TOP TERESA

Many of you asked for it on social media when we published the preview, and it's finally here: the free pattern from Saraswati Crochet to learn how to crochet the Teresa Top! This top is crocheted with Caricia Mix Batik, a combination of acrylic and cotton specially designed to bring your garments to life thanks to its white strand alongside the color from the range that softens the tones.

Crochet this vibrant top and get ahead for summer. We'll show you how here!

YOU WILL NEED

2 skeins of Caricia Mix Batik

Crochet hook size 4 and 4 ½.

Two stitch markers.

Yarn needle.

HOW TO MAKE THE TERESA TOP?

I always recommend making a swatch because everyone crochets with a different tension and the measurements might not match. In my case, 12 chains by 6 rows correspond to 10 x 10 cm.

The top is composed of two pieces. We will start with the back, which corresponds to a size M/L and has the following measurements:

· 52 cm high

· 45 cm wide

· 25 cm armhole depth

Stitches used

Chain: ch.

Double crochet: dc.

Single crochet: sc.

BACK

We start crocheting from the bottom. With the 4 ½ hook, chain 55. If you need to make it smaller or larger, just keep in mind that the number of chains must always be multiples of 6+1. Row 1: Start with 3 ch. which replace the first dc. Continue the entire row in dc.

Row 2. Work 3 ch. which replace the first dc, and make 1 more dc. Then, we will continue crocheting the following sequence: "3 ch + 3 dc" ending with two dc at the end of the row.

Row 3. Work 3 ch. + 1 more ch. and continue repeating the sequence "3 dc + 3 ch" until the end, with the last two stitches being 1 ch. + 1 dc.

Row 4. Same as Row 2.

Rows 5, 6 and 7. These three rows are worked in dc, always starting with three chains that replace the first dc.

Rows 8, 9 and 10. Repeat rows 2, 3 and 4.

Rows 11, 12 and 13. These three rows are worked in double crochet, always starting with three chains that replace the first double crochet.

Rows 14, 15 and 16. Repeat rows 2, 3 and 4. Row 17. Double crochet, with the first stitch being three chains that replace the first stitch. Here is the chart for this part if it helps you visualize it better:

Row 18. From row 18 onwards, we will change stitches and begin to make armhole decreases as follows. Work three chains and insert the hook into the third stitch, meaning we skip two stitches. From there, we will begin to crochet "dc + ch + dc". At the end of the row, we will decrease two stitches as at the beginning. When there are three stitches left to finish, we skip 2 and insert the hook into the last stitch, closing with a dc.

From row 19 to row 22, we will repeat row 18, decreasing two stitches at the beginning and at the end.

Rows 23 to 31. Crochet following the sequence "dc + ch + dc".

Right shoulder: Now we are going to make the shoulders. For this, we are going to place a marker on the first 11 dc and on the last 11 dc. This way, we will have three divisions, with the center stitches forming our back neckline. The decreases will be made on the inside of the work, not on the outside as in the case of the armholes.

Row 32. Start by working 3 ch. that replace the 1st dc. Continue with the sequence "ch. + dc. + ch" until you reach the last 3 stitches where you skip two stitches and insert the hook into the next stitch, closing the row with a dc. Row 33. Work three chains that replace the first stitch and make the next dc skipping two stitches, that is, insert the hook into the third stitch. Continue until the end of the row "ch. + dc. + ch.".

Rows 34 and 35. Work three chains and continue with the sequence "ch + dc + ch". In my case, the shoulder had 7 stitches after the decreases and a length of 16 cm.

Left Shoulder: Starting the work from right to left. Repeat the same steps as for the right shoulder.

FRONT: Repeat all the steps for the back up to and including row 22.

Right Strap: We are going to divide the stitches to begin crocheting the shoulders. From the stitches I have, I will take the first 11 stitches and the last 11 stitches and place markers on them.

Row 23. Begin by working 3 ch. that replace the first dc. Continue with the sequence "ch + dc + ch" until you reach the last 3 stitches where you skip two and insert the hook into the next stitch, closing the row with a dc.

Row 24. Work three ch. that replace the first dc and make the next double crochet in the third stitch, that is, skip two stitches. Continue until the end of the row "ch + dc + ch.".

Rows 25 to 34. Work three chains and continue with the sequence "ch + dc + ch". In my case, the shoulder had 7 stitches after the decreases and a length of 16 cm from the paragraph.

Left Strap: Starting the work from right to left, repeat the same steps as for the right strap.

Finishing: With a yarn needle, join the pieces at the sides and shoulders. All that's left is to tidy up the neckline and armholes, and we'll do this by working 3 rows of sc around each armhole and 5 rows around the neckline, turning the work after each row.

I hope my instructions were easy for you to follow.

You can find reels on my Instagram @sarawasti_crochet that will help you if you have any questions.

If you crochet it, I would be very happy if you shared it with the hashtag #topteresamixbatik.

Happy crocheting!

FINAL RESULT