The Bias Square Stomacher Blouse (XXXVII) suggests the large 3-triangle square, but only along its bias edges.

The stomacher blouse, or stomacher. was popular as early as the fifteenth century and was designed to cover, with elaborate brocades and embroideries, the corset-sometimes made of steel-worn underneath. But the stomacher, we are told, reached its height in beauty and popularity during the reign of Queen Eliza­beth and continued to be worn until the end of the eighteenth century; it was usually V-shaped and pointed, to come down over the stomach and fill the opening of the tight-fitting bodices worn in those days. Nevertheless, it was the forerunner of the false-front, the waistcoat, the vest-blouse or dickey that have followed through the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.

But the name “stomacher” implies beautiful handwork, so the loveliest and best-fitting of number-knitted utility scarves is named for the stomacher blouse. It may be worn as a blouse front, a shoulder scarf or head kerchief, but, with bias edges and interior circular stretch, will always insure a perfect fit.

Yarn: A; 2-ply fine; weight 1 oz.; violet, navy and periwinkle blue Needles: number 15
Gauge: 2 stitches to 1 inch
Chart: one box = 3; 18 boxes wide