Summer Wear Fun!

Summer is time for vacations and a time to wear fun, sexy things not suitable for work life. Visiting the Greek Islands has always been a dream of mine, but for now, wearing a halter suited to the relaxed Mediterranean and worked in a color called “Aegean Sea” will have to do.

Thira, knit with a cotton/elastic yarn in the round, hugs the body snugly, but with vertical, textural ribbing, would be flattering on many shapes. The trapezoidal neckline prevents the “linebacker shoulder” look of some halters and the seed stitch border at the bust flows seamlessly into the straps, which are grafted for the only seam at the back of the neck. Thira is tangy only because of the grafting – done in seed stitch – but this could easily be changed to a three needle bind off or stockinette grafting if you don’t mind a small visible seam at the neck.

The seemingly little amount of yarn needed may be hard to believe, but Esprit stretches a bunch! When I first began designing Thira, I purchased six balls, but used only three and a half to make the medium size. Thus, Thira is a very affordable top to knit! Plus, Esprit comes in an almost endless selection of colors.

I suggest that you try on the top frequently while knitting, to make sure you have added enough increases so that when the fabric is stretched across the bust, you still have adequate coverage; in other words, so that nothing is peeking through that you don’t want peeking through! Also, as you decrease, trying the top on will ensure that the fit is snug enough that it won’t slip, but is still comfortable. Slip half the stitches to a second circular needle when trying on the top.


SIZE

XS[S, M, L, 1X, 2X, 3X]
To fit up to bust circumference 28[32, 36, 40, 44, 48, 53] inches

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS

Bust: 20[24, 29, 32, 35, 39, 43] inches, unstretched
Length: 15[15.25, 15.25, 15.75, 16.25, 16.75, 17.25] inches

MATERIALS

Elann.com Collection Esprit [98.3% cotton, 1.7% elastic, 186yd/170m stretched, 100yd/91.4m relaxed per 50g ball] color: #2194 Aegean Sea; 3[4, 4, 5, 5, 6, 7] balls

Recommended needle size:
1 24 inch US #5/3.75mm circular needle
1 spare double-point or circular needle, US #5/3.75mm or smaller
[always use a needle size that gives you the gauge listed below -- every knitter's gauge is unique]

Stitch markers
Stitch holder
Tapestry needle
GAUGE

24 sts/36 rows = 4 inches in Diagonal Rib Pattern, unstretched

PATTERN NOTES

[Knitty's list of standard abbreviations and techniques can be found here]

The top is designed with a great deal of negative ease. In the pictures, I am wearing a size medium which, unstretched, has a bust circumference of 27 inches. However, my bust is 36 inches. The elasticity of the yarn adds a lot of stretch to the garment. I do not recommend substituting a less elastic yarn.


Diagonal Rib Pattern (Worked in the round over a multiple of 6 stitches):
Round 1: [K4, p2] to end.
Round 2: [P1, k3, p2] to end.
Round 3: [K1, p1, k2, p2] to end.
Round 4: [K2, p1, k1, p2] to end.
Round 5: [K3, p3] to end.
Repeat these 5 rounds for Diagonal Rib Pattern.

Note that the bust shaping is worked by changing the number of sts in the columns of p sts in this pattern. The first 4 sts of each pattern repeat will always be the same.


Seed Stitch (Worked in the round or back and forth over an even number of sts):
Round or Row 1 (RS if working in rows): [K1, p1] to end.
Round or Row 2 (WS if working in rows): [P1, k1] to end.
Repeat these 2 rounds or rows for Seed Stitch.


DIRECTIONS

Using circular needle, CO 114[138, 162, 174, 192, 216, 240] sts. Place marker and join to begin working in the round, being careful not to twist.

Work Round 1 of Diagonal Rib Pattern, placing a marker after first 58[70, 82, 88, 100, 112, 124] sts: these first 58[70, 82, 88, 100, 112, 124] sts form front of piece, and remaining 56[68, 80, 86, 92, 104, 116] sts form back.

Continue in pattern until work measures 11 inches.

Shape Bust:
First Increase Round: Work 4 sts in pattern, pfb, p1, continue in pattern to 6 sts before marker, pfb, p1, work 4 sts in pattern, pfb, p1, work in pattern to last 2 sts, pfb, p1. 118[142, 166, 178, 196, 220, 244] sts.
Work 1 round in pattern.