I needed a new summer cover-up, as the one I made last year is just too heavy; I wanted something light and lacy. I started making the Marie Beach Top because I loved the Pineapple Lace pattern, but the thing was turning out to be absolutely HUGE, plus I’m not a very fast crocheter, and it was going far too slowly for my liking - I’d like to wear the thing THIS summer, please, not in January! So I abandoned that pattern after one set of pineapples, which will become the neck yoke rather than the body of the top, and just started knitting my own lace pattern in the round. If it turns out as well as it’s looking so far, I may just offer it for sale!

This babydoll-style cover-up includes both knitting and crochet, and uses three different pattern stitches: the Pineapple lace crochet motif, a knitted star/flower lace pattern that’s not unlike the “eye” pattern on a pineapple’s skin, and a leaf lace border at the bottom. (The only name I have for this stitch is “Fantasía de Estrellas;” I found it on a Spanish-language Youtube video, and have not yet found its cognate/counterpart in English.) Learning the stitch patterns aside, it’s really not difficult to make. Sizing is minimal, as it hugs the body, and should be easily adjustable to fit other body sizes. More info to come soon - it’s ALMOST finished!

Advice to anyone making the Marie Beach Top or Crochet Kid’s (Pineapple Lace) Dress from the same designer: make a swatch first, and size carefully. I did - chaining only 129 sts to start with a J hook - and still, if I’d continued with the pattern, the top would have been a huge, shapeless blousy thing. It only gets bigger with each repetition of the pineapple motif. I see this was a common problem among others making this pattern, several of whom set out to make a blouse, but ended up turning it into a SKIRT. So, go smaller on your sizing!

Crocheted section (eventual yoke) Started 7/1/18 - ch 129 sts, 13 pineapples. J hook.

Body started 7/15/18 - CO 136 sts on size 13, 34 stars/flowers.

Leaf edging started 7/26/18 on size 8 needles.

IT’S FINISHED! The back straps aren’t exactly what I’d planned to do, and I may change them yet, but I wanted to get this done so I could wear it to the pool before it CLOSES for the year! It may need a bit more blocking, but overall, I’m pretty happy with it. Sorry for so many photos; I always have a hard time choosing the best ones. I’ll weed them out soon!

9/2/2019: I removed the “zigzag” crocheted chain from the back and attached the yoke directly to the body. I decided it looks cleaner and classier. Plus, the chain kept stretching out as I wore it.