The Birdie Blouse is an elegant blouse that adds a romantic touch to your wardrobe. It has a fitted body (negative ease + waist shaping) and dramatic gigot sleeves. The Birdie Blouse features a ruffle along the bottom and the sleeve cuffs, and a bow to close the neckline. The blouse is worked in the round from the bottom up, then divided at the armholes to work front and back separately. The sleeves are worked in the round by picking up stitches around the armhole. This garment is intended to be worn with 0 – 10 cm / 0 – 4″ of negative ease.

SIZES
XS, (S, M, L) (XL, 2XL, 3XL) (4XL, 5XL)

Choosing the right size is of utmost importance. Take your body measurements and choose the size that corresponds with them. The recommended ease for this design is approx. 0-10 cm (0-4 inches) of negative ease. The measurements below are the finished garment measurements, not your own.

Chest circumference:
70, (81, 91, 101) (111, 121, 131) (141, 151) cm
27½, (32, 36, 39¾) (43¾, 47½, 51½) (55½, 59½) inches

Waist circumference:
60, (65, 70, 80) (90, 100, 110) (120, 130) cm
23½, (25½, 27½, 31½) (35½, 39½, 43¼) (47¼, 51) inches

Upper arm circumference:
37, (38, 41, 44) (50, 56, 60) (65, 69) cm
14½, (15, 16, 17½) (19¾, 22, 23½) (25½, 27) inches

The pattern includes a full size chart. Feel free to email me if you need any additional measurements.

MATERIALS
Needles: 4 mm needles (US size 6, UK size 8) or other needle size that matches gauge. I recommend using an 80 cm or 100 cm circular needle for the body. The sleeves can be worked on DPNs or a 40 cm circular needle. If you decide to use the magic loop method, you can also use a longer circular needle.

3.5 mm needles (US size 4, UK size 9) to knit the necktie and sleeve ribbing.

Yarn: Fingering weight yarn, approximately 850, (950, 1050, 1120) (1270, 1400, 1500) (1600, 1730) meters / 930, (1040, 1150, 1225) (1390, 1530, 1640) (1750, 1900) yards.

I used Fingering Suri from Wool and Works in the colorway Roller for my sample. This a fingering weight 100% brushed suri alpaca yarn that comes in 100g skeins (à 400m / 436 yd). This yarn is available through www.woolandworks.com.au. You can also use any other fingering weight yarn that gives you the correct gauge.

Other tools: Darning needle, scissors, stitch markers, measuring tape, scrap yarn OR extra cable.

GAUGE
23 sts x 30 rounds = 10 x 10 cm / 4 × 4”; on 4 mm needles in stockinette stitch.