Chain and Shell Summer Top

Free Crochet Top Pattern

The top consists of 2 rectangles, which are connected in the last row of the finishing band. It is a very easy and fast pattern, with minimum shaping. The top has an oversized fit. The bottom of the top can be decorated with a fringe. Also you can thread a long chain into the shells at the waist for a different look. The number and the width of the color swathes can be changed, allowing for many variations.

Sizes: S (M, L, XL, 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X)

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Chest: 38 [42, 46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66] inches (95 [105, 115, 125, 135, 145, 155, 165] cm)
Finished Length: 28 [29, 30, 31, 31, 31, 31, 32] inches (70 [72.5, 75, 78, 78, 78, 78, 80] cm)

Materials: Araucania (affiliate link) Lonco Solid fingering weight yarn (100% cotton) 440 yards (402 meters)/100 gr, color Gold – 1 (1, 1, 1, 2, 2, 2, 2) skein (A)
Araucania (affiliate link) Lonco Solid fingering weight yarn (100% cotton) 440 yards (402 meters)/100 gr, color Rust – 1 (1, 1, 1, 2, 2, 2, 2)  skein (B)
Araucania (affiliate link) Lonco Solid fingering weight yarn (100% cotton) 440 yards (402 meters)/100 gr, color Brown – 1 (1, 1, 1, 2, 2, 2, 2)  skein (C)

Hook: D (3.25 mm)

Gauge:
Shell + Chain 6 = 1.5” (3.75 cm)

Abbreviations:

ch = chain
st(s) = stitch(es)
sl st = slip stitch
sc = single crochet
dc = double crochet
Shell - (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) into the ch-2 of the prev row shell.

Shell & Chain Pattern:
Multiple of 11 plus 5

Chain multiple of 11 +5
Setup row: ch 3, shell into 6th ch from the hook, *ch 6, skip 10 ch, shell into next ch, from * repeat to the end of the row, skip 2, 1 dc into last ch..
Row 1: ch 3, shell into next shell, *ch 6, shell into next shell, from * repeat to the end of the row, 1 dc into top of ch-3.
Repeat row 1.

Top

Top consists of 2 rectangles, crocheted separately from the top down. Decorating bands are worked around the sides and the top edge of the back and front. Back and front are connected in the last row of the bands.

Back

With yarn A chain 148 (159, 170, 192, 203, 214, 236, 247).
Work Shell & Chain pattern with 13 (14, 15, 17, 18, 19, 21, 22) pattern repeats.
Work 23 (24, 25, 26, 26, 26, 26, 27) rows in yarn A.
Work 23 (24, 25, 26, 26, 26, 26, 27) rows in yarn B.
Work 23 (24, 25, 26, 26, 26, 26, 27) rows in yarn C.
Tie off

Front
Work as back.

Finishing

Work 4 rows of sc along the sides and top of the back with yarn C. When turning the corners between side and top, increase for 2 sts by twice working 2 sc into next sc.
Work 3 rows of sc along the sides and the top of the front also with yarn C.
Row 4: work sc starting from the bottom along the front only for 5” (12.5 cm) to create side slits. Align front and back side edges now and work sc inserting the hook into both sc of front and back connecting the side seams. Work like this for 15” (37.5 cm), continue to work along front only (armholes) to the top, turn corner and continue to work along front only to the second shell (shoulder slit) (see picture). Align again front and back and work sc through both layers to make shoulder seams, work to the fifth shell from the edge. Continue to work sc along the front only to the 5th shell from the end. Repeat the shoulder seam, shoulder slit, armhole and side slit for the other side.
Tie off.

Enjoy!