The Summer Roses Cross Stitch Top merges a straightforward crochet mesh fabric with striking large-scale cross stitch embroidery, resulting in a stunning and distinctive design. Following the completion of the top, the same cotton yarn is employed to meticulously cross stitch three floral motifs, and enhanced with delicate beads. Alternatively, you have the option to personalize the embroidery using embroidery thread, allowing for customized colors or the selection of unique motifs. This versatile approach ensures each piece is uniquely tailored to reflect personal style and creativity.

Time: 45-50 hrs

Skill Level: Intermediate

Sizes: 36 (38, 41.5, 44) (47, 50, 53)” finished garment chest circumference, intended

with 0-2” of positive ease.

Gauge: 24 sts x 22 rows = 4 x 4” in hdc mesh pattern, with US D (3.25 mm) hook

Materials

Yarn: Brown Sheep Cotton Fine, (80% Cotton / 20% Merino Wool, 215 yards [197 meters] / 1 hank): MC Cotton Ball, 6 (6, 7, 7) (8, 8, 9) skeins; CC1 October Leaf, CC2 Papaya, CC3 Apricot Nectar, CC4 Celery Leaves, CC5 Lentil, 1 skein each.

Hooks: US D (3.25 mm) hook.

Notions: Tapestry needle, tape measure, scissors, approximately 6 g of glass beads, 100% nylon thread, sewing needle.

Stitch Pattern

Hdc Mesh Patt (multiple of 2 sts):

Rnd 1: Ch 1, sc in first st, and each st around.

Rnd 2: Ch 3, * sk 1 st, hdc in next st, ch 1; Rep from * around, sl st to 2nd ch of ch-3.

Rep Rnds 1-2 for Patt.

Pattern Notes

The top is worked seamlessly, top down, with raglan increases. After separation, the body and sleeves continued in the round in hdc mesh pattern. Lace edging is worked around cuffs and hem. Cross stitch embroidery and beading is added to the finished top.

Ch 3 counts as hdc and ch-1 sp at the beg of Rnd 2 reps.

Pattern

Yoke

Ch 128 (130, 134, 136) (138, 140, 144), sl st to first ch, being careful not to twist sts.

Work 2 Rnds of Hdc Filet Crochet Patt. (64 (65, 67, 68) (69, 70, 72) ch-1 sps)

Set up for Raglan increases as follows:

Place M in 10 (10, 11, 11) (11, 11, 12)th ch-1 sp; 22 (22, 23, 23) (23, 23, 24)th ch-1 sp; 42 (43, 44, 45) (46, 47, 48)th ch-1 sp, 54 (55, 56, 57) (58, 59, 60)th ch-1 sp.

Began working Raglan Inc as follows:

Raglan Rnd 1: Ch 1, *work in Patt to M, remove M, (sc, ch 1, sc) in ch-1 sp, place M in ch-1 sp; rep from * another 3 times, sc in each st to end, sl st to top of first sc. 4 ch-1 sps Inc’d.

Raglan Rnd 2: Ch 3, *work in Patt to M, remove M, (hdc, ch 1, hdc) in ch-1 sp, place M in ch-1; rep from * another 3 times, work in Patt around, sl st to 2nd ch of ch-3. 4 ch-1 sps Inc’d.

Rep Raglan Rnds 1-2 another 15 (16, 18, 20) (22, 24, 26) times.

(120 (128, 144, 160) (176, 192, 208) sts Inc’d for a total of 192 (201, 219, 236) (253, 270, 288) ch-1 sps)

Rep Raglan Rnd 1 once more. (4 ch-1 sps Inc’d. 196 (205, 223, 240) (257, 274, 292) ch-1 sps.

53 (55, 61, 65) (69, 73, 79) Back ch-1 sps, 45 (47, 51, 55) (57, 63, 67) ch-1 sps for each Sleeve, 53 (56, 60, 65) (70, 75, 79) Front ch-1 sps)

Divide for Body and Sleeves

Setup Rnd (Patt Rnd 2): Ch 3, *work in Patt to M, remove M, hdc in ch-1 sp, ch 2 (4, 4, 2) (2, 2, 2), sk to next M, remove M, hdc in ch-1 sp; rep from * once more, work in Patt to end of Rnd, sl st to first sc. (216 (230, 250, 264) (282, 300, 320) Body sts)

Next Rnd (Patt Rnd 1): Ch 1, sc in first st, and each st around.

Next Rnd (Patt Rnd 2): Ch 3, * sk 1 st, hdc in next st, ch 1; Rep from * around, sl st to 2nd ch of ch-3. (108 (115, 125, 132) (141, 150, 160) Body ch-1 sps)

Continue working in Hdc Mesh Patt until body measures 11 (11, 11.5, 12) (12, 12.5, 13)” from underarm, ending with Rnd 1 of Patt Rep.

Edging

Rnd 1: Ch 1, sc in first sc, *ch 3, sk 3 sc, sc in next sc; rep from * around, sl st to first sc.

Rnd 2: Ch 2, (dc2tog, ch 3, dc3tog) in same sc, * sk ch-3 sp, (dc3tog, ch 3, dc3tog) in next sc; rep from * around, sl st to top of dc2tog.

Rnd 3: Sl st to middle of first ch-3 sp, ch 1, sc in same ch-3 sp, *ch 4, sc in next ch-3 sp; rep from * around, sl st to first sc.

Rnd 4: Ch 1, *5 sc in ch-4 sp; rep from * around, sl st to first sc.

Fasten off.

Sleeves

With RS facing, join yarn at the middle of underarm, directly above a hdc.

Resume working in Hdc Mesh Patt starting with Rnd 2 of Patt Rep. (46 (49, 53, 56) (58, 64, 68) Sleeve ch-1 sps)

Work even in Hdc Mesh Patt until sleeve measures 11” from underarm.

Work edging as for Body edging. Fasten off.

Rep for second sleeve.

Finishing

Weave in the ends. Using 4 strands of yarn held together, embroider cross-stitch flower motifs following Chart 1 (lower right), Chart 2 (upper left), and Chart 3 (shoulder). You will be using each square space in the mesh fabric, as one square of the cross-stitch chart, embroidering into the corners of each square (sc rows of the mesh pattern).

Sew glass beads over CC3, following chart, using 100% nylon thread and sewing needle.