Nautical Toddler's Top in Caron Simply Soft - Downloadable PDF

Nautical Toddler's Top in Caron Simply Soft – Crochet Pattern by Lorna Miser

The Nautical Toddler's Top is a charming, sailor-inspired crochet garment designed by Lorna Miser for babies and toddlers. Available as a free downloadable PDF, this intermediate-level crochet pattern produces a structured, textured pullover top worked in classic nautical colorwork using Caron Simply Soft yarn. The design is sized to fit children from 6 months through 4 years, making it a versatile addition to any little one's wardrobe.

What Is Being Made

This pattern creates a toddler's pullover top with a nautical theme, worked in two colors — a deep navy and crisp white — evoking the classic sailor aesthetic. The finished garment features a shaped neckline and is constructed in separate front and back panels that are seamed together. Chest measurements range from 22 inches (56 cm) for 6 months up to 30 inches (76 cm) for 4 years, with corresponding lengths from 11 inches to 15 inches.

• 6 months: 22" chest, 11" length
• 12 months: 24" chest, 12" length
• 18 months: 26" chest, 13" length
• 2 years: 28" chest, 14" length
• 4 years: 30" chest, 15" length

Techniques Used

This pattern is rated intermediate, meaning it is best suited for crocheters who are comfortable with basic stitches and are ready to tackle shaping and construction techniques. Key techniques include:

• Working in back loops only (BLO) on right-side rows to create a distinctive ridged texture
• Working in front loops only (FLO) on wrong-side rows to complete the ridge pattern
• Neck shaping on the front panel, with separate left and right front neck sections worked independently
• Decreasing using the 2hdctog technique (half double crochet two together) to shape the neckline smoothly
• Sleeve placement markers inserted at the edges to guide construction
• Two-color design using a Main Color (MC) and a Contrast Color (CC) for the nautical stripe effect
• Flat construction with the back and front worked as separate panels

Stitches Used

The primary stitch pattern is called Half Double Crochet Ridges, a beautifully simple but visually effective stitch that creates a horizontal ribbed or ridged surface by alternating which loop is worked on right-side and wrong-side rows. The specific stitches called for in this pattern include:

• Half double crochet (hdc) – the dominant stitch throughout the entire garment
• Single crochet (sc) – used in finishing and edging details
• Slip stitch (sl st) – used for joining and finishing
• Chain (ch) – used for foundation chains and turning chains
• 2hdctog (half double crochet two together) – a custom decrease stitch worked by pulling up loops in two consecutive stitches and drawing through all loops at once, creating a neat single-stitch decrease

The gauge for this pattern is 15 hdc and 10 rows = 4 inches (10 cm), which is important to achieve the correct sizing across all five size options. Swatching before beginning is strongly recommended, especially for an intermediate crocheter working a sized garment.

Materials – Yarn and Hook

The pattern calls for Caron Simply Soft, an aran weight yarn available in 170 g / 6 oz skeins with approximately 288 m / 315 yards per skein. This smooth, easy-care acrylic yarn is an excellent