I’m excited to have you join me for the Sea of Summer Top, free crochet along! This is one of Creations by Courtney’s most popular crochet patterns, and we get to make our own wonderful version together this month.
The Sea of Summer Top is a size inclusive crochet pattern with instructions to fit size Extra Small to 5X Large, or from a 30″ / 76.2 cm chest up to 68″ / 172.7 cm chest circumference. This fun and sassy off the shoulder crochet top includes 4″ / 10 cm of positive ease in an a-line silhouette for a comfortable, complimenting fit of all body sizes.
You will find a few options for the ruffle, which was created to manage the weight of the fabric. No one wants to have Janet Jackson Superbowl moment ??. Also, I have decided to update the pattern PDF just a bit…
Why a crochet along?
A crochet along is a great way to hang out with a community of crocheters that love making the same type of crochet projects as you do. Also, if someone is new to this type of crochet project, a crochet along offers a lot of support from the designer and other other CAL participants.
And my favorite reason for a crochet along is seeing all of the wonderful color choices and finished pieces! Often, I find inspiration for a color I hadn’t considered using to make a future crochet top.
How the crochet along will work
This free crochet along will cover 5 weeks from May 28 to June 30, 2023.
A schedule is provided for each section of the crochet along for the Sea of Summer Top from the yarn, gauge information to making this crochet top at a pace to finish in time for summer plans. The Sea of Summer Top is a premium pattern, but can be accessed in sections for free during the CAL only.
If a participant has the ad-free PDF or chooses to purchase a copy as a CAL participant, you can work ahead of the provided schedule.
Participants will be sent emails about each section of the crochet along, and one can post their progress pictures in the Creations by Courtney Community FB group under the associated posts or on Instagram with the following tags, #CreationsbyCourtney, #CBCCAL and #SeaOfSummerTop.
Each participant that posts a modeled picture of their finished Sea of Summer Top by June 30, 2023, will be entered in the giveaway for a $25 gift card. If the selected winner lives outside of the US and Canada, we will discuss an equivalent in their region.
What you’ll accomplish during the crochet along
Creations by Courtney finds it important to help crocheters gain new skills and confidence with each crochet pattern, but especially a crochet garment. No one wants to spends hours and hours making a garment that they do not absolutely love. The Sea of Summer Top has been the most popular Creations by Courtney pattern, so we’re going to make sure that you love wearing it each and every time!
- Making foundation half double crochet in the round
- Simple garment shaping
- Simple garment customization
Sea of Summer Top Crochet Along Schedule
Materials, 5/19
Gauge, 6/1
Section 1: Body, 6/7
Section 2: Front, 6/16
Section 3: Back, 6/20
Section 4: Ruffle, 6/24
Finishing 6/30
How to participate
- Signup for the CAL to be notified by email when each section is available.
- Join the Creations by Courtney Community Facebook group.
- Get your materials together. The supply list is below. ⬇️
- Add your project to Ravelry.
- Put the schedule in your calendar with reminders so you don’t miss any of the fun.
- Bookmark this page so it’s easy to find during the crochet along.
- Return to this post throughout the event to be directed to the next section.
- As you work, post progress pictures on Facebook and Instagram with the tag #SeaOfSummerTop #CreationsbyCourtney #CBCCAL
Supply List
Yarn
The original sample of the Sea of Summer Top was made with Rozetti Yarns Lumen, a cotton and viscose blend ribbon yarn. I loved the shiny parts from the viscose that created a look similar to a variegated yarn but in one color! Sadly, this yarn has been discontinued, but as a DK weight yarn, there are LOTS of options. Since I want all CAL participants to love their Sea of Summer Top, the schedule includes more time for gathering the perfect yarn from your stash or ordering. I have listed several options below that are a DK or even Sport weight alternatives that I think will work up beautifully.
*Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. When you complete a purchase with any of the provided links, I earn a small commission at no cost to you. I only share products that I love and use myself.
- Lion Brand Yarn Mandala I’m using this from my stash!
- Lion Brand Yarn 24/7 Cotton DK
- Lion Brand Yarn Coboo
- Hobbii Panettone This would be my first choice if ordering yarn. ?
- Hobbii Friends Cotton 8/8
- Hobbii Friends Cotton Silk
- WeCrochet CotLin
- WeCrochet Shine Sport
- WeCrochet Brava Sport
- Premier Yarns Cotton Fair
- Premier Yarns Afternoon Cotton
- Premier Yarns Dottie
- Paintbox Simply DK
- StyleCrafts Naturals Bamboo & Cotton DK
Yarn Amounts
The following amounts have been rounded up or down to the nearest whole yard / meter
- X-Small 1266 yds / 1158 m
- Small 1436 yds / 1313 m
- Medium 1542 yds / 1410 m
- Large 1848 yds / 1690 m
- X-Large 1792 yds / 1639
- 2X-Large 1981 yds / 1811 m
- 3X-Large 2124 yds / 1942 m
- 4X-Large 2307 yds / 2110 m
- 5X-Large 2520 yds / 2304 m
Other Supplies
US G+ (4.5 mm) hook or size needed for gauge
Stitch markers x 4
Scissors
Yarn Needle
PATTERN KEY
ch: chain
CSDC: chainless starting double crochet
dc: double crochet
fhdc: foundation half double crochet
first-hdc: first half double crochet
FO: Fasten off
hdc2tog: half double crochet 2 together
hdc: half double crochet
PM: place marker
Rep: repeat
sc: single crochet
sk: skip
sl st: slip stitch
st(s): stitch(es)
YO: yarn over
SPECIAL STITCHES & TECHNIQUES
first-hdc: in first st, single crochet (without ch-1), ch 1
CSDC: pull up a loop to row height, holding loop in place and wrap yarn around hook (yarn over), insert hook in first st, YO, pull up a loop, [YO, pull through 2 loops] twice
How to join Fhdc in the round: For final fhdc, YO and insert hook through foundation chain, YO, pull up loop (3 loops on hook), insert hook through foundation of first st (starting ch-3), YO, pull through first st and one loop on hook (ch made), YO, pull through 3 loops, sl st to 3rd ch to join
Prefer an ad-free PDF?
You can purchase the pattern from your favorite pattern shop with a special discount as a CAL participant. The special coupon code will only be sent by newsletter, so don’t forget to signup. ?
Gauge
INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE SEA OF SUMMER TOP CAL
As stated above, each size will be written separately for clarity and in the following sections. Bookmark this page and come back per the schedule for the next section of the crochet along
Section 1: Body
Section 2: Front
Section 3: Back
Section 4: Ruffle
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This pattern is not to be duplicated or resold, and not to be reproduced commercially. You may sell finished products on Etsy, at farmers markets, and craft fairs, but please credit Creations By Courtney as the pattern’s author.
One Response
This is so cute- but I am not sure I would be comfortable wearing an ‘off the shoulder’ top in my old age! :-). Can the ruffle bit be worn on the shoulder as well- or would it just slide off again?