Knitting Pattern: Off-the-shoulder Top

Knit entirely in the round (so no seaming! yay!), this easy-peasy top looks super cute and takes practically no time.


Off-the-shoulder Top (Short sleeves)

Materials:

• Fingering weight yarn.  Used for model: DMC Senso Wool Cotton (70% cotton, 30% wool), color no. 1305, equivalent to size 3 crochet thread.  100% cotton is not recommended, because it knits up thick without stretch.  Try very thin sock yarn.  You will need far less than one 100 yd (29g) ball
• Two size 1-US circular needles or a set of size 1-US DPNs.
• Darning needle, ruler, and scissors

You will need to know:

• How to knit in the round
• How to work 1x1 ribbing in the round
  
• How to cast on mid-way through a round
• SSK and K2tog
• The m1 increase

Gauge: 10.5 sts/per inch in stockinette stitch on size 1-US needles.  To ensure accurate sizing, be sure to check your gauge.

Instructions:
CO 36 sts.  Being careful not to twist, join for knitting in the round.  Work 3 rounds in 1x1 ribbing.


Place marker after first 18 stitches.
Decrease round: K1, ssk, k to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1.  Repeat for back needle.
Work decrease round, then knit one round.  Do this four times total, until you have a total of 20 sts on the needles.


K2 more rounds.


Begin increase rounds to shape for ribcage.  Work the following repeat of 3 rounds three times:
Round 1: K1, m1, k to last st, m1, k1.  Repeat for back needle.
Rounds 2 and 3: k all sts.


You will end this round with 32 sts.  At the end of this last round, CO 8 sts.  Continue knitting to the next marker and CO 8 more sts.  You now have 48 sts.  K to end of round.  Beginning with the newly CO sts, begin to work in 1x1 ribbing.  Work 3 total rounds in 1x1 ribbing.  BO all sts.


Stretch the armholes with a larger knitting needle or some other implement roughly the size of a doll arm (i.e., a pinky finger).  Weave in the two ends and you’re done!