Update: The pattern is now a paid PDF for a small fee. Also, I'm excited to announce that A Girl and Her Wool is now carrying kits for this pattern. So after you download the PDF, you can head over to her Etsy store to get the yarn here.
The moment you've all been waiting for: the release of the Hydrangea Summer Top! Using your favorite fingering yarn and an E-4 hook, you can create this beautiful top that features a boat neck design, a back panel longer than the front, and the star flower lace section -- the focus of this design.
For those who don't know, my primary discipline is of the biological sciences. When you talk about genetics, you often learn about epigenetics, the way your environment affects the way you (or an organism) exhibits traits. A great case-in-point is the namesake beautiful hydrangea flower (my personal favorite) that changes colors depending on the kind of soil it's placed in during development. The soil characteristic in particular is pH, and to turn a hydrangea purple, you want a neutral pH (around 7). Enough with the science lesson now! Onto the pattern!
Disclaimer: This pattern is property of Marlene's Crochet Co. You may not sell this pattern or any of its constituents. You may, however, sell what you make using it. Just be sure to link back this post.
A special thanks to my testers! I didn't have as many testers for this pattern as I did when I introduced Pluma, but I'm extra grateful to my testers for large and extra large. My personal favorite that came from this test was the Hydrangea that my tester Anna (@quitworkandcrochet)!
If you look closely, you can see the hydrangeas on the side (hehe).
Next week, I'll post more tester photos for you to enjoy!
If you want to save this pattern for later, Pin it on your favorite crochet board! You have two choices for pinning. Also, if you prefer a PDF version, be sure to check out Ravelry.
Hydrangea Summer Top Pattern
Sizes XS (S, M, L, XL)
Yarn (Approximations): 1700 (2000, 2400, 2900, 3000) yds of fingering weight yarn
Hook: E-4 (3.5 mm)
Gauge: 18 st, 11 rows of dc = 4” (10 cm)
Notes:
Gauge, gauge, gauge! I could have a lecture on how important it is! Be sure to check your gauge to ensure that the dimensions for your top are ideal.
Ch 3 counts as a stitch unless stated otherwise. To avoid holes left by doing this, I recommend using the method of a no turning-chain stitch from Nicki’s Homemade Crafts (https://www.nickishomemadecrafts.com/alternative-turning-chain/).
Ch 7 counts as a (tr, ch 2).
The stitch count of the gauge only counts towards the back panel, as the transition from the lace section to the normal double crochet causes more stitches.
The lace section uses a stitch pattern called Star Flower Lace. It involves lots of working into slip stitches and chains, so I recommend working your stitches into two of the loops of stitches in the previously worked row to add stability.
Due to stretching and varied elasticity of different yarns, the piece may have a margin of error in the measurements of about one inch, even if gauge is perfect.
Abbreviations:
Ch - chain
Dc - double crochet
Sc - single crochet
Sk - skip (stitch)
Sl st - slip stitch
St(s) - stitch(es)
Tr - treble crochet
Pattern:
Size XS
Front Panel (starting with lace section)
Ch 97.
Row 1: Tr in 8th st from hook, *ch 3, sk 4 sts, sl st in next st, ch 3, sk 4 st, (tr, ch5, tr) in next st*, repeat from * across until last ch, ((tr, ch 2, tr) in last ch.
Row 2: Ch 7, turn, tr in 1st ch, *(tr, ch 5, tr) in sl st of previous row, ch 3, sl st in 3rd ch of ch-5 from previous row, ch 3*, repeat from * across until last sl st, (tr, ch 5, tr) in sl st, ch 3, sl st in 4th ch of ch-7 from previous row.
Row 3: Ch 7, turn, tr in sl st of previous row, *ch 3, sl st in 3rd ch of ch-5 from previous row, ch 3, (tr, ch 5, tr) in sl st*, repeat * across until ch-7 at end of row, sl st into 4th ch of ch-7 of previous row.
Rows 4-9: Repeat rows 2-3.
Row 10: Repeat row 2.
End of lace portion.
Fasten off and block to proper measurements indicated in diagram. After blocking, attach yarn to end at which you fastened off. You will now work the rest of the front panel.
Row 1: Ch 2, *dc in sl st of previous row, ch 1, dc in each st of (tr, ch 5, tr), ch 1*, repeat * across until (tr, ch 2, ch 7), sl st in 4th ch of ch-7 (technically 6th chain).
Row 2 (ch 3 doesn’t count as a st in this row): Ch 3, dc in each st across.
Row 3-29 (ch 3 counts a st throughout rest of pattern): Ch 3, dc in each st across.
Fasten off. Prepare slip knot for chaining.
Row 30: Ch 33, sl st to panel, sc in first st, sc across, ch 36.
Row 31: Dc in 4th ch from hook, dc in each st across.
Rows 32-50: Ch 3, turn, dc in each st across.
Row 51: Ch 3, turn, dc in each st across, but skip ch-3 at end.
Leave a long tail for seaming, and fasten off.
Back Panel
Ch 78.
Row 1: Dc in 4th ch from hook, dc in each st across.
Rows 2-48: Ch 3, turn, dc in each st across.
Fasten off. Prepare slip knot for chaining.
Row 49: Ch 33, sl st to panel, sc in first st, ch 36.
Row 50: Dc in 4th ch from hook, dc in each st across.
Rows 51 - 69: Ch 3, turn, dc in each st across.
Fasten off.
Size S
Front Panel (starting with lace section)
Ch 107.
Row 1: Tr in 8th st from hook, *ch 3, sk 4 sts, sl st in next st, ch 3, sk 4 st, (tr, ch5, tr) in next st*, repeat from * across until last ch, ((tr, ch 2, tr) in last ch.
Row 2: Ch 7, turn, tr in 1st ch, *(tr, ch 5, tr) in sl st of previous row, ch 3, sl st in 3rd ch of ch-5 from previous row, ch 3*, repeat from * across until last sl st, (tr, ch 5, tr) in sl st, ch 3, sl st in 4th ch of ch-7 from previous row.
Row 3: Ch 7, turn, tr in sl st of previous row, *ch 3, sl st in 3rd ch of ch-5 from previous row, ch 3, (tr, ch 5, tr) in sl st*, repeat * across until ch-7 at end of row, sl st into 4th ch of ch-7 of previous row.
Rows 4-9: Repeat rows 2-3.
Row 10: Repeat row 2.
End of lace portion. Fasten off and block to proper measurements indicated in diagram. After blocking, attach yarn to end at which you fastened off. You will now work the rest of the front panel.
Row 1: Ch 2, *dc in sl st of previous row, ch 1, dc in each st of (tr, ch 5, tr), ch 1*, repeat * across until (tr, ch 2, ch 7), sl st in 4th ch of ch-7 (technically 6th chain).
Row 2 (ch 3 doesn’t count as a st in this row): Ch 3, dc in each st across.
Row 3-30 (ch 3 counts a st throughout rest of pattern): Ch 3, dc in each st across.
Fasten off.
Row 31: Ch 33, sl st to panel, sc in first st, sc across, ch 36.
Row 32: Dc in 4th ch from hook, dc in each st across.
Rows 33-52: Ch 3, turn, dc in each st across.
Row 53: Ch 3, turn, dc in each st across, but skip ch-3 at end.
Leave a long tail for seaming, and fasten off.
Back Panel
Ch 87.
Row 1: Dc in 4th ch from hook, dc in each st across.
Rows 2-49: Ch 3, turn, dc in each st across.
Fasten off. Prepare slip knot for chaining.
Row 50: Ch 33, sl st to panel, sc in first st, ch 36.
Row 51: Dc in 4th ch from hook, dc in each st across.
Rows 51 - 72: Ch 3, turn, dc in each st across.
Fasten off.
Size M
Front Panel (starting with lace section)
Ch 127.
Row 1: Tr in 8th st from hook, *ch 3, sk 4 sts, sl st in next st, ch 3, sk 4 st, (tr, ch5, tr) in next st*, repeat from * across until last ch, ((tr, ch 2, tr) in last ch.
Row 2: Ch 7, turn, tr in 1st ch, *(tr, ch 5, tr) in sl st of previous row, ch 3, sl st in 3rd ch of ch-5 from previous row, ch 3*, repeat from * across until last sl st, (tr, ch 5, tr) in sl st, ch 3, sl st in 4th ch of ch-7 from previous row.
Row 3: Ch 7, turn, tr in sl st of previous row, *ch 3, sl st in 3rd ch of ch-5 from previous row, ch 3, (tr, ch 5, tr) in sl st*, repeat * across until ch-7 at end of row, sl st into 4th ch of ch-7 of previous row.
Rows 4-9: Repeat rows 2-3.
Row 10: Repeat row 2.
End of lace portion. Fasten off and block to proper measurements indicated in diagram. After blocking, attach yarn to end at which you fastened off. You will now work the rest of the front panel.
Row 1: Ch 2, *dc in sl st of previous row, ch 1, dc in each st of (tr, ch 5, tr), ch 1*, repeat * across until (tr, ch 2, ch 7), sl st in 4th ch of ch-7 (technically 6th chain).
Row 2 (ch 3 doesn’t count as a st in this row): Ch 3, dc in each st across.
Row 3-31 (ch 3 counts a st throughout rest of pattern): Ch 3, dc in each st across.
Fasten off. Prepare slip knot for chaining.
Row 32: Ch 33, sl st to panel, sc in first st, sc across, ch 36.
Row 33: Dc in 4th ch from hook, dc in each st across.
Rows 34-53: Ch 3, turn, dc in each st across.
Row 54: Ch 3, turn, dc in each st across, but skip ch-3 at end.
Leave a long tail for seaming, and fasten off.
Back Panel
Ch 97.
Row 1: Dc in 4th ch from hook, dc in each st across.
Rows 2-51: Ch 3, turn, dc in each st across.
Fasten off. Prepare slip knot for chaining.
Row 52: Ch 33, sl st to panel, sc in first st, ch 36.
Row 53: Dc in 4th ch from hook, dc in each st across.
Rows 54 - 74: Ch 3, turn, dc in each st across.
Fasten off.
Size L
Front Panel (starting with lace section)
Ch 127.
Row 1: Tr in 8th st from hook, *ch 3, sk 4 sts, sl st in next st, ch 3, sk 4 st, (tr, ch5, tr) in next st*, repeat from * across until last ch, ((tr, ch 2, tr) in last ch.
Row 2: Ch 7, turn, tr in 1st ch, *(tr, ch 5, tr) in sl st of previous row, ch 3, sl st in 3rd ch of ch-5 from previous row, ch 3*, repeat from * across until last sl st, (tr, ch 5, tr) in sl st, ch 3, sl st in 4th ch of ch-7 from previous row.
Row 3: Ch 7, turn, tr in sl st of previous row, *ch 3, sl st in 3rd ch of ch-5 from previous row, ch 3, (tr, ch 5, tr) in sl st*, repeat * across until ch-7 at end of row, sl st into 4th ch of ch-7 of previous row.
Rows 4-11: Repeat rows 2-3.
Row 12: Repeat row 2.
End of lace portion. Fasten off and block to proper measurements indicated in diagram. After blocking, attach yarn to end at which you fastened off. You will now work the rest of the front panel.
Row 1: Ch 2, *dc in sl st of previous row, ch 1, dc in each st of (tr, ch 5, tr), ch 1*, repeat * across until (tr, ch 2, ch 7), sl st in 4th ch of ch-7 (technically 6th chain).
Row 2 (ch 3 doesn’t count as a st in this row): Ch 3, dc in each st across.
Row 3-31 (ch 3 counts a st throughout rest of pattern): Ch 3, dc in each st across.
Fasten off. Prepare slip knot for chaining.
Row 32: Ch 33, sl st to panel, sc in first st, sc across, ch 36.
Row 33: Dc in 4th ch from hook, dc in each st across.
Rows 34-52: Ch 3, turn, dc in each st across.
Row 53: Ch 3, turn, dc in each st across, but skip ch-3 at end.
Leave a long tail for seaming, and fasten off.
Back Panel
Ch 109.
Row 1: Dc in 4th ch from hook, dc in each st across.
Rows 2-54: Ch 3, turn, dc in each st across.
Fasten off. Prepare slip knot for chaining.
Row 55: Ch 33, sl st to panel, sc in first st, ch 36.
Row 56: Dc in 4th ch from hook, dc in each st across.
Rows 57-78 : Ch 3, turn, dc in each st across.
Fasten off.
Size XL
Front Panel (starting with lace section)
Ch 127.
Row 1: Tr in 8th st from hook, *ch 3, sk 4 sts, sl st in next st, ch 3, sk 4 st, (tr, ch5, tr) in next st*, repeat from * across until last ch, ((tr, ch 2, tr) in last ch.
Row 2: Ch 7, turn, tr in 1st ch, *(tr, ch 5, tr) in sl st of previous row, ch 3, sl st in 3rd ch of ch-5 from previous row, ch 3*, repeat from * across until last sl st, (tr, ch 5, tr) in sl st, ch 3, sl st in 4th ch of ch-7 from previous row.
Row 3: Ch 7, turn, tr in sl st of previous row, *ch 3, sl st in 3rd ch of ch-5 from previous row, ch 3, (tr, ch 5, tr) in sl st*, repeat * across until ch-7 at end of row, sl st into 4th ch of ch-7 of previous row.
Rows 4-11: Repeat rows 2-3.
Row 12: Repeat row 2.
End of lace portion. Fasten off and block to proper measurements indicated in diagram. After blocking, attach yarn to end at which you fastened off. You will now work the rest of the front panel.
Row 1: Ch 2, *dc in sl st of previous row, ch 1, dc in each st of (tr, ch 5, tr), ch 1*, repeat * across until (tr, ch 2, ch 7), sl st in 4th ch of ch-7 (technically 6th chain).
Row 2 (ch 3 doesn’t count as a st in this row): Ch 3, dc in each st across.
Row 3-31 (ch 3 counts a st throughout rest of pattern): Ch 3, dc in each st across.
Row 32: Ch 33, sl st to panel, sc in first st, sc across, ch 36.
Row 33: Dc in 4th ch from hook, dc in each st across.
Rows 34-55: Ch 3, turn, dc in each st across.
Row 56: Ch 3, turn, dc in each st across, but skip ch-3 at end.
Leave a long tail for seaming, and fasten off.
Back Panel
Ch 116.
Row 1: Dc in 4th ch from hook, dc in each st across.
Rows 2-55: Ch 3, turn, dc in each st across.
Fasten off. Prepare slip knot for chaining.
Row 56: Ch 33, sl st to panel, sc in first st, ch 36.
Row 57: Dc in 4th ch from hook, dc in each st across.
Rows 51 - 82: Ch 3, turn, dc in each st across.
Fasten off.
Seaming:
Using any method you'd like, seam the front panel to the back panel according to the diagram. You can seam the panels at the top more if you wish for a smaller neckhole.
Now you're done! Thank you so much for joining me in making happiness! Remember to tag me (@marloonles_crochets) and use the hashtags #marloonlescrochets and #hydrangeasummertop if you post yours on Instagram so I can see it and share!
