Zip 35cm (133⁄4in)
Yarn
Mitu from Rauma Ullvarefabrikk (alpaca/wool)
250g (83⁄4oz) in sheep white no. 0010
3.5mm (size 4) needles
CO 184cm (721⁄2in) on a circular needle and knit in the round.
Front: Start with k4, p2, k10, p2, DIAMOND PATTERN, and finish with k1, p2, k10, p2, k4. The pattern measures 103cm (401⁄2in) altogether.
Back: Knit k the whole time. Amount of k on the back is only 81cm (32in). This is because of the cable pattern in the front that contracts and shrinks.
Diamond pattern:
CR means cross right: place 1 st on cn behind the work, k1 from left needle and then k1 from cn (4 CR means to repeat CR 4 times.)
CL means cross left: Place 1 st on cn in front of the work, knit k1 from left needle and then k1 from cn.
Row 1: *K1, CL1, CR4, k1, CL4, CR1*.
Repeat from * to * 3 times (total 22 sts,
3 times is 66 sts).
Row 2: And all other even rows: k.
Row 3: *K2, CL1, CR3, k3, CL3, CR1, k1*. Repeat from * to * 3 times.
Row 5: *K1, CL2, CR3, k1, CL3, CR2*. Repeat from * to * 3 times.
Row 7: *K2, CL2, CR2, k3, CL2, CR2, k1*. Repeat from * to * 3 times.
Row 9: *K1, CL3, CR2, k1, CL2, CR3*. Repeat from * to * 3 times.
Row 11: *K2, CL3, CR1, k3, CL1, CR3, k1*. Repeat from * to * 3 times.
Row 13: *K1, CL4, CR1, k1, CL1, CR4*. Repeat from * to * 3 times.
Row 15: *K2, CL4, k3, CR4, k4*. Repeat from * to * 3 times.
** See NB on next page.
Row 17: *K1, CL5, k1, CR5*. Repeat from * to * 3 times.
Row 19: *K1, CR5, k1, CL5*. Repeat from * to * 3 times.
(Now the pattern is reversed and goes in the opposite direction.)
Row 21: *K2, CR4, k3, CL4, k1*. Repeat from * to * 3 times.
Row 23: *K1, CR4, CL1, k1, CR1, CL4*. Repeat from * to * 3 times.
Row 25: *K2, CR3, CL1, k3, CR1, CL3, k1*. Repeat from * to * 3 times.
Row 27: *K1, CR3, CL2, k1, CR2, CL3*. Repeat from * to * 3 times.
Row 29: *K2, CR2, CL2, k3, CR2, CL2, k1*. Repeat from * to * 3 times.
Row 31: *K1, CR2, CL3, k1, CR3, CL2*. Repeat from * to * 3 times.
Row 33: *K2, CR1, CL3, k3, CR3, CL1, k1*. Repeat from * to * 3 times.
Row 35:*K1, CR1, CL4, k1, CR4, CL1*. Repeat from * to * 3 times.
Row 36: Knit k.
NB: When you have knitted row 16, turn the cables on the side the first time. Do this by placing the first 5 sts on a cn behind the work, knit the next 5 before you knit k on cn. Turn the cables every 8 rows. Use a safety pin or similar to keep track of the rows. The cables are turned 11 times in total. The diamond pattern from row 1 to row 36 is repeated 3 times. Cast (bind) off.
Assembly:
Press the work gently. Sew in the zip as described in Good Advice. Sew the sides on the bottom and top with mattress stitch. The bubble edges are made by sewing overstitch with double thread around the 3 outermost sts on each side. Cast the stitch around 3 sts. Tighten gently to achieve the bubble effect.