Hello my lovely friends 💕
Show and Tell Time! 😁 I just finished the last picot on this top, and have to share.
When I saw this lovely top on Pinterest, I knew I had to have one. Luckily the link lead somewhere…to the free pattern on Ravelry
I looked through my yarn stash, but the perfect yarn didn’t jump out at me. So I put it on the back burner.
But when I received a yarn order a few days later, the perfect yarn for the top was in it.
Honestly, that was a lucky coincidence…I had only put it in my cart to get free shipping. 😆
The picture on the website did not do it justice. It’s a beautiful, silky yarn in very vibrant colors. Simply gorgeous.
I pulled up the pattern, and realized real quick that it doesn’t really work with my choice of yarn. It has some wool in it, so I was afraid that the rows of close crochet stitches would make the top too heavy and warm.
See…
Change of plans. I found this diagram at inspirations-tricot-crochet on Blogspot.
It’s an awesome blog with tons of crochet- and knitting patterns and tips.
That worked. The loose mesh is perfect for an airy, flowy summer top.
Take a look…
I did make a few more changes…
To make it fit better, I lengthened the seams joining the squares by 1″.
I shortened the shoulder straps. The suggested 8″ (plus they stretched quite a bit) simply didn’t work on me. The top looked like a high-waisted skirt with suspenders 😜
So I made them 4″ long. Plus I crocheted them separately (lengthwise, to avoid the stretch) and sewed them on.
I worked it in the linked double-crochet stitch. 2 rows were enough for the required width.
Then I wove in the ends…not too many, yay!…and thought I was done.
I really wanted to be done, because – truth be told – it seemed a bit of a chore at times.
Since I have the attention span of a gnat, working with the same yarn, the same color, on rows that get longer with every round…there was a lot of sighing and eye-rolling going on. 🙄
But – turns out I wasn’t done. 🙈 I looked at it, and looked at it, and looked at it some more…and finally decided it needs a picot edge. I worked the picot around all the edges – neck, arms, and bottom hem.
Now I really love it! 😍
I hope this inspired you to make one for yourself. 😃
Let me know what you think! I’m looking forward to your comments 💕
Well, get your hook ready and start crocheting…you’ll have one in just an hour or two 😁Here’s what you need…1 skein (11.9 oz/601 yards) ‘craftsmart’ yarn (Michaels**) – makes 2 bags or 3 skeins (2 oz./56g each) ‘Kitchen’ Cottonor RedHeart Super Saver ** – appr. 300 yards (pictured here)Crochet hook Size I/9 (5.5mm)Note:Do not join rounds. Place a stitchmarker in the first stitch to mark the beginning of each round.’increase‘ = 2sc in one stitch Pattern: Make a magic ring. Round 1: 6 sc in center of ring Round 2: 2sc in each stitch – 12 scRound 3: *increase, sc, repeat from * – 18scRound 4: *increase, sc in next 2 stitches, repeat from * – 24scRound 5: *increase, sc in next 3 stitches, repeat from * – 30scRound 6: *increase, sc in next 4 stitches, repeat from * – 36scRound 7: *increase, sc in next 5 stitches, repeat from * – 42scRound 8: *increase, sc in next 6 stitches, repeat from * – 48scRound 9: *increase, sc in next 7 stitches, repeat from * – 54scRound 10: *increase, sc in next 8 stitches, repeat from * – 60scRound 11: *increase, sc in next 9 stitches, repeat from * – 66scRound 12: *increase, sc in next 10 stitches, repeat from * – 72scRound 13: *increase, sc in next 11 stitches, repeat from * – 78scRound 14: *increase, sc in next 12 stitches, repeat from * – 84scRound 15: *increase, sc in next 13 stitches, repeat from * – 90scRound 16: *increase, sc in next 14 stitches, repeat from * – 96scAt this point the base measures about 4″ (middle center to outer edge)Now we get to the body of the bag.Round 1: *Ch5. Skip 2sc, sc in 3rd stitch. Repeat from * all around.When you get to the end of the round, chain 5, skip the last 2 stitches, sc 1 in 3rd chain of the first loop of the previous round.
Repeat Round 1 until desired height (don’t forget to move your stitchmarker every few rounds 😊)When you reach the desired height (mine is 18″ from middle center of the base to the top) work a row of sc. Round 1: *3sc in 2., 3., and 4. chain of the loop. Ch2. Repeat from* all around.Round 2: sc all around Round 3 (Handles): Ch 70, skip 28sc, sc in next stitch (be careful not to twist the chain!) Sc in next 50 stitches. Ch70, skip 28sc, sc in next stitch. Sc to start of first handle.Round 4, 5, 6: Sc in every stitch/chain, (except the sc between the handles)Note: If you get around the chain, and continue on, be careful to ‘stay the course’. You do not want to find that you happily crocheted in the space between the straps of the same handle 😁 
Experience has shown that it can happen! 😉 Especially if the chain twisted despite the care with which one keeps it straight.Fasten off…you’re done. And only a few ends to weave in! 😃I’ve made a few in the different yarns.Red Heart **
craftsmart** yarn in rose/yellow 
Peaches & Creme ** Kitchen Cotton 
This one is my favorite…it reminds me of Monet’s ‘Waterlilies’ 😍Oh – a quick note before you leave …I realize that I have the tendency to overexplain things. Please don’t be offended! I’ve just encountered one too many patterns that left me scratching my head, wasting a lot of time ‘trying to figure it out’ 😕 and I try to avoid that when I write my patterns. Nevertheless…If you do notice any mistakes please let me know.Happy crocheting (and shopping!) 😁 I’m looking forward to seeing your bag! Have a fabulous, glorious, wonderful weekend! 😎
After a rainstorm last fall…don’t you love the tree reflection in the water? 😍
This is from a couple of years ago…during my ‘drawing phase’. See, rain-themed 😁
Maybe I’ll go now and try a rain dance! 😆I wish you a fabulous weekend, and hope you get to do things you love! 💕
Kristabella's Hodgepodge 