Sneaky top

Sneaky Top Crochet Pattern by Izabela Firlová

What is Being Made

The Sneaky top is a women's crochet garment designed as an intermediate-level project. This top features a structured construction with defined cups, a mesh body section, decorative lace edging, and adjustable straps. The garment is worked from the top down in the round, creating a fitted silhouette with a flattened bottom edge.

Construction Technique and Method

This crochet top is constructed using a top-down, in-the-round working method. The pattern begins with the cup shaping at the top, progresses to a mesh section for the body, and concludes with lace detailing added to both the bottom and top edges. After completing the cups and bottom peak shaping, the crocheter works the mesh portion before flattening the bottom edge. Straps are added as a final step. The construction requires turning after every row and slip stitching to the first row at the end of each row to maintain proper shaping and structure.

Stitches Used

The Sneaky top utilizes fundamental crochet stitches combined with advanced stitch techniques:

• Chain stitch (ch) – the foundation stitch used to create loops and openwork sections
• Double crochet (dc) – the primary stitch providing structure and density to the garment
• Slip stitch (ss) – used to join rounds and secure stitches without adding height
• Decrease stitch (dc5tog) – a specialized technique where five double crochets are worked together in a single stitch, creating significant shaping for the cup construction and fitted areas. This advanced decrease is achieved by working five incomplete double crochets and then pulling yarn through all loops simultaneously

Materials Required

The Sneaky top pattern calls for specific materials to achieve the intended drape and fit:

• Yarn: 100 grams of fingering weight cotton yarn; the designer used Mayflower Cotton 8/4 Junior for the sample
• Hook: 3 mm crochet hook
• Additional supplies: Tapestry needle for weaving in ends
• Gauge: 20 stitches and 11 rows over 4 inches (10 cm) in double crochet

Yarn Weight and Fiber Content

This pattern is designed for 4-ply yarn weight, which provides a lightweight, breathable fabric ideal for a summer or transitional top. The use of cotton yarn creates a natural, cool-wearing garment with excellent drape and structure. The fingering weight classification ensures the finished piece has a refined appearance with clear stitch definition while maintaining comfortable wearability.