The Striped Sun Top is the perfect garment for the summer months or holidays in the sun. Closely fitted to the body with a stylish low back and halter neck, it looks great paired with shorts, palazzo pants or a lightweight skirt.

The Striped Sun Top is knitted in the round from the bottom up in an all-over 1×1 rib and is designed to be knitted approximately 28½cm (11in) smaller than the intended wearer and to stretch over the body. The back of the top is cast off just above the waist and shaping is then worked at each side of the top to create a pleasing sloped upper body. Nautical style stripes in three colours create a stylish look along with the elegant halter neck itself which is fastened at the back neck with crocheted button loops and decorative buttons.

The top is knitted in Cotton Breeze, 100% mercerised cotton in three bold shades of Coral, Spearmint and Bright White but would look great in many fabulous colour combinations or even in one solid colour. This neat-fitting top uses a very small amount of yarn making it a very economical knit.

The sample shown in the photographs is the second size, to fit 86cm (34in) chest worn with 28½cm (11in) of negative ease.

The pattern has been thoughtfully multi-sized to fit from 30–32 in (76–81cm) to 58–60in (147–152cm) chest and comes with comprehensive written instructions plus a useful schematic and sizing chart.

Yarn kits are available at Susan Crawford Vintage.

Yarn
Susan Crawford Cotton Breeze, Fingering (4 ply) weight 100% cotton, 125m (137yds) per 50g ball Oeko-Tex® certified
2 (2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 4, 4) balls, shade Coral – Yarn A
1 (2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 3) balls, shade Spearmint – Yarn B
1 (1, 1, 1, 1, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2) balls, shade Bright White – Yarn C

Gauge
40 sts and 38 rounds = 10cm (4in) measured over 1×1 rib pattern worked in the round, unblocked.
We obtained this gauge using 2.5mm needles.
40 sts and 38 rows = 10cm (4in) measured over 1×1 rib pattern worked flat, unblocked.

We obtained this gauge using 2.5mm needles.
If necessary, use an alternative needle size to obtain the correct gauge. 26 sts and 36 rows = 10cm (4in) over stitch pattern knitted flat, after blocking. We obtained this gauge using 3.25mm needles.

Notions
Stitch marker
Waste yarn
2 buttons
2.5mm crochet hook

Techniques
Knitting in the round
Crocheted button loop