Yarn: Superfine cotton. 50 g = 160 m
Hook: 3 mm
Stitch: Shell stich (3 dc, 1 sc), dc + dc in chainless foundation, sc, slip stitch, chains.
- Use the free bra cup pattern and make 2 bra cups. After finishing the second one, don’t break off. Now onto the body.
- Make 1 dc into every hole on the bottom bra cup edge (between 2 sc rows), then make approx the same amount as a chainless foundation in dc (make sure to stretch and measure on your back)
I had 44 dc on the bra cup, 44 on the back, 44 on the other bra cup. Continue with dc on the other bra cup. - Stop at the edge and start to chain for the length.
- Chain and stretch the chain to see how long you want it. I made 54 chains. Make a number that can be divided with 6.
- Chain 3 (turning chains), make the first 3 dc in the 4th ch from the hook. 1 sc in the 3rd chain from the hook, 3 dc in the next ch, 1 sc in the 3. ch etc.
- Every shell stitch row is finished by slip stitching into 3 stitches on the bra cup, ch 2 and turn.
- 3 dc in sc, 1 sc in the 2nd dc in the shell. If you finish with 1 sc, chain, turn and make 3 dc in the sc, 1 sc in the middle of the next shell. If you finish with 3 dc, chain and turn and make 1 sc in the middle of the first shell, 3 dc in the next sc, etc.
- Make as many rows as you like, then switch to chains. Always make at least 2 rows with chains.
- Make 3 chains, 1 sc in the sc etc. Ch 3 and turn over, 1 sc around the first chained arch, 3 ch, 1 sc around the next arch. etc. You can make sure you make the same number of arches by counting how many you have, sometimes you might have to make one more arch before slip stitching to the bra cup. Always end a chained row at the bra cup by making 1 slip stitch, chain for the next arch and turn over. Make sure to count the number of arches so you make sure to make the same amount on every chained row, sometimes you might have to add an extra arch at the end/beginning.
- When you switch back to shell stitch you crochet around the arch and into the sc. 3 dc around the arch, 1 sc in the sc.
- Alternate between chained rows and shell stitch and every set of chained rows you make an increase by making 1 extra chain. So 4 chains, 1 sc for two rows, back to shell stitch row(s), next set, 5 chains, 1 sc etc. You do this until you make 8 chains, then you continue to chain 8 everytime you make chained rows. Mark where on the top you made the 7 chains, so that when you reach the opposite side of the top you can start to make less chains in the same spot.
- I made a random mix of 2 chained rows and alternating between 1, 2, 3 4, 5 rows of shell stitch. You can look at what you have crocheted and ask yourself: what would look good here: more coverage or more holes?
- Once you reach the back you will start to slip stitch into 4 stitches on the bra cup after every shell stitch row. When you make 8 chains in your chained row you finish by slip stitching into 2 stitches on the bra cup.
- When you have crocheted on the other bra cup as well you can stop at the corner and chain 80, then slip stitch back to make a strap. Break off an do the same on the other side.
- Now crochet 1 sc into each of the 3 sc on the top of the bra cup for a strap. Crochet back and forth until you have enough to reach to the back. Stretch the strap. I had 60 rows.
- Slip stitch onto the back and try on. Make more or less rows if needed. I slip stitched mine onto the 17th, 18th and 19th stitch from the armpit.
- Crochet on the side of the strap and on the side of the bra cups (the inside). Make shell stitch rows and chained rows (with 6 chains). In order to create ruffle you don’t skip any stitches. Every hole (between 2 sc rows) count as 1 stitch. Make 3 dc in the first stitch, 1 sc in the next, etc. Chain and turn, when you reach the back, slip stitch onto 3 stitches on the back, ch and turn. Chained rows are made like before: 6 chains, 1 sc in the sc, 6 chains, 1 sc in the sc. I made 3 shell stitch rows and 1 chained row. At the bra cup corner where the ties are you don’t slip stitch the side of the ruffles anywhere, cause this is where the front split is.
- Break off and make the other strap.
Video on how to crochet the body of the top: