crochetguideKnow these stitches: half double crochet, single crochet, chain, slip stitch
Materials and yarn planning
Yarns we’ve reviewed that suit it: Bernat Softee Cotton yarn, Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton DK yarn. For the hook, choose by size and handle.
For an exact figure in your own yarn, weigh a washed swatch in the pattern stitch: the weighed-swatch yarn calculator scales it to each flat panel or strip. Allow a little more for seams, edging and tails.
Finished size and gauge
Sized from the Craft Yarn Council’s women’s chest measurements plus about 10 cm of ease, so the top sits loosely; take less ease for a closer fit. Each panel is half the finished chest. The counts below are size Medium (91.5–96.5 cm chest): a finished chest of about 104 cm, so each panel is 52 cm wide, which at 16 half double crochets and 12 rows per 10 cm is 83 stitches, and 24 rows make about 20 cm from underarm to hem. For your size and swatch, read the stitches from the size table below; the length is yours to choose. These are calculations from the counts, not a measured sample.
Sizes from your swatch
Example: 16 half double crochets and 12 rows in 10 cm, the gauge the steps are written for. Type your own swatch over it to see your counts.
| Size | Each panel | Underarm to hem | Stitches | Rows |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| X-Small (71–76 cm chest) | 41.8 cm (16.5 in) | Your choice | 67 (chain 69) | Your choice |
| Small (81–86 cm chest) | 46.8 cm (18.5 in) | Your choice | 75 (chain 77) | Your choice |
| Medium (91.5–96.5 cm chest) | 52 cm (20.5 in) | Your choice | 83 (chain 85) | Your choice |
| Large (101.5–106.5 cm chest) | 57 cm (22.5 in) | Your choice | 91 (chain 93) | Your choice |
| X-Large (111.5–117 cm chest) | 62.1 cm (24.5 in) | Your choice | 99 (chain 101) | Your choice |
| 2X (122–127 cm chest) | 67.3 cm (26.5 in) | Your choice | 108 (chain 110) | Your choice |
| 3X (132–137 cm chest) | 72.3 cm (28.5 in) | Your choice | 116 (chain 118) | Your choice |
| 4X (142–147 cm chest) | 77.3 cm (30.5 in) | Your choice | 124 (chain 126) | Your choice |
| 5X (152–158 cm chest) | 82.5 cm (32.5 in) | Your choice | 132 (chain 134) | Your choice |
Counts are rounded to whole stitches and rows. Check the first rows against your swatch.
The gauge calculator compares your swatch with the pattern. A stitch name you do not know is in the abbreviation chart; a UK pattern’s names are in the US/UK term reference.
The pattern
Count rows for this patternPanels: make 2
- Chain 85. Row 1: half double crochet in the third chain from the hook and in each chain across: 83 half double crochets. The skipped chains do not count as a stitch.
- Rows 2–24: chain 2 and turn (it does not count), half double crochet in each stitch across: 83 stitches. Stop sooner or go on: the panel is as tall as you want the top from underarm to hem.
- Top edge: chain 1 and turn, single crochet in each stitch across: 83 stitches. Fasten off, leaving a tail about 50 cm long on one panel for sewing.
Seams and straps
- Lay the panels together, top edges matching. Sew the side seams from the hem up to the top edge with the yarn needle, matching row to row.
- Tie cords: make 4. Chain a cord about 35 cm long, then slip stitch into the back bump of each chain back along it. Fasten off, leaving a tail for sewing.
- Try the top on. Pin a cord to the top edge of the front over the middle of each shoulder and another to the back in the same places. Sew each cord end on firmly, then tie each front cord to its back cord in a bow: the bows set the fit.
Check the work
Both panels have 83 stitches and the same number of rows, so the side seams match row for row.
- If a panel comes out narrower than the size table says, your stitches are smaller in the panel than in your swatch: measure 10 cm across Row 6 and change hook if needed.
- If the top edge gapes, work the edge row with a hook 0.5 mm smaller, or tie the cords shorter.
Updated . Stitch counts checked row by row; we haven’t crocheted a sample of this one yet. How the patterns are checked. Keep your yarn label, hook and swatch on the printable project worksheet.