Tag: made-to-measure crochet

  • Make the Perfect Spring-Summer Crochet Top | Introducing The Tea Top |

    Make the Perfect Spring-Summer Crochet Top | Introducing The Tea Top |

    Tea Top crochet pattern sample in colourful ripple stripes with three quarter sleeves, worn outdoors with a blue skirt, showing fit and drape

    Let me introduce you to my latest design, the Tea Top. It is a modern, made to measure crochet top built from two simple T shaped panels and a soothing ripple stitch. I designed it with versatility in mind, so you can choose any sleeve length you like, from short sleeves to three quarter, long, or something perfectly in between. It is light, comfortable, great for experimenting with colour, and works with any yarn weight, which makes it an easy and wearable project for spring and summer. The kind of crochet you actually want to wear anywhere

    If you love crochet pieces that fit your body and your style, the Tea Top is going to be such a fun make.

    Tea Top crochet pattern sample in colourful ripple stripes with open shoulder detail and loose sleeves, worn with a blue pleated skirt against a scenic outdoor backdrop.
    Tea Top crochet pattern sample in colourful ripple stripes with open shoulder detail, worn outdoors in a lush garden with banana plants, paired with a bright blue skirt.
    Back view of the Tea Top crochet pattern in colourful ripple stripes with open shoulder detail and red edging, worn with a bright blue skirt in a lush garden setting.

    Why I Designed the Tea Top

    I first had the idea for the Tea Top back in 2022, when a ripple stitch blanket popped up on my feed and the voices in my head screamed ‘we have a top for you. They were loud, and the idea was fully formed, so I had to follow it.

    I wanted something for my own wardrobe, something simple and wearable, so I gathered the yarn I had bought for a dress that didn’t quite work out and started crocheting.

    I didn’t begin with a full plan. I did my gauge, made a little sketch in my head, restarted twice (as usual), and slowly the first version came together. The 3/4 sleeve version was the original one, and fun fact: I only realised one of my panels had an extra repeat when I was putting them together. So I hoped for the best and just kept going and even sewed the panels with my brand‑new sewing machine, which felt very exciting at the time (and yes, it does work, and yes I did feel lazy).

    That top ended up becoming one of my most‑worn pieces. I wore it out, to work, in spring, in summer, with skirts, jeans, and fancier trousers. It was the kind of make that quietly slips into your wardrobe and stays.

    It took me three years to finally sit down and write the pattern, and by then I knew it would be a very versatile design. The second time around, I leaned into a more relaxed T‑shirt look instead of the fitted “look at my sleeves” vibe of the first version. Also wanted to make sure that one extra repeat was not a must, and it does still work without it.

    Seeing my testers working with different yarns was such a surprise, it transforms so easily, and I’m convinced it could even work for winter with the right fibre.

    Tea Top crochet pattern sample in earthy ripple stripes with short sleeves, worn with high‑waisted light trousers and a black belt in a sunlit garden setting.
    Back view of the Tea Top crochet pattern in earthy ripple stripes with short sleeves and shoulder openings, worn with white trousers in a sunlit field with tall grass.
    Tea Top crochet pattern in earthy ripple stripes with shoulder cut‑out detail, worn outdoors near water with sunlight reflecting on the surface.

    One of my favourite things about this pattern is how soothing the stitch repeat is. Once you get the rhythm, it flows by. The increases and decreases are easy to spot, so you don’t need to keep count, and there isn’t much sewing to do on the sleeves. It’s the kind of project you can pick up in the evening and just enjoy while watching tv.

    More than anything, I wanted this to be a relaxed and creative make. A pattern you can play with: colours, length, sleeve style, fit. Shape into something that feels like you. Long or cropped, short sleeve or long, loose or fitted. The Tea Top adapts to your style, your season, your wardrobe.

    Why You’ll Love This Crochet Top

    • A soothing ripple stitch that’s relaxing and easy to follow
    • Simple, approachable construction
    • Made to measure, so the fit is exactly how you like it
    • Easy to customise (colours, length, sleeves, fit)
    • Works beautifully with different fibres and seasons
    • A wearable, everyday crochet piece that you can wear anywhere

    If you’re looking for a piece that you can make your own, that works across seasons, and that you’ll reach for again and again, this is the one. I’m so excited to share it with you, and I hope it becomes a favourite in your handmade collection.

    Tea Top Crochet Pattern Materials List

    • Yarn of your choice
    • Crochet hook compatible with yarn
    • Tapestry needle
    • Scissors
    • Measuring tape
    • Stitch markers (optional)

    Because the Tea Top is made to measure and can be customised in so many ways (length, sleeves, fit, yarn weight), I’m not providing specific yardage estimates. The amount of yarn you’ll need depends entirely on the choices you make for your version. This is a great project to use what you already have in your stash, mix colours, combine leftovers, or finally use that yarn you’ve been saving. I used under 280 g for each top when working with Hobbii 8/4 cotton, both can be considered a size S.

    How the Testers Made It Their Own

    • Tea Top crochet pattern sample in multicolour ripple stripes with short sleeves and scalloped hem, worn by maker indoors with a straw hat
    • Tea Top crochet pattern in dark rainbow ripple stripes with long sleeves, worn indoors in a softly lit room.
    • “Tea Top crochet pattern in pastel ripple stripes with short sleeves, worn outdoors in front of a tree and house on a sunny day
    • “Tea Top crochet pattern in bold ripple stripes of red, white, navy, light blue and grey, with long sleeves featuring open wave details, worn indoors against a plain wall.
    • Tea Top crochet pattern in pink and dark grey ripple stripes with long sleeves, worn outdoors on a sunny day in a grassy area with trees and a parked car in the background.
    • Tea Top crochet pattern in blue and teal ripple stripes with short sleeves, worn indoors in a bedroom with a blue‑and‑grey quilt in the background.
    • “Tea Top crochet pattern in bright rainbow ripple stripes with long sleeves and open‑shoulder loop details, worn outdoors in a grassy yard with trees and houses in the background.
    • Tea Top crochet pattern in a bolero variation, worked in brown, black and white ripple stripes with long sleeves, worn outdoors on a wooden deck with trees in the background.
    • Tea Top crochet pattern in pastel ripple stripes with long sleeves featuring open lattice details, shown against a solid green background.
    • Tea Top crochet pattern in bright rainbow ripple stripes with short sleeves, worn outdoors on a sunny day in a grassy area with trees in the background.
    • Tea Top crochet pattern in bright multicolour ripple stripes with long sleeves, worn outdoors beside a body of water with greenery in the background.
    • “Tea Top crochet pattern in bright multicolour ripple stripes with short sleeves and open‑shoulder loop details, worn outdoors on a grassy area with trees in the background.

    Get Your Copy Now!

    Click below to grab your pattern and start start stitching your TeaTop today:

    Get it on Ravelry
    Get it on Ribblr
    Get it on Etsy

    Make your Tea Top in your favourite yarn, your perfect fit, and your ideal length and watch it become one of those pieces you reach for without thinking. When you finish, share your photos with #TeaTop. I can’t wait to see your colours, your sleeves, your style.

    Thank you for supporting my crochet designs. Creating the Tea Top has been such a joy, and I hope you love making it as much as I loved bringing it to life.

    How will you style your Tea Top this season? Tell me in the comments below.

  • The View Dress | Free Crochet Pattern | Series Hub

    The View Dress | Free Crochet Pattern | Series Hub

    The View Dress is a bold, made-to-measure crochet piece with a dramatic cowl neckline at the back and a silhouette that’s shaped to your body. It’s designed to be flexible, use any yarn weight and compatible hook, and let the fabric reflect your style. Whether you want something breezy and drapey or structured and cozy, this pattern adapts to you.

    I stitched mine in black bamboo yarn with a 2.5 mm hook, from Colombia to Brazil, and documented every step. The result? A five-part blog series that walks you through the entire process, from swatching and shaping to straps, neckline, and final tweaks.
    This pattern is free, customizable, and designed to travel with you, whether that’s across a continent or just to your favorite chair.

    Materials & Sizing

    • Yarn: Black bamboo, fingering weight (I used around 8 balls of yarn for a size XS)
    • Hook: 2.5 mm
    • Sizing: Custom-fit based on your own measurements
    • Notions: Stitch markers, elastic thread, hooks & eyes

    If you’re crazy like me use the same yarn as me. But you can absolutely choose any yarn weight and compatible hook. This is a made to measure pattern, so it adapts to your body and your style.

    The 5-Part Series

    1. Part 1: The Start of The View Dress
    Written from a plane over the Amazon. I introduce the project, the yarn, and the plan to crochet a dress while traveling. Includes swatching, early design thoughts, and why I refused to quit this time.

    2. Part 2: Skirt’s Front Panel
    From Bogotá to Cartagena, I explain how to shape the front skirt panel with custom measurements and stitch math. Includes tips on gauge, increases, and how to calculate your own fit.

    3. Part 3: Skirt’s Back Panel
    Written from Nazca, Peru. This post covers dart placement and shaping for the back panel, with extra increases to fit your curves. Plus: row-tracking tips and travel updates.

    4. Part 4: The Top Portion
    From bust shaping to strap construction, I walk through the top half of the dress. Includes neckline finishing, closure ideas, and a few stories from the Andes and beyond.

    5. Part 5: Mistakes I Made and How to Fix Them
    Final tweaks for fit and silhouette, because frogging was not an option. Learn how I adjusted the cowl neckline and side flare with elastic thread. Plus: blocking tips and final thoughts on the finished piece.

    Share Your View

    Whether you’re crocheting on a mountaintop, a city balcony, or your favorite cafe, I’d love to see your version.
    Tag me @_angemade and use #CrochetingWithAView so I can cheer you on and share your moment.

    Transparency Note

    This pattern hasn’t been formally tested by others yet. Just me, crocheting across South America with a lot of improvisation and stubbornness. I’ve updated the posts with fixes and tips as I went, and I’m here to help if you run into anything unexpected. Once the pattern is officially tested, I’ll update it accordingly.

    Handmade is always a little experimental, and that’s part of the magic.

  • Crocheting on Two Wheels (Part 2) Skirt’s Front Panel

    My trip started in Bogotá. I would love to say I started crocheting right away, but that would be a lie. I was still getting used to the routine, and I kept forgetting to keep my crochet in hand.

    Our first stop would be Cartagena, 981km north from Bogotá. It took us 5 days to get there. All I could do with my crochet was to finish my swatch and make the calculations for the skirt in a nice hostel in Santa Cruz de Mompox.

    The Plan

    My plan is to make the skirt first, since I always struggled to find skirts that fit me properly on my waist and my hips at the same time.

    Thats why the front panel will be slightly different than the back panel, because our bodies are not perfectly round and our butts need more space than our fronts.

    Within this post I’ll only explain the front panel, that’s where I’m starting. With the easier one first.

    The measurements we need are:

    • A- Half of the Waist +3cm (of positive ease)
    • B- Half of Higher hip (across the hip bones)
    • C- Full Hip (widest point, including the butt)
    • Cf- Front half of measurement C
    • Cb- Back half of measurement C
    • AB- distance between measurement A to B
    • BC- distance between measurement B to C

    You can use the seams on your pants as a quick guide for measurements Cf and Cb, those two should add up to measurement C.

    Measurements A and B are the circumference divided in half equally. But for measurement Cf and Cb the division is not the same, I measured again only the front half, and the back half.

    My measurement C was 106cm, my front panel was 48cm and my back panel was 58cm.

    Transforming cm into Stitches

    With our measurements in hand we just need to know how many stitches are the equivalent for that, and to do that we need a gauge swatch. Yes that’s what they are for too. (btw I use cm cause that’s what my brain is used to. You can use inches, no need to convert.)

    After you have crocheted a slightly bigger than a 10X10cm square. Count how many rows you have to get 10cm, and how many stitches to get 10cm.

    For example, mine was 28st and 24 rows equals 10cm. Or to simplify the math 2.8st and 2.4 rows equals 1cm. Still count the stitches over 10cm and then divide, it will give you a more accurate number than counting the stitches over only 1cm.

    I decided to start with measurement B, not A. I’m still gonna see if that was a mistake, there’s an effect I have in mind. We are trusting the process for now.

    Future Angela came back here to say: It didn’t work, at least not completely. As you can see on Part 5 of this adventure. with that said, please ignore the previous paragraph. Start the skirt panel with measurement A (your waist measurement divided by 2 plus 3cm of positive ease)(the positive ease will determine how low the back cowl neck line will go, if you want it higher leave a smaller positive ease). But instead of making rows with the same number of stitches to get from A to B, we will increase the same way we did to get from B to C as I will explain next. You might have a different ratio of increases from AB compared to BC

    Getting to the math

    So we need to go from measurement B. To measurement Cf.

    For that, just transform measurement B and Cf into a number of stitches. And measurement AB and BC into a number of rows.

    I need to start with 118st, that equals my 42cm (42×2.8=117.6). First we need to get from A to B, for me 19 rows was needed or that (8×2.4=19.2)

    After that, we need to get to 136st, equivalent to my Cf measurment. In 48 rows, which is the distance between my point B to point C.

    That being said, my 136 minus the 118 from the start, equals, 18 stitches that I need to increase. And doing an increase row with increases on both sides, means, I need 9 increases rows. Over 48 rows, 48 divided by 9, equals 5,3333… So we can round it down to one increase row every five rows.

    Rounding the number of rows down means the width will grow faster, which is good in that case.

    For the number of increases, it does need to be a pair, so round it up if you need.

    For me this all results in:

    1. 19 regular rows with 118st. (that will get me from measurement A to B in length)
    2. Then 45 rows between measurement B to C with increases in every 5th row.

    After that keep going until I’m happy with the length.

    Future Angela here again. What I should have done was: start with 110 stitches, and make 8 increases over the 19 rows. Being 4 rows of increase over 19 rows, I would end up making 3 regular rows, an increase, and an increase row every 5 rows until you get 19 rows.

    Now back to past Angela.

    And since that will take me a while, especially with the amount of crocheting I’m actually being able to do. I’ll be back here on another post to ramble about the back panel.

    I hope this makes sense, math sometimes can be scary, but we are just transforming one number into another one. If you feel like making this dress and need help with your numbers feel free to reach out.

    If you’re making this dress, I’d love to see where your stitches take you. Whether it’s a quiet morning on the porch, a bustling café, or a view that makes your heart feel full, share your crochet moment. Tag me and use #CrochetingWithAView so we can celebrate the beauty of handmade, wherever you are.