This one-skein wonder is worked top down, seamlessly. It’s knitted flat back and forth with increases on both sides every row. Increases are formed using yarn overs, which are then worked through the back leg on the next row to form a twist. The piece is then joined at the back of the waist to be worked in the round for the remainder of the pattern. Straps are picked up at the front edges and made using i-cord.

The lace pattern on the chest comes from a Drops Design pattern. I don’t mean to steal credit for this cute design, so I’m not including it in this pattern. However, if you want to include the lace in your top, I used chart A.2 on “Summer Feeling,” Drops 160-1. You can find it here. Begin working the chart on row 5 over the center 17 stitches.

This pattern, like all my patterns, is written for a size small/medium. However, here are some notes on adjusting the size.

Because of the open back, the goal is to increase to a measurement about 1 or 2 inches greater than your waist. For me that was something like 30”.

The easiest way to make this top bigger or smaller would be to adjust the gauge and/or use a thinner or thicker yarn depending on which way you want to go. If you like the weight of the yarn suggested and only want to adjust it a couple inches, then I would recommend modifying the number of increase rows to your pattern. Add/ subtract something like 4 increase rows for every inch or so that you would like to add/ subtract to the garment. Don’t forget to check your gauge so you can be accurate about how much to add/ subtract. If you are adding more than several inches to the waist, that would add a lot of length to the top. So I would recommend adding a couple inches to the cast on then increasing as you see fit. Please refer to the diagram below. Note that if you want to use the lace chart for edging, you will need to end up with some multiple of 15 stitches.

 

MATERIALS

1 skein, Ritual Dyes, Crone

1 US size 6 circular needle

2 US size 6 double pointed needles

Tapestry needle

Stitch marker

GAUGE

4” = 23 stitches + 30 rows in stockinette stitch

PATTERN

Cast on 45 stitches. Knit 2 rows.

Rows 3: Slip 1, knit 1, yarn over, knit until there are 2 stitches remaining, yarn over, knit 2.

Rows 4:Slip 1, knit 1, yarn over, knit 1 tbl, knit until there are 3 stitches remaining, knit 1 tbl, yarn over, knit 2.

Row 5 (and all right side rows):Slip 1, knit 1, yarn over, knit 1 tbl, knit until there are 3 stitches remaining, knit 1 tbl, yarn over, knit 2.

Rows 6 (and all wrong side rows):Slip 1, knit 1, yarn over, purl 1 tbl, purl until there are 3 stitches remaining, purl 1 tbl, yarn over, knit 2.

Repeat rows 5 and 6, 28 more times until you have 165 stitches.

You will now join the piece to work in the round. Knit across all stitches and join them together. Place a marker to indicate the beginning of the round. Knit 16 rounds evenly. Begin working from chart to form lace edging. Work 3 chart repeats, 36 rows total. Then work garter edging as follows: purl 1 round, knit 1 round, purl 1 round. Bind off all stitches loosely.

STRAPS

Beginning at wearers left shoulder, pick up 4 stitches using the double pointed needles. Work i-cord for about 12” unstretched. Bind off. Repeat on right side to form the other strap.

To finish, weave in all your ends and block. Then share your work with me on Ravelry or Instagram and use the hashtag #samsweaterz. :3 Thanks!