Grand Arches Top

Grand Arches Crochet Top by Leonela Cevallos

What is Being Made

The Grand Arches Top is an original crochet garment pattern designed by Leonela Cevallos. This is a wearable top featuring a distinctive arches design, available in six different sizes ranging from XS to XXL. The pattern offers versatility in colorway options, with the designer's version utilizing an off-white primary color paired with mint green accents, though crafters can choose to work the entire piece in a single color if preferred.

Craft and Techniques

This is an intermediate-level crochet project suitable for crafters with foundational crochet skills who are ready to tackle more complex stitch patterns and garment construction. The pattern employs shell stitch groups as the primary design element, creating the signature arches that give the top its name. The use of shell stitches—a decorative stitch formed by working multiple stitches into the same stitch or space—creates an open, textured fabric with visual interest and drape.

The garment is constructed using standard crochet techniques including chain stitches for foundation and shaping, with careful attention to gauge and tension to ensure proper fit across the size range. Stitch markers are utilized throughout the construction process to help track pattern repeats and shaping increases or decreases.

Stitches Used

• Chain stitch (Ch): Used for foundation chains and creating chain spaces (ch-sp) within the pattern
• Shell stitch groups: The primary decorative stitch element that forms the arches design

Materials Required

This pattern calls for DK weight yarn, a lightweight yarn category ideal for creating garments with drape and breathability. The designer used Drops Muskat, a 100% cotton DK yarn offering 100 meters per 50-gram ball. Yardage requirements vary by size: XS through S require 900 meters, M requires 1,000 meters, L requires 1,100 meters, XL requires 1,200 meters, and XXL requires 1,400 meters of yarn.

For the two-color version shown in the pattern, crafters need 8 to 12 balls of the primary color (off-white) depending on size, plus 1 to 2 balls of the accent color (mint green). Alternatively, the pattern can be worked entirely in a single color using 9 to 14 balls total depending on size.

Additional tools include a 5.50 mm crochet hook or the size required to achieve proper gauge, a tapestry needle for weaving in ends, four stitch markers for tracking pattern placement, scissors, and a measuring tape for checking dimensions during construction.

Gauge and Sizing

The pattern specifies a gauge of 2.75 shell groups x 10 rows = 10 cm x 10 cm, measured over the shell stitch pattern. Achieving correct gauge is essential for proper fit, and crafters are advised to work a gauge swatch before beginning the garment. The pattern is written for six sizes with specific yardage and stitch counts for each, and the designer recommends highlighting all numbers pertaining to your chosen size before beginning work to avoid confusion during construction.