Bretonbone is a practical, modern layering piece inspired by the classic Breton top. It works up quickly and suits lots of different fibres - cotton for summer, cotton+merino for mid-season, alpaca or wool for winter. This pattern includes options for both DK and aran weight yarns.

Construction
The Bretonbone Top is made in rows of Herringbone Half Treble Crochet from the bottom up in two panels - front and back. The shoulders and neckline are shaped using short rows. Once the front and back panels have been seamed, the cap sleeves are worked in the round directly into the selvedge edges using rows of slipped stitches. Finally, a crab stitch round is worked into the bottom and sleeve hems for a neat finish.

Sizing
XS (S, M, L, XL, XXL) - to fit bust size 76 (86, 96.5, 106.5, 117, 127) cm / 30 (34, 38, 40, 46, 50)“
This top is designed to fit with 5cm positive ease. It finishes on the hips and has a boxy, forgiving style that suits lots of different body shapes. Ideas on how to adapt the pattern to suit your own body shape are included in the pattern.

Materials
Crochet hooks: 4.5mm & 5mm / 7 & H/8 with DK yarn, or as required to obtain gauge; OR
4.0mm & 4.5mm / G/6 & 7 with aran yarn, or as required to obtain gauge
scissors
wool needle
Yarn – DK: DROPS Cotton Merino; 3 (3, 4, 4, 5, 5) balls each in Mustard 15 (A) and Off White 01 (B); 1 (1, 1, 2, 2, 2) ball(s) in Light Grey 20 (C); OR
Yarn – aran: LANAR Serena 1 (1, 2, 2, 3, 3) skeins in Muschio 00523 (A); LANAR Ecolana 1 (1, 2, 2, 3, 3) skeins in Avorio (B); LANAR Big Merino 1 (1, 1, 2, 2, 2) ball(s) in Grigio Medio (C)

Total yardage required per size
A & B 720 (720, 960, 960, 1200, 1200) m / 790 (790, 1050, 1050, 1320, 1320) yds in total
C 120 (120, 120, 240, 240, 240) m / 130 (130, 140, 260, 260, 270) yds

Yarn alternatives
Choose either a yarn that is on the heavy end of DK, or an aran/worsted weight yarn.

Gauge
a 10x10 cm / 4x4” swatch should consist of 12 rows of 14 stitches in HHTC, using larger hook and measured after blocking

This pattern was originally published in issue 6 of Crochet Now