Sweet Nothings Crochet: HALF ‘ N HALF TOP

HALF ‘ N HALF TOP

Yet again an irresistible top more so because of the unusual pattern.. ah Pinterest and the world wide web.. where would we be without all of this?

Thank you for joining me.

In case you have just joined me, know that you can access all of my earlier creations by checking under ‘categories’ on the right hand side of this blog under “Labels”. Then, for your convenience, follow me here or on Facebook, You Tube, Pinterest, Twitter or Instagram.

Check out all my social media handles at the bottom of this blog

Oh, and may I add that the fastest way to find any of my blogs is via Pinterest.

All my blogs can be printed. Find the printer friendly (green) link on the right side of this blog. You can also hit Control P (or Command P for Mac) on your keyboard, and the blog will go directly to the connected printer.

Remember that you only print if absolutely essential. Save paper – Save Our Earth.

Do remember to add my blog URL when you make and show off your creation.

Just copy the link on the search bar above - that's the blog URL.

To purchase this or similar yarn online, click here to buy your yarns online via Amazon. While you will still pay the same, I may get paid by Amazon as well.

This is a free blog - so do pay it forward for me. Cheers.

Materials used : Today I’ve used about 200 gms of our superb Indian Modi knitting cotton yarn, with a 3.5 mm crochet hook
This yarn is not specific for this pattern.
Use any yarn with a suitable hook to make this to any size

For Indians : You can also use Anchor or Red rose knitting cotton

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.

Skill level : Advanced

Abbreviations used : (Using U.S terminology)

ch : chain ch-sp : chain space

sp : space rep : Repeat
st(s) : Stitch(es) sl-st : Slip stitch
yo : Yarn over hk : hook
fsc : Foundation single crochet
dc : Double crochet

dtr : Double treble crochet

Stitches used :

Starting slip knot : https://youtu.be/lJcqsVcs8cw

Starting slip knot 1 or the Sloppy Slip knot : https://youtu.be/YfC7KmGpifs

What is a slip stitch : https://youtu.be/weB3QNbA8Iw

What is a chain stitch ? https://youtu.be/pXx5ukBjKkY

Instructions :

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 there video tutorials through the blog too

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.

This is not my original pattern. I found this photograph and a convenient chart on the internet.

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

Quick analysis of what we’re going to do here today. With this stunningly pattern, we’re going to work from the base of the top, working towards the shoulders. We will work the front and back separately and then join shoulders and sides thereafter.

Now here’s the challenge. Our pattern is unique, you know that.. which is why you’ve taken up this challenge. So it starts as a simple “V”-st for the first four rows, and then we start the diagonal pineapple pattern. The pineapples slowly grow along the front diagonally, till you get a full row of just pineapples.

Now there is a chart to follow along with, and the instructions will be there for a bit. But it’s not possible to write down the full written instruction as we’re all making different sizes.

Just remember that when the pattern starts off with the pineapples, both ends of the row need to be the same.. i.e you start and end with the same stitch pattern repeat.

Right then, let’s get started.

Our stitch count is in multiples of 14 + 1

We’re working from waist up – our start row needs to be half Round Waist /bust (whichever is the larger measure)

Foundation Single Crochet : fsc : https://youtu.be/mcT85fwh4mA

Start with fsc in multiples of 14 + 1 till you have half round waist / or bust measure (or half of whatever point you wish the top to come up to - so say you want a longer top that comes down to the hip, then check all three measurements)

We will use a “V”-st in this top that is (2 dc ; ch 2, 2dc) all in the same st or ch-sp.

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 the 1^st fsc ;
(ch 1, sk next fsc, dc in the next fsc) ;

rep (to) once ;
ch 1, sk next 2 fsc, “V”-st in the next fsc ;

*ch 1, sk next 2 fsc, dc in the next fsc ;
rep (to) 4 times ;
ch 1, sk next 2 fsc, “V”-st in the next fsc* ;

rep *to* till last 7 fsc ;
ch 1, sk next 2 fsc, dc in the next fsc ;
rep (to) 2 times. Turn.

Row 2 : dc in the 1^st dc ;
(ch 1, dc in the next dc) ;

rep (to) once ;
ch 1, “V”-st in the next “V”-st ;

*ch 1, dc in the next dc ;
rep (to) 4 times ;
ch 1, “V”-st in the next “V”-st * ;

rep *to* till last “V”-st ;
ch 1, dc in the next dc ; rep (to) 2 times. Turn.

Rows 3 - 4 : Rep Row 2

From this row on we’re going to start on the diagonal and pineapple pattern from one side of the top.

Row 5 : dc in the 1^st dc ;
(ch 1, dc in the next dc) ;

rep (to) once ;
ch 1, “V”-st in the next “V”-st ;

*rep (to) 5 times ;
ch 1, “V”-st in the next “V”-st * ;

rep *to* till dc before the last “V”-st ;
ch 2, sc in the last dc (before the last “V”-st ) ;

ch 2, “V”-st in the last “V”-st ;
ch 1, 2 dc in the same “V”-st ;

ch 1, sc in the next dc ;
ch 2, dc in the next dc (the 2^nd last dc from end) ;

rep (to) once. Turn.

Row 6 : dc in the 1^st dc ;
ch 2, sc in the next dc ; ch 1, “V”-st in the next ch-2 sp ;

ch 2, “V”-st in the next “V”-st ;
ch 2, sk next sc, sc in the next dc ;

ch 2, sk next dc, “V”-st in the next dc ;
ch 2, sc in the next ch-2 sp (between “V”-st) ;
ch 2, 2 dc in the next dc ;
ch 1, dc in the next dc ;

(ch 1, dc in the next dc) ;
rep (to) 2 times ;
ch 1, “V”-st in the next “V”-st ;

*rep (to) 5 times ;
ch 1, “V”-st in the next “V”-st * ;

rep *to* till last “V”-st ;
ch 1, dc in the next dc ;
rep (to) 2 times. Turn.

Row 7 : dc in the 1^st dc ;
(ch 1, dc in the next dc) ;

rep (to) once ;
ch 1, “V”-st in the next “V”-st ;

*rep (to) 5 times ;
ch 1, “V”-st in the next “V”-st * ;

rep *to* till dc before the 3^rd last “V”-st ;

ch 2, 2 dc in the last dc (before that last “V”-st ) ;
ch 2, sc in the next ch-2 sp (between“V”-st) ;
ch 2, “V”-st in the next dc ;

ch 2, sk next dc, sc in the next dc ;

ch 2, “V”-st in the next “V”-st ;
ch 2, “V”-st in the next “V”-st ;
ch 2, sc in the last dc. Turn.

Row 8 : dc in the 1^st dc ;
ch 3, 2 dc in the next “V”-st ;

[ch 2, sc in the next ch-2 sp ;
ch 3, sc in the next ch-2 sp] ;

ch 2, sk next sc, 2 dc in the next “V”-st ;
rep [to] once ;

ch 2, sk next 2 dc ; 2 dc in the next dc ;
(ch 1, dc in the next dc) ;
rep (to) 2 times ;
ch 1, “V”-st in the next ch-2 sp ;

*rep (to) 5 times ;
ch 1, “V”-st in the next “V”-st * ;

rep *to* till last “V”-st ;
ch 1, dc in the next dc ;
rep (to) 2 times. Turn.

Row 9 : dc in the 1^st dc ;
(ch 1, dc in the next dc) ;

rep (to) once ;
ch 1, “V”-st in the next “V”-st ;
*rep (to) 5 times ;
ch 1, “V”-st in the next “V”-st * ;
rep *to* till last “V”-st ;

Rep (to) 2 times ;

[dc , ch 2, 2 dc] in the next dc ;
ch 2, sk next 2 dc, 7 dc in the next ch-2 sp ;

ch 2, sk next 2 dc, “V”-st in the next ch-2 sp ;
ch 2, 7 dc in the next ch-2 sp ;

ch 2, {2 dc ; ch 2, dc} in the last dc. Turn.

Now as you can see, this pattern is getting a bit complicated, as we have some “V”-sts from Rows 1 – 4, and then there are these new “V”-sts that we’re adding with the pineapple pattern.

So, for convenience, let’s place a marker in the last “V”-st of the main part of the dress, so that we can get that diagonal for the pineapples nice & neat. Hopefully we’ll work through this together.

Row 10 : dc in the 1^st dc ;
ch 2, 2 dc in the next ch-2 sp ;

ch 3, sc in the next ch-2 sp ;

[ch 3, sk the next 2 dc, sc in the next dc ;
ch 3, sk the next dc, sc in the next dc ;
ch 3, sk next 2 dc, sc in the next ch-2 sp] ;

ch 2, “V”-st in the next “V”-st ; ch 3, sc in the next ch-2 sp ;
rep [to] once ;

ch 2, sk next 2 dc ; “V”-st in the next ch-2 sp ; sk next dc,

(ch 1, dc in the next dc) ;

ch 1, “V”-st in the next ch-2 sp [and mark this “V”-st] ;

*rep (to) 5 times ;
ch 1, “V”-st in the next “V”-st * ;

rep *to* till last “V”-st ;
ch 1, dc in the next dc ; rep (to) 2 times. Turn.

Move marker up .

Row 11 : dc in the 1^st dc ;
(ch 1, dc in the next dc) ;
rep (to) once ;

ch 1, “V”-st in the next “V”-st ;

*rep (to) 5 times ;
ch 1, “V”-st in the next “V”-st * ;

rep *to* till the 3^rd last “V”-st (marked one) ;

ch 1, sk next dc,

[2 dc ; ch 2, 2 dc ; ch 2, 2 dc] in the next “V”-st ;
ch 2, sc in the next ch-3 sp ;
{ch 3, sc in the next ch-3 sp} ;

rep {to} once ;
ch 2, rep [to] in the next “V”-st ;

ch 2, rep {to} 2 times ;
ch 2, 2 dc in the last ch-2 sp ;
dc in the same last ch-2 sp dc in the last dc. Turn.

Our marked “V”-st is the same one from Row 10.

Row 12 : dc in the 1^st dc ; “V”-st in the next ch-2 sp ;

{ch 2, sc in the next ch-3 sp ;
{ch 3, sc in the next ch-3 sp} ;

[ch 2, “V”-st in the next “V”-st ;
ch 1, “V”-st in the next ch-2 sp] ;

rep {to} once ;
rep [to] once ;
ch 2, sc in the marked “V”-st ;

ch 3, sc in the same ch-sp ; ch 2, dc in the next dc ;

(ch 1, dc in the next dc) ;
rep (to) 3 times ;
ch 1, “V”-st in the next “V”-st ;

*rep (to) 5 times ;
ch 1, “V”-st in the next “V”-st * ;

rep *to* till last “V”-st ;
ch 1, dc in the next dc ;
rep (to) 2 times. Turn.

Move marker to the “V”-st before the pattern we’re making , so it’s the 4^th “V”-st from the end.

Row 13 : dc in the 1^st dc ;
(ch 1, dc in the next dc) ;

rep (to) once ;
ch 1, “V”-st in the next “V”-st ;

*rep (to) 5 times ;
ch 1, “V”-st in the next “V”-st * ;

rep *to* till the marked “V”-st ;

rep (to) 2 times ;
ch 2, sk next ch-sp and dc, sc in the next ch-1 sp ;

ch 2, sk next 2 dc and ch-sp , {“V”-st in the next ch-2 sp ;
ch 2, sc in the next ch-3 sp ; ch 2, “V”-st in the next “V”-st ;
ch 2, sc in the next ch-2 sp ; ch 2, “V”-st in the next “V”-st} ;

[ch 2, sc in the next ch-3 sp on top of pineapple] ;

ch 2, rep {to} once ;
rep [to] once ;

ch 2, “V”-st in the last “V”-st ;
ch 2, sc in the last dc. Turn.

Move marker up.

Row 14 : hdc in the 1^st sc ; ch 1, sc in the 1^st ch-2 sp ;

[ch 2, 2 dc in the next “V”-st ; ch 1, 2 dc in the next “V”-st] ;

{ch 2, sc in the next ch-2 sp ;
ch 3, sk next sc, sc in the next ch-2 sp} ;

rep [to] once ;
rep {to} once ;
rep [to] once ;

ch 2, sc in the next ch-2 sp ;
ch 3, sk next sc, sc in the next dc ;
ch 2, dc in the next dc ;
ch 1, “V”-st in the marked “V”-st ;

*rep (to) 5 times ;
ch 1, “V”-st in the next “V”-st * ;

rep *to* till last “V”-st ;
ch 1, dc in the next dc ;
rep (to) 2 times. Turn.

Move marker up.

Row 15 : dc in the 1^st dc ;
(ch 1, dc in the next dc) ;
rep (to) once ;

ch 1, “V”-st in the next “V”-st ;

*rep (to) 5 times ;
ch 1, “V”-st in the next “V”-st * ;

rep *to* till the marked “V”-st ;

ch 1, sk next dc, 7 dc in the next ch-3 sp ;
ch 1, “V”-st in the next ch-1 sp ;

[ch 1, 7 dc in the next ch-3 sp ; ch 1, “V”-st in the next ch-1 sp] ;

rep [to] once ;
ch 1, “V”-st in the next ch-1 sp ;

ch 1, sk next sc, 4 dc in the last hdc.

Move marker up.

Row 16 : hdc in the 1^st dc ;
ch 1, sc in the next dc ;

ch 3, sk next 2 dc, sc in the next ch-1 sp ;

{ch 2, “V”-st in the next “V”-st} ;
ch 2, sc in the next ch-1 sp ;

[ch 3, sk next 2 dc, sc in the next dc ;
ch 3, sk next dc, sc in the next ch-1 sp ;
ch 3, sk next 2 dc, sc in the next dc] ;

rep {to} once ;
rep [to] once ;
rep {to} once ;
rep [to] once ;
rep {to} once ;

(ch 1, dc in the next dc) ;
rep (to) 4 times ;
ch 1, “V”-st in the next “V”-st ;

*rep (to) 5 times ;
ch 1, “V”-st in the next “V”-st * ;

rep *to* till last “V”-st ;
ch 1, dc in the next dc ;
rep (to) 2 times. Turn.

Move marker one “V”-st to the right (i.e keeping the pineapple stitches that we’re creating to our left hand side)

Row 17 : dc in the 1^st dc ;
(ch 1, dc in the next dc) ;
rep (to) once ;

ch 1, “V”-st in the next “V”-st ;

*rep (to) 5 times ;
ch 1, “V”-st in the next “V”-st * ;

rep *to* till the marked “V”-st ;
rep (to) 4 times ;
ch 2, sc in the next dc ;

[“V”-st in the next “V”-st ; ch 2, 2 dc in the same “V”-st] ;

{ch 2, sc in the next ch-3 sp ;
ch 3, sc in the next ch-3 sp} ;

ch 2, rep [to] once ;
rep {to} once ;
rep [to] once ;

rep {to} once ;
rep [to] once ;
ch 2, sc in the next ch-3 sp ;

ch 3, sc in the last hdc. Turn.

Move marker up.

Row 18 : hdc in the 1^st dc ; ch 1, sc in the next ch-3 sp ;

[ch 2, “V”-st in the next “V”-st ;
ch 1, “V”-st in the next ch-2 sp] ;

{ch 2, sc in the next ch-3 sp ;
ch 3, sc in the next ch-3 sp} ;

rep [to] once ;
rep {to} once ;
rep [to] once ;
rep {to} once ;
rep [to] once ;

ch 2, sk next sc, sc in the next dc ;

(ch 1, dc in the next dc) ;
rep (to) once ;
ch 1, “V”-st in the next “V”-st ;

*rep (to) 5 times ;
ch 1, “V”-st in the nex t “V”-st * ;

rep *to* till last “V”-st ;
ch 1, dc in the next dc ;
rep (to) 2 times. Turn.

Move marker one “V”-st to the right (i.e keeping the pineapple stitches that we’re creating to our left hand side)

Row 19 : dc in the 1^st dc ;
(ch 1, dc in the next dc) ;
rep (to) once ;

ch 1, “V”-st in the next “V”-st ;

*rep (to) 5 times ;
ch 1, “V”-st in the next “V”-st * ;

rep *to* till the marked “V”-st ;
rep (to) 4 times ;

ch 1, sk next dc, 2 dc in the next ch-1 sp ;

ch 2, sc in the next ch-2 sp between “V”-st ;

ch 2, sk next 2 dc, sc in the next ch-1 sp ;

ch 2, sk next 2 dc, sc in the next dc ;

[ch 2, “V”-st in the next “V”-st ;
ch 2, sc in the next ch-1 sp between 2 “V”-sts ;

ch 2, “V”-st in the next “V”-st ;
ch 2, sc in the next ch-3 sp of pineapple] ;

rep [to] till last “V”-st ;
ch 2, sc in the last hdc. Turn.

Move marker up.

In the following row, we’ll use our dtr, so take a quick look at the video if needed to refresh your memory.

Row 20 : dtr in the 1^st sc ;
[2 dc in the next “V”-st ; ch 2, sc in the next ch-2 sp ;
ch 3, sc in the next ch-2 sp ; ch 2, 2 dc in the next “V”-st] ;

{ch 1, rep [to] once} ;
rep {to} 2 times ;
ch 1, 2 dc in the next “V”-st ;

ch 2, sc in the next ch-2 sp ; ch 3, sc in the next ch-2 sp ;
ch 2, sk next 2 dc, 2 dc in the next ch-1 sp ;

dc in the next dc ;

(ch 1, dc in the next dc) ;
rep (to) once ;
ch 1, “V”-st in the next “V”-st ;

*rep (to) 5 times ;
ch 1, “V”-st in the nex t “V”-st * ;

rep *to* till last “V”-st ;
ch 1, dc in the next dc ;
rep (to) 2 times. Turn.

Our pattern repeat is from Rows 9 – 20.

Now as you can see, we’re working one side with the pineapples (working from the left of your top to the right) and on the right hand side, we have our lacy “V”-st pattern slowly reducing. As our pineapple diagonal increases, we’ll soon reach the right hand side edge, and will just continue with the pineapple pattern till we reach the armhole edge. Remember that when you start working only on the pineapple pattern, you will start and end with the same stitch pattern.

So the main difference in the pattern will be in the reduction of the (ch 1, dc in the next dc) pattern for the simple “V’-st pattern of the top, and increase of the pineapple part of the top… but I’m sure you’ve figured that out too.

So let’s work our repeats till the armhole, ending with Row 16, and we’ll catch up there.

Armhole decrease :

For convenience, I am going to start re-numbering our rows from here on. Please note that all instructions given in this section are for the part from armhole to the shoulder(s).

Armhole Row 1 : sl-st in the 1^st two ch-3 sps ;
ch 2 ; dc in the next “V”-st ;

*{ch 2, sc in the next ch-3 sp ;
ch 3, sc in the next ch-3 sp} ;
ch 2, [“V”-st in the next “V”-st ; ch 2, 2 dc in the same “V”-st]* ;

rep *to* till last pineapple (i.e {to}) ;
ch 2, 2 dc in the next “V”-st. Turn.

Armhole Row 2 : 3 dc in 1^st st ;

*{ch 2, sc in the next ch-3 sp ;
ch 3, sc in the next ch-3 sp} ;
[“V”-st in the next “V”-st ; ch 2, 2 dc in the same “V”-st]* ;

rep *to* till last st ; 3 dc in the last dc. Turn.

Armhole Row 3 : 3 dc in the 1^st dc ; ch 2, sc in the next ch-3 sp ;

[ch 2, “V”-st in the next “V”-st ;
ch 2, sc in the next ch-1 sp between 2 “V”-sts ;
ch 2, “V”-st in the next “V”-st ; ch 2, sc in the next ch-3 sp of pineapple] ;

rep [to] till last ch-3 sp of the last pineapple ;
ch 2, sk 1 dc, 3 dc in the last dc. Turn.

And this completes our decreases.. so for the following row, we’ll go back to our repeats from our body pattern sheet.. and follow instructions for Row 20. Rep Rows 9 – 20 till your project reaches the neckline level.

For the neckline, what I have done is first fold my project in half and decide how 'wide' I want my neckline (from the centre fold) and place markers at those points.
I then worked the pattern from the armhole to this marker and back from this neckline point to the armhole, ensuring I worked in pattern through.

Do refer to the chart provided below for guidance.

Work the pattern on till the shoulder level. We will then come back to the other side of the neckline and complete the other shoulder too.

Fasten off and leave a tail to attach shoulders.

Repeat all instructions for the back as well.

Join the front and back shoulder bits and then we’ll go down to the border.

Whipstitch to join : https://youtu.be/wZ-9LNzftMA

Invisible join : https://youtu.be/a6XZQ6VzJFM

Single crochet to join : https://youtu.be/6FXoW_47_dI

Sweet Nothings Crochet free crochet pattern blog ; close up photo showing neckline detail of the Half n half top on a mannequin (white background)

Border :

For the border, we will go back to that foundation fsc row and work from the other side of that row.

Border Row 1 : sc in the 1^st fsc ; (ch 5, sk next 3 fsc , sc in the next fsc) ;

rep (to) all around.

Once the border is done, rather than fastening off, I’d suggest you run a round of dc’s all across the front placket, around the back of the neck and down the other side of the front placket.

Fasten off and weave in ends.

And that’s done.. yet another project brilliantly executed !

Enjoyed this ?? I sure did.. Come back right here for more freebie patterns

Remember to share this blog post when you share your photos with me on Facebook. I’d love to feature your photos on my FB page. Cheers.

If you're visiting me here for the first time, and have liked the experience, do add me to your mailing list (for your convenience) , and all my future free patterns will come straight to your mail box.

I’d appreciate if you could credit my blog (and link the original pattern link) when you make your own creation. Thanks.

Check out my awesome pins on Pinterest at https://in.pinterest.com/shyamanivas/

OR just my free patterns at https://in.pinterest.com/shyamanivas/free-patterns-made-by-me/

Join me on YouTube at https://youtube.com/shyamanivas

And on my Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/Sweet-Nothings-Crochet/ for more patterns.

Do follow me on Twitter https://twitter.com/ShyamaNivas

Do follow me on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sweetnothingscrochet/

Find me on Ravelry at ravelry.com/projects/shyamanivas/

Have a great day and see you soon.

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

https://shyamanivas.blogspot.com/2019/08/gulabi-top.html

https://shyamanivas.blogspot.com/2019/08/vibhinna-top.html