This pretty summer top uses filet crochet spiced up with a special stitch for diamond motifs and can be made up very quickly. The new version comes with short sleeves and tassels at the hems and is named after the pinkish sands of Balos Bay in Greece.
View the original pattern here: https://www.ilikecrochet.com/magazine/crochet-top-patterns/ocean-air-top/
Skill Level: Easy
Size: Finished Bust Size 38 (42, 45, 48, 51, 55)”
3 to 4” positive ease recommended.
Shown in size 38”
Gauge: 16 dcs and 6 ½ rows = 4” [10 cm] after wet blocking
Materials
Yarn: Nako Calico (50% cotton, 50% acrylic; 267 yards [245 meters]/100 grams): CL11220, Powder, 3 (3, 4, 4, 5, 6) balls
*Categorize your yarn by choosing the appropriate size below DK
Hook: 4.5 mm hook
Notions: Tapestry needle
Abbreviations (if needed)
Beg – beginning
Ch – chain
Dc – Double crochet
Nxt – next
Rem – remaining
Rep – repeat
Sk – skip
Sl – slip
Sp – space
St(s) – stitch(es)
Yrh – Yarn round hook
Pattern Notes
The front and back are worked separately and seamed at the shoulders and sides.
Pattern stitches
Block – Dc in nxt dc, 2 dc in nxt sp or 2 dc in nxt 2dc
(Note – A Block following a X-st is made as follows: 2 dc in nxt sp or 2 dc in nxt 2 dc)
Space – Dc in nxt dc, 2 ch, sk nxt 2 sts
Beg space – 5 dc, sk nxt 2 sts
X-st – Dc in nxt st leaving the last 2 loops on hook, sk 2 sts, treble in nxt st, 2 ch, treble in same place as 1st dc going behind the 1st treble and leaving last 2 loops on hook, dc in same place as 1st treble.
Pattern
Ch 86 (92, 98, 104, 110, 116).
Set up Row (WS): Dc in 8th ch from hook, *sk 2 sts, ch 2, dc in nxt st; rep from * to end, turn. 27 (29, 31, 33, 35, 37) 2 ch sps
Row 1 (RS): Beg space, 4 (5, 6, 7, 4, 5) spaces, (1 block, 7 spaces) 2 (2, 2, 2, 3, 3) times, 1 block, 5 (6, 7, 8, 5, 6) spaces, dc in 3rd of turning ch, turn.
Row 2: Beg space, 3 (4, 5, 6, 3, 4) spaces, (1 block, X-st, 1 block, 5 spaces) 2 (2, 2, 2, 3, 3) times, 1 block, X-st, 1 block, 4 (5, 6, 7, 4, 5) spaces, dc in 3rd of turning ch, turn.
Row 3: Beg space, 2 (3, 4, 5, 2, 3) spaces, [(1 block, X-st) twice, 1 block, 3 spaces] 2 (2, 2, 2, 3, 3) times, (1 block, X-st) twice, 1 block, 3 (4, 5, 6, 3, 4) spaces, dc in 3rd of turning ch, turn.
Row 4: Beg space, 1 (2, 3, 4, 1, 2) spaces, (1 block, X-st, 1 block, 1 space) 6 (6, 6, 6, 8, 8) times, 1 (2, 3, 4, 1, 2) spaces, dc in 3rd of turning ch, turn.
Row 5: Beg space, 0 (1, 2, 3, 0, 1) spaces, (1 block, X-st, 1 block, 3 spaces, 1 block, X-st) 3 (3, 3, 3, 4, 4) times, 1 block, 1 (2, 3, 4, 1, 2) spaces, dc in 3rd of turning ch, turn.
Row 6: Same as Row 4.
Row 7: Same as Row 3.
Row 8: Same as Row 2.
Rep Rows 1 to 8 three more times. Rep Row 1 once more.
Shoulder Band
Set up Row (WS): Beg space, *sk 2 sts, ch 2, dc in nxt st; rep from * to end. 27 (29, 31, 33, 35, 37) 2 ch sps
Row 1 (RS): Ch 3, * 2 dc in nxt sp, dc in nxt dc; rep from * to end. 82 (88, 94, 100, 106, 112) dcs
Sizes 38” and 42” only
Break yarn.
Row 2: Ch 3, dc across.
Rep Row 2 0 (0, 0, 0, 1, 1) more times.
Back
Same as Front
Finishing
Weave in ends. Block front and back. Seam 4 (4.5, 4.5, 5, 5.5, 6)” of top edges of Front and Back for shoulders leaving the central 11 (12, 13, 14, 14.5, 15.5)” for neck opening.
Seam the sides leaving 7 (7.5, 8, 8.5, 9, 9.5)” for armholes at the top and 4” below for side slits (optional).
Sleeves
Right sleeve
With RS facing, join yarn at underarm.
Rnd 1: Ch 5, dc in top of next row along back armhole, *ch 2, dc in top of next row; rep from * around armhole till 1 row away from beg ch, join with sl st in 3rd of beg 5-ch.
Rnd 2: Ch 5, dc in next dc, *ch 2, dc in next dc; rep from * to last dc, ch 2 join with sl st in 3rd of beg 5-ch. Fasten off and break yarn.
Left sleeve
With RS facing, join yarn at underarm.
Rnd 1: Ch 5, dc in top of next row along front armhole, *ch 2, dc in top of next row; rep from * around armhole till 1 row away from beg ch, join with sl st in 3rd of beg 5-ch.
Rnd 2: Ch 5, dc in next dc, *ch 2, dc in next dc; rep from * to last dc, ch 2 join with sl st in 3rd of beg 5-ch. Fasten off and break yarn.
Add tassels in each space at front and back hems.
I’m not finding this to be easy at all. I’m stuck on the first row. The stitch names and the way some of the instructions are written are very confusing to me. I mean a space is a space, it shouldn’t be a name of a pattern stitch!