Cotton Top Free Knitting Pattern by KarensVariety.com

FRONT:

** With No. 14 needles cast on 134 (144) (154) sts.

Row 1: * k 1 tbl, p 1 tbl. Repeat from * to end.
Repeat this row until work measures 3 1/2 inches.

Continue in pattern.

Row 1: k 1, * yfwd, k 2 tog. Repeat from * to last st, k 1.
Row 2: Purl.
Row 3: k 1, * k 2 tog, yfwd. Repeat from * to last st, k 1.
Row 4: Purl.
Row 5: Purl.
Row 6: Knit.
Row 7: Purl.
Row 8: Knit.
These 8 rows form pattern. Work 4 more rows in pattern.

Keeping pattern correct, increase 1 st at each end of next and every following 8th row until there are 162 (172) (182) sts.
Work 19 (23) (27) rows.

Shape Armholes:
Cast off 6 sts at beginning of next 2 rows, then 2 sts at beginning of following 2 rows.
Now decrease 1 st at beginning of every row until 130 (136) (142) sts remain.
Work 68 rows straight. 8th row of 28th (29th) (30th) pattern from start has now been completed.**

Shape Neck:
Work 59 (61) (63) sts, turn, leaving remaining sts on a spare needle.
!! Keeping armhole edge straight, cast off 2 sts at beginning of next and every alternate row, 4 times. Now decrease 1 st at neck edge on every alternate row  4 times, then 1 st on every 4th row twice, finishing at armhole edge: 45 (47) (49) sts.

Shape Shoulder:
Continuing to decrease for neck edge on every 4th row twice more, cast off at beginning of next and alternate rows, 6 sts 3 times, 5 (6) (6) sts twice, and 5 (5) (6) sts twice. Cast off remaining 5 sts.

Return to sts on spare needle. Rejoin yarn at neck edge, cast off centre 12 (14) (16) sts, work to end. Work back to neck edge. Finish to correspond with first side, working from !! to end.

BACK:
Work as front from ** to **. Continue as follows:

Divide for back opening.
Next Row: Work 67 (70) (73) sts, turn, leaving remaining sts on a spare needle.
Next Row: k 4, work to end. Keeping pattern correct, and 4 sts at back opening in garter stitch, continue as follows: Work 4 rows.

Make buttonhole:
Next Row: Work to last 4 sts, k 2 tog, yfwd, k 2. Continue making buttonholes in this way on every 7th pattern row. Work straight until 8th row of 31st (32nd) (33rd) pattern from start has been completed.

Shape Shoulder:
Continuing to make buttonholes on every 7th pattern row, cast off at beginning of next and alternate rows, 6 sts 3 times, 5 (6) (6) sts twice, 5 (5) (6) sts twice and 5 sts once. Work 1 row. Cast off remaining 24 (25) (26) sts.

Return to sts on spare needle, rejoin yarn at neck edge, cast on 4 sts for underlap, work to end. Keeping 4 sts at back opening in garter stitch and remainder in pattern, work until first row of 32nd (33rd) (34th) pattern from start has been completed. Shape shoulder as on first side.

Neckband:
Using a narrow back stitch, join shoulder seams. With No. 14 needles and right side facing, pick up and k 24 (25) (26) sts from left side of back, 95 (97) (99) sts round front neck edge, and 24 (25) (26) sts from right side of back: 143 (147) (151) sts.

Row 1: k 4, * k 1 tbl, p 1 tbl. Repeat from * to last 5 sts, k 1, tbl 1, k 4.
Row 2: k 4, * p 1 tbs, k 1 tbl. Repeat from * to last 5 sts, p 1 tbs, k 4. Repeat 1st and 2nd rows twice more, than first row once. Make buttonhole in next row. Work 7 rows. Cast off in rib.

Armhole Borders:
With No. 14 needles and right side facing, pick up and k 144 (148) (152) sts round each armhole.
Row 1: * k 1 tbl, p 1 tbl. Repeat from * to end.
Repeat this row twice more.
Keeping rib correct, decrease 1 st at each end of next and every following 4th row until 128 (132) (136) sts remain. Work 1 row. Cast off in rib.

To Make Up:
Join side seams, overstitching welt and armhole borders and back-stitching remainder. Sew lower edge of underlap at back of overlap. Press. Sew on buttons.