Sweet Nothings Crochet: RHOMBUS BUSTIER or CROP TOP

RHOMBUS CROP TOP

A pretty simple top worked side to side as a diamond or rhombus. It has rows or lines that run from the top to the bottom and looks pretty awesome.

I love it when a pattern looks complicated but has a pretty easy construction..don't you?

With all my patterns, you need to think just a wee bit - but that also allows you to be creative and to use this to make my patterns to any size, using any yarn and a suitable hook.

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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 : 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

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.

This pattern has an unusual construction. We work a diamond or rhombus pattern starting one one side (under armhole) and then working from the top to bottom of our crop top, increasing the width one row at a time till we reach the other side (under armhole)

The beauty of this pattern is hat you can work this with any stitch - sc / hdc or dc, depending on the thickness of your yarn and how quickly you want to finish it 😆

My yarn is quite thick and I am working with a 4.5 mm crochet hook.

and here's a cracker : This meant that I increased at the start and end of every row till the middle and then worked 3rows without increase in the middle.

I then reduced at the start and end of every row till I had 5sts.

However, I found that with a slimmer yarn and hook, we need to increase every alternate or other row & decrease every alternate row as well

So how did you fare? What yarn did you use and which pattern worked for you.

Magic circle : https://youtu.be/ISC39yOqWro

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.

I hope ou read what I said about yarn thickness just above here before you start

Start Row 1 : with a magic circle and work 5 hdc in it. Turn

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

2 hdc in the last hdc. Turn.

Row 3 : hdc in the 1st st and in each hdc till the end. Turn.

Rep Rows 2 & 3 till you get the length you want for your top. (which is the halfway point for the bustier)

Remember that the 'length' is just for that centre portion, as we're working a diamond or rhombus.

Once we get the length you want, we will immediately start decreasing on both ends of our work, till we're back with 5 stitches

We are definitely not on Row 4, but for convenience let's call it Row 4 (as all rows before this just followed the Rows 2 & 3 pattern)

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 4 : hdc 2-tog over the 1st 2 hdc ;

hdc in each hdc till the last 2 hdc ;

hdc 2-tog over the last 2 hdc. Turn.

Row 5 : hdc in the 1st st and in each hdc till the end. Turn.

Rep Rows 4 & 5 till you have just 5 sts left

Double crochet 5-tog as a decrease stitch : dc 5-tog : Here is an easy video tutorial for working a dc 5-tog over 5 sts at https://youtu.be/Dh2viux_fBA

Above is a video for dc 5-tog. This is the same principle for hdc 5-tog but we work a hdc st instead of a dc

Last Row : hdc 5-tog over the all 5 hdc.

Before you fasten off, let's work a long tie for the back

Part 2 : Making the tie

I'd suggest that you need a tie of about 14" - 15" per side (i.e. we need two ties for the neck and two ties for the sides)

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.

So let's work around the bustier and neaten the edges.

Work 1 sc in each st all around.
It does not matter how many sts you work - as long as it's even and stays flat.

I suggest you make a note of the number of stitches, so you can mirror it on the other side.

When you reach the top of the bustier, you need to work 2 straps from the same point.

So work one long 14" - 15" length that goes over the right shoulder ; then come all the way (sl-st) back to the same centre stitch and work another long 14"-15" length that goes over the left shoulder.

Once again you will return with sl-st all the ay back to that 1st st.

Continue down the left side of the bustier till you reach the side point (mirroring the same place you have the right tie) - and work the 4th and last tie for the back of the body (again 14"-15" in length

When you come back to the starting point (from where you started the tie), we have that last bottom bit to finish off with sc.

Remember to place 3 sc in that centre st. When you reach the right hand side corner, fasten off and weave in ends.

If working the easiest I-cord : Make the cords and keep them ready. Then work the sc to neaten the edges all around and then attach the i-cords neatly in the four places as given above.

Isn't this the coolest and simplest pattern for a bustier yet?

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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/well-tied-crop-top.html

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

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