Crochet to Go

It was love at first sight when I spotted Fia Lotta Jansson's top tutorial (thanks Craft Mag for the link). Fashion-forward, crocheted, obviously fairly simple...a perfect weekend project. The tutorial isn't actually that helpful, though - she repurposed "lace trim" for the crochet portion. It also doesn't address how the strapless top stays up, or how you get it on. For all of you crafters out there, here's a complete pattern.

Crocheted top:
Starting chain: multiple of 10 sts + 2
(Mine was 172 chs using a 3.5mm hook and baby weight yarn. Make a chain and wrap it around under your arms to determine your chain length - it should be an inch or two longer than your actual measurement. )

Row 1: Work 1 sc into 2nd ch from hook, 1 sc into each ch to end, turn.

Row 2: Ch 3 (counts as 1 dc), ship 1 sc, 1 dc into each of next 3 sc, *ch 3, skip 3 sc, 1 dc into each of next 7 sc; rep from * to end, omitting 3 dc at end of last rep, turn.

Row 3: Ch 1, 1 sc into each of 1st 4 dc, 3 sc into next 3-ch-sp, *1 sc into each of next 7 dc, 3 sc into next 3-ch-sp; rep from * to last 4 dc, 1 sc into each of next 3 dc, 1 sc into 3rd st of ch 3 at beginning of previous row, turn.

Row 4: Ch 1, sc into 1st sc, skip 2 sc, 1 sc into next sc, ch 6, skip 3 sc, 1 sc into next sc, * ch 5, skip 5 sc, 1 sc into next sc, ch 6, skip 3 sc, 1 sc into next sc; rep from * to last 3 sc, ch 2, 1 scinto last sc, turn.

Row 5: Ch 1, sc into 1st sc, 12 dc into 6ch arch, * 1 sc over next 5 ch sp into center st below (from row 3), 12 dc into next 6ch arch; rep from * to last ch 2 sp, 1 sc into last sc, pause.

Take a break and wrap the piece around you again. Work several rows of single crochet along the short edge (as many as you need for a comfortable fit), ending with a button hole. Use pins to mark where shoulder straps should be placed. Turn.

Row 6: Sc across entire top. At marked shoulder strap locations, work 6 sc up first half of arch, ch 75, sc back down ch, and continue working sc along your path. Fasten off. Sew button at opposite end of button hole.

Be sure to not sew your button hole tab to the tshirt portion to allow a little extra wiggle room when putting this on. Knot your shoulder straps. You're done!