Stacy Charles Fine Yarns Maribel Shell Knitting Pattern

Maribel Shell by Rosemary Drysdale

What Is Being Made

The Maribel Shell is a sleeveless knitted sweater designed for easy construction and versatile styling. This garment features a classic shell silhouette with a crew neckline and finished armholes. Available in four sizes—Small, Medium, Large, and XL—the shell offers finished bust measurements ranging from 33½ inches (85 cm) to 45½ inches (115.5 cm), with lengths between 21½ and 23 inches (54.5 to 58.5 cm). The design combines comfort with elegance, making it suitable for layering or wearing alone during warmer seasons.

Techniques Used

The Maribel Shell employs several fundamental knitting techniques to create its finished structure. The garment is worked flat on straight needles for the main body pieces, allowing for straightforward row-by-row construction. The pattern uses a bottom-up construction method, beginning with cast-on stitches at the lower edge and working upward toward the shoulders. Seaming is used to join the shoulder and side seams after the main pieces are completed, creating clean, professional-looking seams. The design incorporates stripes throughout the body as a primary design element, alternating between the main color and contrasting yarn. Additionally, the neckband and armhole edgings are worked in the round using a circular needle, which allows for seamless finishing around these openings.

Stitches Used

The Maribel Shell relies on essential knitting stitches that create both structure and visual interest. Stockinette stitch forms the primary fabric of the garment, created by knitting on right-side rows and purling on wrong-side rows. This stitch produces the smooth, classic appearance characteristic of many knitted shells. Garter stitch appears in multiple locations throughout the pattern: it creates the initial cast-on edge at the beginning of the back piece (9 rows), forms the stripe pattern sequences (2 rows worked in garter stitch between stockinette sections), and appears as a 10-row section in the contrasting yarn. Ribbing (knit 1, purl 1) is used for the neckband and armhole edgings, providing elasticity and a refined finish to these openings. The ribbed edgings are worked over 2 rows before binding off, ensuring a neat, tailored appearance.

Stripe Pattern Details

The stripe pattern creates visual rhythm throughout the shell and is worked in a repeating sequence. The pattern alternates between 10 rows of stockinette stitch in the main color (beginning with a knit row), followed by 2 rows of garter stitch in the contrasting color, then 2 rows of garter stitch in the main color, then 2 rows of garter stitch in the contrasting color again, and finally 10 rows of garter stitch in the contrasting color. This sequence then repeats from the beginning, creating a balanced, multi-colored design that adds depth and interest to the finished garment.

Materials and Yarn Specifications

The Maribel Shell pattern calls for specific yarns from Stacy Charles Fine Yarns, chosen for their quality and drape. The main color (MC) uses Stacy Charles Fine Yarns NINA, a linen-blend yarn composed of 77% linen and 23% cotton. Each ball contains 1.75 ounces (50 grams) with 136 yards (125 meters) of yardage. The pattern requires 3 balls for Small, 3 balls for Medium, 4 balls for Large, and 5 balls for XL, with the main color specified as #21 iris. The contrasting color (A) uses Stacy Charles Fine Yarns CRYSTAL, a polyester-blend yarn made of 85% polyester and 15% cotton. Each ball of Crystal contains 0.88 ounces (25 grams) with 144 yards (131 meters) of yardage. Two balls of Crystal in color #56 amethyst are required for all sizes. The linen-cotton blend of the main yarn provides breathability and a subtle texture, while the polyester-cotton blend of the contrasting yarn offers a different visual and tactile quality that enhances the striped design.

Needles and Notions

Construction of the Maribel Shell requires size 5 (3.75mm) straight needles for working the main body pieces flat. A size 5 (3.75mm) circular needle measuring 16 inches (40 cm) is used for the neckband and armhole