Middleground is a pullover designed to be feminine but not too feminine. It has a subtle overall lace pattern that adds just enough visual interest without being overly lacy. It is worked from the bottom up in pieces: the body is worked in the round up to the armholes; the sleeves are worked flat. This pattern can also be made plainer by working entirely in stockinette stitch, it will then become your blank canvas limited only by your imagination.

Measurements are given in both centimeters and inches.

Materials

Yarn

Bulky weight

Shown here: Berrocco North Star (92% Superfine Alpaca, 8% Nylon; 100 m/109 yds per 50 g/1.75 oz ball; color: #3007 Elk): 5 (7, 7, 8, 9) balls

Yardage requirement:

525 (620, 700, 770, 875) m / 575 (680, 765, 840, 955) yds, including 15% allowance

The original yarn is discontinued. It is an alpaca blend with nylon core with a chainette structure. It is a lightweight fuzzy yarn that knits up to a bulky gauge. Substitutions are shown below:

• Rowan Brushed Fleece (65% Wool 30% Alpaca 5% Polyester; 50 g / 1.76 oz skein; 105 m / 115 yds)

• Berroco Pirouette (41% Baby Alpaca, 41% Merino Wool, 18% Nylon; 50 g / 1.76 oz skein; 128 m / 140 yds)

Needles

8 mm / US 11 circular needle of length 80 cm / 32 inches or longer; adjust needle size if necessary to obtain gauge.

8 mm / US 11 circular needle of length 40 cm / 16 inches, for neckband

Notions

Stitch markers, yarn needle

Gauge

12.6 sts x 18.7 rows = 10 cm / 4 inches in Lace Pattern, blocked

(or one Lace Pattern repeat = 9.5 cm x 15 cm / 3.75 inches x 6 inches)

If you do a plain Stockinette stitch version, you may need to adjust needle size to match the gauge of 12.6 sts x 18.7 rows.

Sizes

30 (34, 38, 42, 45)

Shown in size 30, modeled with no ease.

This garment is intended to be worn with no ease. It is designed to be worn next to skin; if you plan to layer it with other garments, knit the next size up.

Finished Measurements

Bust circumference: 76 (85.5, 95, 104.5, 114) cm / 30 (33.75, 37.5, 41.25, 45) inches

Required Skills

Decreasing in lace pattern, increases, knitting in the round, long-tail cast-on