DIY Network

Surf's Up: Crochet Bikini and Drawstring Bag Hit the beach in style, courtesy of NexGeneration's crochet designs. From "Uncommon Threads" episode DUCT-256

NexGeneration members Amie Hirtes, Drew Emborsky and Pam Gillette show how to beat the heat with sexy crocheted swimwear and accessories. The projects are suitable for intermediate crocheters.

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Surfer's Citrus Bikini

Amie Hirtes creates the perfect sunbathing bikini from multicolor yarn. Increases and decreases form the top and bottom pieces, and crochet ties are added for a perfect fit. The pattern can be modified to fit your specific measurements.

Bikini Bottom

Surfer's Citrus Bikini

Materials:

2 skeins Patons Grace, #60901 (Tangelo)
1 skein Patons Grace, #60603 (Apricot)
crochet hooks, US sizes D-3/(3.25mm) and C-2/(2.75mm)

Gauge: 7 sts and 8 rows = 1"

Abbreviations:
ch(s) chain(s)
dec decrease
inc increase
rnd round
sc single crochet
sc3tog sc 3 together
sk skip
sl st slip stitch
st(s) stitch(es)

Note: All bikini instructions are written for size S.

	Figure A
	Figure B
	When working decreases, remember: whatever you do at the beginning of the row needs to be done at the end of the row so that the bikini shapes evenly.

With larger hook and Tangelo, ch 63 (base ch) (figure A).
Row 1: Sc in each ch across (62 sts made).
Row 2: Dec, sc across to last 2 sts, dec (60 sts made).
Row 3: Sc3tog, sc across to last 3 sts, sc3tog (56 sts made) (figure B).
Row 4: Sc in each st across (56 sts made).
Rows 5-13: Repeat Rows 2-4, 3 more times, ending with 38 sts made at end of Row 13.

Tip: On first stitches; make sure the tension is tighter than usual when you start a row so the edges don't go all "loosy goosy" on you.

Note: The shape will not be a perfect triangle; it will curve to create the specific shape of this pattern.

Row 14: Dec, sc across, dec (36 sts made).
Row 15: Sc across (36 sts made).
Row 16: Sc3tog, sc across, sc3tog (2 sts made).
Row 17: Sc in each s across (32 sts made).
Row 18-25: Repeat Rows 14-17, 2 more times, ending with 20 sts made at end of Row 25.
Row 26: Dec, sc in each st across, dec (18 sts made).
Row 27: Sc across (18 sts made).
Rows 28-33: Repeat Rows 26-27, 3 more times, ending with 12 sts made at the end of Row 33.
Row 34: Repeat Row 26 (10 sts made).
Rows 35-55: Sc across (10 sts made).
Row 56: inc, sc across to last st, inc (12 sts made).
Rows 57-63: Repeat previous row 7 times, ending with 26 sts at the end of Row 63.
Row 64: Sc across (26 sts made).
Row 65: Inc, sc across, inc (28 sts made).
Row 66: Repeat previous row (30 sts made).
Row 67-117: Repeat previous 3 rows, 17 more times, ending with 98 sts made at end of Row 119.
Finish by switching to Apricot and smaller hook, ch 1, do not turn.

Bottom front

Bottom front with decreases

Bikini bottom (note that perspective makes one half of the piece appear larger than the other in this photo; they are actually much closer in size).

Edging

	The first row of edging goes around the whole shape of the bikini to create the border.
	The edging becomes the ties to fasten the bikini.

Round 1: Working in ends of rows, sc 3 times in same place (corner st created), work 117 evenly spaced sc along left side, 3 sc in corner of base ch row, sc across base ch row, 3 sc in next corner, work 117 evenly spaced sc along right side, 3 sc in next corner, sc across top of back, slip st to back loop of first st in rnd, ch 1, do not turn.

Round 2: Working in back loops, sc in same st, ch 100, working in back threads only, sc in 2nd st from hook and in next 99 ch, sk next sc on rnd 1, sc in next sc (tie created), sc around to next corner st, sc in first st of corner st, repeat from * to * for remaining 3 corners, slip st to back loop of first st in rnd, ch 1.

Note: The second row doesn't turn the corner as the first row but goes out to make the beginning of the ties. You chain out, then single crochet back in along the chain.

Round 3: Working in back loops, sc in the same , skip next st (first st on tie), sc up and down tie, placing an extra sc at tip and skipping last st at bottom of tie, sc across to next corner, sc in first st of corner st, repeat from * to * for remaining three corners, slip st to back loop of first st in rnd. Finish off.

Copyright: © 2006 NexStitch

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