Crochet Island in the Sun Top

This pattern came about so quickly, and how easy it became a reality to what I envisioned, means it was just meant to be!

Using worsted weight in crochet so that it works up quick, but having a fabric that is suitable for summer seams to be an oxymoron. However, with this Island in the Sun top both are combined to create a lightweight top perfect for summer.

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The pattern consists of chains and single crochets, with one tricky stitch (a double treble crochet!) at the end of one of the rows for the pattern repeat. If you can make a double crochet – you can make this top! With written instructions, a chart down below, and a YouTube tutorial for guidance; you can be on an island in the sun wearing this top in no time.

The pattern is two rectangles that are strategically sewn to create a boat neck and arm openings. There are minimum finish details to keep the lattice like pattern the main emphasis of the garment. To keep the bottom from flaring out at my hips, I ran an elastic thread through the edge single crochet to help pull it towards the body.

Now the hard part, not wearing it every day this summer! This looks great over a black tee, a tank, and even a dress. If I go to the beach with my family, it most likely will be over my swim top with some shorts!

Let me know all the fun places in the sun you wear your Island in the Sun top.

Other crochet patterns by City Farmhouse Studio:

Crochet Island in the Sun Top
by City Farmhouse Studio

Get the printable PDF version of the pattern (without ads) HERE
Add it to your Ravelry queue HERE

I Love This Yarn – 7 oz/199g – 355 yd/325m – 100% Acrylic – Category 4 Medium – 9 WPI – (2, 2, 2, 2) [3, 3, 3, 3] skeins

(yarn alternatives: Caron Simply Soft, Mary Maxim Aran Irish Twist, Premier Yarns Premier Basix Tweed)

Hook H – 8 (5 mm)
Tapestry Needle
Elastic Thread – optional

Size:  (S, M, L, XL) [2X, 3X, 4X, 5X]
Garment Bust Diameter:  (36.5, 42.5, 48.5, 48.5) [54.5, 60.5, 66.5, 66.5] inches

Gauge 4” x 4” = 16 sts x 11 rows of diamond pattern.  One diamond repeat is 3” x 3”

A YouTube tutorial video showing the sts and each step of the construction can be found at:  https://youtu.be/LDKBc7aNqaw

A Youtube tutorial of how to make a zipper join for the shoulder seam can be found at:  https://youtu.be/7Z6vPKcx2lY

Glossary
Ch – Chain
Dtr – double treble crochet
Sc – single crochet
St – stitch
Sts – stitches

Body Panel:
Ch (74, 86, 98, 98) [110, 122, 134, 134].

Row 1:  Starting in second ch from hook, sc in each st.

Row 2:  Ch 1 and turn.  Make 4 scs.  *Ch 7, skip 5 sts, make 7 sc sts.*  Repeat from * to * ending with 4 sc sts.  This row sets up the (6, 7, 8, 8) [9, 10, 11, 11] complete diamond motif repeats.

Row 3:  Ch 1 and turn.   Make 3 sc sts.  *Skip 1 sc.  Ch 5, sc once in the ch 7 section of the row below.  Ch 5,  sk one sc, make 5 sc sts.*  Repeat from * to * ending with 3 sc sts.

Row 4:  Ch 1 and turn.   Make 2 sc sts.  *Skip 1 sc.  Ch 5, sc once in the ch 5 section of the row below, sc in sc, sc once in the ch 5 section of the row below.  Ch 5,  sk one sc, make 3 sc sts.*  Repeat from * to * ending with 2 sc sts.

Row 5:  Ch 1 and turn.   Make 1 sc sts.  *Skip 1 sc.  Ch 5, sc once in the ch 5 section of the row below, sc in each sc, sc once in the ch 5 section of the row below.  Ch 5,  sk one sc, make 1 sc sts.*  Repeat from * to * ending with 1 sc.

Row 6:  Ch 7 and turn.  *Sc once in the ch 5 section of the row below, sc in each sc, sc once in the ch 5 section of the row below.  Ch 7.*  Repeat from * to * ending with a ch 3 and a dtr.

Row 7:  Ch 1 and turn.  Sc in dtr or row below.  Skip ch 3.  *Ch 5, skip on sc, sc 5 times, skip one sc.  Ch 5.  Sc once in ch 7 section of row below.*  Repeat from * to * ending with a sc around the turning ch.

Row 8:  Ch 1 and turn.  *Sc in sc.  Sc once in the ch 5 section of the row below.  Ch 5.  Skip 1 sc, make 3 sc sts, skip one sc.  Ch 5.  Sc once in the ch 5 section of the row below. *  Repeat from * to * ending with a sc in the last sc.

Row 9:   Ch 1 and turn.  *Sc in each sc.  Sc once in the ch 5 section of the row below.  Ch 5.  Skip 1 sc, make 1 sc, skip one sc.  Ch 5.  Sc once in the ch 5 section of the row below. *  Repeat from * to * ending with a sc in each of the remaining scs.

Row 10:  Ch 1 and turn.  *Sc in each sc.  Sc once in the ch 5 section of the row below.  Ch 7.   Skip ch section and sc of row below.  Sc once in the ch 5 section of the row below. *  Repeat from * to * ending with a sc in each of the remaining scs.

Repeat Row 3-10 for a total of (7, 7, 7, 7.5) [7.5, 7.5, 7.5, 7.5] repeats have been completed.  For a full repeat end after a row 10.  For a half of a repeat end after a row 6.  Do not bind off.

With another skein repeat body panel to make a second.  Do not bind off.

With both body panels held together, ending stitches at opposite side of garment, crochet zipper join (4.25, 5.5, 7, 7) [8.5, 10, 11.5, 11.5] inches of each shoulder together, leaving 10” for the neck opening.  If size made ended with a half repeat, have 3 of the chains count for the top and 4 for the side.  Do not bind off.  Note – a Youtube tutorial of the zipper join can be found at https://youtu.be/7Z6vPKcx2lY.

Once both shoulders are joined, sc around one side of neckline.  Bind off.

With a slip knot on hook, and starting at one bottom edge of the body panel, zipper join the two sides of the panel together up (11.75, 11.25, 10.75, 11.5) [10.5, 9.75, 9.25, 8.75] inches, leaving (8.5, 9, 9.5, 10.25) [11.25, 12, 12.5, 13] inches for arm opening.  Sc evenly around arm opening.  Bind off.

Repeat for other side and arm opening.

Weave in all ends and block.

If you would like the bottom of the top to pull in more, cut a length of elastic thread longer than the what you need to go around the bottom of your sweater.  With a tapestry needle, run the thread in the center of the bottom sc sts.  Adjust the amount of thread used to go around to desired circumference.  Tie it off and weave in ends.