Machine Knit "sort-of sideways" tunic top

I am so tickled with these tunics! I knit the bottom half as one long sideways panel. I then sewed the ends together making a tube (this is the body part of the tunic). I picked up stitches and knit the front bodice, then picked up stitches and knit the back bodice.
I used 2 strands of thin yarn and used a plaiting pattern on my Brother 965i. -this could be done with a punchcard machine as well. Very very easy and I love how all 3 turned out!

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Here is how I made it - this worked up to fit me - 36” bust, 39” at hip. I steamed it to shape.
Tension 9+
I used 2 strands of fairly thin yarn (2/24 ish)
e-wrap Cast on 130 stitches
Knit in plaited tuck stitch of choice for 365 rows
bind off.

Fold this newly knit piece in half and sew together with as small
of a seam as you can.

Mark 2 1/2” on each side of seam you just made. Note that the fold
side is now your other “side” ofyour sweater - mark 2 1/2” from
each side of your fold as well.

BACK
RC000
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Knit in Plaited Stockinette stitch.
Pick up and hang 84 stitches between your two marks. Knit 4 rows, dec
1 stitch each end. Knit 2 rows, dec 1 stitch each end 3x. You are now
knitting on 76 stitches.** Knit to row 72. Remove 28 stitches at center
(for back of neck) to waste yarn. Remove 24 right shoulder stitches to
waste yarn. Remove 24 left shoulder stitches to waste yarn.

FRONT
RC000
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Knit the same as the back until ** Knit to row 36, remove center 18 stitches
to waste yarn. Put needles left of 0 in hold position. You will now
knit the shoulder and neck shaping on the right side. Decrease 1 stitch
each side, every row, 5x. Knit to row 72. Remove right shoulder (24
stitches) to waste yarn.
Make sure row counter is reset to row 36,
Knit left side the same way as you had knit the right.

Armhole ribbing
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Pick up and hang 130 stitches around right armhole, make sure that your
wrong side faces you when you do this. Knit 1 row at tension 9+, Knit
3 rows at tension 8, Knit 2 rows at tension 7, bind off.

Knit left side armhole ribbing the same way.

Neckhole ribbing
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First you must join one shoulder seam - doesn’t matter which one but
only join one shoulder. Once you have joined one shoulder seam, with
wrong side facing you, pick up and hang 115 stitches. (do not accidentally
pick up and hang the other shoulder seam - you will join this last).
Once you have hung your neckhole, Knit 1 row at 9+ tension, Knit 3
rows at tension 8, Knit 2 rows at tension 7, Bind off.

Join second shoulder seam.

weave all loose ends in.
Steam or block
WEAR IT!