If you’re doing the KAl with me, you should be ready to start finishing the front of the top. That means by now you’ve knit two diamond shaped pieces of fabric. These are the two bra cups that will adorn the front. We will place a liner in them later, but if you want, you can bring them to any fabric shop and start looking for fabric to match the color of the yarn you’re using.The pattern suggests an old t-shirt or piece of cotton, but I think you can probably splurge for a nicer piece of fabric that will do a better job and feel nicer against your skin. I know if it was me and it was going to be against my breast I would love the feel of something silky or satiny. Hey, it’s not going to be a very large piece so the cost shouldn’t be too high.Here’s a picture of the two cups so you can see what they look like. As you can see, I have ample yarn left over for seaming later. I’m thinking however it would have been a good idea to leave the ends attached to the balls of yarn for finishing of the straps later. If you haven’t yet cut yours, or gotten to this point, you may want to consider this.
Okay, so the cups are done. Set them aside and cast on the number of stitches for the size you’re doing for the rest of the front. Remember to add two stitches for the selvage edge for finishing. You’re basically going to make two pieces of chevron shaped fabric that are joined by a very simple lace design in the middle. The chevron shape is created by carefully placed increases and decreases throughout the line. You should check the pattern to make sure that your increases are matched by a decrease somewhere along the line. Ensure after each right side row that you have the right number of stitches and thus that you have made the appropriate increases and decreases. Also, your decreases are slant specific, so make sure you do the right one at the right time. K2TBL will give you a left slant and is done first as you knit across the row, and K2TOG will give you a right slant and is knit after the K2TBL decrease. Your increases are M1, and made as knit stitches, and YO’s in the very middle of the top for the slight lace effect.. If you aren’t sure of how to do these stitches, you can visit the vogue Knitting website and click on the How Tos link for instructions. You’ll get the knack of the pattern rather quickly and should be able to look at it to tell where you need to increase or decrease as you go along. If you are using two different types of yarn, you’ll also be following the stripe pattern. If you’re not (as I am), it’s a little easier for you as you won’t have to carry another yarn along the sides. Here is a picture of the front half-finished.
You can see where the bra cups are going to fit. It was pointed out to me that this garment may be a little short, or perhaps some may like it a little longer. If that is the case, this is where you are going to add length. Make note of how much extra you add to the length. My preference is to do this by row count (especially since there is an 8 row pattern repeat here). Again, knowing your row gauge allows for more accurate knitting and makes measuring with a tape measure unnecessary. I have added an extra 16 rows (2 repeats) to mine. Well,it’s not for me, but you get the idea. I will need to remember that for when I’m doing the back. Okay, I didn’t find any problems when doing the rest of the front, so I’ll leave you to it. I’ll continue this post on Wednesday but feel free to include any comments or questions you may have. I’ll do my best to answer any questions that arise.
Hugzzz 😎