It is a sunny day, you feel like showing some skin and letting the warm breeze touch you. You look in your wardrobe for something fresh, colourful and a little daring, because your heart is full of joy and you want the world to see it. This is where this pattern comes in: a cross‑back top with straps that cross over the shoulders and a generous neckline. It is worked with Estate, a wide, stretchy tape yarn with a shaded, delicately iridescent effect that glides beautifully on the needles and adds a wow factor to any garment or accessory.

You will find all the gorgeous Estate colourways on our shop; choose your favourite and cast on.

Tutorial: how to knit a cross‑back top

MATERIALS
Estate yarn col. Capri 200 g / 7 oz (for size M)
Knitting needles n° 5 EU / 8 US
Stitch holders
Tapestry needle

GAUGE – WIDE RIB STITCH
10 cm x 10 cm / 4″ x 4″
10 stitches and 24 rows

KNITTING STITCHES USED
Knit
Purl
Knit one below:
insert the right needle into the stitch in the row below, directly under the next stitch on the left needle, and knit 1 stitch.
Tubular cast‑on:
with a contrasting provisional yarn, cast on half the required number of stitches + 1, then with the working yarn knit 1 stitch into each cast‑on stitch, making 1 yarn over between each stitch.
Tubular stitch:
row 1: repeat (1 knit stitch, bring the yarn to the front and slip the next stitch purlwise) to the last stitch, knit the last stitch
row 2: knit the slipped (i.e. unworked) stitches from the previous row and slip purlwise the stitches that were knit in the previous row.
Repeat rows 1 and 2.​
Tubular selvedge:
at the beginning of every row, slip the first stitch purlwise with yarn in front and knit the second stitch; at the end of every row, slip the second‑to‑last stitch purlwise with yarn in front and knit the last stitch.
Wide rib stitch:
(worked over a multiple of 4 + 3 stitches)
row 1: knit the first 3 stitches, repeat (knit one below, knit 3 stitches) to the end of the row
row 2: knit the first 3 stitches, repeat (purl 1 stitch, knit 3 stitches) to the end of the row.
Repeat rows 1 and 2.
Single decrease:
slip 1 stitch knitwise onto the right needle, knit the next stitch on the left needle and with the tip of the left needle pass the slipped stitch over the knit stitch, i.e. the unworked stitch.​
Double decrease:
slip 1 stitch knitwise onto the right needle, knit the next 2 stitches together, then with the tip of the left needle pass the slipped stitch over the stitch just worked, i.e. the unworked stitch.

​SIZES
Instructions are given for size S (M, L)

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS SIZE S (M, L)
Bust circumference 80 (88, 96) cm / 31.5″ (34.6″, 37.8″)
Total length 34 (36, 38) cm / 13.4″ (14.2″, 15″)
Length from underarm 13 (14, 15) cm / 5.1″ (5.5″, 6″)
Neck opening 25 (27, 29) cm / 9.8″ (10.6″, 11.4″)

DIFFICULTY
Intermediate

INSTRUCTIONS

The top is worked flat in a single piece forming the front; once the straps are complete, you continue knitting to create the back-crossing straps.

How to work the front and straps

With needles size 5 EU / 8 US cast on 41 (45, 49) stitches using the tubular cast‑on and work 2 rows in tubular stitch. Begin working in wide rib stitch.

Row 3: 2 tubular selvedge stitches, 2 (4, 2) knit stitches, repeat (knit one below, knit 3 stitches) to the last 5 (7, 5) stitches, knit one below, 2 (4, 2) knit stitches, 2 tubular selvedge stitches
row 4: 2 tubular selvedge stitches, 2 (4, 2) knit stitches, repeat (purl 1 stitch, knit 3 stitches) to the last 5 (7, 5) stitches, 1 purl stitch, 2 (4, 2) knit stitches, 2 tubular selvedge stitches
rows 5 to 28 (5 to 22, 5 to 20): repeat rows 3 and 4 another 12 (9, 8) times
row 29 (23, 21): 2 tubular selvedge stitches, decrease 1 stitch by working 1 single decrease over the next 2 stitches, 0 (2, 0) knit stitches, repeat (knit one below, knit 3 stitches) to the last 5 (7, 5) stitches, knit one below, 0 (2, 0) knit stitches, decrease 1 stitch by knitting the next 2 stitches together, 2 tubular selvedge stitches
row 30 (24, 22): 2 tubular selvedge stitches, 1 (3, 1) knit stitch(es), repeat (purl 1 stitch, knit 3 stitches) to the last 4 (6, 4) stitches, knit one below, 1 (3, 1) knit stitch(es), 2 tubular selvedge stitches
row 31 (25, 23): 2 tubular selvedge stitches, 1 (3, 1) knit stitch(es), repeat (knit one below, knit 3 stitches) to the last 4 (6, 4) stitches, knit one below, 1 (3, 1) knit stitch(es), 2 tubular selvedge stitches
row 32 (26, 24): work as row 30 (24, 22)
rows 33 and 34 (27 to 36, 25 to 38): repeat rows 31 and 32 (25 and 26, 23 and 24) 1 (5, 7) more time(s).

Now divide the work in half for the neckline and continue each side separately; instructions follow for each size.

SIZE S
Row 35: 2 tubular selvedge stitches, 1 knit stitch, repeat (knit one below, knit 3 stitches) 4 times, bind off the next stitch for the neckline, knit 3 stitches, repeat (knit one below, knit 3 stitches) 3 times, knit one below, 1 knit stitch, 2 tubular selvedge stitches
row 36: 2 tubular selvedge stitches, 1 knit stitch, repeat (purl 1 stitch, knit 3 stitches) 3 times, 1 purl stitch, 1 knit stitch, 2 tubular selvedge stitches. From now on continue only on this second side, leaving the stitches of the first side on a stitch holder
row 37: 2 tubular selvedge stitches, decrease 1 stitch for the neckline by working 1 single decrease over the next 2 stitches, knit 3 stitches, repeat (knit one below, knit 3 stitches) 2 times, knit one below, 1 knit stitch, 2 tubular selvedge stitches
row 38: 2 tubular selvedge stitches, 1 knit stitch, repeat (purl 1 stitch, knit 3 stitches) 2 times, 1 purl stitch, knit 4 stitches, 2 tubular selvedge stitches
row 39: 2 tubular selvedge stitches, knit 4 stitches, repeat (knit one below, knit 3 stitches) 2 times, knit one below, 1 knit stitch, 2 tubular selvedge stitches
row 40: work as row 38
rows 41 and 42: repeat rows 39 and 40
row 43: 2 tubular selvedge stitches, decrease 1 stitch for the neckline by working 1 single decrease over the next 2 stitches, knit 2 stitches, repeat (knit one below, knit 3 stitches) 2 times, knit one below, 1 knit stitch, 2 tubular selvedge stitches
row 44: 2 tubular selvedge stitches, 1 knit stitch, repeat (purl 1 stitch, knit 3 stitches) 3 times, 2 tubular selvedge stitches
row 45: 2 tubular selvedge stitches, knit 3 stitches, repeat (knit one below, knit 3 stitches) 2 times, knit one below, 1 knit stitch, 2 tubular selvedge stitches
row 46: work as row 44
rows 47 and 48: repeat rows 45 and 46
row 49: 2 tubular selvedge stitches, decrease 1 stitch for the neckline by working 1 single decrease over the next 2 stitches, knit 1 stitch, repeat (knit one below, knit 3 stitches) 2 times, knit one below, 1 knit stitch, 2 tubular selvedge stitches
row 50: 2 tubular selvedge stitches, 1 knit stitch, repeat (purl 1 stitch, knit 3 stitches) 2 times, 1 purl stitch, knit 2 stitches, 2 tubular selvedge stitches
row 51: 2 tubular selvedge stitches, knit 2 stitches, repeat (knit one below, knit 3 stitches) 2 times, knit one below, 1 knit stitch, 2 tubular selvedge stitches
row 52: work as row 50
row 53: 2 tubular selvedge stitches, decrease 1 stitch for the neckline by working 1 single decrease over the next 2 stitches, repeat (knit one below, knit 3 stitches) 2 times, knit one below, 1 knit stitch, 2 tubular selvedge stitches
row 54: 2 tubular selvedge stitches, 1 knit stitch, repeat (purl 1 stitch, knit 3 stitches) 2 times, 1 purl stitch, 1 knit stitch, 2 tubular selvedge stitches
row 55: 2 tubular selvedge stitches, 1 knit stitch, repeat (knit one below, knit 3 stitches) 2 times, knit one below, 1 knit stitch, 2 tubular selvedge stitches
row 56: work as row 54
row 57: 2 tubular selvedge stitches, decrease 1 stitch for the neckline by working 1 single decrease over the next 2 stitches, knit 3 stitches, knit one below, 1 knit stitch, decrease 1 stitch by knitting the next 2 stitches together, knit one below, 1 knit stitch, 2 tubular selvedge stitches
row 58: 2 tubular selvedge stitches, 1 knit stitch, 1 purl stitch, knit 2 stitches, 1 purl stitch, knit 4 stitches, 2 tubular selvedge stitches
row 59: 2 tubular selvedge stitches, knit 4 stitches, knit one below, knit 2 stitches, knit one below, 1 knit stitch, 2 tubular selvedge stitches
row 60: work as row 58
row 61: 2 tubular selvedge stitches, decrease 1 stitch for the neckline by working 1 single decrease over the next 2 stitches, knit 2 stitches, knit one below, knit 2 stitches, knit one below, 1 knit stitch, 2 tubular selvedge stitches
row 62: 2 tubular selvedge stitches, 1 knit stitch, 1 purl stitch, knit 2 stitches, 1 purl stitch, knit 3 stitches, 2 tubular selvedge stitches
row 63: 2 tubular selvedge stitches, knit 3 stitches, knit one below, knit 2 stitches, knit one below, 1 knit stitch, 2 tubular selvedge stitches
row 64: work as row 62
row 65: 2 tubular selvedge stitches, decrease 1 stitch for the neckline by working 1 single decrease over the next 2 stitches, 1 knit stitch, knit one below, knit 2 stitches, knit one below, 1 knit stitch, 2 tubular selvedge stitches
row 66: 2 tubular selvedge stitches, 1 knit stitch, 1 purl stitch, knit 2 stitches, 1 purl stitch, knit 2 stitches, 2 tubular selvedge stitches
row 67: 2 tubular selvedge stitches, knit 2 stitches, knit one below, knit 2 stitches, knit one below, 1 knit stitch, 2 tubular selvedge stitches
row 68: work as row 66
row 69: 2 tubular selvedge stitches, decrease 1 stitch for the neckline by working 1 single decrease over the next 2 stitches, knit one below, knit 2 stitches, knit one below, 1 knit stitch, 2 tubular selvedge stitches
row 70: 2 tubular selvedge stitches, 1 knit stitch, 1 purl stitch, knit 2 stitches, 1 purl stitch, 1 knit stitch, 2 tubular selvedge stitches
row 71: 2 tubular selvedge stitches, 1 knit stitch, knit one below, knit 2 stitches, knit one below, 1 knit stitch, 2 tubular selvedge stitches
row 72: work as row 70
row 73: 2 tubular selvedge stitches, decrease 1 stitch for the neckline by working 1 single decrease over the next 2 stitches, knit 2 stitches, knit one below, 1 knit stitch, 2 tubular selvedge stitches
row 74: 2 tubular selvedge stitches, 1 knit stitch, 1 purl stitch, knit 3 stitches, 2 tubular selvedge stitches
row 75: 2 tubular selvedge stitches, knit 3 stitches, knit one below, 1 knit stitch, 2 tubular selvedge stitches
row 76: work as row 74
row 77: 2 tubular selvedge stitches, decrease 1 stitch for the neckline by working 1 single decrease over the next 2 stitches, 1 knit stitch, knit one below, 1 knit stitch, 2 tubular selvedge stitches
row 78: 2 tubular selvedge stitches, 1 knit stitch, 1 purl stitch, knit 2 stitches, 2 tubular selvedge stitches
row 79: 2 tubular selvedge stitches, knit 2 stitches, knit one below, 1 knit stitch, 2 tubular selvedge stitches
row 80: work as row 78
row 81: 2 tubular selvedge stitches, decrease 1 stitch for the neckline by working 1 single decrease over the next 2 stitches, knit one below, 1 knit stitch, 2 tubular selvedge stitches
row 82: 2 tubular selvedge stitches, 1 knit stitch, 1 purl stitch, 1 knit stitch, 2 tubular selvedge stitches
row 83: 2 tubular selvedge stitches, 1 knit stitch, knit one below, 1 knit stitch, 2 tubular selvedge stitches
row 84: work as row 82
row 85: 2 tubular selvedge stitches, decrease 2 stitches (including 1 for the neckline) by working 1 double decrease over the next 3 stitches, 2 tubular selvedge stitches
row 86: 2 tubular selvedge stitches, 1 purl stitch, 2 tubular selvedge stitches.

Place these 5 stitches on a stitch holder.

SIZE M
Row 37: 2 tubular selvedge stitches, knit 3 stitches, repeat (knit one below, knit 3 stitches) 4 times, bind off the next stitch for the neckline, knit 3 stitches, repeat (knit one below, knit 3 stitches) 4 times, 2 tubular selvedge stitches
row 38: 2 tubular selvedge stitches, knit 3 stitches, repeat (purl 1 stitch, knit 3 stitches) 3 times, 1 purl stitch, 1 knit stitch, 2 tubular selvedge stitches. From now on continue only on this second side, leaving the stitches of the first side on a stitch holder
row 39: 2 tubular selvedge stitches, decrease 1 stitch for the neckline by working 1 single decrease over the next 2 stitches, knit 3 stitches, repeat (knit one below, knit 3 stitches) 3 times, 2 tubular selvedge stitches
row 40: 2 tubular selvedge stitches, knit 3 stitches, repeat (purl 1 stitch, knit 3 stitches) 2 times, 1 purl stitch, knit 4 stitches, 2 tubular selvedge stitches
row 41: 2 tubular selvedge stitches, knit 4 stitches, repeat (knit one below, knit 3 stitches) 3 times, 2 tubular selvedge stitches
row 42: work as row 40
rows 43 and 44: repeat rows 41 and 42
row 45: 2 tubular selvedge stitches, decrease 1 stitch for the neckline by working 1 single decrease over the next 2 stitches, knit 2 stitches, repeat (knit one below, knit 3 stitches) 2 times, knit one below, 1 knit stitch, decrease 1 stitch by knitting the next 2 stitches together, 2 tubular selvedge stitches
row 46: 2 tubular selvedge stitches, knit 2 stitches, repeat (purl 1 stitch, knit 3 stitches) 3 times, 2 tubular selvedge stitches
row 47: 2 tubular selvedge stitches, knit 3 stitches, repeat (knit one below, knit 3 stitches) 2 times, knit one below, knit 2 stitches, 2 tubular selvedge stitches
row 48: work as row 46
row 49: 2 tubular selvedge stitches, decrease 1 stitch for the neckline by working 1 single decrease over the next 2 stitches, knit 1 stitch, repeat (knit one below, knit 3 stitches) 2 times, knit one below, knit 2 stitches, 2 tubular selvedge stitches
row 50: 2 tubular selvedge stitches, knit 2 stitches, repeat (purl 1 stitch, knit 3 stitches) 2 times, 1 purl stitch, knit 2 stitches, 2 tubular selvedge stitches
row 51: 2 tubular selvedge stitches, knit 2 stitches, repeat (knit one below, knit 3 stitches) 2 times, knit one below, knit 2 stitches, 2 tubular selvedge stitches
row 52: work as row 50
row 53: 2 tubular selvedge stitches, decrease 1 stitch for the neckline by working 1 single decrease over the next 2 stitches, repeat (knit one below, knit 3 stitches) 2 times, knit one below, knit 2 stitches, 2 tubular selvedge stitches
row 54: 2 tubular selvedge stitches, knit 2 stitches, repeat (purl 1 stitch, knit 3 stitches) 2 times, 1 purl stitch, 1 knit stitch, 2 tubular selvedge stitches
row 55: 2 tubular selvedge stitches, knit 1 stitch, repeat (knit one below, knit 3 stitches) 2 times, knit one below, knit 2 stitches, 2 tubular selvedge stitches
row 56: work as row 54
row 57: 2 tubular selvedge stitches, decrease 1 stitch for the neckline by working 1 single decrease over the next 2 stitches, knit 3 stitches, knit one below, knit 3 stitches, knit one below, knit 2 stitches, 2 tubular selvedge stitches
row 58: 2 tubular selvedge stitches, knit 2 stitches, 1 purl stitch, knit 3 stitches, 1 purl stitch, knit 4 stitches, 2 tubular selvedge stitches
row 59: 2 tubular selvedge stitches, knit 4 stitches, knit one below, knit 3 stitches, knit one below, knit 2 stitches, 2 tubular selvedge stitches
row 60: work as row 58
row 61: 2 tubular selvedge stitches, decrease 1 stitch for the neckline by working 1 single decrease over the next 2 stitches, knit 2 stitches, knit one below, knit 3 stitches, knit one below, knit 2 stitches, 2 tubular selvedge stitches
row 62: 2 tubular selvedge stitches, knit 2 stitches, repeat (purl 1 stitch, knit 3 stitches) 2 times, 2 tubular selvedge stitches
row 63: 2 tubular selvedge stitches, knit 3 stitches, knit one below, knit 3 stitches, knit one below, knit 2 stitches, 2 tubular selvedge stitches
row 64: work as row 62
row 65: 2 tubular selvedge stitches, decrease 1 stitch for the neckline by working 1 single decrease over the next 2 stitches, knit 1 stitch, knit one below, knit 3 stitches, knit one below, knit 2 stitches, 2 tubular selvedge stitches
row 66: 2 tubular selvedge stitches, knit 2 stitches, 1 purl stitch, knit 3 stitches, 1 purl stitch, knit 2 stitches, 2 tubular selvedge stitches
row 67: 2 tubular selvedge stitches, knit 2 stitches, knit one below, knit 3 stitches, knit one below, decrease 1 stitch by knitting the next 2 stitches together, 2 tubular selvedge stitches
row 68: 2 tubular selvedge stitches, 1 knit stitch, 1 purl stitch, knit 3 stitches, 1 purl stitch, knit 2 stitches, 2 tubular selvedge stitches
row 69: 2 tubular selvedge stitches, decrease 1 stitch for the neckline by working 1 single decrease over the next 2 stitches, knit one below, knit 3 stitches, knit one below, 1 knit stitch, 2 tubular selvedge stitches
row 70: 2 tubular selvedge stitches, 1 knit stitch, 1 purl stitch, knit 3 stitches, 1 purl stitch, 1 knit stitch, 2 tubular selvedge stitches
row 71: 2 tubular selvedge stitches, 1 knit stitch, knit one below, knit 3 stitches, knit one below, 1 knit stitch, 2 tubular selvedge stitches
row 72: work as row 70
row 73: 2 tubular selvedge stitches, decrease 1 stitch for the neckline by working 1 single decrease over the next 2 stitches, knit 3 stitches, knit one below, 1 knit stitch, 2 tubular selvedge stitches
row 74: 2 tubular selvedge stitches, 1 knit stitch, 1 purl stitch, knit 4 stitches, 2 tubular selvedge stitches
row 75: 2 tubular selvedge stitches, knit 4 stitches, knit one below, 1 knit stitch, 2 tubular selvedge stitches
row 76: work as row 74
row 77: 2 tubular selvedge stitches, decrease 1 stitch for the neckline by working 1 single decrease over the next 2 stitches, knit 2 stitches, knit one below, 1 knit stitch, 2 tubular selvedge stitches
row 78: 2 tubular selvedge stitches, 1 knit stitch, 1 purl stitch, knit 3 stitches, 2 tubular selvedge stitches
row 79: 2 tubular selvedge stitches, knit 3 stitches, knit one below, 1 knit stitch, 2 tubular selvedge stitches
row 80: work as row 78
row 81: 2 tubular selvedge stitches, decrease 1 stitch for the neckline by working 1 single decrease over the next 2 stitches, knit 1 stitch, knit one below, 1 knit stitch, 2 tubular selvedge stitches
row 82: 2 tubular selvedge stitches, 1 knit stitch, 1 purl stitch, knit 2 stitches, 2 tubular selvedge stitches
row 83: 2 tubular selvedge stitches, knit 2 stitches, knit one below, 1 knit stitch, 2 tubular selvedge stitches
row 84: work as row 82
row 85: 2 tubular selvedge stitches, decrease 1 stitch for the neckline by working 1 single decrease over the next 2 stitches, knit one below, 1 knit stitch, 2 tubular selvedge stitches
row 86: 2 tubular selvedge stitches, 1 knit stitch, 1 purl stitch, 1 knit stitch, 2 tubular selvedge stitches
row 87: 2 tubular selvedge stitches, 1 knit stitch, knit one below, 1 knit stitch, 2 tubular selvedge stitches
row 88: work as row 86
row 89: 2 tubular selvedge stitches, decrease 2 stitches (including 1 for the neckline) by working 1 double decrease over the next 3 stitches, 2 tubular selvedge stitches
row 90: 2 tubular selvedge stitches, 1 purl stitch, 2 tubular selvedge stitches.

Place these 5 stitches on a stitch holder.

SIZE L
Row 39: 2 tubular selvedge stitches, knit 1 stitch, knit into front and back, decrease 1 stitch by working 1 slip 1, knit 1, pass slipped stitch over on the next 2 stitches, knit 1 stitch, repeat (knit into front and back, knit 3 stitches) 4 times, bind off the next stitch for the neckline, knit 3 stitches, repeat (knit into front and back, knit 3 stitches) 3 times, knit into front and back, knit 1 stitch, decrease 1 stitch by knitting together the next 2 stitches, knit into front and back, knit 1 stitch, 2 tubular selvedge stitches
row 40: 2 tubular selvedge stitches, knit 1 stitch, purl 1 stitch, knit 2 stitches, repeat (purl 1 stitch, knit 3 stitches) 3 times, purl 1 stitch, knit 1 stitch, 2 tubular selvedge stitches. Now continue only on this second side, leaving the stitches of the first side on a stitch holder
row 41: 2 tubular selvedge stitches, decrease 1 stitch for the neckline by working 1 slip 1, knit 1, pass slipped stitch over on the next 2 stitches, knit 3 stitches, repeat (knit into front and back, knit 3 stitches) 2 times, knit into front and back, knit 2 stitches, knit into front and back, knit 1 stitch, 2 tubular selvedge stitches
row 42: 2 tubular selvedge stitches, knit 1 stitch, purl 1 stitch, knit 2 stitches, repeat (purl 1 stitch, knit 3 stitches) 2 times, purl 1 stitch, knit 4 stitches, 2 tubular selvedge stitches
row 43: 2 tubular selvedge stitches, knit 4 stitches, repeat (knit into front and back, knit 3 stitches) 2 times, knit into front and back, knit 2 stitches, knit into front and back, knit 1 stitch, 2 tubular selvedge stitches
row 44: work as row 42
row 45: 2 tubular selvedge stitches, decrease 1 stitch for the neckline by working 1 slip 1, knit 1, pass slipped stitch over on the next 2 stitches, knit 2 stitches, repeat (knit into front and back, knit 3 stitches) 2 times, knit into front and back, knit 2 stitches, knit into front and back, knit 1 stitch, 2 tubular selvedge stitches
row 46: 2 tubular selvedge stitches, knit 1 stitch, purl 1 stitch, knit 2 stitches, repeat (purl 1 stitch, knit 3 stitches) 3 times, 2 tubular selvedge stitches
row 47: 2 tubular selvedge stitches, knit 3 stitches, repeat (knit into front and back, knit 3 stitches) 2 times, knit into front and back, knit 2 stitches, knit into front and back, knit 1 stitch, 2 tubular selvedge stitches
row 48: work as row 46
row 49: 2 tubular selvedge stitches, decrease 1 stitch for the neckline by working 1 slip 1, knit 1, pass slipped stitch over on the next 2 stitches, knit 1 stitch, repeat (knit into front and back, knit 3 stitches) 2 times, knit into front and back, knit 2 stitches, knit into front and back, knit 1 stitch, 2 tubular selvedge stitches
row 50: 2 tubular selvedge stitches, knit 1 stitch, purl 1 stitch, knit 2 stitches, repeat (purl 1 stitch, knit 3 stitches) 2 times, purl 1 stitch, knit 2 stitches, 2 tubular selvedge stitches
row 51: 2 tubular selvedge stitches, knit 2 stitches, repeat (knit into front and back, knit 3 stitches) 2 times, knit into front and back, knit 2 stitches, knit into front and back, knit 1 stitch, 2 tubular selvedge stitches
row 52: work as row 50
row 53: 2 tubular selvedge stitches, decrease 1 stitch for the neckline by working 1 slip 1, knit 1, pass slipped stitch over on the next 2 stitches, repeat (knit into front and back, knit 3 stitches) 2 times, knit into front and back, knit 2 stitches, knit into front and back, knit 1 stitch, 2 tubular selvedge stitches
row 54: 2 tubular selvedge stitches, knit 1 stitch, purl 1 stitch, knit 2 stitches, repeat (purl 1 stitch, knit 3 stitches) 2 times, purl 1 stitch, knit 1 stitch, 2 tubular selvedge stitches
row 55: 2 tubular selvedge stitches, knit 1 stitch, repeat (knit into front and back, knit 3 stitches) 2 times, knit into front and back, knit 2 stitches, knit into front and back, knit 1 stitch, 2 tubular selvedge stitches
row 56: work as row 54
row 57: 2 tubular selvedge stitches, decrease 1 stitch for the neckline by working 1 slip 1, knit 1, pass slipped stitch over on the next 2 stitches, knit 3 stitches, knit into front and back, knit 3 stitches, knit into front and back, knit 2 stitches, decrease 1 stitch by knitting together the next 2 stitches, 2 tubular selvedge stitches
row 58: 2 tubular selvedge stitches, knit 3 stitches, purl 1 stitch, knit 3 stitches, purl 1 stitch, knit 4 stitches, 2 tubular selvedge stitches
row 59: 2 tubular selvedge stitches, knit 4 stitches, repeat (knit into front and back, knit 3 stitches) 2 times, 2 tubular selvedge stitches
row 60: work as row 58
row 61: 2 tubular selvedge stitches, decrease 1 stitch for the neckline by working 1 slip 1, knit 1, pass slipped stitch over on the next 2 stitches, knit 2 stitches, repeat (knit into front and back, knit 3 stitches) 2 times, 2 tubular selvedge stitches
row 62: 2 tubular selvedge stitches, knit 3 stitches, repeat (purl 1 stitch, knit 3 stitches) 2 times, 2 tubular selvedge stitches
row 63: 2 tubular selvedge stitches, knit 3 stitches, repeat (knit into front and back, knit 3 stitches) 2 times, 2 tubular selvedge stitches
row 64: work as row 62
row 65: 2 tubular selvedge stitches, decrease 1 stitch for the neckline by working 1 slip 1, knit 1, pass slipped stitch over on the next 2 stitches, knit 1 stitch, repeat (knit into front and back, knit 3 stitches) 2 times, 2 tubular selvedge stitches
row 66: 2 tubular selvedge stitches, knit 3 stitches, purl 1 stitch, knit 3 stitches, purl 1 stitch, knit 2 stitches, 2 tubular selvedge stitches
row 67: 2 tubular selvedge stitches, knit 2 stitches, repeat (knit into front and back, knit 3 stitches) 2 times, 2 tubular selvedge stitches
row 68: work as row 66
row 69: 2 tubular selvedge stitches, decrease 1 stitch for the neckline by working 1 slip 1, knit 1, pass slipped stitch over on the next 2 stitches, knit into front and back, knit 3 stitches, knit into front and back, knit 3 stitches, 2 tubular selvedge stitches
row 70: 2 tubular selvedge stitches, knit 3 stitches, purl 1 stitch, knit 3 stitches, purl 1 stitch, knit 1 stitch, 2 tubular selvedge stitches
row 71: 2 tubular selvedge stitches, knit 1 stitch, knit into front and back, knit 3 stitches, knit into front and back, knit 3 stitches, 2 tubular selvedge stitches
row 72: work as row 70
row 73: 2 tubular selvedge stitches, decrease 1 stitch for the neckline by working 1 slip 1, knit 1, pass slipped stitch over on the next 2 stitches, knit 3 stitches, knit into front and back, knit 3 stitches, 2 tubular selvedge stitches
row 74: 2 tubular selvedge stitches, knit 3 stitches, purl 1 stitch, knit 4 stitches, 2 tubular selvedge stitches
row 75: 2 tubular selvedge stitches, knit 4 stitches, knit into front and back, knit 1 stitch, decrease 1 stitch by knitting together the next 2 stitches, 2 tubular selvedge stitches
row 76: 2 tubular selvedge stitches, knit 2 stitches, purl 1 stitch, knit 4 stitches, 2 tubular selvedge stitches
row 77: 2 tubular selvedge stitches, decrease 1 stitch for the neckline by working 1 slip 1, knit 1, pass slipped stitch over on the next 2 stitches, knit 2 stitches, knit into front and back, knit 2 stitches, 2 tubular selvedge stitches
row 78: 2 tubular selvedge stitches, knit 2 stitches, purl 1 stitch, knit 3 stitches, 2 tubular selvedge stitches
row 79: 2 tubular selvedge stitches, knit 3 stitches, knit into front and back, knit 2 stitches, 2 tubular selvedge stitches
row 80: work as row 78
row 81: 2 tubular selvedge stitches, decrease 1 stitch for the neckline by working 1 slip 1, knit 1, pass slipped stitch over on the next 2 stitches, knit 1 stitch, knit into front and back, knit 2 stitches, 2 tubular selvedge stitches
row 82: 2 tubular selvedge stitches, knit 2 stitches, purl 1 stitch, knit 2 stitches, 2 tubular selvedge stitches
row 83: 2 tubular selvedge stitches, knit 2 stitches, knit into front and back, knit 2 stitches, 2 tubular selvedge stitches
row 84: work as row 82
row 85: 2 tubular selvedge stitches, decrease 1 stitch for the neckline by working 1 slip 1, knit 1, pass slipped stitch over on the next 2 stitches, knit into front and back, knit 2 stitches, 2 tubular selvedge stitches
row 86: 2 tubular selvedge stitches, knit 2 stitches, purl 1 stitch, knit 1 stitch, 2 tubular selvedge stitches
row 87: 2 tubular selvedge stitches, knit 1 stitch, knit into front and back, knit 2 stitches, 2 tubular selvedge stitches
row 88: work as row 86
row 89: 2 tubular selvedge stitches, knit 1 stitch, knit into front and back, decrease 1 stitch for the neckline by working 1 slip 1, knit 1, pass slipped stitch over on the next 2 stitches, 2 tubular selvedge stitches
row 90: 2 tubular selvedge stitches, knit 1 stitch, purl 1 stitch, knit 1 stitch, 2 tubular selvedge stitches
row 91: 2 tubular selvedge stitches, knit 1 stitch, knit into front and back, knit 1 stitch, 2 tubular selvedge stitches
row 92: work as row 90
row 93: 2 tubular selvedge stitches, decrease 2 stitches (1 of them for the neckline) by working 1 double slip 2 stitches, knit 1 stitch, pass 2 slipped stitches over on the next 3 stitches, 2 tubular selvedge stitches
Row 94: 2 tubular selvedge stitches, purl 1 stitch, 2 tubular selvedge stitches. Leave the 5 stitches on a stitch holder.

Resume working on the stitches of the first side and work as the second side but reversed. At the end, do not leave the 5 stitches on the stitch holder, but continue for the first strap to cross at the back, working in tubular stitch for about 50 (54, 58) cm / 19.7″ (21.2″, 22.8″), then leave the stitches on a stitch holder. Take up the 5 stitches of the second side and work the second strap to cross at the back in the same way.

Finishing

Cross the straps at the back so that the right strap is on top of the left strap, then join them to the front along the sides, starting the seam 5 cm / 2″ from the bottom. Before sewing, make sure the length of the straps is sufficient, then pin them in place, try on the garment and check the fit; if the length does not match, work a few additional rows or unravel a few rows as needed; once the lengths are confirmed, close the stitches with grafting stitch using a tapestry needle and sew the seam.