How to crochet a top for beginners

Make a New Cancun Crochet Top which is very easy pattern for beginners. The texture is amazing and with just one strap you can change the look of your top in many different ways. The options are endless! Scroll down for my free pattern and step by step video tutorial.

About this New Cancun Crochet Top

This top is worked flat; from one side to the other. It’s a very simple 2-row repeat and features the hdc stitch and front post hdc. The strap is made with a special variation of the single crochet stitch. A great pattern for beginners!

Other free patterns

• 
  Tri Tra Triangle Shawl
• 
  Blocked Puff St Shawl
• 
  Puff Stitch Pocket Shawl

New Cancun Crochet Top

Materials:
– Katia New Cancun color 93 (Weight 2/light, 273yds/3.5oz, 250m/100g)
2 (2, 3, 3, 4, 4, 5, 6, 6) balls
or 145 (185, 225, 270, 320, 370, 440, 535, 600) grams of similar yarn
– 4.5mm crochet hook
– Darning needle
– Scissors
– Stitch marker

Abbreviations:
ch: chain
sc: single crochet
hdc: half double crochet
fphdc: front post half double crochet

Gauge:
17 dc x 17 rows = 4 x 4” / 10 x 10 cm

Measurements:

Size XS (S, M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL, 4XL, 5XL)
Fits bust: 30 (34, 38, 42, 46, 50, 54, 58, 62)”
Width: 10 (12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26)”
Length: 8.5 (9, 9.5, 10, 10.5, 11, 12, 13, 13.5)”

The measurements mentioned above are standard sizes. This top can easily be adjusted to make the perfect size for your body/bust.

For reference, model is 1.63m/5’4″ tall with a 34” bust wearing the top in size S.

Notes:
– This pattern is written in US terms
– This top is worked flat and in one piece: it’s a big rectangle folded in half with ends joined together on the back.
– If you want to change the length, add or remove chains/stitches.
– If you want to change the width, just work more or fewer rows.
– Keep in mind that this yarn is very stretchy
– Turning chains do not count as a stitch
– Pattern contains instructions for sizes XS, S, M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL, 4XL, 5XL. Directions for sizes are in parentheses such as “chain 38 (40, 42, 44, 46, 48, 52, 57, 59) whereas ch 38 stands for size XS, 40 for S, 42 for M, 44 for L, 46 for XL, 48 for 2XL, 52 for 3XL, 57 for 4XL, 59 for 5XL. When only one number is given, it applies to all sizes. To follow the pattern more easily, circle all numbers pertaining to your size before beginning.

Video tutorial

To make it easier, I’ve made a video tutorial showing you how to make this New Cancun Crochet Top. You can find my free written pattern below.

* Click here to watch the video on YouTube

Pattern

With hook size 4.5mm:

Ch 38 (40, 42, 44, 46, 48, 52, 57, 59)

Row 1
1 hdc in 3rd ch from hook and each ch across, turn <36 (38, 40, 42, 44, 46, 50, 55, 57) hdc>

Length should measure 8.5 (9, 9.5, 10, 10.5, 11, 12, 13, 13.5)”

Row 2
ch 2, 1 fphdc in each st across, turn <36 (38, 40, 42, 44, 46, 50, 55, 57) hdc>

Repeat row 2 until row 102 (122, 142, 164, 184, 204, 224, 246, 266) or until panel measures 20 (24, 28, 32, 36, 40, 44, 48, 52)”

Photo tutorial

1. chains
2. row 1
3. row 2

4. row 3
5. row 4
6. a few more rows

Assembly

Fold your panel in half and slip stitch the ends together.

Try on your top and use stitch markers to mark the place where you want to add straps. I placed mine 3” from the outside.

Straps

I highly recommend watching my video tutorial here.

Step 1
ch 2

Step 2
1 sc in 2nd ch from hook <1 sc>

Step 3
turn your work clockwise

Step 4
1 sc in the loops under the ‘v’

Step 5
repeat step 3 & 4 until your strap measures 50″

Add the straps to your top with a darning needle.

Fasten off , weave in all ends.

Photo tutorial

7. step 1
8. step 2
9. step 3

10. step 4
11. texture of the strap
12. 50″ strap

Share a picture!

I would love to see a picture! Please tag me @crochethingmom on Instagram and add this pattern to your Ravelry queue.

If you have any questions about one of my crochet patterns, feel free to join our Facebook Group. We’ve created this group for you to share pictures, ask questions and to help each other out.

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