XS[S, M, L, 1X, 2X, 3X]
To fit up to bust circumference 28[32, 36, 40, 44, 48, 53] inches

Bust: 20[24, 29, 32, 35, 39, 43] inches, unstretched
Length: 15[15.25, 15.25, 15.75, 16.25, 16.75, 17.25] inches

 Elann.com Collection Esprit [98.3% cotton, 1.7% elastic, 186yd/170m stretched, 100yd/91.4m relaxed per 50g ball] color: #2194 Aegean Sea; 3[4, 4, 5, 5, 6, 7] balls

Recommended needle size:
 1 24 inch US #5/3.75mm circular needle
 1 spare double-point or circular needle, US #5/3.75mm or smaller
[always use a needle size that gives you the gauge listed below -- every knitter's gauge is unique]

 Stitch markers
 Stitch holder
 Tapestry needle

24 sts/36 rows = 4 inches in Diagonal Rib Pattern, unstretched

The top is designed with a great deal of negative ease. In the pictures, I am wearing a size medium which, unstretched, has a bust circumference of 27 inches. However, my bust is 36 inches. The elasticity of the yarn adds a lot of stretch to the garment. I do not recommend substituting a less elastic yarn.

Diagonal Rib Pattern (Worked in the round over a multiple of 6 stitches):
Round 1: [K4, p2] to end.
Round 2: [P1, k3, p2] to end.
Round 3: [K1, p1, k2, p2] to end.
Round 4: [K2, p1, k1, p2] to end.
Round 5: [K3, p3] to end.
Repeat these 5 rounds for Diagonal Rib Pattern.

Note that the bust shaping is worked by changing the number of sts in the columns of p sts in this pattern. The first 4 sts of each pattern repeat will always be the same.

Seed Stitch (Worked in the round or back and forth over an even number of sts):
Round or Row 1 (RS if working in rows): [K1, p1] to end.
Round or Row 2 (WS if working in rows): [P1, k1] to end.
Repeat these 2 rounds or rows for Seed Stitch.

Using circular needle, CO 114[138, 162, 174, 192, 216, 240] sts. Place marker and join to begin working in the round, being careful not to twist.

Work Round 1 of Diagonal Rib Pattern, placing a marker after first 58[70, 82, 88, 100, 112, 124] sts: these first 58[70, 82, 88, 100, 112, 124] sts form front of piece, and remaining 56[68, 80, 86, 92, 104, 116] sts form back.

Continue in pattern until work measures 11 inches.

Shape Bust:
First Increase Round: Work 4 sts in pattern, pfb, p1, continue in pattern to 6 sts before marker, pfb, p1, work 4 sts in pattern, pfb, p1, work in pattern to last 2 sts, pfb, p1. 118[142, 166, 178, 196, 220, 244] sts. 
Work 1 round in pattern.

Sizes XS, S Only:
Second Increase Round:Work 11 sts in pattern, pfb, p1, continue in pattern to 13 sts before marker, pfb, p1, continue in pattern to end. 120[144, -, -, -, -, -] sts.

Sizes M, L, 1X, 2X, 3X Only:
Second Increase Round: Work 11 sts in pattern, pfb, p1, continue in pattern to 13 sts before marker, pfb, p1, work 18 sts in pattern, pfb, p1, work in pattern to last 9 sts, pfb, p1, continue in pattern to end. -[-, 170, 182, 200, 224, 248] sts. 
Work 1 round in pattern.

Size M Only:
Third Increase Round: Work 18 sts in pattern, pfb, p1, work 22 sts in pattern, pfb, p1, work 22 sts in pattern, pfb, p1, continue in pattern to end. 173 sts.

Sizes L, 1X, 2X, 3X Only:
Third Increase Round: Work 18 sts in pattern, pfb, p1, continue in pattern to 20 sts before marker, pfb, p1, work 32 sts in pattern, pfb, p1, work in pattern to last 16 sts, pfb, p1, continue in pattern to end. -[-, -, 186, 204, 228, 252] sts. 
Work 1 round in pattern.

Fourth Increase Round: Work 25 sts in pattern, pfb, p1, work -[-, -, 10, 16, 22, 28] sts in pattern, pfb, p1, work 16 sts in pattern, pfb, p1, work -[-, -, 10, 16, 22, 28] sts in pattern, pfb, p1, continue in pattern to marker, work 21 sts in pattern, pfb, p1, work in pattern to last 23 sts, pfb, p1, continue in pattern to end. -[-, -, 192, 210, 234, 258] sts.

All Sizes:
Continue in pattern until work measures 12.5[12.75, 12.5, 12.75, 13.25, 13.75, 14.25] inches.

Sizes XS, S Only:
First Decrease Round: Work 11 sts in pattern, p2tog, p1, work in pattern to 14 sts before marker, p2tog, p1, continue in pattern to end. 118[142, -, -, -, -, -] sts. 
Work 1 round in pattern.

Second Decrease Round: Work 4 sts in pattern, p2tog, p1, work in pattern to 7 sts before marker, p2tog, p1, work 4 sts in pattern, p2tog, p1, work in pattern to last 3 sts, p2tog, p1. 114[138, -, -, -, -, -] sts.
Work 1 round in pattern.

Size M Only:
First Decrease Round: Work 18 sts in pattern, p2tog, p1, work 22 sts in pattern, p2tog, p1, work in pattern  to 21 sts before marker, p2tog, p1, continue in pattern to end. 170 sts.
Work 1 round in pattern.

Size L, 1X, 2X, 3X Only:
First Decrease Round: Work 25 sts in pattern, p2tog, p1, work -[-, -, 10, 16, 22, 28] sts in pattern, p2tog, p1, work 16 sts in pattern, p2tog, p1, work in pattern  to 28 sts before marker, p2tog, p1, continue in pattern to marker, work 21 sts in pattern, p2tog, p1, work in pattern to last 24 sts, p2tog, p1, continue in pattern to end. -[-, -, 186, 204, 228, 252] sts.
Work 1 round in pattern.

Sizes M, L, 1X, 2X, 3X Only:
Second Decrease Round: Work -[-, 11, 18, 18, 18, 18] sts in pattern, p2tog, p1, work in pattern to -[-, 14, 21, 21, 21, 21] sts before marker, p2tog, p1, work -[-, 18, 32, 32, 32, 32] sts in pattern, p2tog, p1, work in pattern to last -[-, 10, 17, 17, 17, 17] sts, p2tog, p1, continue in pattern to end. -[-, 166, 182, 200, 224, 248] sts.
Work 1 round in pattern.

Third Decrease Round: Work -[-, 4, 11, 11, 11, 11] sts in pattern, p2tog, p1, work in pattern to -[-, 7, 14, 14, 14, 14] sts before marker, p2tog, p1, work -[-, 4, 18, 18, 18, 18] sts in pattern, p2tog, p1, work in pattern to last -[-, 3, 10, 10, 10, 10] sts, p2tog, p1, continue in pattern to end. -[-, 162, 178, 196, 220, 244] sts.
Work 1 round in pattern.

Sizes L, 1X, 2X, 3X Only:
Fourth Decrease Round: Work 4 sts in pattern, p2tog, p1, work in pattern to 7 sts before marker, p2tog, p1, work 4 sts in pattern, p2tog, p1, work in pattern to last 3 sts, p2tog, p1. -[-, -, 174, 192, 216, 240] sts.
Work 1 round in pattern.

All Sizes:
Next Round: K2tog, [p1, k1] to 2 sts before marker, p2tog, [k2tog, p1] twice, [k1,  p1] to last 6 sts, [k2tog, p1] twice. 108[132, 156, 168, 186, 210, 234] sts.

Work in Seed Stitch, beginning with Round 2 of pattern, for 2 inches, ending with Round 1 of pattern.

Next Round: Work 17[19, 21, 23, 27, 29, 31] sts in pattern, BO next 22[30, 38, 40, 44, 52, 60] sts, work 9[9, 11, 11, 13, 13, 13] sts in pattern (10[10, 12, 12, 14, 14, 14] sts on right needle) and slip these 10[10, 12, 12, 14, 14, 14] sts to st holder; BO next 7[9, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17] sts and all sts of back; BO first 7[9, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17] sts of next round. 10[10, 12, 12, 14, 14, 14] sts remain.

The sts on the needle and the held sts will become the strap, which will be worked in two halves (left and right halves) and grafted together at the back neck. To determine the correct length for the strap, try on the top. Using a flexible measuring tape, measure from the outer edge of one set of sts, around the back of your neck to the outer edge of the other set of sts. Because the strap will be very stretchy, subtract 7 inches from this measurement; this will ensure that the strap will fit snugly enough to hold the top up. Divide the resulting number by two to determine the length of each side of the strap.
For example, for the top shown, the around-the-neck measurement was 23 inches. The halter strap is 16 inches long; each side of the strap is 8 inches long.

Left Side of Strap:
Beginning and ending with Row 2 of pattern, work in seed stitch until strap is desired length. Do not bind off. Cut yarn, leaving a tail approx. 8 inches long, which will be used to graft the strap. Place sts on hold on spare needle.

Right Side of Strap:
Place held sts on needle and rejoin yarn with RS facing. Beginning and ending with Row 1 of pattern, work in seed stitch until strap is same length as left strap. Do not bind off; cut yarn, leaving a tail to be woven in.

Lay the strap ends flat with right sides up, as shown in photo. Position work so that left half of strap is closest to you, with yarn tail at right of work; this set of sts will be designated the front needle (sts of right strap will be referred to as the back needle). Thread tail on tapestry needle and graft as follows:

Set-up Step: Insert the tapestry needle into the first stitch on the front needle as if to knit and pull the yarn through.
Insert the needle into the first stitch on the back needle as if to purl and pull the yarn through.

Step 1: Insert the needle into the first stitch on the front needle as is to purl and pull the yarn through. Then drop this stitch off the needle. Insert the needle into the next stitch on the front needle as if to purl and pull the yarn through.

Step 2: Insert the needle into the first stitch on the back needle as if to knit and pull the yarn through. Then drop this stitch off the needle. Insert the needle into the next stitch on the back needle as if to knit and pull the yarn through.

Step 3: Insert the needle into the first stitch on the front needle as if to knit and pull the yarn through. Then drop this stitch off the needle. Insert the needle into the next stitch on the front needle as if to knit and pull the yarn through.

Step 4: Insert the needle into the first stitch on the back needle as if to purl and pull the yarn through. Then drop this stitch off the needle. Insert the yarn into the next stitch on the back needle as if to purl and pull the yarn through.

Repeat Steps 1-4 until all stitches have been grafted.