A Cropped bra top and vest, with cross over back straps.

A quick summer knit, work as a bra- lette or for more coverage as a vest. . Jo x

Ability: Intermediate

Skills required:
You will need to be able to knit a basic rib, be able to increase and decrease and to pick up stitches

You will need:
• one pair 3.25mm (U.S 3 ) straight needles
• Tapestry needle for sewing up
• Spare needles, stitch holders or safety pins
• Stitch markers
• Yarn approx.
70g: 90g: 120g (175m: 225m: 300m ) for the bra-lette
140g:180g: 240g (350:450:600m ) for the vest

Note on yarn selection
Choose your fibre carefully, a cotton based yarn will feel cooler next to the skin but will not stretch as well as a wool based fibre.
I’ve worked up Craster in both fibres, favouring my Barefaced Wool Alpaca in DK for the longer vest version.

We used:
Love Knitting ‘Paintbox’ DK Cotton 2:2:2 x 50g balls for the Bra-lette and 3:4:5 x 50g balls for the vest
And
BareFaced DK Wool/Alpaca 1:1:2 x 100g Skein/s for Bra-lette and 2:2:3 x 100g Skeins for the Vest

Tension:
In stocking stitch using 3.25mm (U.S) needles approx.:
22sts x33rows over 10 x 10cm (4”x 4”)

Sizes to fit
A note on fit
Designed to stretch to fit across back and bust however for larger cup sizes it’s very easy to adapt see * in pattern

Size 1: to fit chest 81 -92cm (32 -36 in)
Size 2: to fit chest 96 – 106cm (38 – 42 in)
Size 3: to fit chest 111 -122cm (44- 48 in)

Dimensions (approx.)
Chest Width (under bust – not stretched): 80:86:94cm (32:34:37 in)
Cup Width: 13cm (5”) Height: 9cm / 3.5 in
Strap height (From shoulder):18cm / 7 in
Body length Bra-lette 36:37:40 cm (14:14 ½:15 ¾ in)
Body length Vest: 53:59: 64 cm (21:23:25 in)

Created in 2 pieces, to allow you to customize the size for a smaller or bigger back, however you could work the body on circular needles and avoid the side seams.