Though I’ve made and designed far more things for knit than I have crochet, my first yarn skill was, in fact, crochet. There’s a bit of a rivalry between knitters and crocheters that I noticed right away when the internet started getting to be a thing. It’s silly, as far as I’m concerned, as each craft can make pretty and amazing things in their own right. If I want to make a colorwork yoke sweater, I will likely knit it. If I want a beautiful doily, I will probably crochet it. And so on.

But when it comes to warm-weather garments, I love to use both skills and let them shine equally. Crocheted lace has infinite possibilities with stitches that can be short or tall, flat or three dimensional, and patterns that can appear geometric or floral or pineapply or dainty. I love a good mesh pattern, and chose a crochet lace that looks a bit like arched doorways, the entrance to a cave, or maybe the way through a portal. I refuse to stop wearing my handmade garments in the summer and love to make tops like this that are perfect for layering.

The lowcut open back pairs perfectly with a strappy sports bra as shown. But it also looks great over a sundress, standard fitting tank, and other summer wardrobe scenarios that you might imagine, and can be worn with either side as the front. Shown just a bit cropped, it’s easy enough to lengthen as desired.

SIZE
Women’s XS (S, M, L, 1X, 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X)
Shown in size S with 0 inches/0 cm of ease at full bust and 2 inches/5cm of ease at upper bust

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Chest: 30 (34, 38.5, 42.5, 46.5, 51, 55, 59.5, 63.5) inches/ 76 (86.5, 98, 108, 118, 129.5, 139.5, 151, 161.5) cm
Length: 17.5 (19, 19, 20.25, 20.25, 21.5, 21.5, 23, 23) inches/ 44.5 (48.5, 48.5, 51.5, 51.5, 54.5, 54.5, 58.5, 58.5) cm

MATERIALS
Yarn
Universal Yarn Bamboo Pop (50% bamboo, 50% cotton; 292 yd/267 m per 3.5 oz/100 g skein); color: 123 Fuchsia; 2 (3, 3, 3, 4, 4, 4, 5, 5) skeins

Yarn Characteristics
The sample shown uses a DK-weight plied yarn that is a blend of plant fibers. There is no elasticity to the yarn which works well for this design. Wool or wool blends will also work. But to keep this top warm-weather friendly, I recommend a cotton or cotton blend.

Recommended needle size
1 set US#4/3.5mm needles for working flat
1 US#4/3.5mm circular needle, 24-inch/60 cm (or longer; for armhole and neck edgings which are worked flat)
1 US G-6/4mm crochet hook
Notions
removable stitch markers
yarn needle

GAUGE
19 sts/12 rows = 4 inches/10 cm in Crochet Arc Stitch
24 sts/28 rows = 4 inches / 10 cm in (k2, p2) ribbing
22 sts/28 rows = 4 inches/10 cm in stockinette stitch