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The temperature is rising and I am not built for this heat. I personally like to be covered 100% of the time, both for my own comfort and to protect my skin from the sun. But it’s hard to stay covered up when it’s so hot outside!

Recently I was searching for a nice cover-up knitting pattern, but I couldn’t find anything that fit the bill. I needed something that would provide a little sun protection while also remaining cool and breezy. However, all I could find were dozens upon dozens of crochet patterns, very few knits!

So I designed the Reya Swimsuit Cover-up: a fun summer knitting project featuring the Ladder Lace stitch. It looks just as good worn with a tank top and jeans as it does over a swimsuit.

Stitch Chart:

Instructions

Cast on & edge:

Cast on 105 [117, 129] stitches.
Knit 3 rows, then continue to the Back section.

Back:

Pattern row 1 (RS): k2, *ssk, yo, k1, yo, k2tog, k1, repeat from * until 1 stitch remains, k1
Pattern row 2 (WS): purl
Repeat pattern rows 1 & 2 until you count 89 [89, 91] eyelets vertically.
Repeat row 1 once more, then continue to the next section to build the arms.

Build the arms:

Increase row 1 (WS): purl to the end of the row, then cast on an additional 12 [12, 18] stitches — 117 [129, 147] stitches
Increase row 2 (RS): Repeat pattern row 1, then cast on an additional 12 [12, 18] stitches at the end — 129 [141, 165] stitches
Repeat pattern rows 1 & 2 until you count 20 [22, 24] eyelets vertically on the sleeves, then continue to the next section to build the neck.

Build the neck

Pause knitting. Count across the row and place stitch markers as follows:
57 [63, 75] stitches, place marker, 15 [15, 15] stitches, place marker, 57 [63, 75] stitches

Neck row 1 (RS): WE until one stitch before first marker, k1, sm, knit to next marker, sm, k1, WE to end of row
Neck row 2 (WS): purl
Neck row 3: Repeat neck row 1
Neck row 4: Repeat neck row 2
Neck row 5: WE until one stitch before first marker, k1, sm, knit to second marker, turn.
Neck row 6 (WS): Purl to first marker. Turn.
Neck row 7 (RS): Bind off all stitches between the two markers, then continue working even to end of row.

Now you’ve build the back of the neck and you should have two separated sections of stitches to build the front panels.

Front left panel

Make sure you’re in the right spot. Your working yarn should be on the panel that will lie on the left breast when worn. The next row will be the Wrong Side.

Transition row (WS): Purl to the neckline gap, then slip the remaining stitches onto a stitch holder to pick up later.
Continue working even (pattern rows 1 and 2) until you’ve created 24 [26, 28] additional eyelets.
Repeat pattern row 1 once more.
Decrease row (WS): Bind off 12 [12, 18] stitches and purl to end — 45 [51, 57] stitches
Continue working even until the underarm section matches the length of the back underarm section (90 [90, 92] eyelets).
Knit 3 rows, then bind off all stitches.

Front right panel

Move remaining stitches from stitch holder back onto the needles. Attach a new strand of yarn to start working on the WS.

Continue working in pattern (starting on WS) until you have the same number of eyelets as the sleeve on the opposite side.
On the next RS row, bind off the first 12 [12, 18] stitches and work even to end — 45 [51, 57] stitches
Continue working even until the underarm section matches the length of the back underarm section (90 [90, 92] eyelets).
Knit 3 rows, then bind off all stitches.

Finishing

Block your work and iron (if desired) to really set the stitches. If you substituted with another yarn, check the label for iron compatibility.

Use a darning needle to seam up the sides (leaving a 10-20cm slit on the bottom) and weave in loose ends. Don’t forget to check the stitches at the back of the neck. If loose, use some of the loose ends and tighten up the neckline while weaving them in.

Optional: Add a single button to close the front at the bust. Flattering and practical on windy days!