Asymmetrical Mint Cream Top

Skill Level: Intermediate

Size: Finished bust size 32 (36, 39.75, 44, 48)” to fit bust 30 (34, 38, 42, 46)”; 2″ positive ease recommended. Shown in size 36”

Gauge: 19.75 sts and 27 rows = 4″ [10 cm] in St st after wet blocking

Materials

Yarn: Knit One, Crochet Too Pea Pods (100% cotton; 262 yards [240 meters]/10 grams): #651 Caribe (4 (4, 5, 5, 6) balls)
Needles: US size 7 (4.5 mm) needles or size required for gauge
Notions: Tapestry needle, stitch holder, US size H/8 (5.0 mm) crochet hook

Special Stitches

Sloped Bind Off
The Sloped bind off method is recommended for armhole and neck shaping since it will create an edge into which the crocheted edging can be easily worked. On the row before the bind off will occur, set up for the sloped bind off by slipping the last stitch of the row purlwise. On the next row, slip the first 2 stitches purlwise, then pass the first slipped stitch over the second. (Sloped bind off complete.) This technique is worked only on the first bind off each row. Additional bind offs should be worked as normal.

Pattern Notes

This pattern is worked in 2 pieces from the bottom up.
Diagonal hip shaping is worked by casting on additional stitches on specified rows.
Diagonal neck shaping is worked by binding off stitches on specified rows.
Indications for “right hand side” and “left hand side” refer to how the garment is worn on the body.
Reverse single crochet (also known as crab stitch) is used as a border trim to prevent the edges from curling. For best results, practice on the swatch before applying it to the garment.

Pattern

Back

Cast on 2 (4, 3, 5, 5) sts.
Row 1 (RS): Knit.
Row 2 (RS): Purl.
Row 3: Knit across until 1 st rem, Slip last st purlwise, then cast on 2 (2, 4, 4, 4) sts using E-wrap cast on method.
Row 4: Purl.
Rep rows 3 and 4 casting on 2 sts on every RS row 8 (4, -, -, -) times; then cast on 4 sts on every RS row 17 (21, 25, 21, 16) times; then cast on 6 sts on every RS row – (-, -, 4, 9) times until there are a total of 88 (98, 107, 117, 127) sts. Work evenly for 30 more rows.

Shape Bust

Next row (RS): Work dec row as follows: K1, ssk, knit across until 3 sts rem, k2tog, k1. Cont in established pattern and rep dec row on every following 16^th row 2 more times, then every following 14^th row 2 more times until 78 (88, 97, 107, 117) rem. Work evenly for 11 more rows.

Shape Armhole

Using Sloped bind off method, bind off 3 (3, 4, 5, 5) st at beg of next 2 rows; then bind off 4 sts at beg of next – (-, -, -, 2) rows; then bind off 3 sts at beg of next – (2, 2, 2, 2,) rows; then bind off 2 sts at beg of next 2 (2, 2, 4, 4) rows; then bind off 1 st at beg of next 6 (6, 8, 6, 4) rows until 62 (66, 71, 77, 81) sts rem.

Shape Back Neck

Work evenly for 34 (36, 36, 40, 44) more rows. Next row (RS): K16 (17, 18, 20, 21) sts, bind off center 30 (32, 35, 37, 39) sts, then knit across. Next row (WS): P16 (17, 18, 20, 21) sts on left hand side, join ball and purl across right hand side. Working each separately, cont evenly in St st for 4 more rows then bind off.

Front

Cast on 2 (4, 3, 5, 5) sts.
Row 1 (RS): Knit.
Row 2 (WS): Purl across until 1 st rem, Slip last st purlwise, then cast on 2 (2, 4, 4, 4) sts using E-wrap cast on method.
Row 3: Knit.
Rep rows 2 and 3 casting on 2 sts on every WS row 8 (4, -, -, -) times; then cast on 4 sts on every WS row 17 (21, 25, 21, 16) times; then cast on 6 sts on every WS row – (-, -, 4, 9) times until there are a total of 88 (98, 107, 117, 127) sts. Work evenly for 31 more rows, then shape bust and armholes same as back.

Shape Front Neck

Work 5 (3, 3, 5, 5) rows evenly. Next row (WS): P 16 (17, 18, 20, 21) and place these sts on holder, bind off 2, then purl across.

Left Hand Side

Next row (RS): Knit. Next row (WS): Bind off 2 sts at neck edge and purl across. Cont in established pattern binding off 2 sts at neck edge 10 (14, 11, 12, 16) more times; then bind off 3 sts at neck edge 2 (-, 3, 3, 1) more time(s) until 16 (17, 18, 20, 21) rem. Work 1 row evenly then bind off.

Right Hand Side

Next row (RS): Join ball and knit across. Work evenly in St st for 27 (31, 31, 33, 37) more rows then bind off.

Finishing

Block to measurements. Seam shoulders and left hand side. Seam right hand side leaving 8″ opening at the bottom. Using crochet hook, work reverse single crochet border around neck, armholes, and bottom edges. Weave in ends.