Plum Blossom Appliqué Slipover: Free Knit Pattern
Plum Blossom Appliqué Slipover: Free Knit Pattern
Introduction
The Plum Blossom Appliqué Slipover is a gentle, romantic layering piece designed with newer knitters in mind. It is worked as a simple double-knitted tube in a soft mauve cotton, which means the fabric looks like smooth stockinette on both the inside and the outside — no purling to worry about, and no wrong side to hide. The straight, easy shape is finished with tidy ribbed edgings at the neck and armholes, then dressed up with three small plum-colored cotton blossoms clustered near one shoulder for a Victorian, hand-made feel. It is light, breathable, and just structured enough to slip over a blouse or tee for a pretty everyday vest.
Materials Needed
- Yarn: Sport weight cotton (100% cotton, 50 g / 125 yd). Main color (MC) mauve: 300 (350, 400) yd. Contrast color (CC) plum: 20 yd for the appliqués.
- Needles: 3.5 mm (US 4) circular needle, 24" or longer, for magic loop or small circumferences; 3.5 mm (US 4) double-pointed needles for small circumferences (edgings and appliqués).
- Notions: Stitch markers, stitch holders or scrap yarn, tapestry needle, crochet hook (3.5 mm / US E) for the appliqués, scissors.
- Finished size: To fit teen (bust 30–32"). Finished bust 32" (81 cm), length 20" (51 cm).
Abbreviations
- CO — cast on: make the starting loops on your needle.
- MC / CC — main color / contrast color.
- K — knit stitch.
- P — purl stitch.
- Sl 1 wyif — slip 1 stitch purlwise with the yarn held in front of the work.
- K2tog — knit 2 stitches together (a right-leaning decrease).
- Ssk — slip, slip, knit: slip 2 stitches one at a time knitwise, then knit them together (a left-leaning decrease).
- BO — bind off.
- RS / WS — right side / wrong side.
- St(s) — stitch(es).
- Rnd(s) — round(s).
- Sc — single crochet.
- Dc — double crochet.
- Ch — chain.
- Sl st — slip stitch.
Gauge
24 sts and 32 rnds = 4" (10 cm) in double knitting (stockinette on both sides). Knit a small swatch in the round and measure it flat after a light block; if you have more stitches than 24 per 4", go up a needle size, and if you have fewer, go down.
Tips Before You Start
- Double knitting here is worked as a simple two-stitch repeat: knit 1, then slip 1 purlwise with the yarn in front. Keep the slipped stitches loose so the tube stays stretchy.
- Use a provisional cast-on so the hem edge stays neat and you can adjust the length later if you like.
- Count your stitches after every decrease row — the front and back must both end at 88 sts before you shape the neck.
- Make the three appliqués first and pin them in place before sewing, so you can play with the cluster arrangement near the shoulder.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Body (worked in the round as a double-knitted tube)
Set-up: With MC, CO 192 sts using a provisional cast-on (or any stretchy method). Join to work in the round, being careful not to twist. Place a marker for the beginning of the round.
Rnd 1: *K1, sl 1 purlwise with yarn in front; rep from * to end (192 sts).
Rnds 2–96: Repeat Rnd 1 until the piece measures 12" (30 cm) from the cast-on edge, ending after a WS row (192 sts).
Divide for Armholes and Neck
Next rnd: Work 96 sts (front), place the next 96 sts on a holder for the back (96 sts front; 96 sts held).
Front Shaping
Row 1 (RS): K2tog, work in double knitting to the last 2 sts, ssk (94 sts).
Row 2 (WS): Work even in double knitting (94 sts).
Rows 3–8: Repeat Rows 1–2 three more times (88 sts).
Next rows: Work even in double knitting until the armhole measures 6" (15 cm), ending after a WS row (88 sts).
Front Neck
Next row (RS): Work 44 sts, BO the next 44 sts for the neck, work to the end (44 sts each side).
Next 2 rows: Work each side separately even in double knitting (44 sts each side).
Next row: BO all sts on each side.
Back
Place the held 96 sts on the needle. Join MC and work in double knitting, shaping the armholes as for the front.
Row 1 (RS): K2tog, work in double knitting to the last 2 sts, ssk (94 sts).
Row 2 (WS): Work even in double knitting (94 sts).
Rows 3–8: Repeat Rows 1–2 three more times (88 sts).
Next rows: Work even until the armhole measures 6" (15 cm), ending after a WS row (88 sts).
Back Neck
Next row (RS): Work 44 sts, BO the next 44 sts for the neck, work to the end (44 sts each side).
Next 2 rows: Work each side separately even in double knitting (44 sts each side).
Next row: BO all sts on each side.
Neck Edging
With MC, pick up and knit 88 sts evenly around the neck opening. Join to work in the round.
Rnds 1–4: *K1, p1; rep from * to end (88 sts).
Next rnd: BO loosely in rib.
Armhole Edging (make 2)
With MC, pick up and knit 72 sts evenly around one armhole. Join to work in the round.
Rnds 1–4: *K1, p1; rep from * to end (72 sts).
Next rnd: BO loosely in rib. Repeat for the second armhole.
Plum Blossom Appliqués (make 3)
With CC, make a magic ring.
Rnd 1: 5 sc in the ring, join with a sl st to the first sc (5 sc).
Rnd 2: [Ch 2, 2 dc in the same st, ch 2, sl st in the same st] 5 times to make 5 petals (5 petals). Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.
Assembly and Finishing
Sew the shoulder seams. Sew the side seams from the armhole to the hem, leaving the armholes open. Arrange the 3 appliqués in a cluster near the left shoulder and sew them in place using the CC tails. Weave in all ends. Block lightly to measurements: finished bust 32" (81 cm), length 20" (51 cm).
Pro Tips and Variations
- Add a fourth blossom or scatter the appliqués down the front for a fuller floral look.
- Work the neck and armhole ribbing in CC for a subtle plum contrast edge.
- Lengthen the tube before dividing for a tunic-style slipover, or shorten it for a cropped version — just keep the armhole section at 6" (15 cm).
