A vintage knitted suit pattern for blouse and skirt set. This vintage ensemble combines a softly flared bouclé skirt with a coordinating patterned blouse. The skirt is designed with gradual decreases to shape the silhouette, finished with an elastic casing and a delicate crochet border. The blouse features intricate stitch patterns, shaped armholes, and a tailored neck and shoulders, with ¾-length sleeves and cuffs reinforced with buckram and lining. Buttons are covered with matching yarn for a polished finish. The set balances texture, structure, and elegance, suitable for special occasions or refined everyday wear.

Bouclé Skirt and Blouse Set — Vintage Pattern

Sizes: 10 (12, 14, 16)

Materials

Yarn:

• Main Color (MC) – “Botany” Bouclé: 25 (28, 31, 34) × 1-oz pull skeins
• 1st Contrasting Color (CC1) – 2 × 1-oz pull skeins
• 2nd Contrasting Color (CC2) – 2 × 1-oz pull skeins

Needles & Hooks:

• Susan Bates Circular Needle No. 2
• Susan Bates Knitting Needles No. 2
• Susan Bates Clipson Crochet Hook No. 2

Other:

• ½ yd. buckram
• ½ yd. taffeta lining
• 1 yd. elastic, ½” width
• 4 prim button molds

Gauge: 8 sts = 1″; 10 rows = 1″

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Skirt Instructions

1. With MC and circular needle, cast on 340 (360, 380, 400) sts. Join, careful not to twist stitches.
2. Work even for 2″.

Decreases

• Dec round: K 32 (34, 36, 38), k2tog, repeat around → 10 decs.
• Work even for 2″.
• Continue decreases every 2″, reducing 1 st between decs, until 200 (220, 240, 260) sts remain.
• Work even until skirt measures 29″ (or desired length).
• Dec 10 sts on last round. Bind off.

Finishing

• Work 1 row sc around bottom edge.
• Work 4 rows sc around top edge.

Casing

• Ch 4, skip 3 sts, sl st to back of 4th st of first row; ch 4, skip 3 sts, sl st to top of 4th st of last row — repeat around.
• Thread elastic through casing to fit waist.

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Blouse Instructions

Back

1. With MC and No. 2 needles, cast on 120 (128, 136, 144) sts.
2. Work in stockinette stitch, following chart pattern.
3. Decrease 1 st at beg and end every 4th row, 12 times → 96 (104, 112, 120) sts.
4. Work even for 2″ (waistline). Place marker.
5. Increase 1 st at beg and end every ½”, 12 times → 120 (128, 136, 144) sts.
6. Work in pattern until 7 (7½, 8, 8½)” from marker or desired length to underarm.

Armholes

• Bind off 7 sts at beg of next 2 rows.
• Decrease 1 st at beg and end every other row, 7 times → 92 (100, 108, 116) sts.
• Work even until armhole measures 5½ (6, 6½, 7)” from first bind-off.

Neck & Shoulders

• Work across 30 (32, 34, 36) sts, slip on holder, bind off center 32 (36, 40, 44) sts, work remaining 30 (32, 34, 36) sts.
• Decrease 2 sts (k3tog) at neck edge every row 5 times.
• Bind off shoulder sts at armhole side 10 (11, 12, 13) sts every other row 2 times.
• Repeat for opposite side.

Front

• Work same as back until ½” shorter than back to underarm, ending on wrong side.

Front Opening

• Work across 53 (57, 61, 65) sts, slip remaining sts on holder.
• Cast on 14 sts for underlap; work even ½”.
• Shape armholes and neck as for back.
• Bind off and shape shoulders as described, adding buttonholes opposite markers.

Sleeves

• Cast on 62 (66, 70, 74) sts with MC.
• Work in pattern. Increase 1 st at beg and end every 8th row, 12 times → 86 (90, 94, 98) sts.
• Work even until sleeve measures 13 (13½, 14, 14½)”.

Sleeve Cap

• Bind off 7 sts at beg of next 2 rows.
• Decrease 1 st at beg and end every row 5 times.
• Decrease 1 st at beg and end every other row until 24 sts remain. Bind off.

Cuffs

• Pick up sts along bottom edges; work stockinette, decreasing 1 st at beg and end every 4th row 6 times → bind off.
• Sleeve cuffs: cast on 72 (76, 80, 84) sts, work stockinette, increase 1 st at beg and end every other row 12 times → bind off.

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Finishing

1. Sew side, shoulder, and sleeve seams. Attach sleeves.
2. Face bottom and sleeve cuffs with buckram and taffeta lining.
3. Neckband: pick up sts along front opening and back neck; work stockinette.
4. Decrease 1 st before and after each marker every other row, 6 times.
5. Work buttonholes; continue 12 more rows in pattern.
6. Bind off; sc around neckband and front opening.
7. Outline with 1 row sc, reinforce buttonholes.
8. Sew on buttons and cover using small stockinette swatches (cast on 8 sts, 10 rows, bind off; make 4).