Summer Chain Top by Elaine Phillips

Summer Chain Top

Crochet
September 2010
Fingering (14 wpi) ?
3.5 mm (E)
600 - 700 yards (549 - 640 m)
English
This pattern is available for free.

This airy summer top is a showcase of what you can do with just two crochet stitches - the chain and the double crochet (dc). Those are the only two stitches used in the whole of the pattern!

The top is crocheted from the top down, in rounds, without seams. It features a round yoke and raglan-style shoulders. The body is mostly mesh, so it uses a surprisingly small amount of yarn. I used cotton sock yarn, which I think is just the right weight for such a garment. The top is very lightweight and looks good without adding too much bulk -- perfect for the summer.

If you prefer, you can skip the sleeves: the top looks great without them, as well.
Only one size (M) is described in the pattern. However, it’s very easy to adjust the fit of the top by changing the length of the chains between the 3-dc clusters. One of the nice things about this pattern is because it’s crocheted from the top down, it’s easy to try on as you’re working it, which lets you tailor it exactly to the shape you want.