GRANNY SQUARE BOHO BEACH TOP -2
When I made my first granny square boho beach
top in November 2017, I did *warn* you that
I’d be coming back with more, remember?
Obviously you share my excitement of creating
something neat out of simple squares – so come along and let’s start on this
superb creation.
Once again, this is a granny square adapted to
make a top.
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This yarn is not specific for this project.
You can use any yarn with a suitable hook to make this project to any size.
International yarns : Among the international yarns I have used, 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 ; Alize bamboo yarn ; Spotlight 4-Seasons Stallion or Marvel acrylic yarns or "I-love-this-cotton" cotton yarn from Hobby Lobby.
Difficulty level
: Intermediate to Advanced Skill level.
The “Advanced” skills are not for the stitches
used (stitches are basic). It applies to
the use of techniques to join the squares and finishing. That said, this is not that hard – so come
along and enjoy this creation.
Stitches used :
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
Half Double Crochet : Hdc : yo, insert hk into st ; yo (3 lps on hk) ;
yo, draw through all 3 lps. One hdc made.
Chainless start for Half Double Crochet : I dislike the ch-2 start, and this is what I do to start my row of hdc. Check out the video at https://youtu.be/lWXpl1KdbZ8
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.
Invisible join : Here’s a quick tutorial on how to join using the embroidery needle and whipstitch to get an invisible join at https://youtu.be/a6XZQ6VzJFM
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.
This pattern uses granny squares to make the
front and back of the beach top. We need
three large granny squares for this creation.
Each is (per pattern) a 12” granny square.
Before we head off let’s work on a few ideas and
see what we are creating. If you have
worked on my earlier beach boho granny square top, you know what I am talking
about and you can get these measurements done faster.
If you haven’t had a dekho yet, you need to go
and take a look at those lovely creations too.
You will need the following measurements
a) Round
Chest
b) Neckline
depth
I am going to give you the basic pattern for a
granny square, without indicating colours.
This is where you creativity and combinations come in.
I will then tell you how to attach the squares
to get the basic top. You can then opt
to add on tassels– and you are free to do a little beach craziness
(read : add beads & shells) too
Part 1 :
Basic granny square pattern
Make three
pieces
1)
First off
I think you will need to work one granny square per pattern and see how large a
square you have made. Hold this against
your chest (diamond-wise) and see how far down it goes and how far across your
chest. This will help you decide if you
need to increase the size of the next squares in any way.
2)
After you
work the basic granny square, you need to remember that we will work in a small
border, so you will get at least another ½” all around (so that means a total
of 1” length and breadth as its ½” either side, ok?)
3)
Before you
head off to make all your 3 squares, I’d suggest that you cut out the 3 square
/ diamond shapes on paper, just to check that the final size will wok for you.
What is an
easy way to increase the size of my granny square ? Use a longer stitch. So if you find that you need *just that
little bit more* for your square to get the round chest measure, change the dc
to a trc and you’ll get the slight increase.
Conversely,
if you find that the trc is working too much, then the dc is the way to go for
you.
Go on and
check out the pattern link and work all the way till Round 15.
Fasten off
and weave in ends.
Leave the
last 2 rounds that we
will work as a border later on.
We have
completed one pineapple granny square, and mine is about 13.5” square.
Part 2 :
Joining Granny squares
Using one
of the joining techniques given above, join your granny squares.
To join,
turn your squares to the right, so that they become diamond shaped and then
join two sides of the centre one to one side each of the side diamonds. We have
spun our squares into diamonds, Ta .. da!
Look at
the diagram below to get an idea of how to place them before joining.
How do you
join the squares evenly?
a)
Count the
number of stitches you have on each side and place a marker at the 2 corner
points of two squares
b)
Join the
squares neatly till the two corner points
c)
After
having joined Squares (diamonds) 1 & 2, ensure that you once again place a
marker for the two corner points of the 3rd square and join this one
neatly too.
d)
Ensure
that you have a neat join at the “V” between the 3 squares / diamonds which
will form your neckline.
e)
Work with
the same care for the other side of your top as well.
f)
You can
hang tassels off the lower two points of the diamonds.
Part 3 :
Border around diamonds
Now that
you have the diamonds joined, let us run the decorative border all around,
before we make our shoulder straps and join the back to the front.
Go back to
the pattern instruction sheet and work Rounds 16 & 17 to complete the
border all around.
Part 4 :
Shoulder & side Straps
With this
pattern, I have worked only one strap per side.
The strap will go through the corner of one of the diamonds and then be
tied against the back. The first part
(that goes into the corner of the diamond) will help create a sleeve. The back is largely open.
However, you could work two straps like the diagram above as well
For the
straps I have worked a row of foundation half double crochet for the length I
needed for my straps – and you'll make as many as you decide in the same way.
Foundation half double crochet is like the fdc, but instead of working a dc,
you work a hdc chain.
If you
find this too confusing, you can
a)
Work a fsc
chain for the length needed ; Turn and then work an sc in each fsc all the way
back to the start. Fasten off and attach
onto the top ; OR
b)
Work a
regular chain length for the length needed ; Turn and work a hdc in each chain
all the way to the start. Fasten off and
attach onto the top.
c)
Attachment
: Check the photo above. Ensure that you
allow your work to hang for a bit before tightly securing the ends – no matter
what yarn you are using. Even cotton
yarn tends to stretch a bit on hanging / wear.
Part 5 :
Tassels
Along the
bottom edge, you could hang a row of tassels OR you could hang one off the rope
/ strap that you just made.
Decide on
the following :
a)
how much
yarn do you have ? (as this will decide
the following answers)
b)
how far
apart you want them
c)
how thick
would you like them (Thickness is doubled so fold your strands over before you
close this idea)
d)
how long
would you like them
For a
quick “how to”, check out this video
This is
one kick-ass (oops) boho top, don’t you agree?
Do come back right here for more freebie
patterns
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Have a great day and see you soon.
Here are some of my older 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..
and here are a few skirt patterns that you can use your belt for..
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