"Wear It Where You Like" Halter Top
Okay, so we may not all have the figure to wear this in public. But it is a great top around the house too, so don’t count yourself out. Why? It’s comfortable to wear. The garter stitch does a great job covering - so it’s not revealing or see-through. And it’s cool which is important in the summer. We all can use a top like that. So go ahead, knit yourself one and wear it where you like!
*Size: Medium
Yarn: 100% cotton (Peaches and Crème by Elmore-Pisgah, Inc., USA was used), 3 oz.
Skill: Easy
Needle: Long and short straight US 6. (Shorts are not necessary but convenient when you are knitting the straps.)
Notions: Stitch markers, yarn needle, scissors, stitch holder
*For other sizes: You would continue Step 4 until you have a width that covers the outside edges of your chest from armpit to armpit. Tip: you will be under the middle of your armpit. This is going to change the number of bind off stitches in step 7, but you just make sure you leave 4 stitches live at the beginning and end of that row and you're fine.
To understand what you are doing: In steps 1-4 you are increasing the size of your top to cover yourself width-wise. Step 5 you are working even (not increasing or decreasing) to cover your chest portion (vertically). Step 6 is decreasing for a little shaping. Step 7 you are starting the top straps and finishing the top edge of your halter. Step 11 is working the side edge straps.
Instructions:
1) Cast on 3 stitches, leaving a 6” tail of yarn to weave in later.
2) Row 1: K in front and back of 1st stitch to increase. (4 stitches)
3) Row 2: K in front and back of 1st stitch to increase. (5 stitches)
4) K2, YO, K to end. Continue this row until you have 56 stitches on the needle – 25 garter ridges. Place markers on the 1st stitch and last stitch of the 56 stitch row.
5) K2, YO, K2tog, K to end. Repeat this row for a total of 8 garter ridges above your stitch markers. You will still have 56 stitches on your needle here.
6) K1, K2tog, YO, K2tog, K to end. Repeat row until you have 6 garter ridges. (44 stitches)
7) Now you are going to start the straps at the top of the halter. Row: K1, P1, K1, P1 (put these four stitches on a stitch holder.) Bind off the next 38 stitches. K1, P1, K1, P1 the last four stitches.
8) Repeat the K1, P1, K1, P1 until you have your 4 stitch strap about 11” long.
9) Bind off with a K1, K2tog, psso, K1, psso.
10) Put the 4 stitches from the stitch holder on your needle and repeat steps 8 and 9.
11) For the side straps, pick up 4 stitches beginning with the stitch with the stitch marker and working up to the top of the halter. Repeat steps 8 and 9. Do other side. Note: you can make these straps slightly longer if you wish.
12) Weave in all loose ends with a yarn needle.
13) Pat yourself on the back!
Abbreviations: K = knit, P = purl, YO = yarn over, K2tog = knit 2 stitches together,
psso = pass the previous stitch on your right needle over the stitch you just put on your right needle (decrease).