purlJam

# TWISTED RIB CAMISOLE

A beginner-friendly seamless camisole knit from the bottom up in the round with elegant twisted rib detailing. This close-fitting design features zero ease for a sleek, flattering fit perfect for layering or wearing on its own.

**Skill Level**: Beginner  
**Sizing**: XS (S, M, L, XL)

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## MATERIALS

**Yarn**: Fingering weight yarn  
- **Yardage**: 400 (500, 600, 700, 800) yards
- **Recommended**: Smooth fingering weight yarn with good stitch definition
- **Fiber suggestions**: Cotton or cotton blends for breathability; merino or bamboo blends for drape

**Needles**:
- US 2 (2.75mm) 16" circular needle for ribbing and body
- US 2 (2.75mm) straight or circular needles for working flat
- US 1 (2.25mm) 16" circular needle for ribbing (optional, for tighter band)

**Notions**:
- Stitch markers (1 in contrasting color for BOR, 2 additional)
- Stitch holders or waste yarn
- Tapestry needle
- Row counter (helpful for tracking)

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## GAUGE

**26 stitches × 36 rows = 4 inches** in stockinette stitch in the round on US 2 (2.75mm) needles, blocked

**24 stitches × 36 rows = 4 inches** in twisted rib pattern (slightly compressed)

**To check gauge**: Cast on 32 sts, work twisted rib for 2", then stockinette for 4". Bind off. Block and measure center 4" square. Gauge is critical for fit with zero ease.

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## SIZES & FINISHED MEASUREMENTS

This camisole is designed with **zero ease** for a close, body-hugging fit. Choose the size that matches your actual bust measurement.

| Size | Bust Circumference | Body Length* | Armhole Depth |
|------|-------------------|--------------|---------------|
| XS   | 30" (76 cm)       | 12" (30.5 cm)| 7" (18 cm)    |
| S    | 34" (86.5 cm)     | 13" (33 cm)  | 7.5" (19 cm)  |
| M    | 38" (96.5 cm)     | 14" (35.5 cm)| 8" (20.5 cm)  |
| L    | 42" (106.5 cm)    | 14.5" (37 cm)| 8.5" (21.5 cm)|
| XL   | 46" (117 cm)      | 15" (38 cm)  | 9" (23 cm)    |

*Body length measured from cast-on edge to underarm (adjustable)

**Strap width**: 0.75" (2 cm)  
**Strap length**: Approximately 12-14" (adjustable during knitting)

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## PATTERN NOTES

**Construction**: This camisole is worked seamlessly in the round from the bottom up to the underarm. At the underarm, stitches are divided and the front and back are worked separately flat with minimal armhole shaping. Straps are worked in twisted rib and joined at shoulders.

**Twisted Rib Pattern** (multiple of 4 sts):
- **Round/Row 1**: *K1tbl, p1, k1tbl, p1; repeat from * to end
- **Repeat Round/Row 1** for pattern

**K1tbl** = Knit 1 through back loop (twists the stitch)

**Fit Notes**: 
- Zero ease means this will fit very close to the body. The twisted rib hem provides some stretch.
- Try on as you work to adjust body length before dividing for armholes.
- Fingering weight yarn creates a delicate, lightweight fabric with beautiful drape.

**Stitch Count Reference**:
- XS: 196 sts [196 ÷ 4 = 49 repeats ✓]
- S: 220 sts [220 ÷ 4 = 55 repeats ✓]
- M: 248 sts [248 ÷ 4 = 62 repeats ✓]
- L: 272 sts [272 ÷ 4 = 68 repeats ✓]
- XL: 300 sts [300 ÷ 4 = 75 repeats ✓]

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## PATTERN INSTRUCTIONS

### BODY

**Cast On**: Using US 2 (2.75mm) circular needle (or US 1 for tighter band), cast on 196 (220, 248, 272, 300) sts using long-tail cast on.

**Join for working in the round**: Being careful not to twist stitches, place BOR marker and join.

**Twisted Rib Hem**:
- Rounds 1-12: Work Twisted Rib Pattern for 12 rounds (approximately 1.5 inches).
  - *K1tbl, p1, k1tbl, p1; repeat from * to end

**Switch to Stockinette**:
- Round 13: Knit all stitches.
- Continue in stockinette stitch (knit every round) until piece measures 12 (13, 14, 14.5, 15)" from cast-on edge, or desired length to underarm.

**Measurement check**: [Current round count × 4 ÷ 36 rows/4" = inches from start of stockinette. Add 1.5" for ribbing.]

**Divide for Front and Back**:
- **Setup Round**: 
  - K3, place next 3 sts on holder or waste yarn (right underarm)
  - K91 (104, 118, 130, 144) [this is FRONT], place next 6 sts on holder (left underarm and beginning of back)
  - K91 (104, 118, 130, 144) [this is BACK], place last 3 sts on holder with first 3 sts (completing right underarm)
  
**Stitch count verification**:
- Front: 91 (104, 118, 130, 144) sts [✓]
- Back: 91 (104, 118, 130, 144) sts [✓]
- On holders: 12 sts total [6 + 6 = 12 ✓]
- Total: 91 + 91 + 12 = 194... WAIT, ERROR DETECTED

**CORRECTION - Divide for Front and Back**:
Let me recalculate:
- Total sts: 196 (220, 248, 272, 300)
- Underarm sts to hold: 6 each side = 12 total
- Remaining for front + back: 184 (208, 236, 260, 288)
- Front sts: 92 (104, 118, 130, 144)
- Back sts: 92 (104, 118, 130, 144)

**Setup Round**: 
- K3 (3, 4, 4, 5), place next 6 (6, 6, 8, 8) sts on holder (right underarm)
- K92 (104, 118, 130, 144) for FRONT, place next 6 (6, 6, 8, 8) sts on holder (left underarm)
- K92 (104, 118, 130, 144) for BACK, place remaining 3 (3, 4, 4, 5) sts on holder with first sts (completing right underarm)

**Verification**:
- XS: 6 + 92 + 6 + 92 = 196 ✓
- S: 6 + 104 + 6 + 104 = 220 ✓
- M: 6 + 118 + 6 + 118 = 248 ✓
- L: 8 + 130 + 8 + 130 = 276... ERROR

**FINAL CORRECTION - Simplified Divide**:
- Place first 98 (110, 124, 136, 150) sts on holder (FRONT)
- Work next 98 (110, 124, 136, 150) sts as BACK

Work BACK first, then FRONT.

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### BACK

You will now work back and forth in rows on the Back stitches: 98 (110, 124, 136, 150) sts

**Row 1 (WS)**: Purl.
**Row 2 (RS)**: K2, ssk, knit to last 4 sts, k2tog, k2. [96 (108, 122, 134, 148) sts]
**Row 3**: Purl.
**Row 4**: Knit.
**Row 5**: Purl.

Repeat Rows 4-5 (working in stockinette) until armhole measures 6 (6.5, 7, 7.5, 8)" from divide.

**Strap Placement Row (RS)**: 
- K20 (23, 27, 30, 34), place these sts on holder (left back shoulder)
- BO center 56 (62, 68, 74, 80) sts for back neck [56 sts ÷ 6.5 = 8.6" back neck width]
- K20 (23, 27, 30, 34), place these sts on holder (right back shoulder)

**Verification**: 20 + 56 + 20 = 96 ✓ for XS

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### FRONT

Place held Front stitches on needle: 98 (110, 124, 136, 150) sts

**Row 1 (WS)**: Purl.
**Row 2 (RS)**: K2, ssk, knit to last 4 sts, k2tog, k2. [96 (108, 122, 134, 148) sts]
**Row 3**: Purl.
**Row 4**: Knit.
**Row 5**: Purl.

Repeat Rows 4-5 until armhole measures 4 (4.5, 5, 5.5, 6)" from divide, ending with a WS row.

**Begin Front Neck Shaping**:

**Next Row (RS)**: K38 (43, 49, 54, 60), join new ball of yarn, BO center 20 (22, 24, 26, 28) sts, knit to end. [38 (43, 49, 54, 60) sts each side]

**Verification**: 38 + 20 + 38 = 96 ✓ for XS

Working both sides at same time with separate balls of yarn:

**Row 1 (WS)**: Purl to end on left side; purl to end on right side.
**Row 2 (RS)**: 
- Left side: Knit to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. 
- Right side: K1, ssk, knit to end.
[37 (42, 48, 53, 59) sts each side]

**Row 3**: Purl both sides.

Repeat Rows 2-3 a total of 17 (19, 21, 23, 25) times. [20 (23, 27, 30, 34) sts remain each side]

**Math check**: 38 - 18 = 20 ✓ for XS

Continue working even in stockinette until Front armhole measures same as Back: 6 (6.5, 7, 7.5, 8)" from divide.

Place shoulder stitches on holders: 20 (23, 27, 30, 34) sts each shoulder.

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### STRAPS (make 4)

Using straight needles or circular needle, cast on 20 sts.

**Row 1**: *K1tbl, p1, k1tbl