This is a sweet little summer project! I got the itch to make it when I found this interesting granny square in my mother-in-law’s old 1967 Mon Tricot needlework book….. I like that the open cross granny square in this project is bit different than your run-of-the-mill granny square. Unfortunately, the instructions in my mother-in-law’s book were written in British crochet notation. I only speak American, so I just made mine up and wrote it down to share with ya’ll. It looks a little different than the one in the book, but it’s definitely working with the same idea. (Pssst! Stash-addict: This top is a great opportunity to use up all that random, sorta ugly, funky-feeling acrylic yarn you’ve managed to accumulate, too. Even though it is made of acrylic yarn, this top will never give you that weird I’m-Wearing-Spun-Plastic feeling because its fully lined with your favorite old tee-shirt.) Stuff you’ll need: Good ol’ fashioned acrylic yarn. G crochet hook Donor tee or tank top (or other scrap of complimentary knit material) Handsewing needle Matching thread Step #1: Crochet your granny square. Here’s what you’re going for: Round 1 CH 7, sl st into circle. Round 2 CH 2, 2 DC into center circle. *CH 1, 3 DC into center circle. CH 3, 3 DC into center circle.* Repeat from * to * 2 more times. CH 1, 3 DC into center circle, CH 3 and sl st to close round. Round 3 Ch 3, *3 DC into Round 2’s CH 1 (the small space inbetween sets of 3 DC), Ch 1 3 DC into CH3 loop, CH 3, 3 DC into same loop, CH 1* Repeat from * to * 2 more times. Ch 1, 3 DC into Round 2’s CH 1 (the small space inbetween sets of 3 DC), Ch 1 3 DC into CH3 loop, CH 3, 2 DC into same loop, sl st to close round. Careful! This is where things start to change!!! Round 4 Ch 3,* 2 DC into 1 CH space. 1 DC into each of the 3 DCs below, 2 DC into 1 CH space below. CH 1, 3 DC into 3 CH loop, CH 3, 3 DC into same 3 CH loop, CH 1.* Repeat from * to * sl st to close round. Round 5 Work the same way as round 4, except this time work 1 DC into each of the 7 DCs below, ultimately forming 11 DCs (2 new ones + 7 old ones + 2 new ones) on each side. The corners stay the same with each round – the only thing that changes is the number of DCs on each side. How many rows until I’m done?! For my top, I worked a total of 10 rows. You could add a row or two to make the top bigger or subtract a row or two to make it smaller. I recommend holding the work up to your body as you go (preferably in front of a mirror) so that you can get a better idea of how big it will need to be. Step # 2 – Add Straps. Once you’re happy with the size it’s time to add the halter part. Starting at one corner, CH 25 and sl st closed at about 18 stitches in from the corner. (See the pic for clarification!) Try it on before you snip the yarn to see if it’s working on your body. Too long would mean that your top is exposing parts of you meant to be covered up and too short would mean that you can’t get your head through the hole. My halter strap looks like this: For the tie closure in the back, I just looped about 7 or so inches of spare yarn around either corner. You could braid the ties or even crochet them if you felt like it. You’re just looking for something you can tie in the back to hold the top closed. Done? Now you’re ready to…. Step #3 – Attach the lining. Lay your donor tank or tee on a flat surface. Whatever you use, make sure it’s a knit (i.e. stretchy) NOT woven. Cut one side of your tank/tee open and lay it flat if you need a bigger piece of fabric to work with. Use your granny square as a template and cut the lining to size. (Don’t cut into your granny square!!!!) Using a slip stitch, sew the lining to the granny square. Don’t worry about finishing the edges of the knit fabric – knits don’t unravel and if you sew it right, the unfinished edges won’t be visable when you’re wearing the top anyway. All Done! Wear dangle earrings and rock it. Back View!……. mmm…crochet photography…so much pattern…. Enjoy!!!!!

You might also enjoy: