Saly Top

Saly Top by Hookoflove

What Is Being Made

The Saly Top is a crochet garment designed by Hookoflove as a downloadable PDF pattern. This is a fitted, wearable top constructed using the top-down method, creating a cohesive garment from yoke to hem. The finished piece features a shaped neckline and includes sleeve borders for a polished appearance. The top is available in five sizes ranging from small to xxlarge, with finished bust measurements of 36, 40, 44, 53, and 56 inches respectively. The length from shoulder to hem measures 22 inches across all sizes.

Construction Method

The Saly Top is worked from the top down in four distinct sections: the yoke is crocheted first, followed by the body, then the neckline is shaped and closed, and finally the sleeve borders are added. This construction approach allows for easy customization of fit and length during the crafting process, as the crocheter can try on the garment as it develops.

Crochet Stitches and Techniques

The pattern utilizes fundamental crochet stitches to create the structure and texture of the garment. Key stitches employed include:

• Double crochet (dc) – the primary stitch used throughout the top, creating a fabric with good drape and structure
• Chain (ch) – used for foundation and shaping
• Back loop single crochet (blsc) – applied for selective stitch placement and texture variation
• Back loop double crochet (bldc) – used to create dimensional effects and defined edges
• Double crochet two together (dc2tog) – employed for decreasing stitches to shape the garment

The gauge for the Saly Top is 17 stitches by 8 rows of double crochet in a 4-inch by 4-inch square when worked with a 4.5 mm hook.

Materials and Tools

The Saly Top is designed to be worked with fingering or sock weight yarn, classified as 4-ply weight. The primary crochet hook size is 4.5 mm, with a smaller 4 mm hook used specifically for the neckline border to create a tighter, more refined finish.

Ivory colorway: The pictured top is crocheted in DMC Natura Just Cotton White yarn in an ivory shade. This version requires 1020 yards for the small size, increasing to 1870 yards for the xxlarge size, translating to 6 to 11 skeins depending on the size selected.

Multicolor option: An alternative color top design is available featuring a combination of green tones. This version uses light green (less than 1 skein for the neckline border), chartreuse (1 to 4 skeins), aquamania (2 to 3 skeins), and green valley (3 to 6 skeins) depending on the size. The multicolor construction allows for creative color blocking and visual interest throughout the garment.

Difficulty Level

The Saly Top is classified as an intermediate difficulty crochet project. This level assumes familiarity with basic crochet stitches and techniques, as well as comfort reading crochet abbreviations and following pattern instructions. The top-down construction method and shaping techniques require attention to detail and understanding of how to increase and decrease stitches to achieve proper fit.