Crochet Summer Crop Top

Instructions

Tap a section when you finish it.

1. 1Body strip (side to side)Ch 44 (45, 47, 48). Row 1: hdc in 3rd ch from hook and in each ch across. (42 (43, 45, 46) hdc; this is the height of the body) Row 2: ch 2 (does not count), turn, hdc blo in each st. Repeat row 2 for 96 (108, 120, 132) rows in total; the unstretched strip measures 80 (90, 100, 110) cm. Fasten off leaving a long tail.
2. 2Joining into a tubeBring the strip into a ring and join the last row to the foundation chain with sl sts on the wrong side or by sewing. This seam sits at the center back. Place a marker exactly opposite the seam (center front).
3. 3Top edgeJoin at the center back seam and work 1 sc in each row-end along the top edge. (96 (108, 120, 132) sc) Join with a sl st. Count 24 (27, 30, 33) sts on each side of the center front marker and place markers at both ends of the front section; the front section has 48 (54, 60, 66) sc.
4. 4Raised frontWork in rows over the 48 (54, 60, 66) front sts only. Row 1: ch 1, turn, sc2tog, sc to last 2 sts, sc2tog. (46 (52, 58, 64) sc) Work row 1 a total of 6 (6, 7, 7) times. (36 (42, 46, 52) sc) Do not fasten off.
5. 5StrapsAt the end of the last raised-front row, ch 45 (47, 49, 51) (about 40-44 cm). Attach with a sl st to the back top edge 8 (9, 10, 11) sts to the side of the center back seam, then work back along the chain with 1 sc in each ch and sl st to the front corner. Join the yarn to the other front corner and make the second strap the same way, attached on the other side of the seam. Try the top on before attaching and adjust the chain count.
6. 6EdgingJoin at the center back and work 1 round of sc along the whole top edge (back edge, sides and top of the raised front), catching the strap stitches as you pass them to reinforce them.
7. 7Shell hemJoin to the bottom edge. Round 1: 1 sc in each row-end. (96 (108, 120, 132) sc) Round 2: ch 1, sc in first st, *skip 2 sts, 5 dc in next st, skip 2 sts, sc in next st* around; on the last repeat, replace the final sc with a sl st into the first sc. (16 (18, 20, 22) shells)
8. 8FinishingWeave in the ends. Wash the top, shape it and dry flat; don't let the straps hang while drying, as cotton stretches when wet.