Embrace the carefree spirit with this simply constructed short-sleeve top designed for those easy-breezy days. Highly adaptable, its stripes can showcase a myriad of colors, incorporating leftover yarn from your stash. The occasional lines of filet crochet introduce an extra layer of texture and intrigue to the pattern.

Time: A couple of weeks

Skill level: Intermediate

Sizes written as XS (S, M, L, XL): Finished bust size 36 (40, 44, 48, 52)” to fit bust 32 (36, 40, 44, 48)”

2-4“ positive ease recommended on the bust. Waist will have 0-2” positive ease.

Shown in size 36”

Gauge: 17 sts and 20 rows = 4″ [10 cm] in moss st and 36 sts and 27 rows = 8” [20 cm] in FPhdc/BPhdc

Materials

Yarn: Hoooked soft cotton dk (80% recycled cotton, 20% other recycled fibers; 92.96 yards [85 meters] / 1.76 ounces [50 grams]): SC47 Sevilla Peach (CC1, 1 ball), SC43 Cairo Caramel (CC2, 1 ball), SC33 California Sand (CC3, 2 balls) SC53 Sienna Ocre (CC4 2 balls)

Hoooked Eco Barbante Milano (85% recycled cotton, 15% other recycled fibers; 223.09 yards [204 meters] / 7.05 ounces [200 grams]): R700 Apricot (CC5, 1 ball), R710 Brick (CC6, 1 ball), R310 Taupe (CC7, 1 (1, 1, 2, 2) balls)

Hook: US size 7/4.5 mm

Notions: Markers, tapestry needle

Pattern notes

This pattern is worked in rows side to side. Pattern is worked in two rectangular pieces then assembled. The waist ribbing is then added.

When changing color, do not fasten and instead carry the yarn up the side. This may mean using more than one ball at a time.

The starting chains count as a ch-sp.

To adapt the design for more sizes, pick the size closest, and add/remove 4-5 rows to each of the two rectangles for every 4 inches you wish to increase the bust size by.

Pattern is written for size XS with larger sizes in parentheses as (S, M, L, XL).  When only 1 number is written, it applies to all sizes.

Pattern

Main body. (Make 2)

The starting chains count as a ch-sp.

Change color at the end of each row following the pattern, CC1, CC2, CC3, CC4, CC5, CC3, CC6, CC7, CC4.

Row 1: With CC1, 121 fsc. (121)

Check that the row of fsc reaches from under your bust, over your shoulder, and down your back so it’s level with the front. If you need to adjust it for your height, make sure to crochet an odd number of sts.

Row 2: With CC2, ch 2 (does count as a st here and throughout), turn, 1 sc in first st, *1 ch, sk next st, 1 sc; rep from * to end. (122)

Row 3: With CC3, ch 2, turn, 1 sc in first ch-sp, *1 ch, sk next st, 1 sc in ch-sp; rep from * ending with 1 sc in beg ch-sp.

Row 4: Rep row 3.

Row 5: With CC5, ch 3, turn, 1 dc, *1 ch, sk next st, 1 dc; rep from * to end.

Row 6-10: Rep row 3.

Row 11: With CC2, rep row 5.

Row 12-16: Rep row 3.

Row 17: With CC7, rep row 5.

Row 18-24: Rep row 3.

Row 25: With CC6, rep row 5.

Row 26-30: Rep row 3.

Row 31: With CC4, rep row 5.

Row 32-35: Rep row 3.

S, M, L and XL only.

Row 36: Rep row 3.

Row 37: With CC1, rep row 5.

Row 38-39: Rep row 3.

M, L and XL only.

Row 40-41: Rep row 3.

Row 42: With CC3, rep row 5.

Row 43: Rep row 3.

L and XL only.

Row 44-48: Rep row 3.

XL only.

Row 49: With CC4, rep row 5.

Row 50-52: Rep row 3.

Fasten off.

Block the two rectangles so they measure 31” long. The width should match a quarter of the finished bust size.

Put together the fsc row of each rectangle and stitch together from each end by 7”. If you want a deeper or shallower v neck, either decrease or increase the number of stitches.

Put together the two ends of the final row of one of the rectangles and sew together by 5” to create the armhole. Repeat on the other side.

Join CC7 anywhere along the bottom edge. When crocheting the first rnd encase the colour changes at the end of the rows. Count 1 sc for every sc row and 2 sc for every dc row. Starting chains do not count as a st.

Rnd 1(RS): Ch 1, *3 sc, sc2tog; rep from * around. (128 (144, 160, 176, 192) sts)

Rnd 2: Ch 1, *2 sc, sc2tog; rep from * around. (96 (108, 120, 132, 144) sts)

Rnd 3-14: Ch 2, * 1 FPhdc, 1 BPhdc; rep from * around, sl st to beg ch.

Fasten off CC7.

Rnd 15-17: With CC6, rep row 3.

Fasten off.