Te Maara is the Māori word for the garden as the delicate lace down the sleeves reminds me of my garden.

This jersey is top-down and seamless, saddle shoulder garment. The two saddles are made and one back shoulder is picked up, then across the back of the neck is cable cast on, then the stitches along the second shoulder are picked up along the second saddle. German Short Rows shape the shoulders and back of the neck. The back yoke is worked down with increases to shape the armhole, then these stitches are placed on hold. Each front is then worked the same as the back, with more substantial German Short Row shaping to form the front neckline. The front is worked down to the armhole also with increases, when the front and back are joined in the round and worked down. There is an option for a straight body, or waist and hip shaping, or just hip shaping depending on your preference. A folded picot hem completes the body.

Next the sleeves, which have 6 - 8” / 15 - 20 cm ease in the upper arm, are picked up around the armhole and a German Short Row sleeve cap is worked. Concurrently with this, the lace of the saddle cascades down the sleeves and a cable pattern is commenced. On completion of the sleeve cap, the sleeve is worked down with the lace and cable pattern to a ¾ length. There is a decrease round and a small twisted rib cuff is worked.

Finally, to complete the jersey, stitches are picked up around the neckline and a small twisted rib neckband is worked.

Finished Sizes
Te Maara Blouse has sizes 1 – 18. It has an intended 2 - 4” / 5 - 10 cm of positive ease in the bust. Choose a size to knit that is between 2 - 4” / 5 - 10 cm larger than your actual bust size.
For sizes 1 – 18 the finished garment Bust Circumference: 30 (32, 34, 36, 38, 40) 42, 44, 46, 48, 50, 52 {54, 56, 58, 60, 62, 64}” / 76 (81, 86, 91, 97, 102) 107, 112, 117, 122, 127, 132 {137, 142, 147, 152, 157, 163} cm

Needles and Notions
US 3 / 3.25 mm circular needles 32” / 80 cm long and for small circumference knitting.
Adjust needle size as needed to obtain correct gauge.
US 2 / 2.75 mm circular needles for small circumference knitting and 32” / 80 cm long
Stitch markers – both circular and removable, tapestry needle and waste yarn

Yarn
Sample knit in Dreamfire Artisan Yarn fingering weight super-wash 100% merino yarn 100gm 400m / 437 yds in the colour Platinum. It is recommended a similar type of yarn is used.
Approximately 1030 (1070, 1140, 1200, 1270, 1330) 1400, 1465, 1530, 1620, 1710, 1770 {1860, 1950, 2035, 2120, 2190, 2275} yds / 940 (980, 1040, 1100, 1160, 1220) 1280, 1340, 1400, 1480, 1560, 1620 {1700, 1780, 1860, 1940, 2000, 2080}m of fingering weight yarn required.

Gauge
28 stitches / 36 rows per 4” / 10cm using US 3 / 3.25 mm needle on stockinette after blocking.