Sweet Nothings Crochet: NEATLY TIED CROP TOP

NEATLY TIED CROP TOP

When you see the cute little neatly tied bows that run up the front of the top, you'll know why I chose this name.. its all neatly tied up in bows.

Using some really soft cotton for this top, I'm thrilled that it turned out so well.

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Materials used : Today I’ve used 1 balls (100 gms) of Vardhman Cotton Dreamz knitting cotton with a 4.5 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 : Intermediate Skill level.

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 chain stitch ? https://youtu.be/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

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

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

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

Abbreviations used : (Using U.S terminology)

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

trc : Treble / triple crochet

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.

We start this crop top at the neck and work our way down to the waist.

We will work a 'bow' all he way down the centre of our crop top.

To get a thicker bow, I have worked 10 fsc instead of 10 chain stitches in the 1st row of the bow.

Choose what suits you

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

Start Row 1 : with 30 fsc. Turn

Note : Place markers in the 11th fsc and 20th fsc (count off & check you have10 sts in the middle)

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 You can start with hdc or dc depending on the thickness of your yarn.

Remember the note about the fsc and ch 10 for the bow

Row 2 : 2 hdc in the 1st fsc ;

hdc in each fsc till the last fsc ;

2 hdc in the last fsc. Turn.

Move markers to the row below - once again the centre 10 sts.

In the following row we will wrap our yarn around the 10 sts in the middle (worked in Rows 1 & 2) to make a 'bow' of sorts

Row 3 : (Wrap row) :

2 hdc in the 1st hdc ;

hdc in the each hdc till the marked st ;

hdc in the next 5 hdc ;

wrap yarn around the sts of 2 rows above ;

hdc in each hdc till the last hdc ;

2 hdc in the last hdc. Turn

Move markers to the row below - once again the centre 10 sts.

another view of bows and stitches alongside

Can you see how we made a bow. So its these centre 10 sts that will always be worked into a bow.

Row 4 : 2 hdc in the 1st hdc & each hdc till the marked hdc ;

fsc 10 OR ch 10, sk next 10 sts of the bow ;

hdc in the each hdc till the last hdc ;

2 hdc in the last hdc. Turn

Row 5 : 2 hdc in the 1st st and in each st till the last st ;

2 hdc in the last st. Turn

Row 6 : Rep Row 3

Rep Rows 4 to 6 six times (8 bow patterns)

We will continue the pattern but with straightening the edges.

You could always continue without straightening the edges ; which is way easier.

If you so decide, then work rep of Rows 4 to 6 till you get the length you want for your bustier.

While we are not on Row 7 (as you've worked the repeats up to row 6), I'll continue numbering from there

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

Row 7 : hdc 2-tog over the 1st 2 sts ;

hdc in each hdc till the marked hdc ;

fsc 10 OR ch 10, sk next 10 sts of the bow ;

hdc in the each hdc till the last 2 hdc ;

hdc 2-tog over the last 2 hdc. Turn

Row 8 : hdc 2-tog over the 1st 2 sts ;

hdc in each st till the last 2 sts ;

hdc 2-tog over the last 2 hdc. Turn

Row 9 : (Wrap row) :

hdc in the 1st 2 sts &

hdc in the each hdc till the marked st ;

hdc in the next 5 hdc ;

wrap yarn around the sts of 2 rows above ;

hdc in each hdc till the last hdc ;

hdc in the last hdc. Turn

Move markers to the row below - once again the centre 10 sts.

Row 10 : hdc in the 1st st ;

& each hdc till the marked hdc ;

fsc 10 OR ch 10, sk next 10 sts of the bow ;

hdc in the each hdc till the end. Turn

Row 11 : hdc in the 1st st ;

& hdc in each st till the end. Turn

Rep Rows 9 to 11 two times (2 bow patterns) OR till you get the length you need for your top

You will notice that the back end has become a straight edge.

Part 2 : Finishing and neatening edges

Before you fasten off the yarn, lets work a few rows of sc (say 2) along the flat straight edge.

In the final row, work a few holes.

So work (1 sc ; ch 1, sk next st ; sc in the next 5 sts) ; rep (to) till end. Turn

Next row : sc in each st and ch-sp till end.

Fasten off and weave in ends.

Rep this finishing along the other edge as well.

Before you fasten off the yarn, run a round of sc all along the bottom, sides and top of the bustier for a neat finish.

When you reach the top edge(s), work a chain length of about 15" ; then sl-st all the way back till you reach the same spot you started out from (one neck tie completed) ; continue along the top edge of the bustier till you reach the next corner and work the 2nd tie ; then continue on down the sides till you reach the st you started at.

Part 3 : Making the tie for back

I'd suggest that you need a tie of about 20" - 25".

Easiest I-cord : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e_AQ9m0QeZI

You can either use the easiest I-cord pattern OR work a fsc chain for the length you need OR work a length of chain and work sl-st all the way back.

Choose what works for you.

Once you have finished the tie, lace it into the holes you've made like you lace your shoes.

Isn't this a really lovely pattern for a bustier ?

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

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

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

https://shyamanivas.blogspot.com/2022/03/all-diamonds-top.html