Pattern: The French Moss Top

Hi everyone! Im SO excited to share with you guys the pattern for my French Moss Top! This is my very first Tunisian crochet pattern I am releasing so i’m a bit nervous. This was also my very first youtube tutorial! When Lion Brand Yarn contacted me to offer yarn support on a pattern, I decided I wanted to do something completely different. I wanted to challenge myself and do something outside of my comfort zone. I think I ended up doing exactly that! I found out through this process that I actually really liked recording my tutorial. It is a lot of work and more time consuming but it was also really fun. Im already starting my second video! It’s far from perfect and I have a lot to learn but thats how we grow right?!

I would love for you all to subscribe to my youtube channel for more videos! 

Follow and tag me on Instagram with all of your makes! I love seeing your work!

Materials:

• 6.5mm Tunisian Crochet Hook

• Dk (3) weight yarn. Pattern uses Vanna’s Style by Lion Brand. 485(525,590,630,675) Yards

• Yarn Needle

Notes:

• Pattern is written as follows XS(S,M,L,XL)

• This pattern is worked in 2 panels (front and back) and then sewn together.

• It is VERY important to have a loose tension when doing Tunisian crochet. Be sure to crochet with a loose tension and size up your hook if needed. Be extra careful when working the beginning Ch to do it loosely.

• Its very easy to adjust the length of your top, just add more or less rows before you begin the decrease rows.

• To make your shirt wider, add more chains to the beginning Ch length.

Finished Size (from top of shoulder strap to bottom of shirt):

XS- 13″ wide, 21″ long

S- 14″ wide, 22″ long

M- 15″ wide, 23″ long

L- 16″ wide, 24″ long

XL- 17″ wide, 25″ long

Gauge: 4×4″ square= 13 stitches by 8 rows

Stitches used:

TESS- Tunisian Extended Simple Stitch- Insert hook into front bar, YO, pull up a loop. Ch 1.

Bind Off Row- insert your hook into the second bar from hook, pull yarn through bar and through loop on hook. (creating a slip stitch.) Repeat through each stitch across.

Pattern(Front Panel):

Ch 44(48,52,56,60) Be sure to do this loose or the chain will be too tight

Row 1: Complete the foundation row- Starting in the second Ch from the hook, insert hook into back bumps of Ch and pull up a loop in each Ch  across. When you reach the end of the row, Ch 1. *YO, pull through 2 loops on hook.* Repeat across until only one stitch remains.

Rows 2-25(27,29,31,33): Begin with 1 Ch and crochet a row of TESS. end with an ext edge st. Work stitches off hook.

For a longer shirt, continue with repeat rows here for the length desired, before beginning decrease rows.

Begin shaping arm holes-

Row 26(28,30,32,34): Ch 1. Decrease, work TESS across row until last 2 stitches and edge stitch. Decrease. end with edge stitch. 42(46,50,54,58) Stitches

Row 27(29,31,33,35): Repeat Row 26(28,30,32,34)  40(44,48,52,56) Stitches

Begin shaping neckline/shoulder straps.-

Row 28(30,32,34,36): Ch 1. Decrease. 14(16,18,20,22) TESS. Decrease. Edge St. 18(20,22,24,26) Stitches

Row 29(31,33,35,37): Ch 1. Decrease. 12(14,16,18,20) TESS. Decrease. Edge St. 16(18,20,22,24) Stitches

You will no longer be decreasing on the outer edges. You will be decreasing at the neckline only.

Row 30(32,34,36,38): Ch 1, 12(14,16,18,20) TESS, Decrease. Edge St. 15(17,19,21,23) Stitches

Row 31:(33,35,37,39): Ch1, 11(13,15,17,19) TESS, Decrease. Edge St. 14(16,18,20,22) Stitches

Row 32(34,36,38,40): Ch1, 10(12,14,16,18) TESS, Decrease. Edge St.  13(15,17,19,21) Stitches

Row 33(35,37,39,41): Ch 1, 9(11,13,15,17) TESS, Decrease. Edge St. 12(14,16,18,20) Stitches

Row 34(36,38,40,42): Ch 1, 8(10,12,14,16) TESS, Decrease. Edge St. 11(13,15,17,19) Stitches

Row 35(37,39,41,43): Ch 1, 7(9,11,13,15) TESS, Decrease. Edge St. 10(12,14,16,18) Stitches

Row 36(38,40,42,44): Ch 1, 6(8,10,12,14) TESS, Decrease. Edge St. 9(11,13,15,17) Stitches

Row 37(39,41,43,45): Ch 1, 5(7,9,11,13) TESS, Decrease. Edge St. 8(10,12,14,16) Stitches

To make your straps thinner, continue decreasing at the end of each row, in the following rows, until you reach the width you want.

Row 38(40,42,44,46): Ch 1, TESS in each St across. Edge St. (8(10,12,14,16) Stitches

Rows 39(41,43,45,47)- 42(46,50,54,58): Repeat previous row.

I recommend holding your panel up to you and checking the length of the strap before tying off completely. This way you can adjust the length if necessary.

Row 43(47,51,55,59): Complete the bind off row. (view definition)

Opposite shoulder/arm strap:

Join your yarn to the center of your shirt with a Sl St (The stitch where you left off on row  27(29,31,33,35)) Repeat the same process of making the strap in rows 28(30,32,34,36) through 43(47,51,55,59). The sides you do your decreases on will be flipped. Make sure you do your neckline decreases on the inside of the shirt.

Back Panel:

Repeat Rows 1-27(29,31,33,35) from the front panel.

Row 28(30,32,34,36): Repeat Row 26

Row 29(31,33,35,37): Repeat Row 26

Row 30(32,34,36,38): Complete the bind off row.

Place both panels together, correct sides facing. Seam shoulder straps to back panel. Seam up the sides of both the panels, stop at the decrease rows. Weave in all ends.

For the visual learners- check out my youtube tutorial on how to make this top! Note: the video is missing how to do the bind off row, so be sure to read the definition above!

YOUTUBE TUTORIAL

Thank you all for the support on The French Moss Top! I hope you guys love it as much as I do!