Old Pattern...New Price

Like the title says... Old Pattern, new price. I've decided to make some changes with the blog. So I'm starting here. The Beaded Bikini pattern will now be offered FREE

This bikini top is crocheted using cotton yarn which provides a great fit and coverage. The sturdy design allows for wear in and out of the water. The pattern includes instructions for two styles which are pictured. 

Materials

 Tahki Cotton Classic yarn or any light weight cotton Approximately 2 oz. or 175 yds.

Size D crochet hook

Beads of your choice 

12 beads for peach style A or B cup, 13 beads for C cup

13 beads for brown style A or B cup, 14 beads for C cup 

Yarn needle

Gauge

11 dc and 6 rows = 2”

Stitches 

Sc: single crochet

Dc: double crochet

Sl St: slip stitch

Ch: chain

Notes

Do not crochet loosely. The firmness of the stitches creates the sturdy texture of the top. 

Pattern

Size A and B Cups (Make 2)

Work in rows. The first Ch 3 counts as a dc. 

Ch 14.

Row 1: Dc in the 4^th ch from hook. Dc in next 9 ch sts. (2 dc, ch1, 2 dc) in remaining ch st. Working in other side of beginning chain, dc in each ch st to the end (26 dc and 1 ch-1 space). Turn

Row 2: Ch 3. Dc in each st to the ch-1 sp. (2 dc, ch 1, 2 dc) in ch 1 sp. Dc in each st to the end of the row (30 dc and 1 ch-1 sp). Turn

Size A Cup

Rows 3-7: Repeat Row 2 (50 dc and 1 ch-1 space). Turn

Row 8: Ch 3, Dc into first st (the st which is usually replaced by the ch 3). (Ch 1, skip 2 sts, 3 dc in next st) 7 times. Ch 1, skip next 3 dc, (3dc, ch 1, 3 dc) in ch-1 sp. (Ch 1, skip next 2 sts, 3 dc in next st) 7 times. Ch 1, skip next 2 sts, 2dc in last st. Turn.

Row 9: Ch 3. Dc in first st. 3 dc in each ch 1 sp to the top of the cup.

(Note: You will not ch 1 between each 3 dc for this row).

3 dc, ch 85, sl st in 2^nd ch from hook. Sl st into each ch, working your way back to the top of the cup (this forms the strap). 3 dc in top of cup. (3 dc in next ch-1 sp) across. 2 dc in last st.

Size B Cup                                                        

Rows 3-8: Repeat Row 2 (54 dc and 1 ch-1 space). Turn

Row 9: Ch 3, Dc in next 2 sts. (Ch 1, Skip next 2 st, 3 dc in next st) to the last 3 dc before the ch 1 sp. (3dc, ch1, 3 dc) in ch-1 sp. Ch 1, skip next 3 sts, 3 dc in next st. (Ch 1, skip next 2 sts, 3 dc in next st) 6 times. Ch 1, skip next 2 sts. Dc in last 3 sts. Turn.

Row 10: Ch 3. Dc in first st. Skip next 2 dc. (3 dc in each ch-1 sp) across to the top of the cup. (Note: You will not ch 1 between each 3 dc for this row). 3 dc, ch 88, sl st in 2^nd st from hook. Sl st into each chain, working your way back to the top of the cup (this forms the strap). 3 dc in same sp as last 3 dc. (3 dc in next ch-1 sp) 8 times. Skip next 2 sts and place 2 dc in last st. 

Note: This is the last row of the cup and is considered the right side.

Size C Cup

Ch 16

Row 1: Dc in 4^th chain from hook. Dc in next 11 ch. (2 dc, ch 1, 2 dc) in last ch. Working in opposite side of beginning ch, dc in each ch (30 dc and 1 ch-1 sp). Turn.

Row 2: Ch 3. Dc in each st to the ch-1 sp. (2 dc, ch 1, 2 dc) in ch-1 sp. Dc in each st to the end of the row (34 dc and 1 ch-1 sp). Turn.

Rows 3- 9: Repeat row 2 (62 dc and 1 ch-1 sp). Turn.

Row 10: Ch 3, dc in next st, skip next 2 sts, 3 dc in next st. Ch 1, skip 2 sts, 3 dc in next st) 8 times. Ch 1, skip 2 sts, (3 dc, ch 1, 3 dc) in ch-1 sp. (Ch 1, skip next 2 st, 3 dc in next st) 9 times. Skip next 2 sts, dc in last 2 sts. Turn.

Row 11: Ch 3. 3 dc in first ch-1 sp. (3 dc in next ch-1 sp) across to ch-1 sp at the top of cup. (Note: You will not ch 1 between each 3 dc in this row) Ch 95, sl st in 2^nd st from hook. Sl st across to last ch (this forms the strap). 3 dc in top of cup in same st as previous 3 dc made. (3 dc in next ch-1 sp) across to end of row. Dc in last st.

Note: This is the last row of the cup and is considered the right side.

  

All sizes

After completing the 2^nd cup do not finish off. Turn both cups with the top of the cups pointing down and right side facing.  Now you will begin to work the rows on the bottom.

Sizes A and B

Row 1: Ch 3.

Work 40 dc evenly across the bottom of the cup. Ch 3, attaching the other cup, work 40 dc evenly across the bottom of the other cup. (80 dc and 3 ch) Turn.

Rows 2-3: Ch 3, dc in each st across (83 dc). Turn.

Row 4: Ch 3, dc in first st. Ch 1, skip next 2 sts, 3 dc in next st. (Ch 1, skip next 3 sts. 3 dc in next st.) across to last  2 sts. Ch 1, skip next st, 2 dc in last st. Turn.

Row 5: Ch 3, 2 dc in first ch 1 sp. (Ch 1, 3 dc in each ch 1 sp) across to the last ch 1 sp. Ch 1, 2 dc in last ch 1 space, dc in last st. Turn.

Row 6: Ch 3, dc in first st (same st with ch 3). (Ch 1, 3 dc in next ch-1 sp) across to last ch-1 sp. Ch 1, 2 dc in last st. Finish off.

If making the style of the peach top

String 6 beads onto yarn.

Row 7: With wrong side facing attach with sl st to the 2^nd dc. Sc in same st. (Ch 15, skip 11 sts, sc in next st) across. (8 sc and 7 ch-15 sp). Turn,

Row 8: Sl st over to the middle of the first ch-15 sp which is the 8^th ch. (Ch 7, slide up bead and ch 1 to secure, ch 7. Sc into 8^th chain of next ch-15 sp) across. Finish off. 

If making the style of the tan/ brown top

String 7 beads onto yarn.

Row 7: With wrong side facing attach with sl st to the 2^nd dc. Sc in the same st. (Ch 7, slide bead up, ch 1 to secure, ch 7, skip next 11 sts, sc in next st) across (8 sc and 7 ch-15 sp). Finish off.

Size C cup

Row 1: Ch 3. Work 45 dc evenly across the bottom of the cup. Ch 5, attaching the other cup, work 45 dc evenly across the bottom of the other cup. Turn.

Row 2-4: Ch 3. Work dc in each st across (95 dc). Turn.

Row 5: Ch 3. Dc in first dc (same st with ch 3). Ch 1, Skip next 2 sts, 3 dc in next st. (Ch 1, skip next 3 sts, 3 dc in next st) across to last 3 sts. Ch 1, Skip next 2 sts, 2 dc in last st. Turn.

Row 6: Ch 3. 2 dc in first ch-1 sp. (Ch 1, 3 dc in next ch-1 sp) across to last ch-1 sp. Ch 1, 2 dc in last ch-1 sp, dc in last st. Turn.

Row 7: Ch 3. Dc in first st. (Ch 1, 3 dc in next ch-1 sp) across to last ch-1 sp. Ch 1, 2 dc in last st. Finish off.

If making the style of the peach top

String 7 beads onto yarn.

Row 8: With wrong side facing attach with sl st to the first st. Sc in same st. (Ch 15, skip 11 sts, sc in next st) across. (9sc and 8 ch-15 sp). Turn. 

Row 9: Sl st over to the middle of the first ch-15 sp, which is the 8^th ch. (Ch 7, slide up bead and ch 1 over the bead to secure, ch 7. Sc into the 8^th ch of next ch-15 sp) across. Finish off

If making the style of the tan/brown bikini 

Slide 8 beads for C cup onto yarn.

Row 8: With wrong side facing attach with sl st to the first st. Sc in the same st. (Ch 7, slide up bead and ch 1 over the to secure, ch 7. skip 11 sts, sc in next st) across (9 sc and 8 ch-15 sp). Finish off.

Strap/ tie for the back

Ch 298

Sl st in 2^nd ch from hook, and in each ch across to end. Finish off. Weave through row 5 for sizes A and B and row 6 for size C cup (or row of your choice).

Weave all ends and slide beads onto ends each strap and tie knot to secure. (refer to the photos)

Please notify me if any corrections need to be made. Feel free to contact me with any suggestions. If you need any help with the instructions I will be happy to help. You can sell items made from this pattern in your shop as long as you provide a link back to me or this design. 

I'm working on linking this pattern to a document you can download. In the meantime just copy and paste into a document if you need to print.

Over the next few weeks I'll be working on the blog. I'm in the process of switching over to Word Press. I may regret it, but I hope not. I find that a lot of my photos and content are slow to load and response time is a killer. A wise internet/ computer person informed me that blogger can be limited with lots of content. Or it could be user error. Any ideas are welcome.

I've also joined Bloglovin... Follow my blog with Bloglovin

 I'm behind in the blogging world. But I'll try to do better in the future.

Have a great weekend!

The Winner of the March Giveaway

I hope everyone had a great week and weekend. I finished the last bikini top order that took me a month, and now I'm struggling to finish a pair of fingerless mitts. I guess I'm struggling because I have so much laundry, housework, cooking, and messes that are keeping me busy and away from crocheting.

Anyway, on a brighter note, this post is to announce the winners for the March giveaway. This is the prize:

Ok, I went to Random.org to choose the winners, and here they are...

commenters 9, 22, and 29

If I am not mistaken (if I am, please let me know)

this means Liza, Aimee, and Maureen are the winners.

Congrats and please send me your email so I can send the pattern.

I was hoping to post about the April giveaway, but the details have changed...so I'll have to post about it on another day.

In the meantime, I am working on writing out this shrug pattern...just a little something for free for all of you. Thanks to all of you who commented. I'll have this new one posted in a day or two.

Have a great week!

March Giveaway...A Little Late

Yes...that's right. It's time for another giveaway. I forgot about March. How did I forget to have a giveaway last month? Busy, busy, busy...I guess. I'm so sorry about that. So I have decided to make it up to you by offering two giveaways in April! The first one will be for a pattern.

This has been a favorite... I sold three today. The pattern includes instructions for both the peach style and the taupe style

This is the pattern that keeps me sooooo busy in the spring and summer months.

If you are interested, just leave me a comment. I'll randomly choose three winners next Sunday. Yes, Three!!!

Next Sunday afternoon I will announce the winner and then announce the details for the April giveaway.

Have a great weekend!

My Last Order...For Now

First of all, I have to ask forgiveness for taking so long to answer all of your questions about the various patterns here. It seems like an eternity since my last post. It's only been 12 days, but it seems like a lot longer. Here is my last order...almost finished.

It has taken me forever to finish my last 2 orders. I'm still not completely finished, but the end is definitely in sight. I stress over orders way too much. Now that I am working, I don't think I will be able to make any more bikini tops for sale. It just takes too much time, and I know customers just don't like waiting 2-4 weeks.

The strap can be worn several ways. I was inspired by a photo from a fashion show. I can't remember the designer.

I'm hoping to have this bikini and the fingerless mitts all finished by Sunday and mailed out Monday. I feel so bad for taking sooooo long. I hope the customers understand.

I have a shrug to share with you, but I think I'll wait a couple of days for that. I still need to write the pattern out.

Have a great weekend!

Just Trying to Catch Up

It seems that all I do lately...is try to get caught up. I have put my Etsy shop on vacation for a little while. Currently, I am crocheting a little at night and on the weekends. I'm trying to work out a schedule since I started my new job. Crocheting has been a lesser priority. My WIP is a bikini top. I get lots of orders for these in the spring and summer.

Sorry about the photos...black is not the best to photograph.

This is an order I have been struggling to finish. Hopefully, it will be finished tomorrow. I have 3 more orders to finish after this one. In the recent past, before starting my new job, I could whip out an order in a couple of days. But not now. I get frustrated with myself, because I feel like my customers are waiting, waiting, and waiting. I hope they understand. When I finish this top it should look like this...

I wish I could share some new projects, but maybe in a couple of weeks I'll be able to. Since my shop is closed for a couple of weeks, you can find this pattern here on Ravelry.

I hope you all have a great weekend!