Sweet Nothings Crochet: CHOCO RIPPLE CROP TOP

CHOCO RIPPLE CROP TOP

The ubiquitous granny square strikes again giving birth to this Choco ripple Top ! This naughty combination of skin colored & luxurious soft brown cotton yarns brings out the best in this easy pattern. Start with a big granny pattern and end with a neat beach outfit.. cool eh?

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Materials used : Today I’ve used one ball (about 65 gms) each of two colors of unbranded knitting cotton with a 3.5 mm crochet hook

Note : Amount of yarn needed for individual project(s) depends on size of yarn / hook, size you are making it for as well as the tension with which you work. Amount given here is only for rough estimation for the size I’ve made it for.

For Indians : The yarn I’ve used is similar in thickness to our Laura knitting cotton. Our lovely Indian Anchor knitting cotton , Red rose or White rose knitting cotton yarns are a good substitute. I’d also suggest Alize cotton yarn

For Non-Indians : This yarn is similar in thickness to Lily Sugar n Cream cotton yarn. The other international yarns I’ve used of this thickness are Milford Satin knitting cotton, DMC Petra knitting cotton & Aunt Lydia Bamboo Viscose 10 knitting cottons.

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

Size made : 34” (M/L)

You can make this project to any size. Size here given only for rough estimation of yarn.

Difficulty level : Easy Skill level.

Stitches used :

Starting 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

How to hold your yarn in crochet : https://youtu.be/FwOlCbGdbqY

What is a chain stitch ? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pXx5ukBjKkY

Foundation Single Crochet : fsc : 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

Single crochet 2-together : sc 2-tog :
Insert hk into st, yo and pull up a lp (2 lps on hk) ; insert hk into next sc, yo and pull up a lp (3 lps on hk); yo and draw through all 3 lps. One sc 2-tog complete. Visit this video tutorial at https://youtu.be/whlsMemDHLc

Half double crochet 2-tog : hdc 2-tog : [yo, insert hk in st or ch-sp, yo and pull up a lp] (3 lps on hk) ; insert hk in st or ch-sp, yo and pull up a lp (4 lps on hk) ; yo, draw through all 4 lps on hk. One hdc 2-tog made.
Check the video tutorial at https://youtu.be/jdaXTr7Lcig

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.

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

and https://in.pinterest.com/pin/470063279837560772/

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.

Before we head off to the project, let’s get an idea of what we’re creating here today.

We star with the granny square-like pattern at the top and work a few rounds - to get that pentagon pattern.

We then work the chevron-like pattern for the bottom.

I think this is a really cool construction.

This is not my pattern. I found it on Pinterrst but could not find a pattern for it.

These are my original notes as I make my pattern.

PART 1 : GRANNY SQUARE

Magic circle : 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

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

Start Round 1 : with a magic circle and work 1 dc in it.

(ch 2, dc in the same magic circle) ;

rep (to) 8 times ;

ch 2 & join with a sl-st to the 1st st. (10 dc ; 10 ch-2 sps)

Round 2 : sl-st into the1st ch-2 sp ;

(ch 18, sl-st into the same ch-2 sp) ;

[sl-st into the next ch-2 sp ; rep (to) once] ;

rep [to] all around ;

& join with a sl-st to the 1st st.

Round 3 : sl-st into the1st ch-18 sp ;

3 dc in the same ch-18 sp ;

*(ch 2, 3 dc in the next ch-18 sp ; ch 2, 3 dc in the same ch-18 sp) ;

ch 2, 3 dc in the next ch-18 sp

rep (to) all around ;

ch 2, & join with a sl-st to the 1st st.

See the pentagon, now we will work around it with the usual granny square-like set of stitches - the only difference being we have 5 corners.

Round 4 : 3 dc in the1st ch-2 sp ;

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

(ch 2, 3 dc in the next corner ch-2 sp ; ch 2, 3 dc in the same corner ch-2 sp) ;

rep [to] once ;

rep *to* all around ;

ch 2, & join with a sl-st to the 1st st.

Rounds 5 - 7 : 3 dc in the1st ch-2 sp ;

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

rep [to] till the next corner ch-2 sp ;

(ch 2, 3 dc in the next corner ch-2 sp ; ch 2, 3 dc in the same corner ch-2 sp) ;

rep [to] till the next corner ch-2 sp ;

rep *to* all around ;

ch 2, & join with a sl-st to the 1st st.

Let's make the tie-backs before we end off here.

To do that we will work one round of sc all around which will neaten the ends.

The top flat bit is the top end, and the pointed part of the pentagon will face downwards.

We will work 1 sc in each dc and 2 sc in each ch-2 sp.

In each corner ch-sp, we will work 3 sc.

When you reach the top end corner sp, we will work a long 75 chain length which will be one tie back.

So with this corner sp, work 2 sc, then work 75 chain ; sl-st all the way back to the corner sp ; work 1 more sc and then carry on with the pattern along the top flat end.

At the 2nd corner, do the same thing that you did for the 1st corner.

Join with a sl-st to the 1st st.

Fasten off.

Let's look at what we've done before we continue.

You have one flat piece that has the straps coming off it, and that will be the top (or neck) portion.

Slide down to the 2 corners on either side of this, and those will be the two corner spaces that form the left and right side of our top.

The centre corner ch-sp will add the chevron-like pattern to our top.

Right then, we've identified where we are starting.

Re-attach your yarn at one of the side corner ch-sps.

At the corner we have 3 sc. Attach your yarn in the 2nd sc (which is the centre sc)

When we work to the other end, we will work till the 2nd sc here as well.

PART 2 : BODY OF CROP TOP

The pattern for the bod portion is simple, but needs calculation or thought.

We just work 1 dc in each stitch, increasing at the start & end.

However, we increase only for a few rows at the ends, till we have the half round bust / chest measurement.

Then we decrease at the ends (for as many rows as you increased) till we have a straight line.

We then just work from end to end without increase or decrease till we get the length we need for our top.

Once done, we have two options for the sides / back.

We either work a flat section for the sides and back OR we work ties that will hold her back together.

I will give you ideas for both. Let's get on with it then, shall we?

Body pattern Row 1 : 3 dc in the corner sc ;

sc in each sc till the centre 3 sc ;

[2 dc in the 2nd sc (of the centre 3 sc set) ;

ch 2, 2 dc in the same sc] ;

dc in each sc till the corner sc ;

3 dc in the corner sc. Turn

Body pattern Rows 2 - 5 : 3 dc in the corner dc ;

sc in each sc till the centre ch-2 sp ;

[2 dc ; ch 2, 2 dc in the ch-2 sp] ;

dc in each dc till the corner sc ;

3 dc in the corner dc. Turn

At this point my top is nearly 12" from the top & 17" from side to side ; and I'm going to stop this pattern now.

I will not try to flatten the pointed bottom edge and decrease sides at the same time..

For this, we will change just a few stitches at the pointed edge as well as sides of the top.

We will work one side at a time.

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.

Body pattern Row 7 : dc 3-tog over the 1st 3 dc ;

dc in each sc till 6 sts from the centre ch-2 sp ;

3 hdc in the next 3 sts ;

3 sc in the next 3 sts ;

sl-st in the ch-2 sp. Turn

Body pattern Row 8 : sl-st past/into the 1st 3 sc ;

sc in the next 3 hdc ;

hdc in the next 3 dc ;

dc in each st till the last 3 dc ;

dc 3-tog over the last 3 dc.

Body pattern Row 9 : dc 3-tog over the 1st 3 dc

sc in each sc till 3 dc before the 3 hdc (we will skip the last 3 sc) ;

3 hdc in the next 3 sts ;

3 sc in the next 3 sts ;

sl-st in the ch-2 sp. Turn

Note : See how the flat edges is forming?

Rep Body pattern Rows 8 & 9 2 times ; then Row 8 once.

See how we got a flat bottom and side edge?

Now that we are done with one side, re-attach yarn at the other end and repeat instructions for Body of top from Row 1 to 9 and then the repeats.

When you reach the bottom corner of the top, we have finished the front of the top.

Please read below before you move further

At this point, there are two ideas for the back.

1) Make ties to hold the back together

How to make shoulder and back ties : https://youtu.be/K5N771OXLu4

2) Work a side piece and then add buttons

If you decide on Idea #2, then do not cut yarn after you reach the corner bottom.

You will then work side to side along hat side flat edge for the back.

You can work either one long flat piece that goes all the way around the back (so half round bust/chest measurement) and then have your buttons along one side ;

OR you work 2 half pieces (so 1/4th round bust / chest measurement) that go halfway around the back and attach along the centre of the back (along the spine)

Use any stitch that works for you - so sc / hdc or dc.

You will work 2 sts along the horizontal bars of each dc along the side to start.

you will then work 1 st in each st all the way up and down till you get the measurement you need for this section.

Let's add another feature or twist, shall we?

Why? because we can 😁

Instead of working all he way up and down for the side section you can decide to make that section narrow(er).

In case you so decide, you will work all he way till the bottom edge of your top, but along the armhole edge, you will work a dc 2-tog, at the start and end of every row to decrease. If you want a quicker decrease, work 2 sets of dc 2-tog.

Now you can work this till you have a slender section (basically one that can cover a bra strap) OR you can go till you have just one st and then work a tie at that end.

If you make a strap, you may want to make a set of loops for your buttons

How to make a loop for your button : https://youtu.be/oocVo-ZNIcM

For a final finishing you may want to add one row / round of sc all around the edges of your work.

You could also add one row / round of crab stitch or reverse single crochet for a neat pebbled finish

Crab Stitch or Reverse Single Crochet stitch : https://youtu.be/cG3crwyHPnk

I loved making this crop top, and hope you did too.

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Have a great day and see you soon.

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

https://shyamanivas.blogspot.com/2022/04/choco-ripple-crop-top.html

https://shyamanivas.blogspot.com/2022/04/pixel-sweater.html

https://shyamanivas.blogspot.com/2022/04/neatly-tied-crop-top.html