Kigali Top

Kigali Top Crochet Pattern

What is Being Made

The Kigali Top is a crocheted garment designed as a fitted top with structured cup shaping. This downloadable crochet pattern from The Crocheting offers a beginner-friendly project suitable for crafters new to garment construction. The pattern is available in four sizes: extra small (XS), small (S), medium (M), and large (L), making it accessible for various body measurements.

Crochet Techniques Used

The Kigali Top employs fundamental crochet techniques appropriate for beginner-level crafters. The construction involves circular rounds worked in the round to create the structured cup sections, which form the foundation of the garment. The pattern utilizes increases strategically placed at the sides of stitches to shape the cups and create proper fit. Crafters will work in back loops only (BLO) during specific sections to create texture and structure. The pattern also incorporates turning chains to transition between rows and rounds, a core technique for maintaining proper stitch height and garment shaping.

Stitches Used

The Kigali Top pattern uses a limited selection of fundamental crochet stitches, making it ideal for beginners:

• Chain (Ch) – used for foundation and turning chains throughout the pattern
• Single Crochet (Sc) – provides a tight, dense fabric base
• Double Crochet (Dc) – the primary stitch used for the majority of the garment construction, creating a lighter drape than single crochet
• Slip Stitch (Sl st) – used to join rounds and create seamless transitions

Materials and Tools

The Kigali Top pattern calls for Paintbox Yarns Simply Aran in the colorway Candyfloss Pink. Aran weight yarn is a medium-weight option that works up quickly while providing excellent stitch definition. Yardage requirements vary by size: XS requires 200 yards, S requires 250 yards, M requires 300 yards, and L requires 350 yards. A 3.5 mm crochet hook (size E) is used to work the yarn to the specified gauge of 10 stitches over 3 inches. A tapestry needle is included in the materials list for weaving in ends and finishing the garment.

Pattern Structure and Sizing

The pattern provides clear sizing directions denoted by (XS, S, M, L) throughout, allowing crafters to customize their finished garment. For the medium size, the cups are made in pairs using circular rounds, with the first round establishing a foundation chain of 19 stitches. Subsequent rounds build upon this base, with rounds 4 through 12 repeating a shaping round to reach 92 stitches. The larger L size follows a similar construction method, beginning with a 21-stitch foundation and working rounds 4 through 13 to achieve 101 stitches, demonstrating how the pattern scales proportionally across sizes. Strategic increases worked into the sides of stitches create the three-dimensional cup shaping essential to the garment's fit and structure.