Sunday, 7 December 2014

BRILLIANTLY UNUSUAL TOP

BRILLIANTLY UNUSUAL TOP - a free crochet pattern from Sweet Nothings Crochet

This is a really brilliant crochet top. Not only is the yarn fantastic, but the construction of this top shows the pattern and the yarn to full beauty, don't you agree?

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One look at this confusingly beautiful top and I knew it had to be one I had to try.. and as I have this absolutely stunning Ice Baby Batik yarn handy.. how can I resist this creation.  
I am so happy you’ve joined me here to work on this together – so get set for some fun.

Materials used : ICE Baby Batik  ~ 250 gms , with a 4 mm crochet hook
About this lovely yarn : ICE Batik is a really nice yarn – soft and smooth, sport 5-ply yarn (12 wpi) , and a US 4 / 3.5mm crochet hook has been recommended. 
For Indians : To compare with our Indian acrylic yarns , this is a little thicker than our Indian Vardhaman baby soft - probably a little like our Vardhaman Millenium.
For Indian cotton yarns, you could probably equate it with our Indian Laura cotton. 
For this pattern though, a lighter yarn would also work perfectly – so our Indian AnchorRed rose or Red heart yarns would probably show the stitch detail perfectly 
In general I'd add that I think you could use any yarn with a suitable hook.  
I'd say though, specially due to this construction, I'd stay with the thinner yarns (rather than the thicker ones, I mean)
For Non-Indians :  I have used a regular knitting cotton that technically uses a 2 – 2.5 mm crochet hook (recommended).  I use a larger hook as I like the extra stretch it affords the end product.  Among the international yarns I have used in this thickness, I’d suggest Aunt Lydia Cotton 10, Aunt Lydia Bamboo-Viscose 10, DMC Petra, Sullivans knitting cotton (Australia), Milford Soft, Hilaza Rustica Eclat , Alize cotton yarn and Alize bamboo yarn.
General yarn info : The yarn I've used today is not specific for this pattern.  
Use any yarn with a suitable hook to make this project to any size.

Size made : Chest : 40” : Length : 27”
Gauge : 4 dc (across) x 2 dc row (high) = 1”
Gauge is not important.  This is just in case you are working same size and using same yarn.
Skill level : Advanced

Stitches used :
Starting slip knot :  https://youtu.be/lJcqsVcs8cw
Starting slip knot 1 or the Sloppy Slip knot :  https://youtu.be/YfC7KmGpifs
How to hold your yarn in crochet : https://youtu.be/FwOlCbGdbqY
What is a slip stitch :  https://youtu.be/weB3QNbA8Iw
What is a chain stitch ?  https://youtu.be/pXx5ukBjKkY
dc 5-tog : Double crochet 5-tog : [yo, insert hk in st or ch-sp, yo and pull up a lp ; yo and draw through 2 lps] 5 times (6 lps on hk) ; yo, draw through all lps on hk.  One dc 5-tog made.

Abbreviations used :
lp(s) : Loop(s)                           sc : Single crochet
dc : Double crochet                  sp : Space                                           
sl-st : Slip stitch                            
st(s) : Stitch(es)                        hk : Hook
yo : Yarn Over                          ch : Chain
fsc : Foundation Single Crochet
dc 5-tog : Double Crochet 5-together

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.  For your convenience, I've also added tutorials just before we're using the stitch.
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. 

Now if you have a self striped yarn, this will make our stripes that much simpler – else the designer has cleverly used one colour per row (or a set of rows) in a pretty arbitrary way.  So let’s have fun with this brilliant creation.

Though I’ve worked this in multi coloured / variegated yarn, and the designer has either (also) used self striping yarn, or changed yarns every other row, I feel that this construction is so beautiful  that the unusual-ness will show through even with a single colour yarn.

This is not my original pattern  and it’s just one of those wonderful free floating freebies over the net.  
I am, as usual, writing down my notes, and am sharing them with you.  

As I was nearly finishing this pattern, I happened to show the w.i.p to a friend, and she said she saw a similar pattern on Ravelry as well here 

Please note that this is an Advanced Skill level creation.
Now what makes it advanced is not the stitches. We're using pretty basic stitches today.  The difficulty lies in creating a triangular pattern that we then make into a rectangle.  Now that too is not difficult as it's pretty logical - and I've tried to explain the logic of what we're doing as we go through the pattern.
The difficulty lies in giving full exact instructions for each row - mainly because we're all starting with different start numbers.
The idea of giving everyone a chance to try this pattern, using whatever count works for each one of us, has created a bit of a hurdle in this pattern.
But this is just a bit of a hurdle - and I'm sure we'll work it out.

Before we start on this unusual creation, let’s quickly look at what we’re going to do.  We start at the waist line and work our way to the shoulders.  
The pattern is the same for front and back.. so all we’ve got to do is figure out one side, and we’re halfway there !  
Our pattern is worked side to side, and one triangle at a time.  
We then work back, in reverse, over that triangle to make that into a rectangle.

You can actually make two rectangles (one each for front and back) and then just join the shoulders and sides, leaving an armhole and neck opening - and the neck will be a little cowled and look lovely.

Come along and we’ll see how this beauty slowly unfolds .. not an easy one, but then as that famous saying goes.. No pain.. No gain! 

Our stitch count is in multiples of 8 + 1.  

FRONT & BACK : Make two 
The pattern is the same for the front and back - so you will make two identical halves.
You will start with the half round bust or round waist, depending on which part of your body is the larger.  If you plan on making this a long top, till your hips, then please check round hip measurement too and decide which to use.

Foundation Single Crochet : fsc :  https://youtu.be/mcT85fwh4mA  
Start : Start with fsc in multiples of 8 + 1 for half your waist measurement.  Turn.

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
Row 1 : dc in each dc till end.  Turn 

In the following row, we will work a dc 5-tog all in one st.   
Double crochet 5-tog as a decorative stitch : dc 5-tog :   Here is an easy video tutorial for working a dc 5-tog all in the same stitch as a decorative stitch at https://youtu.be/5806EIpgcV8
Row 2 : sc in the 1st  dc ; sk next 2 dc, dc 5-tog in the next dc ; 
(ch 2, dc 5-tog in the next dc ); 
rep (to) once  ; 
sk next 2 dc , sc in next dc ; 
*rep (to) once ; 
sk next dc, sc in next dc* ; 
rep *to* till end.  Turn.

Single Crochet : Sc : yo, insert hk into st ; yo (2 lps on hk); yo, draw through both lps.  One sc made.  Check out the video at https://youtu.be/ghACqBpA-3k
Row 3 : dc in the 1st sc ; 
*ch 3, sk 1st dc 5-tog ; 
sk next ch-2 sp, sc on next dc 5-tog ; 
ch 3, sk next ch-2 sp ; 
sk next dc 5-tog , dc in next sc* ; 
rep *to* till end.  Turn.

First stitch for Single Crochet : This is how I like to start my row of sc. Check out the video at https://youtu.be/6pVYRfsf4_M 
Half Double Crochet : Hdc :  yo, insert hk into st ; yo (3 lps on hk) ; 
yo, draw through all 3 lps.  One hdc made.  
Check out the video at https://youtu.be/sDiELJdB2Dg

Row 4 : sc in the 1st st , sl-st in the next 12 sts ; 
3 sc in next ch-3 sp and sc in next st ; 
3 hdc in the next ch-3 sp and hdc in next st ; 
*3 dc in next ch-3 sp , dc in next dc* ; 
rep *to* till end.  Turn.

Row  5 : dc in the 1st dc ; 
dc in each dc till the the last 8 dc ; 
hdc in the next 4 dc ; 
sc in the next 4 dc.  Turn.

Row  6 : sl-st in the 1st 11 sts ; sc in the next dc ;
*sk next 2 dc, dc 5-tog in the next dc ; 
(ch 2, dc 5-tog in the next dc)  ; 
rep (to) once ; 
sk next 2 dc , sc in next dc* ; 
rep *to* till end.  Turn.
Note : For your convenience, place a marker in this row - as we refer to it when we're working the mirror image later on (Row 20)

Row  7 : dc in the 1st sc ; 
*ch 3, sk 1st dc 5-tog , sk next ch-2 sp, sc on next dc 5-tog ; 
ch 3, sk next ch-2 sp , sk next dc 5-tog , dc in next sc* ; 
rep *to* till last dc 5-tog set , 
ending with a sc on the last dc 5-tog. Turn.

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

Row  9 : dc in the 1st dc ; 
dc in each dc till the last 8 dc ; 
hdc in the next 4 dc ; 
sc in the next 4 dc.  Turn.

Row  10: sl-st in the 1st 11 sts ; 
sc in the next dc ;
*sk next 2 dc, dc 5-tog in the next dc ; 
(ch 2, dc 5-tog in the next dc) ; 
rep (to) once ; 
sk next 2 dc , sc in next dc* ; 
rep *to* till end.  Turn.
Note : For your convenience, place a marker in this row - as we refer to it when we're working the mirror image later on (Row 24)

Row  11 : dc in the 1st sc ; 
*ch 3, sk 1st dc 5-tog , sk next ch-2 sp, sc on next dc 5-tog ; 
ch 3, sk next ch-2 sp , sk next dc 5-tog , dc in next sc* ; 
rep *to* till last dc 5-tog set , 
ending with a sc on the last dc 5-tog. Turn.

Row  12  : sc in the 1st sc ; 
3 sc in the next ch-3 sp ; 
sc in the next dc ; 3 hdc in the next ch-3 sp ; 
hdc in the next sc ; 
*3 dc in next ch-3 sp ; dc in the next dc* ; 
rep *to* till end. Turn

Row  13 : sl-st in the 1st dc ; 
sl-st in each dc till the 1st hdc ; 
ch 4, sk next 4 hdc, hdc in next 2 sc ; 
ch 3, sk next 3 sts, hdc in next sc ; 2 hdc in next ch-2 sp ; 
(hdc on next dc 5-tog ; hdc in next 7 sts ; 
ch 1, sk next st ,  hdc in next st) ; 
[ch 2, sk next 2 sts, hdc in next st ; hdc in next 5 sts ; 
ch 3, sk next 3 sts ; hdc in next st] ; 
2 hdc in next ch 2 sp ; 
rep (to) once ; 
rep [to] once ; 
ch 3, sk next 3 sts , sc in next st ; 
sl-st in each st till end.  Turn.

We’ve completed one part of this wonderful pattern.  

You have a lovely triangle shaped project – so as you’ve figured, we’re going to work on the next part of this triangle to make it into a rectangle.  

We’ll thus be working one triangle at a time, to give our project its really unusual look.  Good job so far !

Now we’ve got to do the mirror image of this triangle to make the pattern into a rectangle.

Row 16 is the row of the dc 5-tog sets, and that is going to form the count off row for us from here for this triangle pattern set.   
Each of our dc 5-tog sets is the full set of 3.

Row  14 : dc in 1st st ; dc in each st and ch-sp till end.  Turn.

Note : If there is a ch-3 sp, do 3 dc in that ; 4 dc in ch-4 sps etc. 
Also remember that you should have the same number of stitches that you started Row 1 at the end of this row.

Row  15 : dc in each dc till end.  Turn.

Row  16 : Rep Row 2

Row 17  : Rep Row 3

Row 18  : dc in the 1st dc ; 
*3 dc in next ch-3 sp , dc in next dc* ; 
rep *to* till last 21 sts (or the sc in the 3rd dc 5-tog set from end) ;  
hdc in the next sc ; 3 hdc in the next ch-3 sp ; 
sc in next dc ; 3 sc in next ch-3 sp.  Turn.

Row  19 : sl-st in the 1st 8 sts (so the 4 sc and 4 hdc) ; 
sc in the next 4 dc ; hdc in the next 4 dc ; 
dc in each dc till end.  Turn.

Row  20 : sc in 1st dc ; *sk next 2 dc, dc 5-tog in the next dc ; 
(ch 2, dc 5-tog in the next dc)  ;
rep (to) once ; 
sk next 2 dc , sc in next dc* ; 
rep *to* till last 4 dc. Turn.

So this is a repeat of Row 6, in reverse.  

See how many dc 5-togs you have in that row.  
You should have the same number here too.

Row  21 : sl-st in the 1st sc and ch-2 sp ; 
sc in the next sc (i.e on top of the dc 5-tog) ; 
ch 3, sk next dc 5-tog, dc in the next sc ; 
*ch 3, sk next dc 5-tog , sk next ch-2 sp, sc on next dc 5-tog ; 
ch 3, sk next ch-2 sp , sk next dc 5-tog , dc in next sc* ; 
rep *to* till end. Turn.

Row  22  : dc in the 1st dc ; 
*3 dc in next ch-3 sp ; dc in the next dc* ; 
rep *to* till you’re 12 sts from end 
(i.e you have 2 ch-sps before end and the 4 sl-sts– or the middle sc of the second last dc 5-tog set) ; 
hdc in next sc ; 3 hdc in next ch-3 sp ; 
sc in next st ; 3 sc in next ch-3 sp. Turn

Row  23  : sl-st in the 1st 8 sts (i.e 4 sc and 4 hdc) ; 
sc in the next 4 sts ; hdc in the next 4 sts ; 
dc in each dc till end.  Turn.

Row  24 : sc in the 1st dc ; 
*sk next 2 dc, dc 5-tog in the next dc ; 
(ch 2, dc 5-tog in the next dc)  ; 
rep (to) once ; 
sk next 2 dc , sc in next dc* ; 
rep *to* till last 4 dc from end.  Turn.

This is  a repeat of Row 10, in reverse.  
So check how many dc 5-togs you have in that row. 
You should have the same number here too.

Row 25 : sl-st in the 1st sc ; 
sl in ch-2 sp and sc on top of the dc 5-tog ; 
ch 3, sk next ch-2 sp and dc 5-tog, dc in next sc ; 
*ch 3, sk next dc 5-tog , sk next ch-2 sp, sc on next dc 5-tog ; 
ch 3, sk next ch-2 sp , sk next dc 5-tog , dc in next sc* ; 
rep *to* till end. Turn.

Row  26 : dc in the 1st dc ; 
*3 dc in next ch-3 sp ; dc in the next dc ; 
3 dc in next ch-3 sp ; dc in the next sc* ; 
rep *to* till 12 sts from end (ie 2 ch-sps and the sl-sts) ; 
hdc in the next 4 sts ; 
sc in the next 4 sts, sk the sl-sts. Turn

Row  27 : sl-st in the 1st 8 sts ; sc in next 4 sts ; 
hdc in the next 4 sts, dc in each dc till end.  Turn.

This row is a little tricky to write out – mainly because our starting stitch counts vary.  However, we've done this before, and we know what we're doing, right?  

We’ve got our 2nd triangle almost done, and have the last 2 rows to complete the triangle.

OK, let's quickly visualise how we're going to make the triangle into a rectangular shape.
So, to bring the length of an sl-st up to a dc, we need a dc over it ; 
to bring the sc up to a dc length, we need an hdc over it ; 
and to bring the length of an hdc up to a dc, we need an sc over it.  
This means the shorter the initial stitch, the longer the stitch we need to use to get it up to level. Got it?

As this is an easy-enough idea, I'm not going to write the specific pattern - but giving you a general idea of what we're doing now.

Row  28 : (Work a sl-st in each dc ; 
Work a sc over each hdc ; 
work a hdc over every sc ; 
and dc over every sl-st) all through this row.  Turn.

OK.. so not sure how you’ve managed, but I’m not too happy with this 2nd triangle here.. and now I see why the designer has just drawn straight lines (right side of chart on top) instead of indicating which sts .. hmm..

So here’s what I’m going to do.  
I’m just going to go ahead and adjust this next row with stitches of different heights – starting with a double treble and then a treble stitch and slowly reducing heights of my stitches, till I end with an sl-st at the end… and hopefully I’ll get a rectangle. 

Double Treble /Triple Crochet : dtrc :  wrap yarn three times around hook, insert hk into st ; yo (4 lps on hk); [yo, draw through 2 lps] three times.  One dtrc made.  
Check out the video at https://youtu.be/XyPrnAtOs3U 

Triple Crochet : trc : wrap yarn twice around hook, insert hk into st ; yo (4 lps on hk); [yo, draw through 2 lps] three times.  One trc made.  
Check out the video at https://youtu.be/A0y4BbgDTbs
Chainless start for Triple / Treble Crochet : I dislike the ch-2 / ch – 3 start, and this is what I do to start my row of trc. 
Check out the video at https://youtu.be/f42MO0cGYC0  

Now as you do your 1st stitches on one end, put your work down often and check that the rectangle is forming.

Sorry, I really don’t like the sound of this bit of instruction.. just can’t see how I can write it any better … especially if we’re all starting with different counts 

Oh, you could, as designer has suggested, do the ‘tweak row’ here on Row 28, and then do a nice neat row of dc’s in Row 29 too.

The one thing you need to remember is that in Row 2 (when you start working your repeats later on), the instructions read in next dc and you may not have a dc at that spot, you may have tweaked and have a trc or an sc.  
To avoid this, you could do as suggested above, and do you ‘tweak’ row in Row 28, so you have all dc’s in Row 29.

Row  29 : If you have a rectangle of the proper size by Row 28, then this row is dc in each st till end.  
If like me, your rectangle needs tweaking, then tweak away till you get a rectangle that we can work with.

Great.. that worked.. Yaay ! It looks beautiful !!

So the pattern repeat is Rows 2 through to 29.  

Go all the way to the neckline, with no alterations or decreases for the armholes. 

For the neckline, I’m going to cheat once again and rather than do all the tedious calculations for the triangles, I’m going to reduce when I reach the dc rows at the end of one block (or triangle), and then continue decreases only with dc rows. 

The beauty of this pattern by designer, is that there are only decreases for the neck, and the armhole does not need reducing or decreases.. so once you’ve reached here, we’re at the easy-peasy bit!  

May I add, once again, that you could actually experiment and work two rectangles (one each for front and back) without any shaping or decrease for neck or armhole and then attach the two shoulder bits, and the sides.  
The neckline will be a boat-like / cowled one and the shoulders will fall over to make a smallish sleeve.  

So for e.g. , if you’ve reached the length you need for your top at the end of Row 29, instead of starting on Row 2, continue with dc rows through, and do only a shoulder bit, turning off for the neckline, and then continue with dc rows till you have a little neckline scooped out.  
Once you’ve completed one side of your shoulder / neckline ; re-fasten yarn and duplicate for the other shoulder… and c’est tout ! We’re done! 

Neckline instructions :
Ok, for neckline shaping : General instructions :
I always suggest that you keep a well fitting top (non-jersey or tee-shirt as those have stretch and do not give a proper estimation) and decide on the depth for your neckline.  You will then know when to start your neckline shaping.  You will also get an idea for the width of your neckline shape.

Mark the centre stitch and decide how wide and deep you want your neckline.
Place markers on the two sides to mark the width of your neckline.
Starting at one armhole end, work the pattern only till the 1st marker and then work back to the armhole.  
You could also work in all dc or hdc  for the neck portion - which means that once you reach the row that decides the depth for your neckline, you stop the pattern, and work in plain stitch all the way to the shoulders.
Whatever you decide, I suggest that you make notes for convenience.
Chart for  BRILLIANTLY UNUSUAL TOP
pattern detailpattern detail

Repeat this for the other side as well.. fasten your shoulder and sides together – the armhole magically works out, and we’re completely done. 

Whipstitch to join :  https://youtu.be/wZ-9LNzftMA
Invisible join :  https://youtu.be/a6XZQ6VzJFM
Single crochet to join :  https://youtu.be/6FXoW_47_dI

Oh, just to even things out, I ran a row of sc all around the neck and armhole edges – an optional for you.
You could also end with a round of reverse single crochet or crab stitch around the neckline and armholes.
Crab Stitch or Reverse Single Crochet stitch : https://youtu.be/cG3crwyHPnk

Fasten off then and weave in the ends.. and go ahead, slip on your lovely and superbly unusual top on and show off.. you deserve to! 

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Have a great day and see you soon. 

Here are some of my other creations.  Have fun with these free patterns too



















































































and a doll’s top..


and some bolero/jacket/vests that will look grand on a top..





















































I have a few girls dresses, and just in case you want a dekho at those free patterns … here you go  


























































For cute hair embellishments and motifs check the links below.







 























































..and some belts..

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