Tunic with Broad Stripes in BC Garn Silkbloom Fino - 2231BC - Downloadable PDF

Tunic with Broad Stripes in BC Garn Silkbloom Fino – Pattern 2231BC by Lene Holme Samsøe

This free, downloadable PDF knitting pattern by designer Lene Holme Samsøe for BC Garn presents a beautifully elegant striped tunic worked in the luxurious Silkbloom Fino yarn. The design is rated intermediate in difficulty and is a wonderful project for knitters who are comfortable with basic shaping and want to explore bold, graphic colour work through broad horizontal stripes. The finished tunic is a wearable, versatile top that combines classic construction with a striking two-tone palette.

What Is Being Made

The pattern produces a striped tunic worked in four sizes: S, M, L, and XL, with finished bust measurements of 90 (98) 106 (114) cm and a total length of 68 (69) 70 (71) cm. The garment features broad horizontal stripes in two contrasting colours — col. ix15 beige and col. ix20 cerise — creating a bold, modern aesthetic. The tunic includes separately worked sleeves, making it a classic set-in or structured-sleeve construction.

Yarn and Materials

The pattern calls for BC Garn Silkbloom Fino, a 4-ply weight yarn. For each colourway, the following quantities are required:

• 200 (200) 250 (250) g in col. ix15 beige
• 200 (200) 250 (250) g in col. ix20 cerise

Silkbloom Fino is a refined, lightweight yarn from BC Garn known for its silk-blend composition, which lends the finished fabric a beautiful drape, subtle sheen, and soft hand feel — all qualities that make it particularly well suited to a flowing tunic silhouette.

Needles

The pattern requires the following needles:

• Straight needles in size 2½ mm — used for the ribbed or folded hem and sleeve cast-ons
• Straight needles in size 3 mm — used for the main body fabric in stocking stitch
• Circular needle in size 2½ mm, 40 cm length — used for finishing details such as necklines or edgings

Tension

Achieving the correct tension is essential for this pattern. The stated tension is 27 stitches × 36 rows = 10 × 10 cm worked in stocking stitch using size 3 mm needles. Knitters are advised to swatch carefully, as the fine 4-ply weight of Silkbloom Fino requires a precise gauge to ensure the garment fits correctly across all four sizes.

Techniques and Construction

The tunic is constructed in separate flat pieces — a back, front, and two sleeves — which are then seamed together. This traditional flat knitting approach gives the knitter full control over shaping and stripe alignment. Key construction techniques used in this pattern include:

• Folded hem edging — the lower edge is worked by casting on and working 8 rows in stocking stitch, then knitting one row from the wrong side to create a folding edge, producing a neat, clean hem when folded and sewn in place
• Shoulder shaping with cast-offs — shoulders are shaped by casting off stitches at the same height on both back and front pieces, ensuring symmetry
• Stripe colour changes — the broad stripes are achieved by switching between col. ix15 beige and col. ix20 cerise at regular intervals, requiring tidy yarn management at the edges
• Increases — sleeve shaping involves increases worked along the edges to build the sleeve width from the cast-on edge upward

Stitches Used