This top-down, sleeveless top is crocheted in the round and features a delicate lace pattern on the top half of the shirt. Available in six sizes, this top is sure to be your go-to top for a patio dinner or a movie date with friends.

Skill Level: Easy

Size: Finished Bust Size 33 (37, 41, 46, 52, 57)”; 2 to 4” positive ease recommended; Shown in size 37”

Gauge: 18 dcs and 2 rows = 4” [10 cm] after wet blocking

Materials

Yarn:

 Silkindian Resham 3-ply (100% silk; 400 yards [366 meters]/100 grams): Fuchsia (3 (3, 4, 4, 5, 5) skeins)

Hook: US size 7 (4.5 mm) hook

Notions: Removable markers, tapestry needle

Pattern Notes

This pattern is worked top down from the shoulders. The lace for the back yoke is worked first. Stitches are worked from the other side of the beginning chain for the front yoke. The two pieces are then joined to work the body in the round with waist shaping.

Pattern

Back Yoke

Ch 81 (89, 97, 105, 121, 129).
Set-Up Row: Dc in 4th chain from hook, sk next ch, (dc, ch 2, dc) in next ch (V-st made), *sk next 3 ch, V-st in next ch; rep from * to last 3 sts, sk next ch, dc in last 2 ch, turn.
Row 1 (RS): Ch 3 (beg ch counts as 1st dc throughout), sk 1st dc, dc in next dc, *V-st in next ch-2 sp; rep from * to last ch-2 sp, dc in next dc, dc in top of 1st ch, turn.
Row 2: Ch 3, dc in next dc, * 5 dc in next ch-2 sp, V-st in next ch-2 sp; rep from * until last ch-2 sp remains, 5 dc in last ch-2 sp, dc in next 2 sts, turn.
Row 3: Ch 3, dc in next dc, sk next 2 dcs, V-st in 3rd dc, *V-st in next ch-2 sp, sk next 3 dcs, V-st in 3rd of 5-dc; rep from * to last ch-2 sp, dc in last 2 sts, turn.
Rep Rows 2-3, 5 (5, 5, 6, 6, 6) more times.
Next row: Ch 3, sk 1st dc, dc in next dc, *dc in next dc, 2 dc in ch-2 sp, dc in next dc; rep from * to last 2 sts, sk next dc, dc in top of turning ch, turn.
Work even (ch 3, dc in each st to end) until piece measures 7 ½ (7 ½, 8, 8 ½, 9, 9 ½) “. Break yarn.

Front Yoke

Begin work on the other side of beg ch.
Set-up Row: Ch 1, sc in next 17 (19, 21, 23, 25, 29) sts, sk the next 43 (47, 51, 55, 67, 67) sts, ch 43 (47, 51, 55, 67, 67), sc in rem 18 (20, 22, 24, 26, 30) sts, turn. (79 (87, 95, 103, 119, 127) sts)
Next Row: Ch 3, dc in next st, sk next st, V-st in next st, *sk next 3 ch, V-st in next st; rep from * to last 3 sts, sk next st, dc in each of last 2 sts, turn.
Work same as for Back Yoke beg with Row 1 until both pieces measure the same.

Join to Work in Round

Rnd 1: Ch 3, dc in each dc across Front, PM, dc in each dc across Back, PM, join with sl st to top of beg ch-3. (158 (174, 190, 206, 238, 254) sts)
Note about using markers: 2 markers are used between the Front and Back so that increases and decreases can be made on either sides of the markers. Use removable markers and move up with each round.

Waist Shaping

Dec Rnd: Ch 3, *dc2tog, dc in each dc to 2 sts before marker, dc2tog; rep from * once more, join with sl st to top of beg ch-3. (4 sts dec’d)
Work even (ch 3, dc in each st to end, join with sl st to top of beg ch-3) for 3 (2, 1, 2, 2, 3) rounds.
Rep Dec Rnd every 4 (3, 2, 3, 3, 4) rnds 2 (3, 4, 3, 3, 2) more times. (146 (158, 170, 190, 222, 242) sts)
Work even until piece measures 15 ½ (16, 16 ½, 17, 17 ½, 18)” from beg.
Inc Rnd: Ch 3, dc in same place, dc in each dc to 1 st before marker, 2 dc in next st, sl marker, 2 dc in next st, dc in each dc to 1 st before marker, 2 dc in next st, join with sl st to top of beg ch-3. (4 sts inc’d)
Next Rnd: Work even (ch 3, dc in each st to end, join with sl st to top of beg ch-3).
Rep these 2 rnds 3 (4, 5, 5, 5, 5) more times. (162 (178, 194, 214, 246, 266) sts)
Work even until piece measures 22 (23, 23 ½, 24, 24 ½, 25)”.

Finishing

Weave in ends and block to finished measurements.