Hello Beautiful Hook Nookers! I am Samantha Bartley and I am the Mompreneur and designer behind Creating In The Mitten. I am beyond stoked to be bringing you a brand new project to THN Blog! Crochet has been a hobby of mine for around 20 years, but over the past two years it has latched its hooks into me and refuses to let go. I started out selling finished products but made the transition last year into markets and designing only and OH MY GOSH did I find my zone! Self care is a huge part of my life, and putting my heart (& hair) into my designs is the best form for me.
As I said, I am so stoked and more than honored to be showcasing this design with you here. So without further ado, here is my Criss Cross Crop Top! Simple yarn work with tiny details in the straps create a gorgeous little top to rock out in at your favorite festival or downtown with your friends. My favorite part is the way it drapes down your back, it makes every size look incredible and you will obviously need two!
As a person who has had a struggle with accepting her own body for what it is, it was incredibly enlightening to design something I normally would be terrified to wear. Over the past two years I have had a slew of health issues, as well as getting married, starting a new job, losing that job, and forgetting to take time to care about my health and I gained over 50lbs. Recently I have refocused on my desire to walk around my block without being out of breath and I am SO proud to wear something that is showcasing my body for what it is, magical, live giving, and strong. I have a lot of steps to go to get my body into a health weight for my body size (I am not a very big human to begin with, so this weight has been exhausting to hold onto daily), but one step forward is still a step and we are all beautiful regardless of what a scale says.
Supply List
One skein of Lion Brand Cupcake Yarn
5mm Crochet Hook
Tapestry Needle
Scissors
Stitch Markers
Gauge
4x4 inch square = 13 st by 9 rows
Bust Size
XS 28-30 inches
Small 32-34 inches
Medium 36-38 inches
Large 40-42 inches
XL 44-46 inches
2XL 48-50 inches
Key
Ch- Chain
Sc- Single Crochet
Slst- Slip Stitch
Dc- Double Crochet
Dc2tog- Double Crochet 2 stitches together
Pattern
Chain 118 (127, 134, 142, 150, 158)*Or FDC the same amount of stitches for your size and skip to row 2* join to first chain making sure your chain isn't twisted and ch 2
Round 1- Dc in 1 stitch and all stitches around, slst to join. Ch2.
Round 2-13- Repeat Round 1 ** You can adjust this longer or shorter by removing or adding rows here, just keep repeating the same round over until desired length. Half of my testers needed to add around 4 rows to make sure the top covered the bottom of their breasts but that is dependant on your body shape. **
Round 14- Dc around, slst to join. Ch1.
Front Panel
<Ch1> does not count as a stitch. Place a stitch marker at each <Ch1> space.
Row 15- Sc 16 (18, 20, 20, 21, 22) <Ch1>, dc2tog, dc 30 (31, 32, 36, 38, 40), dc2tog, <Ch1>, sc 32 (36, 40, 40, 42, 44), <Ch1>, dc2tog, dc 12 (14, 14, 18, 20, 22), dc2tog, <Ch1> sc 16 (18, 20, 20, 21, 22), finish off and weave in ends.
Row 16 - Attach yarn at 1st ( <Ch1> ) space, ch 2, dc2tog, dc 28 (29,30,34,36,38), dc2tog, ch2 and turn.
Row 17- Dc2tog, dc 26 (27, 28, 32, 34, 36), dc2tog, ch2 and turn.
Row 18- Dc2tog, dc 24 (25, 26, 30, 32, 34) , dc2tog, finish off and weave in ends.
Back Panel
Row 16- Attach yarn at 3rd (ch1*) space, ch 2, dc2tog, dc 10 (12, 12, 16, 18, 20), dc2tog, ch2 and turn.
Row 17- Dc2tog, dc 8 (10, 10, 14, 16, 18), dc2tog, ch2 and turn.
Row 18- Dc2tog, dc 6 (8, 8, 12, 14, 16), dc2tog, DO NOT FINISH OFF.
Straps
With the yarn still attached to the back left part of the top, ch 70, then sc it to the 1st st on the opposite side (right) of the FRONT panel. Sc in the next stitch, and ch 70 then sc it to the stitch next to the 1st ch 70 on the back panel. Sc in the 3rd st on the back, ch 70 and sc it to the 3rd st on the front panel. Finish off.
Attach the yarn to the back right outside stitch (opposite of what you did on the left side) and repeat the same instructions so you have 3 straps on that side as well.
It’s crazy to look back over the past few months and see where I was and where I am now. This community, alongside my amazing husband, has pushed me to do things I never thought were possible. I have designed some incredible things, worked with some amazing makers, and I am so thrilled with everything that is coming up. Once my heart said what it wanted, I just kind of jumped and didn’t look back and I am beyond thankful for that. So thank you to my fiber obsessed friends who love me for the nerdy yarn addicted girl that I am and following me on this crazy journey! Don’t forget to tag me in your WIP and Finished photos over on instagram @CreatingInTheMitten so I can share YOU in all your amazing light!
Xx, Samantha
