You may remember that some time ago, back at the start of lockdown, I unravelled this cardigan. It was definitely a lockdown project, something that I'd been meaning to do for a long time but never got round to. It was a lovely cardigan but never worn, and so a waste of yarn.
I thought that the most useful thing I could make at this time of year was a t-shirt or top, so I started my search at Ravelry because you can filter their results by yarn weight, among many other things. I eventually narrowed it down to a few and settled on this pattern because it used the Aran weight yarn I had and was the kind of boxy fit I like in a top. There was something really liberating about re-using balls of yarn for this project, like it didn't matter if I didn't like it, I hadn't already committed to buying £30 of yarn especially for something.
It's a very simple make - you could definitely make this top if you felt you were a beginner crocheter. You make two squares with a pattern that is mostly trebles with chain spaces to creates the gaps, joining them on the shoulders and side seams. Then you sew a couple more rows of trebles around each arm hole to create small sleeves.
I decided that I wanted the top a little longer than the design intended so I added a few rows of front and back post treble around the hem to add a little length. The pattern is crocheted side to side, so you can adjust the width during making but not the length.
I like the way the ribbing gathers the crochet in a little at the bottom, making is puff out around the top of the hem.
If I make another - which I almost certainly will - I think I would increase the starting chain so that the whole top is a little longer all round, which would save me making this waistband. I had a look on the designer's Etsy page and found this version of the pattern, where the rows are rotated by 90° and I like that too. This is probably the quickest garment I've ever crocheted, taking only a week or so. I used a 5mm hook and the yarn was Shiny Happy Cotton by Wool and the Gang. The colour I have is called "nude pink" but looking at their website I don't think they do that any more - "malibu" would be your closest.
It's a very simple make - you could definitely make this top if you felt you were a beginner crocheter. You make two squares with a pattern that is mostly trebles with chain spaces to creates the gaps, joining them on the shoulders and side seams. Then you sew a couple more rows of trebles around each arm hole to create small sleeves.
I decided that I wanted the top a little longer than the design intended so I added a few rows of front and back post treble around the hem to add a little length. The pattern is crocheted side to side, so you can adjust the width during making but not the length.
I like the way the ribbing gathers the crochet in a little at the bottom, making is puff out around the top of the hem.
If I make another - which I almost certainly will - I think I would increase the starting chain so that the whole top is a little longer all round, which would save me making this waistband. I had a look on the designer's Etsy page and found this version of the pattern, where the rows are rotated by 90° and I like that too. This is probably the quickest garment I've ever crocheted, taking only a week or so. I used a 5mm hook and the yarn was Shiny Happy Cotton by Wool and the Gang. The colour I have is called "nude pink" but looking at their website I don't think they do that any more - "malibu" would be your closest.
The cardigan Is so pretty on you, Gillian. I just love the color!
ReplyDeleteThis shirt is very sweet and looks very nice on you,greetings
ReplyDeleteThat is a keeper. I love it. I must say, I have made two kits from wool and the gang when they sponsored me and I wore both of them a few times but they didn't actually stand the test of time, everything was a bit baggy and shapeless. I think this top certainly will though.
ReplyDeletethat looks really lovely x
ReplyDeleteit's all Greek to me! I can't crochet, but it's a lovely result and how satisfying to have recycled all that wool.
ReplyDeleteWell done, you! Such a lovely top,and I like the fact that if you layer it, you'd get little peeks of colour through! I like your waste not, want not thinking too x Thank you for sharing x
ReplyDeleteThat is gorgeous and that shade of pink really suits you. I have to say I prefer the little top to the cardigan, it's a style that is just so 'you'.
ReplyDeleteWhat a quick job to do too!!
Your top is lovely and so are you! Your needlework is so neat and precise.
ReplyDeleteIt suits you, the bottom row is a clever extension. Like it a lot. I think your length and my small size makes the fit different. I am starting to look like my gran more every day. She was as high as wide, I do hope I don't end that way XD All the models are small fragile women you probably could put on a sack and it would look fine. Us not so well ;>D
ReplyDeleteI love it! I personally think the ribbed bottom makes the piece! Like you said, I love the way it makes the bottom billowy. Well done!!
ReplyDeleteI like the colour the ribbed bottom and above all the slimming effect! Well done.
ReplyDeleteA very pretty top and a perfect colour. Great that you were able to reuse something you didn't wear into something you will. I am still a newby to crochet but I just might look at this pattern for a later date x
ReplyDelete