We recently had a warm front come through Texas, bringing the temperature up to the mid-80s (about 30 degrees Celsius)... in March! This, of course, made me think of how dreadfully hot it will be in August. So I thought I'd get a jump on my summer wardrobe with a cute cotton top. It may be a little later in the year before you can wear this in your neighborhood, but that just gives you time to knit leisurely. Some basic sewing skills are required, but don't be frightened - it's not too bad.Queue this on Ravelry!
Materials:
Omega Sinfonia [100% mercerized cotton; 218yds/200m per 3.5oz/100g skein]; 1 (1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 2, 2) skeins in color of your choice
[Sample A was knit with #828 Lila; Sample B was knit with #832 Turquesa]
US #4/3.5mm 24-in/60-cm circular needle
Five stitch markers
Tapestry needleFive stitch markers
About 1yd/1m of cotton print fabric
Elastic, long enough to go around your ribcage, just under your boobs
[I used elastic 1-inch wide, but if you have some 1/2-inch on hand, feel free to use it.]
Finished Measurements:
Under-Bust: 30 (32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44)in/76 (81, 86, 91, 97, 102, 107, 112) cm
Cup Size: A {B, C, D, DD} cup sizes, where the difference between bust and under-bust measurements is 1 {2, 3, 4, 5}in/2.5 {5, 7.5, 10, 12.5}cm
Length: Custom
Cup Size: A {B, C, D, DD} cup sizes, where the difference between bust and under-bust measurements is 1 {2, 3, 4, 5}in/2.5 {5, 7.5, 10, 12.5}cm
Length: Custom
Gauge:
20 sts/28 rows = 4in/10cm in stockinette stitch, slightly stretched
Click here for Abbreviations
Pattern:
CO 150 (160, 170, 180, 190, 200, 210, 220) sts using backwards loop, or single cast-on, method. Join to work in round, being careful not to twist your stitches.
Rnds 1, 3, 5: Purl.
Rnds 2, 4: Knit.
Rnd 6: pm for beg of rnd/left underarm, k19 (20, 22, 23, 24, 25, 27, 28), pm for first set of bust increases, k19 (20, 21, 22, 24, 25, 26, 27), pm for center front, k19 (20, 21, 22, 24, 25, 26, 27), pm for second set of bust increases, k19 (20, 22, 23, 24, 25, 27, 28), pm for right underarm, k to end.
Rnd 7: [k to 1 st before bust marker, m1R, k1, sm, k1, m1L] twice, k to end.
Rnds 8, 9: Knit.
Repeat last 3 rnds 1 {2, 3, 4, 5} more times for a cup size of A {B, C, D, DD}.
Short-Row Bust Darts (optional):
Note: If you choose not to do the bust darts, you may still want to knit even for 4 {6, 8, 10, 12} rnds for a cup size of A {B, C, D, DD} in order to get about the same amount of coverage in front.
Row 1: k to 2 sts after second bust marker, w&t.
Row 2: p to 2 sts after other bust marker, w&t.
Row 3: k to wrapped st, k wrap tog with wrapped stitch (insert right needle up through wrap, then through st and knit both tog), k2, w&t.
Row 4: p to wrapped st, p wrap tog with wrapped stitch (insert right needle up through wrap from the back side of work, then through st and purl both tog), p2, w&t.
Repeat last 2 rows 0 {1, 2, 3, 4} more times for a cup size of A {B, C, D, DD}.
Next rnd: k to wrapped st, k wrap tog with wrapped stitch, k to end of rnd, do not turn.
Next rnd: repeat previous rnd to incorporate final wrap.
Begin Edging:Rnd 1: k1, m1Lp, ssk, k to 3 sts before center marker, k2tog, m1Rp, k1, sm, k1, m1Lp, ssk, k to 3 sts before side marker, k2tog, m1Rp, k1, sm, p to end.
Rnd 2: k1, m1L, p1, ssk, k to 4 sts before center marker, k2tog, p1, m1R, k1, sm, k1, m1L, p1, ssk, k to 4 sts before side marker, k2tog, p1, m1R, k1, sm, k to end.
Rnd 3: k1, m1Lp, k1, p1, ssk, k to 5 sts before center marker, k2tog, p1, k1, m1Rp, k1, sm, k1, m1Lp, k1, p1, ssk, k to 5 sts before side marker, k2tog, p1, k1, m1Rp, k1, sm, p to end.
Rnd 4: k1, m1L, p1, k1, p1, ssk, k to 6 sts before center marker, k2tog, p1, k1, p1, m1R, k1, sm, k1, m1L, p1, k1, p1, ssk, k to 6 sts before side marker, k2tog, p1, k1, p1, m1R, k1, sm, k to end.
Rnd 5: k1, m1Lp, , [k1, p1] twice, ssk, k to 7 sts before center marker, k2tog, [p1, k1] twice, m1Rp, k1, sm, k1, m1Lp, [k1, p1] twice, ssk, k to 7 sts before side marker, k2tog, [p1, k1] twice, m1Rp, k1, remove marker, BO all back sts as if to purl, remove marker.
Note: You'll still have one st on your right needle from the last BO st.
Left Front:
Row 1: Slip last st from BO back to left needle and k it tog with first st of next row, p1, [k1, p1] twice, k to 8 sts before center marker, k2tog, [p1, k1] 3 times, remove marker, turn.
Row 2: sl1, [k1, p1] twice, k1, p2tog, p to last 8 sts, ssp, [k1, p1] twice, k2.
Row 3: sl1, [p1, k1] twice, p1, ssk, k to last 8 sts, k2tog, [p1, k1] 3 times.
Repeat last 2 rows until 14 or 15 sts remain.
If you have 14 sts and your next row is a RS row: sl1, [p1, k1] twice, p1, k2tog, [p1, k1] 3 times.
If you have 14 sts and your next row is a WS row: sl1, [k1, p1] twice, k1, p2tog, [k1, p1] 3 times.
If you have 15 sts and your next row is a RS row: sl1, [p1, k1] twice, p1, ssk, slip this st back to left needle, pass next st over, return to right needle, [p1, k1] 3 times.
If you have 15 sts and your next row is a WS row: sl1, [k1, p1] twice, k1, sl1, ssp, pass slipped st over, [k1, p1] 3 times.
Continue in k1, p1 ribbing for roughly 12-18in/30-45cm. Since this is so closely fitted, you really need to try it on when you think you're getting close and make sure your straps are the right length. BO all sts.
Right Front:
With RS facing, join yarn at center front. Work as for Left Front except for the last decrease row:
If you have 14 sts and your next row is a RS row: sl1, [p1, k1] twice, p1, ssk, [p1, k1] 3 times.
If you have 14 sts and your next row is a WS row: sl1, [k1, p1] twice, k1, ssp, [k1, p1] 3 times.
If you have 15 sts and your next row is a RS row: sl1, [p1, k1] twice, p1, sk2p, [p1, k1] 3 times.
If you have 15 sts and your next row is a WS row: sl1, [k1, p1] twice, k1, p2tog, slip this st back to left needle, pass next st over, return to right needle, [k1, p1] 3 times.
Finishing:
Sew straps to top of back band roughly a quarter of the way in from each underarm. Weave in ends.
Sewing:
Measure around your hips, and add 1in/2.5cm. Also measure from just under your bust to however long you want your top, and add 3in/8cm. Cut a peice of fabric that size. Depending on your hip size and the width of your fabric, you may need to cut two pieces, each half you hip size plus 1in/2.54cm.
Fold fabric in half with right sides together and sew side seam(s) to form a tube.
Fold bottom edge over and sew hem.
Wrap elastic around your ribcage, just under your boobs and pull snug, but not too tight. Cut elastic to that length.
Fold top of fabric down to form elastic casing and sew almost all the way around, leaving a gap to insert elastic.
Feed elastic through casing, and sew end-to-end.
Pin fabric (right-side out) to underside of bottom garter stitch border on knitted piece, and sew all the way around through knitting, fabric and elastic. You'll want to use a zig-zag stitch to make sure it will stretch enough to get over your head and shoulders.
Block knitting and/or iron fabric, if desired.
Other Ideas:
- You could lengthen the fabric portion to make this into a dress/swimsuit cover-up.
- I think this would look really cute if the fabric portion were a patchwork of various prints.
Feel free to comment here with questions.
This pattern is intended for personal use only. Please do not try to sell it or any product made from it. Thank you.
