Sweet Nothings Crochet: FAN CROPPED TOP

FAN CROPPED TOP

This top was spurred by a chic top I just made (or rather that I uploaded today). Someone saw that top and wanted a simple cropped top and here’s what we decided on.

This top has been inspired by a free pattern, but that top is for a front open shrug / bolero, and here I’ve adapted it to make this top using the same pattern sheet.

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And inspired by this photo, here are my pattern notes as I work on my project.

Materials used : Today I’ve used ~ about 2 cones (approx 120 gms) of our lovely Indian lace thin polyester silk yarn (a.k.a Kamal kadai thread) with a 2.5 mm crochet hook ;

Optional : Stitch marker

For Indians : You could use Anchor , Red ros e ; Red rose metallic or unbranded knitting cotton as well as Oswal or Vardhaman acrylic yarns

International yarns : Among the international yarns I have used, I’d suggest Aunt Lydia Cotton 10, Aunt Lydia Bamboo-Viscose 10, DMC Petra, Sullivans knitting cotton (Australia), Milford Soft, Hilaza Rustica Eclat , Alize cotton yarn and Alize bamboo yarn.

Size made : for 34” bust ; 17” length

Difficulty level : Advanced Skill level

Stitches used :

Starting slip knot : https://youtu.be/lJcqsVcs8cw

Starting slip knot 1 or the Sloppy Slip knot : https://youtu.be/YfC7KmGpifs

What is a chain stitch ? https://youtu.be/pXx5ukBjKkY

Magic circle : https://youtu.be/ISC39yOqWro

Foundation Single Crochet : fsc : https://youtu.be/mcT85fwh4mA

Single Crochet : Sc : yo, insert hk into st ; yo (2 lps on hk); yo, draw through both lps. One sc made. Check out the video at https://youtu.be/ghACqBpA-3k
First stitch for Single Crochet : This is how I like to start my row of sc. Check out the video at https://youtu.be/6pVYRfsf4_M

Half Double Crochet : Hdc : yo, insert hk into st ; yo (3 lps on hk) ;

yo, draw through all 3 lps. One hdc made.

Check out the video at https://youtu.be/sDiELJdB2Dg

Chainless start for Half Double Crochet : I dislike the ch-2 start, and this is what I do to start my row of hdc. Check out the video at https://youtu.be/lWXpl1KdbZ8

Double Crochet : dc : yo, insert hk into st ; yo (3 lps on hk); [yo, draw through 2 lps] twice. One dc made. Check out the video at https://youtu.be/xdnjB27zpYo

Chainless start for Double Crochet : I dislike the ch-2 / ch – 3 start, and this is what I do to start my row of dc.

Check out the video at https://youtu.be/wskv3iTjRx0

Here is a sizing chart for general sizing https://in.pinterest.com/pin/470063279837597366/

and https://in.pinterest.com/pin/470063279837560772/

Whipstitch to join : https://youtu.be/wZ-9LNzftMA

Invisible join : https://youtu.be/a6XZQ6VzJFM

Single crochet to join : https://youtu.be/6FXoW_47_dI

Abbreviations used :

lp(s) : Loop(s) sc : Single crochet

dc : Double crochet sp : Space

sl-st : Slip stitch ch : Chain

st(s) : Stitch(es) hk : Hook

yo : Yarn Over

Instructions : (Using U.S terminology)

Please note that I start all my rows with a ch 1, turning chain for ease.

Please check the top of this blog for easy video tutorials on all stitches used in today's pattern.

Please read through all my notes before you pick up your hook, so you know just where we're heading in our pattern.

In my patterns I work with the principle of stitch count and body measurement. This means that you need to work the stitch count in pattern, till you get the measurement (length and/or width) that you need for your project.

free crochet pattern, free cropped top crochet pattern

Before we start on our journey, as usual, let’s see what we’re going to do here. The pattern that I’ve used here is a freebie from http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/gulf-coast-shrug

Thank you +Karen McKenna for this really lovely free pattern.

So before you head any further into my blog, please check out this link for the original pattern.

Using this pattern, I’m going to alter it slightly to get a cropped top, with permission from the really lovely and generous designer, Karen.

I just love the ‘fan pattern’ used here, and that’s what made me think that this was the pattern for me J

This pattern is worked like a rectangle and is a really simple one line pattern repeat. There is no shaping for the armhole or neckline. We will, therefore, have boat neckline, and finally join on tiny cute sleeves.

We will work the same pattern for the front and back, and then join the two rectangles to make one beautiful crop top.

Ready? Let’s go

PART 1 : FRONT & BACK OF TOP

(Make two identical pieces)

Our stitch count repeat is 5 + 2

As we’re making a crop top here, you will first need to figure out how long you want your top and then how loose. You will work your measurements for the half round chest depending on these two measurements.

Start with fsc in multiples of 5 + 2 for just slightly over half the round chest. Turn.

Please check the fan stitch as indicated by Karen McKenna which is (2 dc ; ch 1, 2 dc) all in the same st or ch-sp.

Row 1 : dc in the 1^st fsc ; *sk next 4 fsc, Fan Stitch in the next fsc* ; rep *to* till the last 5 fsc ; sk next 4 fsc, dc in the last fsc. Turn.

In our following rows, we will work our Fan Stitch in the ch-1 sps.

STOP and check that the you have the width (and looseness) you desire for your top. IF not, this is the time to re-work your first row of fsc stitches.

Row 2 : dc in the 1^st dc ; *Fan Stitch in ch-1 sp of the next Fan Stitch* ; rep *to* till the last dc ; dc in the last dc. Turn.

And that’s it... Our pattern done!

Rep Row 2 till you have the length you need for your crop top. Fasten off and weave in ends.

You should have a rectangle piece of work done. Work the same pattern for one more rectangle which will form the back of your top.

PART 2 : FINISHING

You have two rectangles in hand. Ensure that you have the width and lengths the way you need it to be, and the pattern going the way you want it to – so fan pattern should be facing the same direction for both pieces.

Attach the shoulders and the sides, keeping an opening for each armhole and one neck.

I have then worked a small border of sc all around the neckline and around the armhole. In case you are working the sleeve, then please check the instructions below before you work the sc around armhole. If you are not working sleeves in, then I’d suggest you work a round of sc or hdc all around the base as well, just to finish it all off neatly. Fasten off… weave and glue down all ends.

PART 3 : SLEEVE IDEA

In case you decide to work the sleeve, then we will do this after we have joined the sides, allocating the armhole space.

Before we work the sleeve in, let us work a round of sc all around. As we’re working the same pattern as for the centre of the top, let us work sc in multiples of 5 for around armhole. Join with a sl-st to the 1^st sc and we have our base round ready for the pattern.

Round 1 : 2 dc in the 1^st sc ;

*sk next 4 sc, Fan Stitch in the next sc* ; rep *to* till the last 4 sc ;

sk next 4 sc, 2 dc ; ch 1, dc in the last sc (which is also the 1^st st you started 1 dc with. You now have a fan stitch in that 1^st sc as well). Join with a sl-st to the 1^st st.

Round 2 : sl-st into the 1^st ch-1 sp of the 1^st Fan st ;

Fan Stitch in ch-1 sp of the same 1^st Fan Stitch ;

*Fan Stitch in ch-1 sp of the next Fan Stitch* ;

rep *to* till the end. Join with a sl-st to the 1^st dc.

Rep Round 2, increasing the sleeve length, till you have the length desired.

Fasten off and weave /glue in ends.

and ta da!! It's the same project.. just to show you how beautiful this yarn is.. first photo taken outdoors and the second one is taken indoors! Ain't this just beautiful as... ;)

PART 4 : BLOCKING IDEAS

Block by placing your top under a lightly damp muslin cloth and ironing from over the muslin cloth, stretching it lightly to give it shape. Remember that you should not iron your top directly, especially if you have used acrylic and not used cotton/linen.

For Indians : If you too have used the polyester silk Kamal kadai thread, remember that you cannot iron on it directly ever!

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Have a great day and see you soon.

Here are some of my older creations. Have fun with these free patterns too

https://shyamanivas.blogspot.com/2019/08/gulabi-top.html

https://shyamanivas.blogspot.com/2019/08/vibhinna-top.html

https://shyamanivas.blogspot.com/2019/06/rangeela-top.html