Gathered blouse

Gathered Blouse by Katya Frankel

What is Being Made

The Gathered Blouse is a knitted pullover sweater designed by Katya Frankel, featuring a fitted silhouette with strategic gathering details. This garment is constructed to fit with 1–2 inches (2.5–5 cm) of negative ease, creating a close, body-conscious fit. The blouse is available in six size options, ranging from 32 inches (81.5 cm) to 51¾ inches (131.5 cm) bust circumference, making it suitable for a wide range of body types.

Knitting Techniques and Methods

This project employs several intermediate to advanced knitting techniques that add visual interest and structural complexity to the finished garment. The primary construction method is knitting in the round, which creates seamless fabric and allows for continuous stitch work without seaming. The blouse incorporates cable knitting, a decorative technique that creates twisted, rope-like patterns by crossing groups of stitches over one another. Additionally, the design requires proficiency with yarn decreases and increases, which are essential for shaping the garment and creating the gathered effects that define this design. Finishing techniques are also integral to completing the blouse professionally.

Stitches Used

• Stockinette Stitch (St st) – The foundational stitch used for the main body fabric, creating a smooth, classic knit appearance
• Knit and Purl Stitches – The basic building blocks of all knitting, used individually and in combination throughout the pattern
• Cable Stitches – Decorative twisted stitches that create textured, dimensional patterns; the cable pattern achieves a gauge of 24 stitches over 4 inches (10 cm)
• Decreases and Increases – Shaping techniques used to create the gathered details and fitted silhouette of the blouse

Materials and Yarn Specifications

The Gathered Blouse pattern calls for Cascade Yarns Venezia Worsted in colorway #178 deep sea. This yarn is a premium blend of 70% merino wool and 30% silk, offering both warmth and a luxurious drape. Each skein contains 218 yards (199 meters) and weighs 3½ ounces (100 grams). The pattern requires 5–8 skeins depending on size, totaling approximately 990–1,590 yards (900–1,460 meters) of worsted weight yarn.

Substitutions are permitted with any worsted weight yarn of comparable yardage and fiber content. The pattern specifies a gauge of 21 stitches and 27 rounds over a 4-inch (10 cm) square in stockinette stitch, and 24 stitches over 4 inches (10 cm) in cable pattern. Achieving the correct gauge is essential for proper fit and finished measurements.

Needles and Notions

• Size 6 (4 mm) circular needle, 24 inches (60 cm) in length, for working the body in the round
• Size 6 (4 mm) double-pointed needles (dpn), for working smaller circumferences such as sleeves or ribbing
• Stitch markers – for tracking pattern repeats and shaping points
• Cable needle – for holding stitches while crossing cables
• Stitch holders – for temporarily securing stitches during construction
• Tapestry needle – for weaving in yarn ends and any necessary seaming

Needle size may be adjusted as needed to achieve the correct gauge, as individual knitting tension varies.