Sweet Nothings Crochet: GRANNY SQUARE BOHO BEACH TOP -2

Crochet top pattern, Crochet racer back top pattern, Crochet Granny Squares pattern,

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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Materials used : Today I’ve used an unbranded knitting cotton yarn with a 3.75 mm crochet hook ; fabric glue to seal ends

This yarn is not specific for this project.

You can use any yarn with a suitable hook to make this project to any size.

For Indians : You could use Anchor , Red ros e ; Red rose metallic knitting cotton as well as Oswal or Vardhaman acrylic yarns

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 :

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

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

Foundation Single Crochet : fsc : To refresh your skill on the fsc, please view this video https://youtu.be/mcT85fwh4mA

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

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

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.

Check out the video at https://youtu.be/wskv3iTjRx0

Here is a sizing chart for general sizing https://in.pinterest.com/pin/470063279837597366/and https://in.pinterest.com/pin/470063279837560772/

Whipstitch to join : Here’s a quick tutorial on how to join using the whipstitch at https://youtu.be/wZ-9LNzftMA

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

Single crochet to join : Here’s a quick tutorial on how to join using the single crochet at https://youtu.be/6FXoW_47_dI

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.

Just as I was about to write out the pattern using the chart I’d found, I chanced on this (Victorian?) pattern by Priscilla Hewitt at http://web.archive.org/web/20060630010426/http:/members.aol.com/lffunt/sqdoily.htm

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 3^rd 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

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_xZOQAh5KGA

This is one kick-ass (oops) boho top, don’t you agree?

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

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

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