Caron Cotton Top Written Instructions

Youtube tutorial links:

Part 1 - https://youtu.be/HqNnVT1ce9o

Part 2 - https://youtu.be/ZED_1wcQ_Ik

Yarn used: Caron Cotton Lava cakes - 4/worsted weight, any 4 weight yarn works but cotton or cotton blend is preferable

Hook used: 6.5 mm for chain and 5.5 mm for everything else.

I have tight tension so you might need to use a 5 mm hook, please do a gauge swatch to ensure you have the right hook size

This top is worked in two panels. For each panel you work the main body pattern until the top measures from about the top of your bust (or where you want the lace to start) to where you want the bottom of the top to be, with an armpit decrease before you get to the total length. You then work the lace for the back of the top (measured from the top of your shoulder to where you want the lace to start), then working the lace for the front of the top, making sleeves.

Terminology:

sc = single crochet

dc = double crochet

tr = treble crochet

scallop = 4dc in the same space

shell = [1 dc, 1 chain, 1 dc, 1 chain, 1 dc] in same space

picot = [sc, cain 3, sc] in same space

Main body pattern (multiple of 6+1):

Row 1: 2 dc in 4th chain from the hook, skip 2 chains, 1 sc in the next chain, *Skip 2 chains, made scallop [4 dc in the next chain], skip 2 chains, 1 sc in the next chain, repeat from * until the end, ending with a sc

Repeat row: Chain 3, 2 dc in first sc, skip 2 dc, *1 sc between the 2nd and 3rd dc of the next 4 dc group from the previous row, skip 2 dc, scallop [4 dc in next sc], skip 2 dc, repeat from * to end, end with 1 sc in top of beginning ch3

Lace pattern (multiple of 7+1):

Setup row: Join white with single crochet in first stitch, *skip 2 stitches, shell [dc, chain 1, dc, chain 1, dc in same stitch], skip 2 stitches, sc, chain 3, sc in next stitch, repeat from * until end, finishing with sc in top of chain 3

Row 1: Turn, chain 7 (counts as 1 treble and 3 chains) *work picot [1 sc, chain 3, 1 sc] in center dc of shell from previous row, chain 3**, 1 dc in next chain-3 arch, ch 3, repeat from * ending last repeat at **, 1 tr in the last sc

Row 2: Turn, Chain 1, 1 sc in tr, *skip next chain-3 space, make shell [1 dc, chain 1, 1 dc, chain 1, 1 dc] in center of next picot, skip next chain-3 space**, picot [1 sc, chain 3, 1sc] in next dc, repeat from * ending last repeat at **, 1 sc in the 4th chain of the chain 7

Repeat rows 1 and 2 until desired length, ending on modified row 2

Modified row 2 (last row): made a shell in each picot space and in each dc, no picots

 

 Gauge Swatch:

Gauge swatch should measure 3.5" wide, width is important. Height can be changed by adding more rows.

If the width of the swatch is too small, go up a hook size. If it is too large, go down a hook size

Using main body pattern

Chain 19

Row 1: 2 dc in 4th chain from the hook, skip 2 chains, 1 sc in the next chain, *Skip 2 chains, made scallop [4 dc in the next chain], skip 2 chains, 1 sc in the next chain, repeat from * until the end, ending with a sc

Repeat row: Chain 3, 2 dc in first sc, skip 2 dc, *1 sc between the 2nd and 3rd dc of the next 4 dc group from the previous row, skip 2 dc, scallop [4 dc in next sc], skip 2 dc, repeat from * to end, end with 1 sc in top of beginning ch3

Repeat until you have about 9 rows (width is much more important that height)

(more sizes coming soon, will post on my community tab and update here)

Medium top measurements: 

Bust 36"

Top width: 20"

Top circumference: 40" (4 inches of ease)

I did 15" of the bottom/main body pattern and 8" of the lace pattern

Medium top instructions:

Chain 85

Row 1: 2 dc in 4th chain from the hook, skip 2 chains, 1 sc in the next chain

Repeat row: Chain 3, 2 dc in first sc, skip 2 dc, *1 sc between the 2nd and 3rd dc of the next 4 dc group from the previous row, skip 2 dc, 4 dc in next sc, skip 2 dc, repeat from * to end, end with 1 sc in top of beginning ch3

Repeat until the bottom of the top is about 1" shorter than desired length

Armpit decrease:

1. Slip stitch across 2 stitches, sc in middle of scallop, continue pattern repeat, sc in last sc

2. Ch 3, 2 dc in sc, skip next sc, sc in middle of scallop, continue pattern repeat, sc in middle of the last scallop, sc in last stitch of the scallop

3. Regular main body pattern row until the bottom of the top is the desired length (for me 15"), fasten off

Lace part of top (back panel):

Setup row: Join white with single crochet in first stitch, *skip 2 stitches, shell [dc, chain 1, dc, chain 1, dc in same stitch], skip 2 stitches, sc, chain 3, sc in next stitch, repeat from * until end, finishing with sc in top of chain 3

Row 1: Turn, chain 7 (counts as 1 treble and 3 chains) *work picot [1 sc, chain 3, 1 sc] in center dc of shell from previous row, chain 3**, 1 dc in next chain-3 arch, ch 3, repeat from * ending last repeat at **, 1 tr in the last sc

Row 2: Turn, Chain 1, 1 sc in tr, *skip next chain-3 space, make shell [1 dc, chain 1, 1 dc, chain 1, 1 dc] in center of next picot, skip next chain-3 space**, picot [1 sc, chain 3, 1sc] in next dc, repeat from * ending last repeat at **, 1 sc in the 4th chain of the chain 7

Repeat rows 1 and 2 until desired length, ending on modified row 2

Modified row 2 (last row): made a shell in each picot space and in each dc, no picots

Fasten off

Front panel of top (with sleeves):

Repeat the above chain, 1 row repeat, armpit decreases for 2nd panel bottom of top - same as back of the top

Lace part of top (front panel, 1st sleeve)

Setup row: Join white with single crochet in first stitch, *skip 2 stitches, shell [dc, chain 1, dc, chain 1, dc in same stitch], skip 2 stitches, sc, chain 3, sc in next stitch, repeat from * until end, finishing with sc in top of chain 3

Row 1: Turn, chain 7 (counts as 1 treble and 3 chains) *work picot [1 sc, chain 3, 1 sc] in center dc of shell from previous row, chain 3**, 1 dc in next chain-3 arch, ch 3, repeat from * ending last repeat at **, 1 tr in the last sc

Row 2: Turn, Chain 1, 1 sc in tr, *skip next chain-3 space, make shell [1 dc, chain 1, 1 dc, chain 1, 1 dc] in center of next picot, skip next chain-3 space**, picot [1 sc, chain 3, 1sc] in next dc, repeat from * ending last repeat at **, 1 sc in the 4th chain of the chain 7

3. Repeat row 1 repeat

4. Do row 2 repeat but sc in the middle dc - cut out middle 2 shells

5. Do row 1 repeat but dc in last picot (decrease made)

6. Do row 2 repeat

7. Do row 1 repeat but dc in last picot (decrease made)

8. Do row 2 repeat

9. Do row 1 repeat with treble at end

Repeat row 2 and row 1 until sleeves are desired length and # of rows matches the back of the top

End with modified row 2 - Cluster in each picot abd in each dc

Fasten off

Front panel, 2nd sleeve

1. Join on outer edge with sc, chain 7, do row 1 repeat but dc in last picot (decrease made)

2. Do row 2 repeat

3. Do row 1 repeat but dc in last picot (decrease made)

4. Do row 2 repeat

5. Do row 1 repeat with treble at end

Repeat row 2 and row 1 until sleeves are desired length and # of rows matches the back of the top

End with modified row 2 - Cluster in each picot abd in each dc

Seam the front and back panel together across the tops of the sleeves and along the sides of the top below the armpit, try top on, weave in ends if top fits as desired

XL top measurements: 

Bust 42"

Top width: 23"

Top circumference: 46" (4 inches of ease)

I did 19" of the bottom/main body pattern and 10" of the lace pattern

XL top instructions:

Chain 97

Row 1: 2 dc in 4th chain from the hook, skip 2 chains, 1 sc in the next chain

Repeat row: Chain 3, 2 dc in first sc, skip 2 dc, *1 sc between the 2nd and 3rd dc of the next 4 dc group from the previous row, skip 2 dc, 4 dc in next sc, skip 2 dc, repeat from * to end, end with 1 sc in top of beginning ch3

Repeat until the bottom of the top is about 1.5" shorter than desired length

Armpit decrease:

1. Slip stitch across 2 stitches, sc in middle of scallop, continue pattern repeat, sc in last sc

2. Ch 3, 2 dc in sc, skip next sc, sc in middle of scallop, continue pattern repeat, sc in middle of the last scallop, sc in last stitch of the scallop

3. Regular main body pattern row until the bottom of the top is the desired length (for me 19"), fasten off

Lace part of top (back panel):

Setup row: Join white with single crochet in first stitch, *skip 2 stitches, shell [dc, chain 1, dc, chain 1, dc in same stitch], skip 2 stitches, sc, chain 3, sc in next stitch, repeat from * until end, finishing with sc in top of chain 3

Row 1: Turn, chain 7 (counts as 1 treble and 3 chains) *work picot [1 sc, chain 3, 1 sc] in center dc of shell from previous row, chain 3**, 1 dc in next chain-3 arch, ch 3, repeat from * ending last repeat at **, 1 tr in the last sc

Row 2: Turn, Chain 1, 1 sc in tr, *skip next chain-3 space, make shell [1 dc, chain 1, 1 dc, chain 1, 1 dc] in center of next picot, skip next chain-3 space**, picot [1 sc, chain 3, 1sc] in next dc, repeat from * ending last repeat at **, 1 sc in the 4th chain of the chain 7

Repeat rows 1 and 2 until desired length, ending on modified row 2

Modified row 2 (last row): made a shell in each picot space and in each dc, no picots

Fasten off

Front panel of top (with sleeves):

Repeat the above chain, 1 row repeat, and armpit decreases for 2nd panel bottom of top - same as back of the top

Lace part of top (front panel, 1st sleeve)

Setup row: Join white with single crochet in first stitch, *skip 2 stitches, shell [dc, chain 1, dc, chain 1, dc in same stitch], skip 2 stitches, sc, chain 3, sc in next stitch, repeat from * until end, finishing with sc in top of chain 3

Row 1: Turn, chain 7 (counts as 1 treble and 3 chains) *work picot [1 sc, chain 3, 1 sc] in center dc of shell from previous row, chain 3**, 1 dc in next chain-3 arch, ch 3, repeat from * ending last repeat at **, 1 tr in the last sc

Row 2: Turn, Chain 1, 1 sc in tr, *skip next chain-3 space, make shell [1 dc, chain 1, 1 dc, chain 1, 1 dc] in center of next picot, skip next chain-3 space**, picot [1 sc, chain 3, 1sc] in next dc, repeat from * ending last repeat at **, 1 sc in the 4th chain of the chain 7

3. Repeat row 1 repeat

4. Repeat row 2 repeat

5. Repeat row 1 repeat

6. Do row 2 repeat but sc in the middle dc - cut out middle 2 shells

7. Do row 1 repeat but dc in last picot (decrease made)

8. Do row 2 repeat

9. Do row 1 repeat but dc in last picot (decrease made)

10. Do row 2 repeat

11. Do row 1 repeat but dc in last picot (decrease made)

12. Do row 2 repeat

13. Do row 1 repeat with treble at end

Repeat row 2 and row 1 until sleeves are desired length and # of rows matches the back of the top

End with modified row 2 - Cluster in each picot abd in each dc

Fasten off

Front panel, 2nd sleeve

1. Join on outer edge with sc, chain 7, do row 1 repeat but dc in last picot (decrease made)

2. Do row 2 repeat

3. Do row 1 repeat but dc in last picot (decrease made)

4. Do row 2 repeat

5. Do row 1 repeat but dc in last picot (decrease made)

6. Do row 2 repeat

7. Do row 1 repeat with treble at end

Repeat row 2 and row 1 until sleeves are desired length and # of rows matches the back of the top

End with modified row 2 - Cluster in each picot and in each dc

Seam the front and back panel together across the tops of the sleeves and along the sides of the top below the armpit, try top on, weave in ends if top fits as desired