With the warm season comes the desire to add something special to your wardrobe. If you are looking for something handmade, cool, classic, and in natural fibers, you are in the right place. Today we are sharing a free pattern for a short-sleeved lace top in alternating mesh stitch, which lightens and makes Ortica yarn, a blend of pure cotton and nettle fiber, more fluid. The result is a sporty-looking garment that you can wear during the day with jeans or sweatpants. The edging is worked with 1 strand to form a small shell lace.
Ortica is a unique yarn that combines the properties of cotton and nettle. If you care for this top properly, with gentle washes, it will be your companion for many years, which is also a form of environmental sustainability. Choose your favorite color on our online shop and pick up your hook.
MATERIALS
Ortica yarn col. Jeans 300 g / 10.6 oz and col. Lavander 50 g / 1.8 oz
Crochet hook n° 5 EU / H-8 US
Tapestry needle
GAUGE - ALTERNATING MESH STITCH
10 cm x 10 cm / 4" x 4"
10 motifs and 9 rows
CROCHET STITCHES USED
Chain stitch
Slip stitch
Single crochet
Double crochet
Alternating mesh stitch:
(work over an even number of stitches)
row 1 (right side): chain 3 (counts as 1 double crochet), work 1 double crochet in the space between the second and third stitches below, repeat (chain 1, skip the next 2 stitches – the base stitch after the last double crochet worked and the following base stitch – and work 1 double crochet in the space between the last skipped stitch and the next stitch) to the last 2 stitches, skip the next stitch, 1 double crochet in the last stitch, turn
row 2 (wrong side): chain 3 (counts as 1 double crochet), repeat (chain 1, skip the next double crochet, 1 double crochet in the next chain) to the last 2 stitches, chain 1, skipping the next double crochet, 1 double crochet in the last double crochet, turn
row 3 (right side): chain 3 (counts as 1 double crochet), 1 double crochet in the next chain, repeat (chain 1, skip the next double crochet, 1 double crochet in the next chain) to the last stitch, 1 double crochet in the last double crochet, turn.
Repeat rows 2 and 3.
SIZES
Instructions are given for size S (M, L).
FINISHED MEASUREMENTS SIZES S (M, L)
Bust circumference 88 (96, 104) cm / 34.6" (37.8", 41")
Total length 46 (48, 50) cm / 18.1" (19", 19.7")
Length from underarm 25 (26, 27) cm / 10" (10.2", 10.6")
Neck opening 16 (16, 18) cm / 6.3" (6.3", 7")
Upper sleeve width 34 (38, 40) cm / 13.4" (15", 15.7")
Total sleeve length 24 (25, 26) cm / 9.4" (10", 10.2")
DIFFICULTY
Intermediate
INSTRUCTIONS
The top is worked throughout with 2 strands held together. It is worked flat in 4 pieces: back, front, and sleeves. The edgings are worked afterwards.
With crochet hook n° 5 EU / H-8 US and col. Jeans held double, chain 90 (98, 106) stitches and work 1 row of single crochet on the wrong side, replacing the first stitch with 1 chain. Continue in alternating mesh stitch for 23 (24, 25) rows, to row 24 (25, 26), measuring 25 (26, 27) cm / 10" (10.2", 10.6"). Now start the side decreases for the raglan armholes; instructions continue separately for the 3 sizes.
SIZES S (L)
Row 25 (27): (wrong side) decrease 4 (6) stitches for the armhole by working 1 slip stitch in each of the first 4 (6) stitches, work chain 3 in the next chain (counts as 1 double crochet), repeat (chain 1, skip the next double crochet, 1 double crochet in the next chain) to the last 4 (6) stitches, decrease 4 (6) stitches for the armhole by skipping the last 4 (6) stitches, turn
row 26 (28): (right side) decrease 2 stitches for the raglan armhole by working chain 3 and 2 double crochets together over the first 3 stitches (1 double crochet, 1 chain, and 1 double crochet), work 1 double crochet in the next chain, repeat (chain 1, skip the next double crochet, 1 double crochet in the next chain) to the second-to-last chain, decrease 2 stitches for the raglan armhole by working 3 double crochets together over the last 3 stitches (1 double crochet, 1 chain, and 1 double crochet), turn
row 27 (29): decrease 2 stitches for the raglan armhole by working chain 3 and 2 double crochets together over the first 3 stitches (2 double crochets and 1 chain), repeat (chain 1, skip the next double crochet, 1 double crochet in the next chain) to the second-to-last chain, work chain 1, skipping the next double crochet, decrease 2 stitches for the raglan armhole by working 3 double crochets together over the last 3 stitches (1 chain and 2 double crochets), turn
rows 28 to 31 (30 to 35): repeat rows 26 and 27 (28 and 29) 2 (3) more times
row 32 (36): decrease 1 stitch for the raglan armhole by working chain 3 and 1 double crochet together over the first 2 stitches (1 double crochet and 1 chain), repeat (chain 1, skip the next double crochet, 1 double crochet in the next chain) to the second-to-last chain, work chain 1, skipping the next double crochet, decrease 1 stitch for the raglan armhole by working 2 double crochets together over the last 2 stitches (1 chain and 1 double crochet), turn
rows 33 to 43 (37 to 47): work as row 32 (36). Fasten off.
SIZE M
Row 26: (right side) decrease 6 stitches for the armhole by working 1 slip stitch in each of the first 6 stitches, work chain 3 in the next double crochet (counts as 1 double crochet) and 1 double crochet in the next chain, repeat (chain 1, skip the next double crochet, 1 double crochet in the next chain) to the last 7 stitches, work 1 double crochet in the next stitch, decrease 6 stitches for the armhole by skipping the last 6 stitches, turn
row 27: (wrong side) decrease 2 stitches for the raglan armhole by working chain 3 and 2 double crochets together over the first 3 stitches (2 double crochets and 1 chain), repeat (chain 1, skip the next double crochet, 1 double crochet in the next chain) to the second-to-last chain, work chain 1, skipping the next double crochet, decrease 2 stitches for the raglan armhole by working 3 double crochets together over the last 3 stitches (1 chain and 2 double crochets), turn
row 28: decrease 2 stitches for the raglan armhole by working chain 3 and 2 double crochets together over the first 3 stitches (1 double crochet, 1 chain, and 1 double crochet), work 1 double crochet in the next chain, repeat (chain 1, skip the next double crochet, 1 double crochet in the next chain) to the second-to-last chain, decrease 2 stitches for the raglan armhole by working 3 double crochets together over the last 3 stitches (1 double crochet, 1 chain, and 1 double crochet), turn
row 29: work as row 27
rows 30 to 33: repeat rows 28 and 29 twice
row 34: decrease 1 stitch for the raglan armhole by working chain 3 and 1 double crochet together over the first 2 stitches (1 double crochet and 1 chain), repeat (chain 1, skip the next double crochet, 1 double crochet in the next chain) to the second-to-last chain, work chain 1, skipping the next double crochet, decrease 1 stitch for the raglan armhole by working 2 double crochets together over the last 2 stitches (1 chain and 1 double crochet), turn
rows 35 to 45: work as row 34. Fasten off.
With crochet hook n° 5 EU / H-8 US and col. Jeans held double, chain 90 (98, 106) stitches and work as for the back to row 26 (27, 28). From the next row, while continuing the side decreases for the raglan armholes as for the back, divide the work and continue each side separately for the neckline; instructions follow by size.
SIZE S
Row 27: (wrong side) decrease 2 stitches for the raglan armhole by working chain 3 and 2 double crochets together over the first 3 stitches (2 double crochets and 1 chain), repeat (chain 1, skip the next double crochet, 1 double crochet in the next chain) 17 times, work 1 double crochet in the next double crochet, turn without working the remaining stitches. Continue only on this second side
row 28: (right side) work chain 3 (counts as 1 double crochet) in the first double crochet, repeat (chain 1, skip the next double crochet, 1 double crochet in the next chain) to the second-to-last chain, decrease 2 stitches for the raglan armhole by working 3 double crochets together over the last 3 stitches (1 double crochet, 1 chain, and 1 double crochet), turn
row 29: decrease 2 stitches for the raglan armhole by working chain 3 and 2 double crochets together over the first 3 stitches (2 double crochets and 1 chain), repeat (chain 1, skip the next double crochet, 1 double crochet in the next chain) to the second-to-last chain, work chain 1, skipping the next double crochet, decrease 1 stitch for the neckline by working 2 double crochets together over the last 2 stitches (1 chain and 1 double crochet), turn
row 30: decrease 1 stitch for the neckline by working chain 3 and 1 double crochet together over the first 2 stitches (1 double crochet and 1 chain), repeat (chain 1, skip the next double crochet, 1 double crochet in the next chain) to the second-to-last chain, decrease 2 stitches for the raglan armhole by working 3 double crochets together over the last 3 stitches (1 double crochet, 1 chain, and 1 double crochet), turn
row 31: work as row 29
row 32: decrease 1 stitch for the neckline by working chain 3 and 1 double crochet together over the first 2 stitches (1 double crochet and 1 chain), repeat (chain 1, skip the next double crochet, 1 double crochet in the next chain) to the second-to-last chain, work chain 1, skipping the next double crochet, decrease 1 stitch for the raglan armhole by working 2 double crochets together over the last 2 stitches (1 chain and 1 double crochet), turn
row 33: decrease 1 stitch for the raglan armhole by working chain 3 and 1 double crochet together over the first 2 stitches (1 double crochet and 1 chain), repeat (chain 1, skip the next double crochet, 1 double crochet in the next chain) to the second-to-last chain, work chain 1, skipping the next double crochet, decrease 1 stitch for the neckline by working 2 double crochets together over the last 2 stitches (1 chain and 1 double crochet), turn
rows 34 to 39: repeat rows 32 and 33 three more times
row 40: decrease 1 stitch for the neckline by working chain 3 and 1 double crochet together over the first 2 stitches (1 double crochet and 1 chain), repeat (chain 1, skip the next double crochet, 1 double crochet in the next chain) 2 times, work chain 1, skipping the next double crochet, decrease 1 stitch for the raglan armhole by working 2 double crochets together over the last 2 stitches (1 chain and 1 double crochet), turn
row 41: decrease 1 stitch for the raglan armhole by working chain 3 and 1 double crochet over the first 2 stitches (1 double crochet and 1 chain), work chain 1, skip the next double crochet, 1 double crochet in the next chain and chain 1, skipping the next double crochet, decrease 1 stitch for the neckline by working 2 double crochets together over the last 2 stitches (1 chain and 1 double crochet), turn
row 42: decrease 1 stitch for the neckline by working chain 3 and 1 double crochet together over the first 2 stitches (1 double crochet and 1 chain), work chain 1, skipping the next double crochet, decrease 1 stitch for the raglan armhole by working 2 double crochets together over the last 2 stitches (1 chain and 1 double crochet), turn
row 43: decrease 2 stitches (1 for the raglan armhole and 1 for the neckline) by working chain 3 and 2 double crochets together over the remaining 3 stitches. Fasten off.
Resume working on the stitches of the first side: skip the 2 center stitches (the double crochet and chain after the last stitch of row 27 on the second side, which form the tip of the V-neck), join the yarn in the next stitch and work this first side as for the second, but mirrored. Fasten off.
SIZE M
Row 28: (right side) decrease 2 stitches for the raglan armhole by working chain 3 and 2 double crochets together over the first 3 stitches (1 double crochet, 1 chain, and 1 double crochet), work 1 double crochet in the next chain, repeat (chain 1, skip the next double crochet, 1 double crochet in the next chain) 18 times, turn without working the remaining stitches. Now continue only on this first side
row 29: (wrong side) work chain 3 (counts as 1 double crochet) and 1 double crochet in the next chain, repeat (chain 1, skip the next double crochet, 1 double crochet in the next chain) to the second-to-last chain, work chain 1, skip the next double crochet, decrease 2 stitches for the raglan armhole by working 3 double crochets together over the last 3 stitches (1 chain and 2 double crochets), turn
row 30: decrease 2 stitches for the raglan armhole by working chain 3 and 2 double crochets together over the first 3 stitches (1 double crochet, 1 chain, and 1 double crochet), work 1 double crochet in the next chain, repeat (chain 1, skip the next double crochet, 1 double crochet in the next chain) to the last chain, decrease 1 stitch for the neckline by working 2 double crochets together over the last 2 double crochets, turn
row 31: decrease 2 stitches for the neckline by working chain 3 and 1 double crochet together over the first 2 double crochets, work 1 double crochet in the next chain, repeat (chain 1, skip the next double crochet, 1 double crochet in the next chain) to the second-to-last chain, work chain 1, skip the next double crochet, decrease 2 stitches for the raglan armhole by working 3 double crochets together over the last 3 stitches (1 chain and 2 double crochets), turn
rows 32 and 33: repeat rows 30 and 31
row 34: decrease 1 stitch for the raglan armhole by working chain 3 and 1 double crochet over the first 2 stitches (1 double crochet and 1 chain), repeat (chain 1, skip the next double crochet, 1 double crochet in the next chain) to the last chain, decrease 1 stitch for the neckline by working 2 double crochets together over the last 2 double crochets, turn
row 35: decrease 1 stitch for the neckline by working 2 double crochets together over the first 2 double crochets, work 1 double crochet in the next chain, repeat (chain 1, skip the next double crochet, 1 double crochet in the next chain) to the second-to-last chain, work chain 1, skip the next double crochet, decrease 1 stitch for the raglan armhole by working 2 double crochets together over the last 2 stitches (1 chain and 1 double crochet), turn
rows 36 to 41: repeat rows 34 and 35 three more times
row 42: decrease 1 stitch for the raglan armhole by working chain 3 and 1 double crochet over the first 2 stitches (1 double crochet and 1 chain), repeat (chain 1, skip the next double crochet, 1 double crochet in the next chain) 2 times, decrease 1 stitch for the neckline by working 2 double crochets together over the last 2 double crochets, turn
row 43: decrease 1 stitch for the neckline by working 2 double crochets together over the first 2 double crochets, work 1 double crochet in the next chain and chain 1, skipping the next double crochet, decrease 1 stitch for the raglan armhole by working 2 double crochets together over the last 2 stitches (1 chain and 1 double crochet), turn
row 44: decrease 1 stitch for the raglan armhole by working chain 3 and 1 double crochet over the first 2 stitches (1 double crochet and 1 chain), work chain 1, skipping the next double crochet, and 1 double crochet in the last double crochet, turn
row 45: decrease 2 stitches (1 for the neckline and 1 for the raglan armhole) by working chain 3 and 2 double crochets together over the remaining 3 stitches. Fasten off.
Now resume working on the stitches of the second side: skip the 2 center stitches, the chain and the double crochet after the last stitch of row 28 on the first side, which form the tip of the V-neck, join the yarn in the next stitch and work the second side as for the first, but mirrored. Fasten off.
SIZE L
Row 29: (wrong side) decrease 2 stitches for the raglan armhole by working chain 3 and 2 double crochets together over the first 3 stitches (2 double crochets and 1 chain), repeat (chain 1, skip the next double crochet, 1 double crochet in the next chain) 20 times, work 1 double crochet in the next double crochet, turn without working the remaining stitches. Now continue only on this second side
row 30: (right side) work chain 3 (counts as 1 double crochet) in the first double crochet, repeat (chain 1, skip the next double crochet, 1 double crochet in the next chain) to the second-to-last chain, decrease 2 stitches for the raglan armhole by working 3 double crochets together over the last 3 stitches (1 double crochet, 1 chain, and 1 double crochet), turn
row 31: decrease 2 stitches for the raglan armhole by working chain 3 and 2 double crochets together over the first 3 stitches (2 double crochets and 1 chain), repeat (chain 1, skip the next double crochet, 1 double crochet in the next chain) to the second-to-last chain, work chain 1, skip the next double crochet, decrease 1 stitch for the neckline by working 2 double crochets together over the last 2 stitches (1 chain and 1 double crochet), turn
row 32: decrease 1 stitch for the neckline by working chain 3 and 1 double crochet together over the first 2 stitches (1 double crochet and 1 chain), repeat (chain 1, skip the next double crochet, 1 double crochet in the next chain) to the second-to-last chain, work chain 1, skip the next double crochet, decrease 1 stitch for the raglan armhole by working 2 double crochets together over the last 2 stitches (1 chain and 1 double crochet), turn
row 33: work as row 31
rows 34 and 35: repeat rows 32 and 33
row 36: decrease 1 stitch for the neckline by working chain 3 and 1 double crochet together over the first 2 stitches (1 double crochet and 1 chain), repeat (chain 1, skip the next double crochet, 1 double crochet in the next chain) to the second-to-last chain, work chain 1, skip the next double crochet, decrease 1 stitch for the raglan armhole by working 2 double crochets together over the last 2 stitches (1 chain and 1 double crochet), turn
row 37: decrease 1 stitch for the raglan armhole by working chain 3 and 1 double crochet over the first 2 stitches (1 double crochet and 1 chain), repeat (chain 1, skip the next double crochet, 1 double crochet in the next chain) to the second-to-last chain, work chain 1, skip the next double crochet, decrease 1 stitch for the neckline by working 2 double crochets together over the last 2 stitches (1 chain and 1 double crochet), turn
rows 38 to 43: repeat rows 36 and 37 three more times
row 44: decrease 1 stitch for the neckline by working chain 3 and 1 double crochet together over the first 2 stitches (1 double crochet and 1 chain), repeat (chain 1, skip the next double crochet, 1 double crochet in the next chain) 2 times, work chain 1, skip the next double crochet, decrease 1 stitch for the raglan armhole by working 2 double crochets together over the last 2 stitches (1 chain and 1 double crochet), turn
row 45: decrease 1 stitch for the raglan armhole by working chain 3 and 1 double crochet over the first 2 stitches (1 double crochet and 1 chain), work chain 1, skip the next double crochet, 1 double crochet in the next chain and chain 1, skipping the next double crochet, decrease 1 stitch for the neckline by working 2 double crochets together over the last 2 stitches (1 chain and 1 double crochet), turn
row 46: decrease 1 stitch for the neckline by working chain 3 and 1 double crochet together over the first 2 stitches (1 double crochet and 1 chain), work chain 1, skipping the next double crochet, decrease 1 stitch for the raglan armhole by working 2 double crochets together over the last 2 stitches (1 chain and 1 double crochet), turn
row 47: decrease 2 stitches (1 for the raglan armhole and 1 for the neckline) by working chain 3 and 2 double crochets together over the remaining 3 stitches. Fasten off.
Now resume working on the stitches of the first side: skip the 2 center stitches, the double crochet and the chain after the last stitch of row 29 on the second side, which form the tip of the V-neck, join the yarn in the next stitch and work this first side as for the second, but mirrored. Fasten off.
Start with the right sleeve.
With crochet hook n° 5 EU / H-8 US and col. Jeans held double, chain 70 (78, 82) stitches and work 1 row of single crochet on the wrong side, replacing the first stitch with 1 chain. Continue in alternating mesh stitch for 3 rows, to row 4, measuring approx. 3 cm / 1.2". Now start the side decreases for the raglan armholes.
Row 5: (wrong side) decrease 4 (6, 6) stitches for the armhole by working 1 slip stitch in each of the first 4 (6, 6) stitches, work chain 3 in the next chain (counts as 1 double crochet), repeat (chain 1, skip the next double crochet, 1 double crochet in the next chain) to the last 4 (6, 6) stitches, decrease 4 (6, 6) stitches for the armhole by skipping the last 4 (6, 6) stitches, turn
row 6: (right side) decrease 2 stitches for the raglan armhole by working chain 3 and 2 double crochets together over the first 3 stitches (1 double crochet, 1 chain, and 1 double crochet), work 1 double crochet in the next chain, repeat (chain 1, skip the next double crochet, 1 double crochet in the next chain) to the second-to-last chain, decrease 2 stitches for the raglan armhole by working 3 double crochets together over the last 3 stitches (1 double crochet, 1 chain, and 1 double crochet), turn
row 7: decrease 2 stitches for the raglan armhole by working chain 3 and 2 double crochets together over the first 3 stitches (2 double crochets and 1 chain), repeat (chain 1, skip the next double crochet, 1 double crochet in the next chain) to the second-to-last chain, work chain 1, skipping the next double crochet, decrease 2 stitches for the raglan armhole by working 3 double crochets together over the last 3 stitches (1 chain and 2 double crochets), turn
rows 8 to 11 (8 to 12, 8 to 13): repeat rows 6 and 7 another 2 (2, 3) times, then for size M only work row 6 once more
row 12 (13, 14): decrease 1 stitch for the raglan armhole by working chain 3 and 1 double crochet together over the first 2 stitches (1 double crochet and 1 chain for sizes S and L, 2 double crochets for size M), repeat (chain 1, skip the next double crochet, 1 double crochet in the next chain) to the second-to-last chain, work chain 1, skipping the next double crochet, decrease 1 stitch for the raglan armhole by working 2 double crochets together over the last 2 stitches (1 chain and 1 double crochet for sizes S and L, 2 double crochets for size M), turn
rows 13 to 23 (14 to 24, 15 to 25): work as row 12 (13, 14). Fasten off.
Work the left sleeve as for the right sleeve.
With col. Jeans sew the 4 raglan seams, then close sleeve seams and side seams. For the neckband, with crochet hook n° 5 EU / H-8 US, join col. Jeans held double in a stitch at center back neckline and work 1 round of single crochet along the entire neckline edge: work 1 single crochet in each base stitch, 2 single crochets in each vertical bar of double crochet, and 2 or 3 single crochets at the corners to round them; at the end of the round, close with 1 slip stitch in the first stitch. Fasten off. For the lower edging, with crochet hook n° 5 EU / H-8 US, join col. Lavander held double at one side seam and work 1 round of single crochet along the lower edge of front and back: work 1 single crochet in each base stitch and 2 single crochets at each side seam, making sure the final stitch count is a multiple of 4; close the round with 1 slip stitch in the first stitch. Work 1 round of shell stitch as follows: skip the first 2 stitches and work 5 double crochets in the next stitch to form 1 shell, repeat (skip the next 4 stitches, work 5 double crochets in the next stitch to form 1 shell) to the last 2 stitches, skip the last 2 stitches and close the round with 1 slip stitch in the first stitch of the first shell. Fasten off. Work the sleeve edgings in the same way.
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