Crochet Pattern- Pineapple TOP

PINEAPPLE LACE TANK TOP

 

Uses size 10 cotton crochet thread (approximately 1,000 yards) and size 3 hook for lower body and size 5 hook for top section to get slight flair   Instructions given for medium size.  Increasing or decreasing  stitches or hook size will produce a larger or smaller top.

 

MOTIF 1

 

 

 

MOTIF 1 – multiple of 8 stitches x 3 for basic body pattern (multiple of 24 needed for this motif). SIZE MEDIUM: Using a size 3 needle, chain 288 and carefully join. Chain 3 for first dc on each row. Join each completed row with a slip stitch. Complete motif is 4 rows. When work measures 5” ending on row 4, change hook to size 5 and work 5 more rows to end this motif on a row 1.

Now to prepare for pineapple motif , at join, chain 1, single crochet (SC) in join, chain (ch) 5 and sc in center stitch of ch 3 on previous row, chain 5 and sc in 3^rd dc of group of 5 dc of previous row. Continue around garment, joining with slip stitch. Sip into center chain of first motif and begin motif 2 according to graph below. Note larger lines are dc, smaller are sc.

 

At the end of the pineapple motif,  you will again have multiples of 6 - chain 5 loops to begin motif 3 .  Slip to the center of the first loop to begin row 1.  Work shell, ch 1 and sc in next loop ,ch 1  and  shell in next loop around.  Ignore dc center of pineapple motif.

MOTIF 4

Complete 5 rows  of shells, ending with chain row before dividing for underarm.   I leave about 5 shells  unworked on each side for the underarm.  Decrease one more shell on each side and work pattern until motif 3 measures  3  4” in total, then divide the front for neckline on row 1 or 3.  Complete pattern to center of work, sc over 4-6 stitches and continue pattern on the other side.  Work back to center with  a row 2 or 4, ending with a sc in the last shell before center sc.  This effectively is a decrease.  Continue motif, decreasing on the neckline  only until the pattern has 2 full shells and 1 half shell (3 dc).  Continue strap without further decreasing until opening from underarm is at least 8”.   FASTEN OFF  after completing a row 2 or 4.  Complete other side of front in the same manner,  joining at armhole edge and again working toward neckline opening.

 

BACK neckline:  join at edge of underarm opening and work in pattern for 7 rows of shells before again dividing  work for back neckline as you did the front.  Straps will be 2 rows shorter than the front because the body is 2 rows longer.   When front and back are complete, join straps, weave in ends.

Turn  work over and using size 3 hook, work chain 5 loops on the bottom as you did on the top of motif 1.  Begin pineapple motif again and work 6 rows are before.  The last 4 rows of each pineapple are worked without connecting them.  Join thread in the outer shell, complete 4 rows and fasten off.  This will leave you an open hem

Edge neck and armholes with:  join with sl st at shoulder, ch 1 sc in join, ch 3 & dc in 1^st chain, sc in edge of work about 1/3 of an inch from previous sc.   Continue around and join to first sc, fasten off and weave in edges.

 

I recommend blocking, I pin the garment to achieve desired dimensions and spray with water to dampen.  Allow to dry and then remove pins.  Blocking relaxes the stitches, pulls edging into preferred definition and sizes the garment for a professional look.

These are the suggested measurements for standard sizing.  Use them as a guideline for designing your garment.  I encourage you to modify, alter or otherwise make this pattern unique to yourself.  You may sell your finished items but I would appreciate a mention as designer.

 

 

 

Copyright 2012 by Loye’s Thead

Day Four

I am finished and you can see the etsy listing at https://www.etsy.com/listing/107594282/impromptu-crochet-tunic-in-warm-blue.

I worked late last night and finished this morning. The total investment is 6 balls of thredt (900 yards) and 29 hours of work.  I will price this item at $105.  This means I work for about $4 an hour.  I don't think that is unreasonable but I do have women tell me that my work is priced too high!!! Oh well, for everyone of those, 10 people tell me I do beautiful work and that my prices are very reasonable.  I make these to sell so I can make more and get some groceries in the bargain.

 I lightly block my garments because a little moisture relaxes the thread and the stitches and enhances the appearance of the work. What do you think?

 

My preference is slightly fitted at the waist with an A line flared skirt.  I find this style particularly flattering in any size.  I have made these tunics up to XL sizes and find that they do flatter any body type.  One of these days I am going to make one for myself.  You know how it is, the cobbler's children have no shoes.

You should try your own impromptu project.  Search your crochet books, search the net, look at other crochet garments and get some ideas going.  Before I had a dressmakers form (mannequin)  I actually took white wrapping paper and cut out the shapes of the garments I wanted to create and pinned my motifs to them.  It is a bit harder to work with and the darn pins will get you if you are not careful.  You will need lots of pins, the longer the better.  I usually use a size F (5) 3 3/4mm hook but you can find your own comfort hook.  As I have stated, I prefer Aunt Lydias size 3 cotton crochet thread.  The bamboo does not work as well because the thread is looser and snags.

Admittedly the tunic is time consuming and takes practice to connect the pieces uniformly.  My first tunic required about 50 hours of work.  The cardigans I make are easier because instead of motifs it is various stitches done in rows.  If you decide to start with one of these you will only need to be familiar with standard sizing and shaping.  I generally make them in one piece and divide for the fronts and back.  I will blog about that next time I do a cardigan.  Here is a site with standard sizing  http://www.craftyarncouncil.com/sizing.html.  They have lots of useful info on crochet terms, abbreviations, sizing, etc.  I plan to start making cardigans with both piecework and motifs over the winter and perhaps I can even create a pattern once I perfect my technique.

Here is a link to one of my Impromptu Cardigans https://www.etsy.com/listing/105791068/impromptu-crochet-cardigan-with-multiple

As always, if you have any questions or need some help,you can contact me though my facebook page https://www.facebook.com/#!/loyesthread.

Never be afraid to change a pattern or stitch because you will be rewarded with experience and every now and then a brilliant idea.  If you create your own impromptu item I would be very interested in seeing your finished project.  Good luck and god bless.

Day 3

Good morning.  If you are interested in my Impromptu Crochet, visit my etsy shop and see several of my completed projects  http://www.etsy.com/shop/LoyesThread

well I worked on this another 10 hours yesterday but I decided at the end of the day to rip out about 2 hours of work because I just wasn't happy with it.  This morning I began with this

 

I had finished the front and back and added shoulder straps (although the are not finished) and prepared one side for joining at the underarms.

Another 2 hours of joining and starting the mid torso and I am here ( front view)

It is not as fitted as it appears in this photo.  I have about 18 hours in this piece now.  From here I will finish the neckline, the arm openings, the shoulder straps and then begin the skirt of this piece.  It goes much faster from here.  The motif part of the upper body takes a long time, lots to weaving in of ends and produces heaps of small pieces of thread.  Some days I wonder why I love doing this so much because the weaving in of loose ends is sooooo tedious.

I like using many of the same motifs from garment to garment.  The medallion is a favorite  that I use frequently.  The greatest variation is in how the motifs are placed and joined.  Often I use more flowers but this  one evloved without them.  The joining of front to back is never the same becuase the motif placement is never the same.  Certainly this type of project eliminates repetative bordom that I often suffer from.  I am often asked to make a tunic in custom sizes, which I will do but I have to explain that I just can't seem to make then exactly alike.  Close maybe.

This is the back, which as I explained earlier I like to make different from the front

I think this will turn out lovely.  I am almost ready to begin the skirt section and I must confess I have no idea what pattern it will be.  I guess we will find out.  Sometimes I start and then tear out a few patterns until I am sure it is just right.  Lately I have been doing shells.  I like a shell skirt but I think this needs something different.  Hummmm.

At this point I have used 3 balls of thread.

Day Two

I am a crochet-a-holic!  I have chronic health issues so my life has compressed quite a lot.  To keep me happy and mentally healthy I crochet.  I love to work with cotton, bamboo, soy, silk and other natural fibers.  To flex my creative muscles, I started "Impromptu Crochet".

To briefly explain Impromptu Crochet, I start with a single motif for a tunic or hem border for a cardigan.  For a cardigan, I then begin to crochet bands of different stitches.  I have 3 or 4 on my etsy site, LoyesThread.etsy.com.  More complex and time consuming are the tunics.  I begin pinning pieces to my dressmakers form.  Yesterday I made the chest motif and a couple of small pieces.  Today I made more pieces and began to shape them

Sometimes I use a piece of cardboard to hold the  pieces while I stitch them together.  Generally I use chains of 2 - 5,  The dressmakers form allows me to shape a piece to a specific size.  At the point in the picture I have about 6 hours in the piece.  Today I will finish the front and back of the upper body.

 The back is always different than the front because I like it that way but you could make them similar.  I have made a dozen tunics this year and I use Aunt Lydia's size 3 cotton crochet thread because it is lovely to work with and has a great drape in a finished garment.  Also I purchase a lot of thread when I can find it on sale and/or get free shipping to keep the costs down.  Usually a sleeveless tunic requires 6 or 7 balls of threat at 150 yards each.  This color is warm blue and is a client fav.  I have made a couple with 1/2 sleeves as custom orders but personally I like the sleeveless.

Okay, time for a glass of iced tea and back to work.  Please feel free to contact me through my facebook page https://www.facebook.com/#!/loyesthread if you have comments or questions.  Check back for tomorrow's update and more pictures.  I will post every day until I post the finished tunic in my etsy shop.