Bikini Top

I did it!  I successfully crocheted a bikini top without a pattern!  Whew!

I started this project about a year ago when I  became fascinated by crochet clothing projects I'd started seeing that were made without patterns.  It was an exciting challenge that I wanted to try.  I watched a few tutorials on cup shaping (they were in a different language) and got started.  That part was pretty easy.  I completed the cups and bottom band pretty quickly.  The straps and back, however, posed a bigger challenge.  I wanted to be sure they'd work and look good.  Not quite knowing how I wanted to make them, I ended up setting the project aside.  Over the past year I've looked at swimsuit tops, sports bras, and searched through patterns and project photos to get ideas.

This week, I finally decided to just go for it!  I had an idea of how I wanted to work the straps and worked it out as I went along.  And, now, ta da!...It's done!

In some ways, the back is very close to what I had in my head.  In other ways, it's better.  The best part is that it actually works.

It looks a bit different on my dress form than it does on me but this was the best way to get photos.  And, honestly, I'm still working on just going for it with wearing it.  I figured all along that I could at least wear it in my back yard for some sun time or gardening.

I've never been very comfortable in my own body.  So, wearing something like this would have been a challenge for me at any age.  However, at 55, I've decided that if I ever want to feel comfortable in my own skin that I need to push myself and go for it.  After all, time flies by and I'll never be this young again!