Top made of Cotton 8

Materials: Scheepjes Cotton 8 white (502) 4–4–5 balls, red (510) 1 ball, size 3 straight and double–pointed knitting needles.

Gauge: 28 sts (slightly stretched) and 40 rows in 2x2 Ribbing and 28 sts and 40 rows in Stockinette st = 10 x 10 cm. Take time to check gauge and switch needles if necessary.

Stitches:

2x2 Ribbing: alternately K2 and P2.

Stockinette st: on right side knit, on wrong side purl.

Stripe pattern: *8 rows using red, 8 rows using white, repeat from *.

Directions:

Back: Using white cast on 118–130–142 sts and work 12 cm in 2x2 Ribbing. Waistline: beginning at lower edge decrease 6 times 1 st at both edges, every 12 rows, = 106–118–130 sts. Decrease by working 2 sts together beside the 2 edge sts. After finishing the ribbing continue to work in Stockinette st and Stripe pattern. When work measures 20 cm and from now on increase 6 times 1 st at both edges, every 12 rows, = 118–130–142 sts. Armhole shaping: when work measures 40 cm bind off 1 time 4–5–6 sts at both edges. Continue to bind off at both edges, every 2 rows 3 times 2 and 4–5–6 times 1 st, and at both edges, every following 4 rows 8–9–10 times 1 st. Neckline shaping: when work measures 50–51–52 cm bind off the center 20–22–24 sts and finish each half separately. At neck edge continue to bind off 1 time 4, 1 time 3, 1 time 2 and 7 times 1 st, every 2 rows and 2 times 1 st, every 4 rows. Shoulders: when work measures 60–61–62 cm bind off the rem 9–10–12 sts.

Front: Work same as back until work measures 40–41–42 cm. Now shape neckline binding off the center 16–18–20 sts and finish each half separately. At neck edge continue to bind off 1 time 3, 2 time 2 and 5 times 1 st, every 2 rows and 8 times 1 st every following 4 rows. Shoulders: bind off the rem 9–10–12 sts at the same length as back.

Finishing: Sew shoulder seams. Sew upper 28 cm of side seams, leave the lower 12 cm unsewn for openings. Using white and double–pointed needles, pick up 194–202–210 sts along neck edge and work 3 cm in Stockinette st working in the round. Bind off. Using white and double–pointed needles, pick up 134–142–150 sts along armholes and work 3 cm in Stockinette st working in the round. Allow the borders to roll up to the outside.