk, k3, k2tog, yo, k2, k2tog, yo, k3
Row 8 (WS): P all sts
Row 7 (RS): K4, yo, ssk, k2, yo, ssk, k1, k2tog, yo, k2, k2tog, yo, k4
Row 6 (WS): P all sts
Row 5 (RS): K5, yo, ssk, k2, yo, s2kp, yo, k2, k2tog, yo, k5
Row 4 (WS): P all sts
Row 3 (RS): K4, k2tog, yo, k2, k2tog, yo, k1, yo, ssk, k2, yo, ssk, k4
Row 2 (WS): P all sts
Row 1 (RS): K3, k2tog, yo, k2, k2tog, yo, k3, yo, ssk, k2, yo, ssk, k3
```

**Written Instructions for Lace Panel** (25 sts, 12-row repeat):
- Row 1 (RS): K3, k2tog, yo, k2, k2tog, yo, k3, yo, ssk, k2, yo, ssk, k3
- Row 2 (WS): P all sts
- Row 3 (RS): K4, k2tog, yo, k2, k2tog, yo, k1, yo, ssk, k2, yo, ssk, k4
- Row 4 (WS): P all sts
- Row 5 (RS): K5, yo, ssk, k2, yo, s2kp, yo, k2, k2tog, yo, k5
- Row 6 (WS): P all sts
- Row 7 (RS): K4, yo, ssk, k2, yo, ssk, k1, k2tog, yo, k2, k2tog, yo, k4
- Row 8 (WS): P all sts
- Row 9 (RS): K3, yo, ssk, k2, yo, ssk, k3, k2tog, yo, k2, k2tog, yo, k3
- Row 10 (WS): P all sts
- Row 11 (RS): K2, yo, ssk, k2, yo, ssk, k5, k2tog, yo, k2, k2tog, yo, k2
- Row 12 (WS): P all sts

Repeat Rows 1-12 for pattern.

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## BACK

**Under-bust Band**

Using US 2 (2.75mm) needles, CO 176 (188, 200, 212, 224) sts.

*Stitch count check: 176 (188, 200, 212, 224) sts*

Work in Twisted Rib (k1tbl, p1 on RS; k1, p1tbl on WS) for 1.5" / 4cm, ending with a WS row.

This band should fit snugly under the bust. Try on after 1" and adjust needle size if needed for fit.

**Body**

Change to US 3 (3.25mm) needles.

Next Row (RS): Knit all sts.
Next Row (WS): Purl all sts.

Continue in stockinette stitch (knit on RS, purl on WS) until piece measures 3.5 (3.75, 4, 4.25, 4.5)" / 9 (9.5, 10, 11, 11.5) cm from cast-on edge, ending with a WS row.

*Total sts: 176 (188, 200, 212, 224) sts*

**Racer Back Armhole Shaping**

The racer back requires deep, aggressively angled armholes that