I am making this as part of my set of layered summer tops for my daughter’s summer birthday. This one seems like it would be a bottom piece with more coverage.

This pattern uses the crop top pattern to get started and then changes to the tank top to get a different neckline and strap area. See the patterns associated with this project above.

Foundation
I haven’t liked starting any of the tops with a foundation chain. It is too stiff and tight. I am going to use a foundation cord for a nicer bottom edge.

This yarn does not stretch. Which is nice because I can crochet to fit. I am using my mannequin as a model. Aiming for a size small. The measurements in the schematic are too large for a size small.

I am trying a C hook (2.75) mm for the foundation cord. The trick for me is to crochet it loosely. My yarn can be splitty. Plus working it tightly hurts my hands.

Only the foundation cord had to be worked loosely. Tension for the rest of the garment was normal.

Foundation cord length = 36 inches

Row 1 - C hook (2.75 mm) length = 36 inches

This is still a bit loose on the hips but I don’t want to make it smaller. It might be too hard to put on, if I do.

Round 13, B hook (2.25 mm) - 36 1/2 inches
Re-measuring The diameter of the foundation row = 35 inches. This is common for the previously worked stitches to get a bit smaller in gauge as you add more rounds/rows.

This still feels just too baggy on my mannequin. But it isn’t getting any smaller in diameter. So, I am going forward with these hook sizes.

Some modifications to make it appear seamless

When starting a round with the sc, ch 4:
sl st to join *, ch 1, sc in same join space, chain 4 and repeat the stitch pattern.

* After Row 1 - the sl st goes into the top of the 1st dc, not the chain 2, This will hide the ch 2 behind the 4 dc set. Continue with instructions above.

When starting a round of 4 dc sets:
sl st to join, invisible sl st into the next ch 4 space, chain 2, then 4 dc in same chain 4 space.

invisible sl st - remove hook from last loop on the hook, insert hook from back to front under the ch 4 sp (easier to do if you turn your work), pull up the loop that was removed, sl st from this direction, now turn your work back to normal and continue instructions.

Explanations
When the pattern says to dc cluster - it means each set of 4 individual dc stitches.

When the pattern says to “sc around next cluster gap” - it means to sc into the space between 2 sets of dc.

Starting with Round 2 there are 53 - ch 4 spaces and 53 - 4 dc sets.

Gauge
The given gauge makes no sense to me because it doesn’t seem to use the stitch pattern. I am just going to have to keep winging it by putting my project on the mannequin for size. I am not a very good garment crocheter, so this is a bit frustrating.

Body
The trick here seems to be to figure out how long you want the body to be before you start the bust increases. On the crop top pattern, the increases start on Round 10. But I want my top to sit on the top of the hips and be longer than the crop top.

The picture of the “Light and breezy tank top” shows a longer top. But the instructions just say

Once you have achieved the total length desired from bottom up to armholes, cut the yarn and fasten off.

There is no guidance given to placing the increases on a longer body length. I am pretty sure the increases are meant for the bosom. So placement is important.

The other thing I have noticed is that the body is wider when you are working the stitch pattern than the foundation cord + row 1.

I don’t know how to decrease the 4 dc sets so that there is some sort of waistline. I don’t want it to be too small to get on over the head. The only thing I know to do is to keep trying this thing onto my mannequin to see if I can figure out where to start the increases and how long to make the body.

Some guidance on this would have been appreciated. A schematic for the longer body. Anything to give guidance.

Not enough yarn to complete

The pattern page says that it takes 437 yards to complete this top. I have 492 yards of sport weight yarn. I have completed 18 rounds and used 1.5 skeins of yarn. The body is only 4 inches tall. I can tell that I am not going to have enough yarn for this.

I may come back to this pattern with more yarn at a later date.