Build Your Skills Crochet Tops 26 Simple Patterns for First
Time Sweaters, Shrugs, Ponchos & More
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STACKPOLE BOOKS
Guilford, Connecticut
Published by Stackpole Books
An imprint of The Rowman & Littlefield Publishing Group, Inc.
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Copyright © 2021 by Salena Baca
Photography by Salena & Halle Baca
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any
form or
by any electronic or mechanical means, including information
storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the
publisher, except by a reviewer who may quote passages in a
review.
The contents of this book are for personal use only. Patterns herein
may be reproduced in limited quantities for such use. Any large-scale
commercial reproduction is prohibited without the written consent of
the publisher.
We have made every effort to ensure the accuracy and
completeness of these instructions. We cannot, however, be
responsible for human error, typographical mistakes, or variations in
individual work.
British Library Cataloguing in Publication Information available
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data available
Names: Baca, Salena, author.
Title: Build your skills: crochet tops / Salena Baca.
Description: Guilford, Connecticut : Stackpole Books, 2020. |
Summary: “Divided into sections based on ease of construction,
this book allows you to start where you are comfortable in
crocheting tops and sweaters. Each progressive section of the
book teaches more complex stitches and motifs, and any
necessary joining techniques, so that you learn everything you
need to complete each piece confidently”— Provided by publisher.
Identifiers: LCCN 2019059406 (print) | LCCN 2019059407 (ebook) |
ISBN 9780811738705 (paperback) | ISBN 9780811768689 (epub)
Subjects: LCSH: Crocheting—Patterns. | Sweaters. | Blouses.
Classification: LCC TT825 .B29345 2020 (print) | LCC TT825
(ebook) | DDC 746.43/4041—dc23
LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2019059406
LC ebook record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2019059407
The paper used in this publication meets the minimum
requirements of American National Standard for Information
Sciences—Permanence of Paper for Printed Library Materials,
ANSI/NISO Z39.48-1992.
First Edition
Contents
Cover
Title
Copyright
Contents
Introduction
Tips for Successful Skill (and Crochet Top) Building
SIMPLE SHAPES
Woodbury Poncho
Cascade Shrug
Mod Crop Top
Coboo Top
Sheryl Tee
Cloutier Duster
Colorscape Poncho
INTRIGUING STITCHES
Sprightly Pullover
Woodthorpe Cardigan
Vanessa Tee
Tempo Top
Badlands Cardigan
Sprightly Vest
Top Stitch Dolman
MOTIF DESIGNS
Hock Poncho
Janna Poncho
Coral Cardigan
Thompson Poncho
Ramsdell Cardigan
ZZ Twist Vest
TOP DOWN, IN THE ROUND
Perfect Poncho
Julie Lynn Poncho
Lindsey Blouse
Rainbow Top
Flutter Tank
Pistachio Poncho
Tweed Sweater
Abbreviations
Resources
Contributors
Introduction
y design approach is to create projects that look complicated but
M are actually simple to follow and work up! I think this is especially
important when we make things to wear, because most
crocheters are intimidated by concepts like yarn selection, gauge,
size, complex stitch and row repeats, seams and joins, and fit. But
learning just a few simple techniques and following progressively
built designs will really advance your confidence and abilities!
In this book, I’ll break down these concepts to help develop your
crochet knowledge and skills, so that you can build gorgeous crochet
tops, sweaters, vests, ponchos, and so much more!
Whether you’re brand new to crochet or finally ready to make
your first top, there are a few things to note when using this book so
that you can feel confident and be successful.
First, start with the Simple Shapes. I suggest starting in the
beginning section of this book and working your way through,
because each section builds on the last. If you’ve never crocheted a
top before, starting here will help you to learn about yarn choices,
gauge, size, fit, and more!
Next, read the design descriptions. Every design is listed in
order of difficulty, each with more skills, parts, or instructions than the
last. The most important spec-ifications for each design have been
outlined so that you can feel confident about what you need to know
to be successful or what you may learn as you work.
After that, be sure to use the right yarns. The materials you
use are crucial to getting the best style, look, and feel for your
crochet top. All yarns in this book are sourced from major
commercial companies and should be easily accessible in your local
shops or online. However, you can also use the yarn alternatives
suggested for each design.
Finally, read and practice before you start. While there is
nothing more satisfying than starting a new crochet project, there is
nothing more frustrating than feeling stuck and confused. That’s why
I suggest reading the entire pattern (from “Sizes/Finished
Measurements” down through the instructions) to make sure you’ve
got what you need to get started. If a special stitch or technique is
required, make time to practice it first! Finally, be sure to check out
the “Resources” section at the back of this book for more help, and
have fun building your crochet skills and wardrobe!
Peace + Love + Crochet Salena Baca
Tips for Successful Skill (and Crochet
Top) Building
Use Stitch Markers!
Bobbie pins are my favorite stitch markers, but you can use any
device that will help you mark your stitches. Marking stitches while
you crochet in rows or rounds helps you determine the top of every
stitch that you’ll count so that you’re not increasing or decreasing
unintentionally. Try this method when a pattern tells you to chain in
the beginning of a row or round:
■ If your chain counts as a stitch, place 1 stitch marker into
the last chain formed. This will mark the top of your first stitch,
and this is where you will join at the end of your round or work
to in rows.
■ If your chain does not count as a stitch, place 1 stitch
marker into the loop on your hook (just after your chain[s]).
This will mark the top of your first stitch, and this is where you
will join at the end of your round or work to in rows.
Yarn Substitution Made Easy
You may not always be able, or want, to use the suggested yarn a
pattern calls for. But yarn is so very dynamic, with lots of
characteristics to consider, and it can’t always be substituted based
on a single factor alone. For example, when you’re feeling yarn, it
can be soft, squishy, stretchy, sturdy, stiff, or scratchy. You wouldn’t
want stiff, scratchy yarn for a shirt, right?
When substituting yarn, start with the same yarn weight and
subclass. For example, medium worsted is not the same as medium
aran. Check the wraps per inch (WPI) of a yarn to be sure your
substitute is a good fit. To measure the WPI, wrap yarn around a
ruler, gently and without too much tugging. Count the number of
wraps in an inch. If one yarn can be wrapped ten times per inch,
then a good yarn weight substitute would have the same WPI. You
can try yarn sub.com for suggestions!
Blocking Your Fabric, Caring for Your
Finished Pieces
Blocking is a finishing technique applied to fabrics we make when we
crochet.
■ Blocking helps to smooth fabric and even stitches.
■ Blocking encourages shapes, edges, and borders.
■ Blocking with fabric solutions can help to stiffen or soften
fabric.
Not everything you crochet requires blocking. In fact, some fibers will
not take to blocking at all, while others will truly benefit from a good
blocking session! For example, plant and animal fibers (cotton,
superwash merino) are highly responsive to blocking. However,
synthetic fibers (acrylic) might be encouraged into shape but won’t
really set with blocking.
Read your yarn label and consider the characteristics of the
fibers. Some fibers are stronger when wet (linen), some can become
weak and delicate (cotton), and other fibers will felt (natural wool).
Your yarn label will tell you how to best care for your yarn (and,
therefore, your finished projects) so that they’ll last!
Swatching and Gauge Made Easy
In crochet, a swatch is really just a small sample of work. Creating
these small samples will help you determine and accomplish quite a
lot in your finished projects. One of the most common reasons to
swatch is to see whether your personal gauge matches the gauge
listed in the pattern. This is important when the size of the finished
project should be specific; your sweater should be extra small and
not medium, for example.
When making a gauge swatch, there are a few things to note:
■ Start with the same yarn and same hook size called for in
the pattern. When you start with the exact elements the
pattern calls for, you’re more likely to meet gauge off the bat!
If you’re a bit off, you can make small adjustments to match
gauge as closely as possible. If you are substituting yarn,
swatch with the yarn and hook you plan to use for your piece
and adjust the hook size as needed to match gauge. This will
also give you a chance to see whether you like how your yarn
works up in the pattern.
■ The bigger the swatch, the better. Gauge is typically listed
in a 4 x 4 in. (10.2 x 10.2 cm) square; stitches per inch, rows
per inch. When you’re making a swatch to meet gauge, try to
make a swatch slightly larger than the gauge mass indicated
—for example, make a 6 x 6 in. (15.2 x 15.2 cm) swatch for
measuring 4 x 4 in. (10.2 x 10.2 cm). You’ll have a greater
area to measure and will be able to clearly see whether your
stitch tension is larger or smaller than the stitch gauge listed.
■ Follow the pattern. You might ask what stitches you should
work up to check your stitch gauge. The answer is always,
always, always the same stitches as used in the pattern ! If
the pattern is a basketweave stitch, work up a swatch using
that! If the pattern is alternating rows of double crochet and
single crochet, work up a swatch using those! The stitch (or
stitches) you should measure will be listed in the gauge
section of your pattern.
SIMPLE SHAPES
A beginner’s paradise! Squares and rectangles are a
breeze to work up, and these are perfect shapes to help
introduce you to gauge, tension, size, and your next
favorite top. Each of these designs are worked in just
one, two, or three pieces, using very simple stitch
variations and row repeats.
Woodbury Poncho
This design is just one long panel sewn together on one
side (leaving a head opening, of course). You’ll use
chain, single, and triple crochet stitches to make this
open-work fabric.
SIZES/FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Small: 50 in. (127 cm) long × 22 in. (55.9 cm) wide
Medium: 54 in. (137.2 cm) long × 24 in. (61 cm) wide
Large: 58 in. (147.3 cm) long × 26 in. (66 cm) wide
GAUGE
1 Fan = 2.4 in. (6.1 cm), 6 pattern rows = 4 in. (10.2 cm)
YARN
Cascade Yarns Cantata, Medium weight #4 yarn (70% cotton, 30%
superwash merino wool; 218 yd./200 m per 3.5 oz./100 g hank);
Grey: 3, 4, 5 hanks
Yarn alternatives: Katia Cotton Merino, Stylecraft Starlight Aran, Rico
Design Fashion Bisous
HOOK & OTHER MATERIALS
■ US size I-9 (5.5 mm) crochet hook
■ Yarn needle
■ Measuring tape
SPECIALTY STITCHES & TECHNIQUES
Fan = ([Tc, Ch 2] 4 times, Tc) into same stitch
Half Fan = (Tc, Ch 2, Tc, Ch 2, Tc) into same stitch
NOTES
For best fit, measure from neck to arm where poncho should meet;
follow width that is closest match.
