Complete Guide to Modern Knitting and Crocheting by Alice Carroll, 1942 edition.

 This vintage ribbed blouse knitting pattern features elegant K2P2 texture, seamless shoulder construction, and a refined open-front lapel finished with a delicate crochet picot edge. Worked in one piece from the hem up, the design includes simple shaping at the neckline and armholes, plus classic set-in sleeves for a tailored fit. Sized for 14, 16, and 18, the pattern uses lightweight 3-ply fingering wool and #2 needles to create a smooth, fine-gauge fabric. A perfect project for knitters who enjoy timeless silhouettes, clean lines, and vintage-inspired techniques. Let this blouse become a staple piece in any handmade wardrobe.

Vintage Ribbed Blouse – Full Knitting Pattern (Sizes 14, 16, 18)

Gauge: 9 sts = 1 inch
Needles: One pair #2 knitting needles
Hook: Steel crochet hook #4
Yarn:

• Size 14 – 7 oz 3-ply fingering wool
• Sizes 16 & 18 – 8 oz 3-ply fingering wool

Construction:
Back and front are worked in one piece, with no shoulder seams.

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Front & Back (worked as one)

Cast On

Cast on 146 (154, 162) sts.
Work in K2, P2 ribbing as follows:

• Row 1: K2, *P2, K2; rep from * across.
• Row 2: P2, *K2, P2; rep from * across.

Repeat these 2 rows until work measures:
12″ (12½”, 12½”) from cast-on.

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Neck Opening

Next row:
Work across 72 (76, 80) sts.
Inc 1 st in next st.
Turn—begin neck opening.
Work over this set of 74 (78, 82) sts only for 2 inches, ending at side edge.

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Armhole Shaping (Front)

At the start of the next row, bind off:
11 (12, 14) sts.

Work straight on remaining sts for 7 (7½, 7½) inches.

Bind off at the neck edge:
27 (27, 29) sts.
Finish the row.
Work 1 more row, ending at neck edge. Break yarn.

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Opposite Neck Side

Rejoin yarn at center where sts were divided.
Inc 1 st.
Work to match first side, ending at armhole edge.

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Back Neck Cast-On

Next row:
Work across sts of first shoulder,
Cast on 44 (44, 48) sts for back neck,
Work across sts of second shoulder.

You now have 116 (122, 126) sts.

Work straight until piece measures 7 (7½, 7½) inches from back neck.

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Back Armhole Shaping

Cast on 11 (12, 14) sts at end of next 2 rows → 138 (146, 154) sts.

Work straight until back matches the front length.

Bind off loosely in rib.

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Sleeves

Cast On

Cast on 102 (106, 110) sts.
Work in K2, P2 rib for 1 inch.

Increase Row

Increase 1 st at both ends of next row,
then every 4th row until you have:
116 (120, 124) sts.

Work straight until sleeve measures 4 inches.

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Sleeve Cap

Bind off at beginning of next 2 rows:
11 (11, 13) sts.

Work straight until sleeve length is:
9 (9½, 9½) inches total.

Bind off 2 sts at beginning of each of next 10 rows.
Bind off remaining sts.

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Finishing

Sew side seams.
Sew sleeve seams.
Set in sleeves.

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Edging (Crochet)

Work with wrong side facing, beginning at bottom of neck opening.

Round 1 – Single Crochet

Work sc evenly up left lapel, across top of lapel,
then continue sc across the back neck (shaping to 4″),
then down the right lapel.
Sl st into first sc.

Round 2 – Picot Edge

Along lapels only:

Sc in 3 sc, ch 3, sc in 3rd ch from hook (picot).
Repeat this sequence along both lapels.
Work plain sc across the back neck.

Fasten off.