Friday, July 26, 2019

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 4th 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 2nd 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 2nd 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 4th 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 2nd 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 2nd 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 2nd 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 8th ch. (Ch 7, slide up bead and ch 1 to secure, ch 7. Sc into 8th 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 2nd 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 8th ch. (Ch 7, slide up bead and ch 1 over the bead to secure, ch 7. Sc into the 8th 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 2nd 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!

Sunday, July 7, 2019

Our Trip to the Dominican Republic

In June we went to the Dominican Republic. We had a great time and returned home alive and well. Warning... this is a photo heavy post


We didn't let the media stories and worried texts from from family and friends prevent us from enjoying our trip





We stayed at the Iberostar Hacienda Dominicus in Bayahibe. The resort was beautiful and the people were so friendly. We've been to several different Caribbean islands and the Dominicans were by far the friendliest. The beaches and water were more beautiful than any other island we've seen. I see why so many people go to the Dominican.







We enjoyed the Star Prestige Beach Club


The grounds and decor are stunning. We were in awe of the beauty of the resort





There are different types of birds to see at the resort

Ireland enjoyed the fish therapy and hair braiding





She made a friend named Chocolate
Dressel Divers Dive shop was located at our resort and we went on the Saona Island excursion


Our boat for the trip to Saona
We snorkeled on the way to the island and spent time on the boat drinking, listening to music and dancing. I really hope Ireland doesn't read this post... she would be mad about the photos

Ireland made a few friends on the boat ride
The beaches of Saona were so beautiful



We had a wonderful time and never felt unsafe. I really hope the DR is not affected negatively by the recent events. Many of the hardworking people depend on tourism to survive and would never hurt any tourist.

On a different note... I bought a new Mac computer! After being without a computer for over a year (or two), I can look forward to blogging again... Using a phone to blog is no fun.