Crochet Half & Half Tee

Hello my lovely fellow Crocheters! Yes, it's been a long time since I posted. A very long time. But if you follow me on Instagram, you'll know I've been on a roll... making top after top. I released the RetroFun Polo Tee as a free pattern here...  The Morse Code Top has just been released! And there's another one that's done... Gonna call it the Blending Stripes Tee. I will write it down as soon as I get the chance. And what do you know, I've already got the next top concept going...

And of course. let's not forget why I started this post... this tee below...

For lack of a better name... I'm just calling it the Crochet Half & Half Tee!!! (I know... It's a bit lame!) This top was super easy. I made it in 4 days! I made this top using just the DC. That's it. I loved it so much so I've decided to share it with everyone. 

Before jumping into the pattern, there's a few pattern notes that I'd like you to go through first:

1.     Make a swatch with dc's. Measure your gauge. Very important step. I used DC, you can use

        HDC or SC if you want.

2.    The stitches are made vertically, as in you work the rows in top to bottom direction.

3.    Due to the direction of the rows, the stitches will stretch more than usual. When you measure

       your gauge, stretch the stitches out to get a more accurate measrement.

4.    Measure yourself properly, this top pattern itself is easy, but it involves a LOT of calclation!

Hope you went though that portion throughly!

Now, let's get started.

STEP 1: Measurements & Calculations.

You need to get the following measurements. Write them down clearly in a piece of paper or note it on your phone... whichever works for you.

A. Length of top: however long you would like your top to be.

B. Length of top x 2: this will be the width of the final piece, before we fold it and sew the seems.

C. Half of bust measurement: This will determine the no. of rows you need.

D. Width of neck: how wide you want neck opening to be.

E. Neck depth: how deep you want neck opening to be.

F. Armhole: measure around your armhole, from shoulder to armpit.

STEP 2: Swatch & Gauge.

Make sure you get the swatch right, it should be at least 15 DC wide & 10 rows long. And make note of the following.

How many DC per inch (width)

How many rows per inch (height)

STEP 3: Making the panels.

If you noticed in the pic above, theres a total of 8 panels mentioned. So let's start the top.

With color 1, start with panel 1 & 2.

Panel 1: Color 1, front panel. Dimensions: width - A-E; height - D/2. [Cut the yarn]

Panel 2: Color 1, back panel. Dimensions: width - A; height - D/2. [Do not cut the yarn]

You should have 2 pieces like this. [ps: they should have same no. of rows though no. of stitches will differ]

Panel 3: Color 1, Side panel. We will be joining the 2 panels now.

You will have your yarn still attached to panel 2, working in the same piece, start the next row, when yo reach the end of the row, start making chainless foundation DC. If you haven't made that before, you can find a video tutorial here. Make foundation DC, till for however deep you want the neck. [measurement E]. Then without cutting the yarn, join in panel 1 with a DC and finish that row. At the end of this row, it sould look like you have made a bridge between panel 1 & 2.

Continue working this panel, till the total heigth [from row 1 of panel 1] is C/2. Cut the yarn. You will now have a weird looking piece like this.

Panel 4: Color 1, Sleeve.

Place a stitch marker, marking the center of the last row you worked.

Mark the stitches to work the sleeves on either side of the stitch marker. My armhole measurement was 14 inches, so I have 7 inches on either side, making sure I have the same no. of stitches on both sies of the stitch marker. [Note: in the pic below, the back panel is in the right, and the front panel is in the left]

Attach your yarn and work in the stitches you've marked, make as many rows as you want till you reach desired length for sleeve. 

Note:

If you want loose sleeves, work the same no. of stitches in each row.

If you want a tappering sleeve, decrease in first and last stitch as I have done.

Phew... we've finished Color 1! Now it's a little easier, as we already know how many stitches and rows you need for each panel, you just need to repeat that on the other side.

With color 2, panel 5 & 6. 

These panels will have the same no. of rows as panel 1 & 2. Join color 2, as shown below. [not the side where the sleeve is!! The other side, you'll flip the piece upside down, and work along the foundation chains of panel 1 & 2.

So you'll have this... after working second panel with color 2, don't cut yarn.

Panel 7: Color 2, Side panel.

You will work this in the exact same way as you did panel 3 with color 1. Make sure the "bridge" between the front and back has same no. of stitches. And also you should have the same no. of rows.

Panel 8: Color 2, Sleeve.

Mark the stitches for the sleeve the same way as you did for color 1 and work this sleeve. Just keep counting to ensure you have the same no. of stitches & rows.

There... most of the difficult work is done now! You just have to fold this in half, along the length of the top, and sew the edges. [Or you can even slip stitch them.] And, sorry I forgot to take a pic of this step!!

You are now ready to add the border.

I have used the pom pom edging in a contrasting color. I really love how this color pops! You can check out a video tutorial for pom pom edging here.

I have made this edging along the bottom edge & the sleeves. It's really optional, you can sse any other edging if you want to.

That's it... almost done. Wear your top, in case the neckine is sagging too much, (because direction... you can't predict how much your yarn will stretch!!!) don't freak out. Just take a hook 2 sizes smaller and slip stitch along the neckline with the same color you used for the edging. That should do the trick.

If you have any questions or doubts about the pattern, post it in the comments sections, or mail them to me at madewithlovebydaisy@gmail.com

So there's your top. I hope you enjoyed making this pattern. If you you liked this pattern make sure you follow me on Instagram, so you'll be updated on new pattern releases, tutorials & giveaways. 

If you make this top, be sure to share pics with me by tagging @madewithlovebydaisy on Instagram. That's it for now!

Happy Hooking...

Daisy