! Under Construction !

After a couple failed attempts with another pattern for Crystal Palace Bam Boo yarn, I’ve totally made up a new pattern from scratch, one that will hopefully produce a wearable garment.

This pattern is somewhat inspired by the book Fitted Knits by Stefanie Japel.

CO 200 sts and join for working in the round, placing marker at the beginning of the round.
Purl 1 round.
Knit 1 round.
Purl 2 rounds.
Knit 1 round.
Purl 2 rounds.
Knit 1 round, and then k5 *m1, k10; rep from * to last 5 sts of round, m1, k5 — 220 sts total.

Starting the next round with k2, p2, and continue in k3, p2 ribbing. Mark the 56th st with a safety pin or removable marker — this is the center front. Work in patt 55 more sts, pm. This marks the right side, and the original round marker marks the left.
Work 10 rounds in patt, and then start waist shaping as follows, leaving 3 k sts at each side even throughout shaping:
Work in patt past center front to 4 sts before right side marker. Slip the next two sts as if to knit, transfer back to the left needle, p2tog through back loop. K3 (1 st past marker), p2tog. Work in patt to 3 sts before left side marker and dec as for right side: ssp, k3 (2 sts past marker), p2tog. Work 3 rounds even.
Work in patt to 4 sts before right side marker. Ssk, k3, k2tog. Work in patt to 3 sts before left side marker and dec as for right side. Work 3 rounds even.
Continue decreases as established, leaving the 3 k sts at each side even throughout. Work a total of XX dec, including the 3 rounds even with last dec — XXX sts total.
Work in patt past center front to 2 sts before right side marker. M1pL (lift bar between sts with left needle from back to front, p through back loop), k3 (1 st past marker), m1pR (lift bar between sts with left needle from front to back, p through front loop).