Try a fun top down pattern, starting with the yoke and perfect shaping to complete the transition from yoke to the body of the top.
Marilyn Sleeveless Top
designed by Kim Guzman © Jan. 2015
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Technique: Regular Crochet
Finished Size
Free pattern available in size small only (to fit up to 34-36″ bust circumference)
Materials
Size 5 cotton thread: 820 yards
Suggested hook sizes: G-6 [4mm], H-8 [5mm] and I-9 [5.5mm] (or sizes to obtain gauge)
Yarn needle (for weaving ends)
Unblocked Gauge
With medium hook, 17 dc for 9 rows = 4”
Special Stitches
Foundation Single Crochet (fsc): Insert hook in lower vertical side bars of prior st, yo, pull through 1 lp on hook, yo, pull through 2 lps on hook
Shell (Sh): [2 dc, ch 1, 2 dc] in indicated sp
Additional Abbreviations
beg=begin(ning), ch=chain, dc=double crochet, hdc=half double crochet, lp(s)=loop(s), RS=right side, rem=remaining, rep=repeat, rnd(s)=round(s), sc=single crochet, sk=skip, sl=slip, sp(s)=spaces, st(s)=stitch(es), tr=treble crochet, WS=wrong side, yo=yarn over
Notes
Do not weave in ends until garment is complete and blocked.
Garment is worked from shoulder to hem, without seams.
Yoke is worked in the round. One side of Bodice is worked and cut off. The second side of Bodice is worked and joined to the first side. Garment skirting is worked down to hem.
Garment ends at mid hip. If the desired look is for the garment to end at low hip, add approximately 2-3” to hem before fastening off. Extra yardage will be necessary.
The most stress of the garment will be on the upper bodice and armholes. Armholes will appear shorter in height until blocked.
Instructions
Yoke
Rnd 1(RS): With small hook, ch 2, 128 fsc, without twisting, sl st to first fsc—128 sc.
Rnd 2: Ch 1, 3 sc, [2 sc in next sc, 7 sc] to last 5 sc, 2 sc in next sc, 4 sc, sl st to first sc—144 sc.
Rnd 3: Ch 1, 4 sc, [2 sc in next sc, 8 sc] to last 5 sc, 2 sc in next sc, 4 sc, sl st to first sc—160 sc.
Rnd 4: Ch 1, sc in each sc around, sl st to first sc.
Rnd 5: Ch 3 (counts as first dc here and throughout), dc in same sc, ch 1, 2 dc in next sc, * sk 3 sc, 2 dc in next sc, ch 1, 2 dc in next sc, rep from * to within last 3 sc, sk 3 sc, sl st in top of beg ch 3, in next dc and in ch-1 sp.
Rnd 6: Ch 3, [dc, ch 1, 2 dc] (counts as beg Sh here and throughout) in same ch-1 sp, Sh in each rem ch-1 sp around, sl st in top of beg ch 3, in next dc and in ch-1 sp—32 Sh.
Rnd 7: Ch 3, [dc, ch 1, 2 dc] in same ch-1 sp, * ch 1, insert hook between Shells of Rnd 5, sc working between Shells around both rnds 5 and 6 simultaneously, ch 1, Sh in next ch-1 sp, rep from * to last Sh, ch 1, sc working between Shells around both rnds 5 and 6 simultaneously, ch 1, sl st in top of beg ch 3, in next dc and in ch-1 sp.
Rnd 8: Ch 1, 2 sc in same ch-1 sp, * ch 3, 2 sc in next ch-1 sp of Sh, rep from * to last Sh, ch 3, sl st to first sc.
Rnd 9: Ch 1, sc in each sc and in each ch around, sl st to first sc—160 sc.
Rnds 10-11: Ch 1, sc in each sc around, sl st to first sc. Do not fasten off. Beg working in rows.
Bust Shaping
Row 1: With medium hook, ch 4 (counts as first tr throughout), tr in same sc, 4 tr, 5 dc, 5 hdc, 25 sc, 5 hdc, 5 dc, 4 tr, 2 tr in next sc, turn, leaving rem sc unworked—57 sts.
Row 2: Ch 4, 2 tr in same tr, 5 tr, 5 dc, 5 hdc, 25 sc, 5 hdc, 5 dc, 5 tr, 3 tr in last tr, turn—61 sts.
Row 3: Ch 4, 2 tr in same tr, 7 tr, 5 dc, 5 hdc, 25 sc, 5 hdc, 5 dc, 7 tr, 3 tr in last tr, turn—65 sts.
Row 4: Ch 3, 2 dc in same st, * sk 3 sts, 2 dc in next st, ch 1, 2 dc in next st, rep from * to within last 4 sts, 3 dc in last st, turn.
Row 5: Ch 3, 2 dc in same dc, Sh in each ch-1 sp across, 3 dc in last dc. Fasten off.
Opposite Side Bust Shaping
Count across 25 unused sc from Rnd 11 (will be bottom of armhole), with medium hook, join with sl st. Rep all Bust Shaping rows as for first side. Do not fasten off after final row. Beg working in rnds.
Joining
(WS) Still with medium hook, ch 3, 2 dc in same dc, * ch 1, sc working between Shells around both prior rows simultaneously, ch 1, Sh in next ch-1 sp, rep from * to last Sh, ch 1, sc working between Shells around both prior rows simultaneously, ch 1, 3 dc in last dc, ch 15, ** without twisting ch or Bodice, 3 dc in next dc of first side of Bodice, rep from * to **, without twisting ch or Bodice, sl st to top of beg ch 3, turn.
Skirting
Rnd 1 (RS): Ch 3, dc in same dc, ch 1, 2 dc in first ch, [sk 3 ch, 2 dc in next ch, ch 1, 2 dc in next ch] 2 times, sk 3 ch, 2 dc in next ch, ch 1, 2 dc in next dc, Sh in each ch-1 sp of Sh to last Sh, 2 dc in last dc before joining ch, ch 1, 2 dc in first ch, [sk 3 ch, 2 dc in next ch, ch 1, 2 dc in next ch] 2 times, sk 3 ch, 2 dc in next ch, ch 1, 2 dc in next dc, Sh in each ch-1 sp of Sh to last Sh, sl st in top of beg ch 3, in next dc and in ch-1 sp.
Rnd 2: Ch 3, [dc, ch 1, 2 dc] in same ch-1 sp, Sh in each rem ch-1 sp around, sl st in top of beg ch 3, in next dc and in ch-1 sp—32 Sh.
Rnd 3: Ch 3, [dc, ch 1, 2 dc] in same ch-1 sp, * ch 1, sc between Shells around both prior rnds simultaneously, ch 1, Sh in next ch-1 sp, rep from * to last Sh, ch 1, sc between Shells around both prior rnds simultaneously, ch 1, sl st in top of beg ch 3, in next dc and in ch-1 sp.
Rnds 4-5: Ch 3, [dc, ch 1, 2 dc] in same ch-1 sp, Sh in each rem ch-1 sp of Sh around, sl st in top of beg ch 3, in next dc and in ch-1 sp.
Rep previous 3 rnds until garment measures 13” from top of shoulder to hem, change to large hook and continue working previous 3 rnds until garment measures approximately 19” from shoulder to hem, or to desired length, ending with a rnd 3 of stitch pattern. Fasten off. Weave in ends securely.
Note
Garment will lengthen a minimum of 2” when worn or blocked. For best results, allow to hang overnight before fastening off at hem.
Armhole Trim
With small hook, join yarn with sl st at bottom of armhole, ch 1, sc evenly around, sl st in first sc. Fasten off. Rep for opposite armhole.
Finishing
Block as desired. Smooth lengthwise when flat and completely wet in order to mimic the effects of gravity on the fiber.