I designed this top with loose and open stitches so it would be cool in warmer weather. It’s a great cover-up whether at the beach or just running around town, and the Beautiful You yarn from Lion Brand was perfect for this project. It’s very fine but also drapes really well. It may look a little complicated but trust me, it’s not. The main body is just two rectangles that you sew together. Then you add the straps and the sleeves – it’s all about artful placement of simple shapes!
If you’d like an ad-free, easily printable version of the pattern, you can help support my small business and purchase it for a small fee in my Etsy shop – SimpleThings byTia, or in my Ravelry Store – Simple Things Crochet.
Like this pattern? You may also like the Chelsea Poncho or the Cherry Blossom Shawl. And if you’d like to receive an email whenever there’s a new post, you can find the sign-up box below. I’ll never sell your info or use it for anything else. Promise!
Skill Level: Easy+
Materials:
Lion Brand Beautiful You in Pumice Stone – 2 skeins
Lion Brand Beautiful You in Spanish Villa – 1 skein
Lion Brand Beautiful You in Deep Periwinkle – 1 skein
Hook size H/8 – 5.00mm
Stitch markers – optional but recommended
Gauge:
12 Dc stitches and 7 Dc rows = 4” (there is 1 sc row worked in between the 7 rows)
Dimensions:
Main body is 23” wide by 20” long without straps
Abbreviations:
Ch – chain
Sc – single crochet
Dc – double crochet
Tr – treble crochet
St, sts – stitch, stitches
Sk – skip
Notes:
- Beginning chains don’t count as stitches throughout.
- Always make your first stitch in the very first stitch in the row.
- I recommend using stitch markers to easily keep your rows even. Place a stitch marker in the the first stitch of a row, and you will know where to crochet your last stitch when you get back to that end.
- Though lightweight, this yarn has a heavy drape so your top will stretch longer than it seems once you’re wearing it. Also, because of this, the straps may seem too short. They are not; they need to be shorter to accommodate the drape of the top.
Instructions:
Main Body – make two
With Pumice Stone, ch 82.
Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across row. 81 sts.
Rows 2 – 5: Turn, ch 2, dc in first st and in each st across row.
Row 6: Turn, ch 1, sc in first st and in each st across row.
Rows 7 – 10: Turn, ch 2, dc in first st and in each st across row.
Row 11: Turn, ch 1, sc in first st and in each st across row.
Rows 12 – 15: Turn, ch 3, tr in first st and in each st across row.
Row 16: Turn, ch 1, sc in first st and in each st across row.
Rows 17 – 20: Turn, ch 3, tr in first st and in each st across row.
Row 21: Turn, ch 1, sc in first st and in each st across row.
Row 22: With Deep Periwinkle, turn, ch 2, dc in first st and in each st across row.
Row 23: Turn, ch 2, dc in 1st st, ch 1, sk 1, dc in next st, *ch 1, sk 1, dc in next st*. Repeat from * to * across row. Dc in last st.
Row 24: Turn, ch 2, dc in first st and in each st across row. Work into the chains between stitches, not under them.
Row 25: Turn, ch 2, dc in 1st st, ch 1, sk 1, dc in next st, *ch 1, sk 1, dc in next st*. Repeat from * to * across row. Dc in last st.
Row 26: Turn, ch 2, dc in first st and in each st across row. Work into the chains between stitches, not under them.
Row 27: With Spanish Villa, turn, ch 2, dc in first st and in each st across row.
Row 28: Turn, ch 2, dc in 1st st, ch 1, sk 1, dc in next st, *ch 1, sk 1, dc in next st*. Repeat from * to * across row. Dc in last st.
Row 29: Turn, ch 2, dc in first st and in each st across row. Work into the chains between stitches, not under them.
Row 30: Turn, ch 2, dc in 1st st, ch 1, sk 1, dc in next st, *ch 1, sk 1, dc in next st*. Repeat from * to * across row. Dc in last st.
Row 31: Turn, ch 2, dc in first st and in each st across row. Work into the chains between stitches, not under them.
Row 32: Turn, ch 2, dc in 1st st, ch 1, sk 1, dc in next st, *ch 1, sk 1, dc in next st*. Repeat from * to * across row. Dc in last st.
Row 33: Turn, ch 2, dc in first st and in each st across row. Work into the chains between stitches, not under them. Bind off.
Straps – make two:
With Spanish Villa, ch 6
Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across row. 5 sts.
Rows 2 – 20: Turn, ch 1, sc in first st and in each st across row. Bind off.
Sleeves – make two:
With Spanish Villa, ch 41
Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across row. 40 sts.
Rows 2 – 3: Turn, ch 1, sc in first st and in each st across row.
Rows 4 – 5: Turn, ch 2, dc in first st and in each st across row.
Row 6: Turn, ch 3, tr in first st and in each st across row.
Row 7: Turn, ch 3, tr in first st, *2 tr in next st, tr in next st*. Repeat from * to * across row. 2 tr in last st. Bind off.
Construction:
- Line up the two panels for the main body and sew up the sides. Sew each color section with the coordinating color of yarn.
- Place one end of one of the straps about 7” in from the outside edge of the top and sew in place along the top edge. Repeat in the back. Repeat with the other strap on the other side.
- Place one of the sleeves right next to the outside edge of the strap and sew approximately 2” along the top edge. You want to stop your seam right at the point where the treble crochet rows start in order to leave a slight ruffle. Repeat in the back. Repeat with the other sleeve on the other side.
Cathy
January 15, 2020 3:35 amI went up a hook size as I can never figure out gauge. I was okay height wise but just a bit short on width. I used a counter for the rows, so I had the right number, and I crocheted very loosely, but it came out way too short and I’m five feet tall. I added a few rows to the bottom as ruffles and it still only comes to the top of my thighs. I had to extend the straps to 30 rows in order to fit my arms through. I’m really hoping this will stretch in length over time. I used one color, and adding the extra rows, I used three skeins. I’ve crocheted for over 30 years and this is my first clothing item. I’m happy enough with it.
Tia
January 15, 2020 9:47 amHi Cathy,
Thanks so much for your comments! I’m sorry the sizing didn’t work for you. If it’s anything like mine, the length will increase with time. The weight of the yarn definitely pulled mine down. I’m glad you’re happy with it overall and hope you decide to try another pattern. Once I started crocheting clothing, I couldn’t stop!
I love getting feedback and truly appreciate you taking the time to write. 😊
Sincerely,
Tia