Sunday 3 April 2016

R’s DIAMONDS & VEE's TOP

R’s DIAMONDS & VEE's TOP

This pattern caught my eye not just for the pattern, but for that absolutely gorgeous rose coloured yarn in this inspiration photograph. 

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As I work on this pattern, I’ve written down my notes that I share with you.


Materials used : Today I’ve used our superb Indian Anchor knitting cotton yarn, with a 3 mm crochet hook. 
I’ve made a 5XL size and I used nearly 500 gms of Anchor knitting cotton.   

Skill level :  Advanced.
The pattern and stitches are basic, but as we’re working on a neatly curved armhole and sleeve to match that armhole, the instructions are tedious and I feel one needs slightly advanced crochet skills.
This is also a really long write up and it is scattered with lots of options / choices and notes. Please read through it all. Thanks.

Stitches used :
Starting slip knot : Here’s how you start with a slip knot.  https://youtu.be/lJcqsVcs8cw 

Starting slip knot 1 or the Sloppy Slip knot : This is a neat new way to start your work without a slip knot.  https://youtu.be/YfC7KmGpifs

What is a chain stitch ? Here is an easy video tutorial https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pXx5ukBjKkY

What is a slip stitch : Here is a neat video tutorial at https://youtu.be/weB3QNbA8Iw

Magic circle : To refresh your skill, please view this easy video https://youtu.be/ISC39yOqWro

Double Crochet : dc : yo, insert hk into st ; yo (3 lps on hk);
[yo, draw through 2 lps] twice.  One dc made. 
Check out the video at https://youtu.be/xdnjB27zpYo

Chainless start for Double Crochet : I dislike the ch-2 / ch – 3 start, and this is what I do to start my row of dc.
Check out the video at https://youtu.be/wskv3iTjRx0

Abbreviations used :
lp(s) : Loop(s)                  sc : Single crochet
dc : Double crochet         sp : Space                                           
sl-st : Slip stitch               ch : Chain
st(s) : Stitch(es)               hk : Hook
yo : Yarn Over
                                                           
                                   
Instructions : (Using U.S terminology)
Please note that I start all my rows with a ch 1, turning chain for ease.
Please check the top of this blog for easy video tutorials on all stitches used in today's pattern.
Please read through all my notes before you pick up your hook, so you know just where we're heading in our pattern.
In my patterns I work with the principle of stitch count and body measurement.  This means that you need to work the stitch count in pattern, till you get the measurement (length and/or width) that you need for your project. 
Quick analysis of what we’re going to do here today.  We are starting our top from the bottom (or waistline) and working our way up to the armholes and neck. 



So working up from the waist, your first measure will be the waist, and we will start with half the measure for round waist.


FRONT / BACK  (Make two)
Foundation double crochet (fdc) : This is a unique way of starting a project directly with a row of double crochet stitches.  Here is an easy video tutorial https://youtu.be/hjNUYVvyU9k 

Start with fdc in multiples of 10.  Turn.

Row 1 : dc in the 1st 3 fdc ; 
*ch 3, sk next 2 fdc, sc in the next fdc ; 
ch 3, sk next 2 fdc, dc in the next 5 fdc* ; 
rep *to* till the last 3 fdc ; 
dc in the last 3 fdc.  Turn.

Row 2 : dc in the 1st 2 dc ; 
*ch 3, sk next dc, sc in the next ch-3 sp ; 
ch 3, sk next sc, sc in the next ch-3 sp ; 
ch 3, sk next dc, dc in the next 3 dc* ; 
rep *to* till the last 3 dc ; 
ch 3, sk next dc, dc in the last 2 dc.  Turn.

Row 3 : dc in the 1st dc ; 
*ch 3, sk next dc, sc in the next ch-3 sp ; 
(ch 3, sk next sc, sc in the next ch-3 sp) ; 
rep (to) once ; 
ch 3, sk next dc, dc in the next dc* ; 
rep *to* till the last dc ; 
ch 3, sk next dc, dc in the last dc.  Turn.

Row 4 : 2 dc in the 1st dc ; 
*ch 3, sk next ch-3 sp, sc in the next ch-3 sp ; 
ch 3, sc in the next ch-3 sp ; 
ch 3, sk next ch-3 sp, 3 dc in the next dc* ; 
rep *to* till end ; 
ch 3, 2 dc in the last dc.  Turn.

Row 5 : dc in the 1st dc ; 2 dc in the next dc ; 
*ch 3, sk next ch-3 sp, sc in the next ch-3 sp ; 
ch 3, sk next ch-3 sp, [2 dc in the next dc ; 
dc in the next dc ; 2 dc in the next dc]* ; 
rep *to* till the last 2 dc ; 
ch 3, 2 dc in the next dc ; dc in the last dc.  Turn.

Row 6 : sc in the 1st dc ; sc in the next 2 dc ; 
*ch 2, sk next ch-3 sp, dc in the next sc ; 
ch 2, sk next ch-3 sp, sc in the next 5 dc* ; 
rep *to* till the last 3 dc ; 
ch 2, sc in the last 3 dc.  Turn.

Row 7 : sc in the 1stsc ; 
*ch 3, sk next 2 sc, 2 dc in the next ch-2 sp ; dc in the next dc ; 
2 dc in the next ch-2 sp ; ch 3, sk next 2 sc, sc in the next sc* ; 
rep *to* till the last 3 sc ; ch 3, sk next 2 sc, sc in the last sc.  Turn.

Row 8 : dc in the 1st sc ; ch 1, sc in the next ch-3 sp ; 
*ch 3, sk next dc, dc in the next 3 dc ; 
ch 3, sk next dc, sc in the next ch-3 sp ; 
ch 3, sc in the next ch-3 sp* ; 
rep *to* till the last ch-3 sp ; 
ch 1, dc in the last sc.  Turn.

Row 9 : sc in the 1st dc ; ch 3, sc in the next ch-3 sp ; 
*ch 3, sk next dc, dc in the next dc ; 
ch 3, sk next dc, sc in the next ch-3 sp ; 
(ch 3, sc in the next ch-3 sp) ; 
rep (to) once* ; 
rep *to* till the last dc ; 
ch 1, sc in the last dc.  Turn.

Row 10 : dc in the 1st sc ; ch 1, sc in the next ch-3 sp ; 
*ch 3, 3 dc in the next dc ; 
ch 3, sk next ch-3 sp, sc in the next ch-3 sp ; 
(ch 3, sc in the next ch-3 sp)* ; 
rep *to* till the last dc ; 
ch 3, sc in the next ch-3 sp ; 
ch 1, dc in the last sc.  Turn.

Row 11 : sc in the 1st dc ; 
*ch 3, [2 dc in the next dc ; 
dc in the next dc ; 2 dc in the next dc] ; 
ch 3, sk next ch-3 sp, sc in the next ch-3 sp* ; 
rep *to* till the last [to] ; 
ch 3, sc in the last dc.  Turn.

Row 12 : dc in the 1st sc ; 
*ch 2, sc in the next 5 dc ; ch 2, dc in the next sc* ; 
rep *to* till the last 5 dc ; 
ch 2, dc in the last sc.  Turn.

Row 13 : dc in the 1st dc ; 2 dc in the next ch-2 sp ; 
*ch 3, sk next 2 sc, sc in the next sc ; ch 3, sk next 2 sc, 
[2 dc in the next ch-2 sp ; 
dc in the next dc ; 2 dc in the next ch-2 sp]* ; 
rep *to* till the last ch-2 sp ; 
2 dc in the last ch-2 sp ; dc in the last dc.  Turn.

Let’s put our work down and see the beauty created.  
You’ll see the combination of a filled in “V” pattern and then a small diamond of ch-3 sps ; and how cleverly its moved one section such that the “V”s and diamonds alternate. 
Beautiful, isn’t it?

And just like that we’ve finished one pattern repeat as well.

Rep Rows 2 – 13 till your project reaches the armhole level , ending with Row 8.




Just for convenience, let’s go ahead and re-number our armhole decrease rows from 1.  Do note though that all instructions given under here are only for armhole decrease and not to be confused with the numbering for the main part of the body. Thanks.

Armhole Decrease Row 1 : sc in the 1st dc ; 
ch 2, sc in the next ch-3 sp ; ch 2, sk next dc, dc in the next dc ; 
*ch 3, sk next dc, sc in the next ch-3 sp ; 
(ch 3, sc in the next ch-3 sp) ; 
rep (to) once ; 
ch 3, sk next dc, dc in the next dc* ; 
rep *to* till the last dc ; 
ch 2, sc in the next ch-3 sp ; 
ch 2, sk next sc and sc in the last dc.  Turn.

Armhole Decrease Row 2 : sl-st to the 1st dc ; dc in the 1st dc ; 
ch 1, sk next ch-3 sp ; sc in the next ch-3 sp ; 
ch 3, sc in the next ch-3 sp ; 
*ch 3, 3 dc in the next dc ; 
ch 3, sk next ch-3 sp, sc in the next ch-3 sp ; 
(ch 3, sc in the next ch-3 sp)* ; 
rep *to* till the last dc before the end, 
ch 1, dc in the last dc.  Turn.

Armhole Decrease Row 3 : ch 3, sc in the 1st ch-3 sp ; 
*ch 3, [2 dc in the next dc ; 
dc in the next dc ; 2 dc in the next dc] ; 
ch 3, sk next ch-3 sp, sc in the next ch-3 sp* ; 
rep *to* till the last ch-3 sp ; 
ch 3, sl-st in the last dc.  Turn.

Armhole Decrease Row 4 : sl-st to the 1st sc ; dc in that 1st sc ;  
ch 1, sc in the next 5 dc ; 
*ch 2, dc in the next sc ; ch 2, sc in the next 5 dc* ; 
rep *to* till the last sc ; 
ch 2, dc in that last sc.  Turn.

Armhole Decrease Row 5 : dc in the 1st dc ; dc in the next ch-1 sp ; 
*ch 3, sk next 2 sc, sc in the next sc ; ch 3, sk next 2 sc, 
[2 dc in the next ch-2 sp ; 
dc in the next dc ; 2 dc in the next ch-2 sp]* ; 
rep *to* till the last ch-1 sp ; 
dc in that last ch-1 sp ; dc in the last dc.  Turn.

Armhole Decrease Row 6 : dc in the 1st dc ; ch 1, sc in the next ch-3 sp ; 
ch 3, sc in the next ch-3 sp ; 
*ch 3, sk next dc, dc in the next 3 dc ; 
ch 3, sk next dc, sc in the next ch-3 sp ; 
ch 3, sk next sc, sc in the next ch-3 sp* ; 
rep *to* till the last ch-3 sp ; 
ch 1, dc in the last dc.  Turn.

Armhole Decrease Row 7 : ch 3, sc in the 1st ch-3 sp ; 
ch 3, sc in the next ch-3 sp ; 
*ch 3, sk next dc, sc in the next ch-3 sp ; 
(ch 3, sk next sc, sc in the next ch-3 sp) ; 
rep (to) once ; 
ch 3, sk next dc, dc in the next dc* ; 
rep *to* till the last ch-3 sp ; ch 3, sl-st in the last dc.  Turn.

Armhole Decrease Row 8 : dc in the 1st ch-3 sp ; ch 1, sc in the next ch-3 sp ; 
*ch 3, sk next ch-3 sp, 3 dc in the next dc ; 
ch 3, sk next ch-3 sp, sc in the next ch-3 sp ; 
ch 3, sc in the next ch-3 sp* ; 
rep *to* till the last ch-3 sp, 
ch 1, dc in the last dc.  Turn.

Armhole Decrease Row 9 : sc in the 1st dc ; 
*ch 3, sk next ch-3 sp, 
[2 dc in the next dc ; 
dc in the next dc ; 2 dc in the next dc] ; 
ch 3, sk next ch-3 sp, sc in the next ch-3 sp* ; 
rep *to* till the last ch-3 sp ; 
ch 3, sk last ch-3 sp, sc and ch-1 sps ; 
sc in the last dc.  Turn.

Armhole Decrease Row 10 : dc in the 1st sc ; 
*ch 2, sk next ch-3 sp, sc in the next 5 dc ; 
ch 2, sk next ch-3 sp, dc in the next sc* ; 
rep *to* till the last ch-3 sp ; 
ch 2, sk last ch-3 sp, dc in the last sc.  Turn.

Phew ! Take a short break as we’ve completed the decreases for our armhole. Now it’s an easy peasy repeat for the next four rows.

Row 11 : dc in the 1stdc ; 2 dc in the next ch-2 sp ; 
*ch 3, sk next 2 sc, sc in the next sc ; 
ch 3, sk next 2 sc, 2 dc in the next ch-2 sp ; 
dc in the next dc ; 2 dc in the next ch-2 sp* ; 
rep *to* till the last ch-2 sp ; 
ch 3, 2 dc in the last ch-2 sp ;dc in the last dc.  Turn

Row 12 : dc in the 1st 2 dc ; 
*ch 3, sk next dc, sc in the next ch-3 sp ; 
ch 3, sc in the next ch-3 sp ; 
ch 3, sk next dc, dc in the next 3 dc* ; 
rep *to* till the last 3 dc ; 
ch 3, sk next dc, dc in the last 2 dc.  Turn.

Row 13 : dc in the 1st dc ; 
ch 3, sk next dc, sc in the next ch-3 sp ; 
*(ch 3, sc in the next ch-3 sp) ; 
rep (to) once ; 
ch 3, sk next dc, dc in the next dc ; 
ch 3, sk next dc, sc in the next ch-3 sp* ; 
rep *to* till the last 2 dc ; 
ch 3, sk next dc, dc in the last dc.  Turn.

Row 14 : 2 dc in the 1stdc ; 
*ch 3, sk next ch-3 sp, sc in the next ch-3 sp ; 
(ch 3, sc in the next ch-3 sp) ; 
ch 3, 3 dc in the next dc* ; 
rep *to* till the last dc ; 
ch 3, 2 dc in the last dc.  Turn.

In the following row, we will divide for neckline and shoulder.

Row 15 : dc in the 1st dc ; 2 dc in the next dc ; 
*ch 3, sk next ch-3 sp, sc in the next ch-3 sp ; 
ch 3, [2 dc in the next dc ; dc in the next dc ; 2 dc in the next dc]* ; 
rep *to* once ; 
ch 3, sk next ch-3 sp, sc in the next ch-3 sp ;
ch 3, 2 dc in the next dc ; dc in the next dc ; 
(ch 1, sc in the next dc  ch 3, sc in the next sc ; 
ch 3, sc in the next 3 dc) ; 
rep (to) till the third last 3-dc set from end
sc in the next dc ; 
ch 1, dc in the next dc ; 2 dc in the next dc ; 
rep *to* till the last 2 dc  ; 
2 dc in the next dc ; dc in the last dc. Turn .

Now we will only work one part of our work for the first shoulder.  
We will then continue working on this part of the shoulder till the top, fasten off and then mirror these instructions for the other shoulder bit.
You could place a marker here as this is where you will re-attach your yarn for the other side of the shoulder.

Row 16 : sc in the 1st 3 dc ; 
*ch 2, dc in the next sc ; ch 2, sc in the next 5 dc* ; 
rep *to* till the last 3 dc ; ch 2, sc in the last 3 dc.  Turn.

Row 17 : ch 2, sc in the 1st sc ; 
ch 2, 2 dc in the next ch-2 sp ; 
dc in the next dc ; 2 dc in the next ch-2 sp ; 
*ch 3, sk next 2 sc, sc in the next sc ; ch 3, sk next 2 sc, 
[2 dc in the next ch-2 sp ; dc in the next dc ; 
2 dc in the next ch-2 sp]* ; 
rep *to* till the last 3 sc ; 
ch 3, sc in the last sc.  Turn.

Row 18 : dc in the 1st sc ; 
ch 1, sc in the next ch-3 sp ;
*ch 3, sk next dc, dc in the next 3 dc ; 
ch 3, sk next dc, sc in the next ch-3 sp ; 
ch 3, sk next sc, sc in the next ch-3 sp* ; 
rep *to* till the last ch-2 sp ; 
ch 3, sc in the last ch-2 sp, hdc in the last sc.  Turn.

You are now in the middle of that last ch-2 sp, and just where you need to be for the next row.

Row 19 : dc in the 1st hdc ; 
ch 1, sc in the next ch-3 sp ; 
*ch 3, sk next dc, dc in the next dc ; 
ch 3, sk next dc, sc in the next ch-3 sp ; 
(ch 3, sk next sc, sc in the next ch-3 sp) ; 
rep (to) once* ; 
rep *to* till the last ch-3 sp ; 
ch 3, sc in the last ch-3 sp ; ch 1, sc in the last sc.  Turn.

Row 20 : dc in the 1st sc ; 
ch 1, sc in the next ch-3 sp ; 
*ch 3, 3 dc in the next dc ; 
ch 3, sk next ch-3 sp, sc in the next ch-3 sp ; 
ch 3, sc in the next ch-3 sp* ; 
rep *to* till last dc ; 
ch 3, sc in the last dc.  Turn.

Row 21 : sc in the 1st dc ; 
*ch 3, sk next ch-3 sp, 
[2 dc in the next dc ; dc in the next dc ; 2 dc in the next dc] ; 
ch 3, sk next ch-3 sp, sc in the next ch-3 sp* ; 
rep *to* till the end ; 
ch 2, dc in the last sc.  Turn.

Row 22 : dc in the 1st dc ; 
*ch 2, sc in the next 5 dc ; ch 2, sk next ch-3 sp, dc in the next sc* ; 
rep *to* till the last 5 dc ; ch 2, dc in the last sc.  Turn.

Row 23 : dc in the 1st dc ; 2 dc in the next ch-2 sp ; 
*ch 3, sk next 2 sc, sc in the next sc ; 
ch 3, sk next 2 sc, 
[2 dc in the next ch-2 sp ; dc in the next dc ; 
2 dc in the next ch-2 sp]* ; 
rep *to* till the last ch-2 sp ; 
ch 3, 2 dc in that last ch-2 sp ; dc in the last dc.  Turn.

Row 24 : 2 dc in the 1st dc ; dc in the next dc ; 
*ch 3, sk next dc, sc in the next ch-3 sp ; 
ch 3, sc in the next ch-3 sp ; 
ch 3, sk next dc, dc in the next 3 dc* ; 
rep *to* till the last 3 dc ; 
ch 3,  sk next dc, dc in the last 2 dc.  Turn.

Row 25 : dc in the 1st dc ; 
*ch 3, sk next dc, sc in the next ch-3 sp ; 
(ch 3, sc in the next ch-3 sp) ; 
rep (to) once ; ch 3, sk next dc, dc in the next dc* ; 
rep *to* till the last 3 dc ; ch 3, sk next dc, dc in the last 2 dc.  Turn.

Row 26 : 2 dc in the 1st dc ; 
*ch 3, sk next ch-3 sp, sc in the next ch-3 sp ; 
(ch 3, sc in the next ch-3 sp) ; 
ch 3, 3 dc in the next dc* ; 
rep *to* till the 2nd last dc ; 
ch 3, 3 dc in that 2nd last dc ; dc in the last dc.  Turn.

Row 27 : sk 1st dc, dc in the next 2 dc ; 2 dc in the next dc ; 
*ch 3, sk next ch-3 sp, sc in the next ch-3 sp ; ch 3, 
[2 dc in the next dc ; dc in the next dc ; 2 dc in the next dc]* ; 
rep *to* till the last 2 dc ; 
2 dc in the next dc ; dc in the last dc.  Turn.

Row 28 : sc in the 1st 4 dc ; 
*ch 2, dc in the next sc  ; ch 2, sc in the next 5 dc* ; 
rep *to* till the last 3 dc ; 
ch 2, sc in the last 4 dc.  Turn.

Row 29 : (Neckline edge) 
dc in the 1st sc ; ch 2, sc in the next sc ; 
*ch 3, sk next 2 sc, 
[2 dc in the next ch-2 sp ; dc in the next dc ; 
2 dc in the next ch-2 sp] ; 
ch 3, sk next 2 sc, sc in the next sc* ; 
rep *to* till the last ch-2 sp ; 
dc in the last sc ; ch 2, dc in the same last sc.  Turn.

We’re now at the armhole edge and are going to start shaping the shoulder.

Row 30 : sl-st past the 1st 2 dc and ch-sp into the 3rd dc 
(which is the 1st dc of that 5-dc set) , 
sc in the next 2 dc ; hdc in the next dc ; 
ch 2, sk next dc, sc in the next ch-3 sp ;
*ch 3, sk next sc, sc in the next ch-3 sp ; 
ch 3, sk next dc, dc in the next 3 dc ; 
ch 3, sk next dc, sc in the next ch-3 sp * ; 
rep *to* till the last ch-2 sp ; 
ch 2, hdc in the last st.  Turn.

Row 31 : (Neckline edge) 
sc in the 1st hdc ; 
(ch 3, sc in the next ch-3 sp) ; 
rep (to) once ; 
*ch 3, sk next dc, dc in the next dc ; 
ch 3, sk next dc, sc in the next ch-3 sp ; 
rep (to) 2 times* ; 
rep *to* till the last 3 dc ; 
ch 2, sk next dc, hdc in the next dc ; 
ch 1, sc in the next dc ; ch 2, sc in the next ch-3 sp ; 
ch 2, sl-st in the next hdc.  Turn.

Row 32 : sl-st in the next two ch-2 sps  , scs and hdc ;  
ch 2, sc in the next ch-3 sp ; ch 1, hdc in the next ch-3 sp ; 
ch 2, 3 dc in the next dc ; ch 3, sc in the next ch-3 sp ; 
ch 2, dc in the last sc.  Turn.

Row 33 : sl-st in all the sts till the last dc of the 3-dc set ; 
sc in the next ch-3 sp ; ch 2, hdc in the next ch-3 sp ; 
ch 2, dc in the last dc.

Fasten off and weave in ends.
We have completed one side of the top all the way to the shoulder.

Re-attach your yarn at the marker and repeat all instructions for the other side of the shoulder.  Remember that we’ve got to mirror the instructions (i.e if you are particular about the work showing the right side up).

Once you’ve completed both sides till the shoulder, you have one side of your top complete.. so Yaay!

Repeat all instructions for the other side of the top, and we’ll meet back here again to work on the sleeves.  Ciao till then. 

P.S : I decided to make the back of the top a little higher, and worked the pattern all the way till the 2nd last row and then divided for the shoulders.

Below is the chart for shaping of your top.



SLEEVE
Make two.



Start with fdc in multiples of 10.  Turn.

Row 1 : sc in the 1st fdc ; 
*ch 3, sk next 2 fdc, dc in the next 5 fdc ; 
ch 3, sk next 2 fdc, sc in the next fdc* ; 
rep *to* till the end.  Turn.

Row 2 : dc in the 1st sc ; ch 1, sc in the 1st ch-3 sp ; 
*ch 3, sk next dc, sc in the next ch-3 sp ; 
ch 3, sk next sc, sc in the next ch-3 sp ; 
ch 3, sk next dc, dc in the next 3 dc* ; 
rep *to* till the the end ; 
ch 3, sc in the last ch-3 sp ; ch 1, dc in the last sc.  Turn.

Row 3 : sc in the 1st dc ; ch 3, sc in the 1st ch-3 sp ; 
*ch 3, sk next dc, dc in the next dc ; 
ch 3, sk next dc, sc in the next ch-3 sp ; 
(ch 3, sk next sc, sc in the next ch-3 sp) ; 
rep (to) once* ; 
rep *to* till the end ; 
ending with just one (to) repeat and an sc in the last dc.  Turn.

Row 4 : dc in the 1st sc ; ch 1, sc in the 1st ch-3 sp ; 
*ch 3, sk next ch-3 sp, 3 dc in the next dc ; 
ch 3, sk next ch-3 sp, sc in the next ch-3 sp ; 
ch 3, sc in the next ch-3 sp* ; 
rep *to* till end ; 
ch 3, sk next ch-3 sp, sc in the last ch-3 sp ; ch 1, dc in the last sc.  Turn.

Row 5 : sc in the 1st dc ; 
*ch 3, sk next ch-3 sp, 
[2 dc in the next dc ; dc in the next dc ; 2 dc in the next dc] ; 
ch 3, sk next ch-3 sp, sc in the next ch-3 sp* ; 
rep *to* till the end ; 
ch 3, sk last ch-3 sp, sc in the last dc.  Turn.

Row 6 : dc in the 1st sc ; 
*ch 2, sk next ch-3 sp, sc in the next 5 dc ; 
ch 2, sk next ch-3 sp, dc in the next sc* ; 
rep *to* till the end ; 
ch 2, dc in the last sc.  Turn.

Row 7 : dc in the 1st sc ; 2 dc in the 1st ch-2 sp ; 
*ch 3, sk next 2 sc, sc in the next sc ; ch 3, sk next 2 sc, 
[2 dc in the next ch-2 sp ; dc in the next dc ; 
2 dc in the next ch-2 sp]* ; 
rep *to* till the last ch-2 sp ; 
2 dc in the last ch-2 sp ; dc in the last dc.  Turn.

Row 8 : dc in the 1st 2 dc ; 
*ch 3, sk next dc, sc in the next ch-3 sp ; 
ch 3, sc in the next ch-3 sp ; 
ch 3, sk next dc, dc in the next 3 dc* ; 
rep *to* till the last 2 dc ; 
ch 3, sk next dc, dc in the next last dc.  Turn.

Row 9 : dc in the 1st dc ; 
*ch 3, sk next dc, sc in the next ch-3 sp ; 
(ch 3, sc in the next ch-3 sp) ; 
rep (to) once ; 
ch 3, sk next dc, dc in the next dc* ; 
rep *to* till the end.  Turn.

Row 10 : 2 dc in the 1st dc ; 
*ch 3, sk next ch-3 sp, sc in the next ch-3 sp ; 
(ch 3, sc in the next ch-3 sp) ; 
ch 3, 3 dc in the next dc* ; 
rep *to* till the last dc, 2 dc in that last dc.  Turn.

Row 11 : 2 dc in the 1st dc  ; 2 dc in the next dc ; 
*ch 3, sk next ch-3 sp, sc in the next ch-3 sp ; 
ch 3, [2 dc in the next dc ; 
dc in the next dc ; 2 dc in the next dc]* ; 
rep *to* till the last 2 dc ; 
ch 3, 2 dc in both the last 2 dcs. Turn.

Row 12 : sc in the 1st  4 dc ; 
*ch 2, dc in the next sc ; ch 2, sc in the next 5 dc* ; 
rep *to* till the last 4 dc ; ch 2, sc in the last 4 dc.  Turn.

Row 13 : sc in the 1st sc ; ch 3, sc in the next sc ; 
*ch 3, sk next 2 sc, 
[2 dc in the next ch-2 sp ; dc in the next dc ; 
2 dc in the next ch-2 sp] ; 
ch 3, sk next 2 sc, sc in the next sc* ; 
rep *to* till the last 4 sc ; 
ch 3, sk next 2 sc, sc in the next sc ; 
ch 3, sc in the last sc.  Turn.

Row 14 : sc in the 1st ch-3 sp ; 
ch 3, sc in the next ch-3 sp ; 
*ch 3, sk next dc, dc in the next 3 dc ; 
ch 3, sk next dc, sc in the next ch-3 sp ; 
ch 3, sk next sc, sc in the next ch-3 sp* ; 
rep *to* till the last ch-3 sp ; 
ch 3, sc in the last ch-3 sp.  Turn.

Row 15 : dc in the 1st sc ; ch 3, sc in the next ch-3 sp ; 
(ch 3, sk next sc, sc in the next ch-3 sp) ; 
*ch 3, sk next dc, dc in the next dc ; 
ch 3, sk next dc, sc in the next ch-3 sp ; 
rep (to) 2 times* ; 
rep *to* till the end, ending with rep (to) once ; 
ch 3, dc in the last dc.  Turn.

Row 16 : dc in the 1st dc ; 
ch 2, sc in the next ch-3 sp ; 
*ch 3, sc in the next ch-3 sp ; 
ch 3, sk next ch-3 sp, 3 dc in the next dc ; 
ch 3, sk next ch-3 sp, sc in the next ch-3 sp* ; 
rep *to* till the last dc ; 
ch 2, dc in the last dc.  Turn.

Row 17 : 2 dc in the 1st dc ; 
*ch 3, sk next ch-3 sp, sc in the next ch-3 sp ; 
ch 3, sk next ch-3 sp, [2 dc in the next dc ; 
dc in the next dc ; 2 dc in the next dc]* ; 
rep *to* till the end ; 
ch 3, 2 dc in the last dc.  Turn.

Row 18 : sc in the 1st 2 dc ; 
*ch 2, sk next ch-3 sp, dc in the next sc ; 
ch 2, sk next ch-3 sp, sc in the next 5 dc* ; 
rep *to* till the end ; sc in the last 2 dc.  Turn.

Row 19 : sc in the 1st  sc ; 
ch 2, [2 dc in the next ch-2 sp ; dc in the next dc ; 
2 dc in the next ch-2 sp] ; 
*ch 3, sk next 2 sc, sc in the next sc ; 
ch 3, sk next 2 sc, rep [to] once* ; 
rep *to* till the end ; 
ch 2, sc in the last sc.  Turn.

Row 20 : dc in the 1st sc ; ch 1, sc in the next ch-2 sp ; 
*ch 3, sk next dc, dc in the next 3 dc ; ch 3, sk next dc, sc in the next ch-3 sp ; 
ch 3, sc in the next ch-3 sp* ; 
rep *to* till the last ch-2 sp ; ch 3, sc in the same ch-2 sp ; ch 1, dc in the last dc.  Turn.

Row 21 : sc in the 1st dc ; 
ch 3, sc in the 1st ch-3 sp ; 
*ch 3, sk next dc, dc in the next dc ; ch 3, sk next dc, sc in the next ch-3 sp ; 
(ch 3, sc in the next ch-3 sp) ; 
rep (to) once* ; 
rep *to* till the last ch-3 sp , 
sc in that last ch-3 sp ; 
rep (to) once.  Turn.

Row 22 : dc in the 1st sc ; 
ch 2, sc in the next ch-3 sp ; 
*ch 3, 3 dc in the next dc ; ch 3, sk next ch-3 sp, sc in the next ch-3 sp ; 
(ch 3, sc in the next ch-3 sp)* ; 
rep *to* till the last ch-3 sp ; 

sc in that last ch-3 sp ; 
ch 2, dc in the last dc.  Turn.

Row 23 : dc in the 1st dc ; ch 2, sc in the 1st ch-2 sp ; 
*ch 3, [2 dc in the next dc ; dc in the next dc ; 2 dc in the next dc] ; 
ch 3, sk next ch-3 sp, sc in the next ch-3 sp* ; 
rep *to* till the last [to] ; 
ch 3, sk next ch-3 sp, sc in the last ch-2 sp ; 
ch 2, dc in the last dc.  Turn.

Row 24 : sc in the 1st dc ; 
ch 1, dc in the 1st sc ; 
*ch 2, dc in the next sc ; ch 2, sc in the next 5 dc* ; 
rep *to* till the last sc ; 
ch 1, sc in the last dc.  Turn.

Row 25 : dc in the 1st sc ;  dc in the next ch-1 sp ; dc in the next dc ; 
2 dc in the next ch-2 sp ; 
*ch 3, sk next 2 sc, sc in the next sc ; 
ch 3, sk next 2 sc, 
[2 dc in the next ch-2 sp ; dc in the next dc ; 
2 dc in the next ch-2 sp]* ; 
rep *to* till the last ch-2 sp ; 
2 dc in the last ch-2 sp ; dc in the next dc ; dc in the next ch-1 sp ; 
dc in the last dc.  Turn.

Row 26 : hdc in the 1st dc ; ch 1, dc in the next 3 dc ; 
*ch 3, sk next dc, sc in the next ch-3 sp ; ch 3, sk next sc, sc in the next ch-3 sp ; 
ch 3, sk next dc, dc in the next 3 dc* ; 
rep *to* till the the end ; ch 1, hdc in the last dc.  Turn.

Row 27 : sc in the 1st hdc ; 
*ch 3, sk next dc, dc in the next dc ; ch 3, sk next dc, sc in the next ch-3 sp ; 
(ch 3, sk next sc, sc in the next ch-3 sp) ; 
rep (to) once* ; 
rep *to* till the last 3 dc ; ch 3, sk next dc, dc in the next dc ; ch
 3, sk next dc, sc in the last hdc.  Turn.

Row 28 : dc in the 1st hdc ; 
ch 2, 3 dc in the next dc ; 
*ch 3, sk next ch-3 sp, sc in the next ch-3 sp ; 
ch 3, sc in the next ch-3 sp ; 
ch 3, sk next ch-3 sp, 3 dc in the next dc* ; 
rep *to* till end ; 
ch 2, sk next ch-3 sp, dc in the last hdc.  Turn.

Row 29 : dc in the 1st dc ; ch 1, 
[2 dc in the next dc ; dc in the next dc ; 2 dc in the next dc] ; 
*ch 3, sk next ch-3 sp, rep [to] once ; 
ch 3, sk next ch-3 sp, sc in the next ch-3 sp* ; 
rep *to* till the last [to] ; ch 1, dc in the last dc.  Turn.

Row 30 : dc in the 1st dc ; 
ch 1, sc in the next 3 dc ; 
*ch 2, sk next ch-3 sp, dc in the next sc ; 
ch 2, sk next ch-3 sp, sc in the next 5 dc* ; 
rep *to* till the end ; 
ch 1, dc in the last dc.  Turn.

Row 31 : dc in the 1st dc ; 
2 dc in the 1st ch-1 sp ; 
*ch 3, sk next 2 sc, sc in the next sc ; ch 3, sk next 2 sc, 
[2 dc in the next ch-2 sp ; dc in the next dc ; 2 dc in the next ch-2 sp]* ; 
rep *to* till the last ch-1 sp ; 
2 dc in the last ch-1 sp ; dc in the last dc.  Turn.

Row 32 : dc in the 1st 2 dc ; 
*ch 3, sk next dc, sc in the next ch-3 sp ; 
ch 3, sc in the next ch-3 sp ; ch 3, sk next dc, dc in the next 3 dc* ; 
rep *to* till the last 3 dc ; 
ch 3, sk next dc, dc in the next last 2 dc.  Turn.

Row 33 : 2 dc in the 1st dc ; 
*ch 3, sk next dc, sc in the next ch-3 sp ; 
(ch 3, sc in the next ch-3 sp) ; 
rep (to) once ; 
ch 3, sk next dc, dc in the next dc* ; 
rep *to* till the last dc ; 
2 dc in that last dc.  Turn.

Row 34 : dc in the 1st dc ; 
3 dc in the next dc ; 
*ch 3, sk next ch-3 sp, sc in the next ch-3 sp ; 
(ch 3, sc in the next ch-3 sp) ; 
ch 3, 3 dc in the next dc* ; 
rep *to* till the last 2 dc, 
3 dc in the next dc ; dc in the last dc.  Turn.

Row 35 : dc in the 1st 3 dc  ; 2 dc in the next dc ; 
*ch 3, sk next ch-3 sp, sc in the next ch-3 sp ; 
ch 3, [2 dc in the next dc ; dc in the next dc ; 2 dc in the next dc]* ; 
rep *to* till the last 4 dc ; 2 dc in next dc ; dc in the last 3 dc. Turn.

Row 36 : sc in the 1st  5 dc ;
*ch 2, dc in the next sc ; ch 2, sc in the next 5 dc* ; 
rep *to* till the end.  Turn.

Row 37 : dc in the 1st sc ; 
ch 3, sk next sc, sc in the next sc ; 
*ch 3, sk next 2 sc, 
[2 dc in the next ch-2 sp ; 
dc in the next dc ; 2 dc in the next ch-2 sp] ; 
ch 3, sk next 2 sc, sc in the next sc* ; 
rep *to* till the last 5 sc ; 
ch 3, sk next 2 sc, sc in the next sc ; 
ch 3, sk next sc, dc in the last sc.  Turn.

We have now reached the corner of our armhole and we will start our armhole shaping from this row on.

Row 38 : sc in the 1st dc ; 
ch 1, hdc in the 1st sc ; 
ch 1, hdc in the next ch-3 sp ; 
ch 2, sk next dc, dc in the next 3 dc ; 
*ch 3, sk next dc, sc in the next ch-3 sp ; 
ch 3, sk next sc, sc in the next ch-3 sp ; 
ch 3, sk next dc, dc in the next 3 dc* ; 
rep *to* till the the last 3 dc ; 
ch 2, hdc in the next ch-3 sp ; 
ch 1, sc in the next sc ; ch 1, sc in the last dc.  Turn.

Row 39 : sl-st till the  in the 1st 3-dc set , dc in the 1st 2 dc ; 
ch 1, sc in the next ch-3 sp ; 
*(ch 3, sk next sc, sc in the next ch-3 sp) ; 
rep (to) once ; 
ch 3, sk next dc, dc in the next dc ; 
ch 3, sk next dc, sc in the next ch-3 sp* ; 
rep *to* till the last 3 dc ; 
ch 1, sk next dc, dc in the last 2 dc.  Turn.

Row 40 : sl-st into the 2nd dc ; dc in the same dc ; sc in the 1st ch-3 sp ; 
*ch 3, sc in the next ch-3 sp ; ch 3, sk next ch-3 sp, 3 dc in the next dc ; 
ch 3, sk next ch-3 sp, sc in the next ch-3 sp* ; 
rep *to* till the end ; 
ch 3, sc in the next ch-3 sp ; sk last ch-1 sp , dc in the next dc.  Turn.

Row 41 : sl-st into the 1st ch-3 sp , sc in the same 1st ch-3 sp ; 
*ch 3, sk next ch-3 sp, 
[2 dc in the next dc ; dc in the next dc ; 2 dc in the next dc] ; 
ch 3, sk next ch-3 sp, sc in the next ch-3 sp* ; 
rep *to* till the last [to] ; 
ch 3, sc in the last ch-3 sp.  Turn.

Row 42 : dc in the 1st sc ; sk next ch-3 sp and sc in the next 5 dc ; 
*ch 2, sk next ch-3 sp, dc in the next sc ; 
ch 2, sk next ch-3 sp, sc in the next 5 dc* ; 
rep *to* till the last 5 dc ; 
sk last ch-3 sp, dc in the last sc.  Turn.

Row 43 : ch 3, sk next 2 sc, sc in the next sc ; 
*ch 3, sk next 2 sc, 
[2 dc in the next ch-2 sp ; dc in the next dc ; 2 dc in the next ch-2 sp] ; 
ch 3, sk next 2 sc, sc in the next sc* ; 
rep *to* till the last 5 sc ; 
ch 3, sk next 2 sc, sc in the next sc ; sk next sc, dc in the last sc. Turn.

Row 44 : dc in the 1st dc ; ch 1, sk next sc, sc in the next ch-3 sp ; 
*ch 3, sk next dc, dc in the next 3 dc ; 
ch 3, sk next dc, sc in the next ch-3 sp ; ch 3, sc in the next ch-3 sp* ; 
rep *to* till the last ch-3 sp ; ch 3, sk next dc, sc in the next last ch-3 sp ; 
ch 1, sk last sc, dc in the last dc.  Turn.

Row 45 : dc in the 1st dc ; sc in the next ch-3 sp ; 
*ch 3, sk next dc, dc in the next dc ; 
ch 3, sk next dc, sc in the next ch-3 sp ; 
(ch 3, sc in the next ch-3 sp) ; 
rep (to) once* ; 
rep *to* till the last 3 dc ; 
ch 3, sk next dc, dc in the next dc ; 
ch 3, sk next dc, sc in the next ch-3 sp ; dc in the last dc. Turn.

Row 46 : sl-st into the 1st dc ; 2 dc in the 1st dc ; 
*ch 3, sk next ch-3 sp, sc in the next ch-3 sp ; 
(ch 3, sc in the next ch-3 sp) ; ch 3, 3 dc in the next dc* ; 
rep *to* till the last dc, 2 dc in that last dc.  Turn.

Row 47 : dc in the 1st 2 dc  ; 
*ch 3, sk next ch-3 sp, sc in the next ch-3 sp ; 
ch 3, [2 dc in the next dc ; dc in the next dc ; 2 dc in the next dc]* ; 
rep *to* till the last 2 dc ; 
dc in the last 2 dc. Turn.

Row 48 : sk the 1st dc, sc in the next dc ; 
ch 1 , dc in the next sc ; 
*ch 2, sc in the next 5 dc ; ch 2, dc in the next sc* ; 
rep *to* till the last 2 dc ; 
ch 1, sc in the next dc ; sk last dc.  Turn.

We will use a dc 2-tog in the following row.  

Double crochet 2-tog : dc 2-tog :  [yo, insert hk in st or ch-sp, yo and pull up a lp ; yo and draw through 2 lps] 2 times (3 lps on hk) ; 
{yo, draw through 2 lps on hk} 2 times.  One dc 2-tog made. 
This video tutorial at https://youtu.be/1_oPlUfN5eg shows you how to use the dc 2-tog to decrease.  
Sometimes we work the dc 2-tog in the same stitch, to use as a decorative stitch. Visit this video tutorial at https://youtu.be/lLUXOJ1sY9w 

Row 49 : dc 2-tog over the 1st 2 dc, (skipping over the ch-1 sp between them) ; 
2 dc in the next ch-2 sp ; 
*ch 3, sk next 2 sc, sc in the next sc ; ch 3, sk next 2 sc, 
[2 dc in the next ch-2 sp ; dc in the next dc ; 2 dc in the next ch-2 sp]* ; 
rep *to* till the last ch-2 sp ; 
2 dc in that same ch-2 sp ; 
dc 2-tog over the last 2 dc, (sk the last ch-1 sp between the last 2 dc).  Turn.

Row 50 : dc in the 1st dc ; 
ch 1, sc in the 1st ch-3 sp ; 
*ch 3, sk next sc, sc in the next ch-3 sp ; 
ch 3, sk next dc, dc in the next 3 dc ; 
ch 3, sk next dc, sc in the next ch-3 sp* ; 
rep *to* till the the last 3 dc ; 
ch 1, sk next 2 dc , dc in the last dc.  Turn.

Row 51 : dc in the 1st dc ; ch 1, sc in the 1st ch-3 sp ; 
(ch 3, sk next sc, sc in the next ch-3 sp) ; 
*ch 3, sk next dc, dc in the next dc ; ch 3, sk next dc, sc in the next ch-3 sp ; 
rep (to) 2 times* ; 
rep *to* till the last 3 dc ; ch 3, sk next dc, dc in the next dc ; ch 3, sc in the next ch-3 sp ; rep (to) once ; ch 1, dc in the last dc.  Turn.

Row 52 : dc in the 1st dc ; sc in the 1st ch-3 sp ; 
*ch 3, sk next ch-3 sp, 3 dc in the next dc ; 
ch 3, sk next ch-3 sp, sc in the next ch-3 sp ; 
ch 3, sc in the next ch-3 sp* ; 
rep *to* till end ; 
ch 3, sk next ch-3 sp, sc in the last ch-3 sp ; 
ch 1, dc in the last sc.  Turn.

Row 53 : ch 3,  (2 hdc in the next dc ; dc in the next dc ; 2 dc in the next dc) ; 
*ch 3, sk next ch-3 sp, [2 dc in the next dc ; 
dc in the next dc ; 2 dc in the next dc] ; 
ch 3, sk next ch-3 sp, sc in the next ch-3 sp* ; 
rep *to* till the last 3 dc ; 
ch 3, 2 dc in the next dc ; dc in the next dc ; 
2 hdc in the next dc ; dc in the last dc.  Turn.

And YES! We’ve reached the last row of our sleeve.

Row 54 : sl-st in the 1st 4 st , sc in the next dc ; 
*ch 2, sk next ch-3 sp, dc in the next sc ; 
ch 2, sk next ch-3 sp, sc in the next 5 dc* ; 
rep *to* till the ch-3 sp ; 
sc in the last dc , leaving the last 4 sts un-worked.  Turn.

Fasten off and weave in ends.

Finishing : Attach the shoulders and sides of the top.  
Then attach in the sleeves.  Weave in all ends.

Border : A neat tie-up of all loose ends as well as a light border around necklines, base of tops and armholes always makes a project look so much nicer. In our case, we need only to worry about the necklines as we’ve started with a neat fdc row.

You could do a row of picot around the fdc start rounds of the arm as well as base of the dress and I’d suggest you use a 3-ch picot, which would be (ch 3, sl-st into the 1st ch) , and I’d also suggest you do this every alternate stitch all around.

For the neckline, here’s what I suggest.

Start : with a round of sc loosely spaced all around the neckline. Join with a sl-st to the 1st sc.

Round 1 : Sc in each sc till end, ensuring that at the corners, you do a sc 3-tog to keep the neck rounded and tight.
Note :  By “tight” I mean that when working around necklines, at the edges, if we do not do that ‘together’ stitch, then that little bit will puff out and not sit flat. So we decrease at all corners and keep the border flat and ‘tight’ 

Round 2 : Rep Round 1, continuing to ensure that you do your sc-tog and keep the neckline rounded yet tight.

In our following round, if you opt to do a picot, then here goes..

How to work a picot stitch : Traditionally for a ch-3 picot, you work (ch 3, sl-st in 3rd ch from hook).  For a ch-5 picot, you will do (ch 5, sl-st in 5th ch from hook).  
Here’s a great video https://youtu.be/8s3zVaBcn4s



We will work a ch-3 picot is (ch 3, sl-st into the 3rd ch from hk).

Round 3 : Rep Round 1, adding a 3-ch picot every alternate stitch.

Fasten off and weave in all ends.

And that’s done.. yet another project superbly executed ! Big pats on the back all around !! 

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I have a few tops already made, and just in case you want a dekho at those free patterns … here you go 





















































and here are some  more tops.. 



















































































Here are some of my bolero / jacket / vest creations.  Have fun with these free patterns too