Friday 17 November 2017

PINEAPPLE UPSIDE DOWN TOP

free crochet ladies top pattern, free crochet pineapple ladies top pattern
PINEAPPLE UPSIDE DOWN TOP
Welcome back to Sweet Nothings Crochet free blogs.  
I’ve made this very same pattern as a skirt not too long ago.  This is the same pattern, turned upside down – hence the name  ;) ‘)

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And inspired by these photos, here are my pattern notes as I work on my project.



Materials usedToday I’ve used ~ 150 gms of the lovely All Seasons Hobby India acrylic yarn with a 3 mm crochet hook

For Indians : You could use Anchor or Red rose knitting cotton yarns are a good substitute.  I’d also suggest Alize cotton yarn 

For Non-Indians : The other international yarns I’ve used of this thickness are Milford Satin knitting cotton, DMC Petra knitting cotton & Aunt Lydia Bamboo Viscose 10 knitting cottons. 

Skill level : Advanced Skill level

Stitches used :
Starting slip knot : Here’s how you start with a slip knot.  https://youtu.be/lJcqsVcs8cw 

Starting slip knot 1 or the Sloppy Slip knot : This is a neat new way to start your work without a slip knot.  https://youtu.be/YfC7KmGpifs

What is a chain stitch ? Here is an easy video tutorial https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pXx5ukBjKkY

Magic circle : To refresh your skill, please view this easy video https://youtu.be/ISC39yOqWro

Foundation Single Crochet : fsc : To refresh your skill on the fsc, please view this video https://youtu.be/mcT85fwh4mA 

Single Crochet : Sc : yo, insert hk into st ; yo (2 lps on hk); yo, draw through both lps.  One sc made.  Check out the video at https://youtu.be/ghACqBpA-3k

First stitch for Single Crochet : This is how I like to start my row of sc. Check out the video at https://youtu.be/6pVYRfsf4_M

Half Double Crochet : Hdc :  yo, insert hk into st ; yo (3 lps on hk) ; 
yo, draw through all 3 lps.  One hdc made.  
Check out the video at https://youtu.be/sDiELJdB2Dg

Chainless start for Half Double Crochet : I dislike the ch-2 start, and this is what I do to start my row of hdc. Check out the video at https://youtu.be/lWXpl1KdbZ8 

Double Crochet : dc : yo, insert hk into st ; yo (3 lps on hk); [yo, draw through 2 lps] twice.  One dc made.  Check out the video at https://youtu.be/xdnjB27zpYo

Chainless start for Double Crochet : I dislike the ch-2 / ch – 3 start, and this is what I do to start my row of dc.
Check out the video at https://youtu.be/wskv3iTjRx0


Whipstitch to join : Here’s a quick tutorial on how to join using the whipstitch at https://youtu.be/wZ-9LNzftMA

Invisible join : Here’s a quick tutorial on how to join using the embroidery needle and whipstitch to get an invisible join at https://youtu.be/a6XZQ6VzJFM

Single crochet to join : Here’s a quick tutorial on how to join using the single crochet at https://youtu.be/6FXoW_47_dI


Abbreviations used :
lp(s) : Loop(s)                  sc : Single crochet
dc : Double crochet         sp : Space                                           
sl-st : Slip stitch               ch : Chain
st(s) : Stitch(es)               hk : Hook
yo : Yarn Over
                                                           
                                   
Instructions : (Using U.S terminology)
Please note that I start all my rows with a ch 1, turning chain for ease.
Please check the top of this blog for easy video tutorials on all stitches used in today's pattern.
Please read through all my notes before you pick up your hook, so you know just where we're heading in our pattern.
In my patterns I work with the principle of stitch count and body measurement.  This means that you need to work the stitch count in pattern, till you get the measurement (length and/or width) that you need for your project. 

free crochet pineapple pattern top pattern, free crochet ladies top pattern

We start our project from the bottom up – from the base of the top to the shoulders.  So our first start row will be half the round measure of the part of the body you are working with – ie. How long do you want your top? IF you want it till the waist, then you will start with half round waist measure.  
Remember that you need to check both the half chest / bust measure and waist measure and use the larger half round measure.  Also keep the stretch of your yarn as well as the tension (tightness / looseness) of your crochet work in mind when working with tops. 

Our pattern is a direct copy of the skirt – it’s just worked upside down.  This means that the top of the skirt (around waist) is the bottom of our top (also around waist!).

So you are working the exact same pattern, just that you are working it UP to the shoulders, while the skirt was worked DOWN to the knees. 
Great 2-in-1 pattern, right?

One other thing that I’d like to mention before you can whizz off to get the pattern.  The pattern has a fixed start fdc count of 76.  Look at the pattern. It has a centre pineapple section and sides that are plain.. So here’s where you need to work in calculations and work a small swatch to check your gauge and see how many stitches give you how many inches for the plain section of the pattern.

The centre pineapple bit is 30 sts, and the plain sides are the balance 46 (so 23 on each side).  The centre 30 sts stays the same, and that will be worked in pattern.  You can add to the side 23 sts in case you need to.

So here’s what you will need to do.  You will need to work a gauge swatch with your yarn and see if you get the gauge given.  The pattern has been worked for a 27-29” waist.  In case you get gauge, then you will get a 27-29” waist ; and that’s how you will calculate how much you need to add to get the size you’ll need.

The other thing you can do is work the pattern for the first say 5 rows.. and then measure and decide if you need to add to the side 23 sts.   I'm sorry with certain patterns, it is just too difficult to figure out a stitch count to make it usable in any situation... but then this is what creativity is all about!  Here is the upside down chart for you :)



Right then.. we’re good to go.  Please go over to my other blog at https://shyamanivas.blogspot.in/2014/10/all-pineapples-skirt.html to get the written pattern instructions.  

Once you have worked all the way to the end, come back here and we’ll see how we join the top up to get the open shoulder top.  See you soon. 

free crochet pineapple pattern top, free crochet ladies top pattern


So you have successfully finished two halves of your top.  Using one of the joining methods giving above, join the sides of your top.

Now you need to decide on how wide you want your neck opening.

a)   Place your markers to define the two sides points of the neckline.
b)   Attach rings to both sides of the top spacing them evenly apart.  It does not matter how many rings you use. Personally, I’d say a little more rather than less – as that would improve the fall.
c)     Ensure that you attach rings in exactly the same point for both halves (front and back) of the top.
d)   Join the rings that will mark the shoulders and then sleeve (cold shoulder portion) of the top.
e)    After I’d finished the top, I thought of a great idea – you could attach a bead bang centre of your ring – and bling it up a bit.

Go ahead, create – but do remember to mention me when you show off this creation ;)


Final finishing :
Once you are done with the shoulders, we will do the final finishing for the base of the top.  The lower edge of the top is a little “off” where we have worked the pineapple bit.  So here’s what I did
a)   Run 2 rounds of hdc all around.  Join with a sl-st at the end of each round.
b)   Ensure that you have hdc in multiples of 5 when you are done.  If you are running off count, reduce to cinch the waist, rather than add stitches to get the stitch count.

Border pattern :
For the border, let’s work a small shell pattern all around.

Round 1 : sc in the 1st hdc ;
*sk next 2 hdc, 7 dc in the next hdc ; sk next 2 hdc, sc in the next hdc* ;
rep *to* all around and join with a sl-st to the 1st hdc.

We have completed the crochet portion – now to join all these elements together.
Here’s where your creativity comes in again. 
a)   Check and see how many ‘pineapples’ you have along the last row and find the centre one.  Count off that centre one to see how wide you want your neckline opening and mark the pineapples to decide the sides.
b)   You will need to join the last 2 pineapples for the front and back of the top
c)     Between these two markers, you need to decide how many more joints you would like between your front and back
d)   You could also decide to allow the top to just flop down after placing two attachments for the shoulder portion.  This would mean that you do not join the sleeve ends and that will flop down like an “open sleeve”.
e)    To join the markers together, I suggest you use (plastic) rings.  I have covered the rings with yarn not just to give uniformity but also to aid in attaching the two rings (back to front)
f)     You would need to first attach the ring to the marked point on the top (one ring each for back and front markers) and then attach together. Please wear them after you attach each set of rings to check that they are as loose (or tight) as you want them.  If you are making this for someone else, please check this against their top measure(s) or draft.
Fasten off and glue down all ends and block as per yarn instructions.

And that’s it.. we’re done with this splendidly beautiful creation.

Remember that when you wear your top and show off on social media, tag me so I can enjoy all this loveliness as well. 

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Have a great day and see you soon. 

Here are some of my older creations.  Have fun with these free patterns too



















































































and a doll’s top..


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I have a few girls dresses, and just in case you want a dekho at those free patterns … here you go  


























































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..and some belts..