This Photo Tutorial uses the “Lost Souls” Skull Shawl Designed by Maryetta Roy
It is a FREE pattern on Ravelry you can download here:
https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/lost-souls-skull-shawl
I am not a pattern writer, and this has not been tested by anyone but me, however I am available to answer any questions or for help with this pattern by Facebook messenger, Instagram or my Contact page.

I used 2 skeins Patons Hempster Yarn it's 55% Hemp, 45% Cotton in weight 3 and a 4MM G hook
I love this yarn!!! However you can use any lightweight DK Cotton.
I love this pattern and it is so fun to make!! 

I highly recommend watching the YouTube videos linked in the Ravelry pattern before beginning. 

Stitches used for Skull:  SS, CH, SC, DC, HDC  SH ST (Shell Stitch) do not INC
Stitches used for tank top: SS, CH, SC, SH ST

IMPORTANT NOTE: When following the Lost Skulls pattern only work rows 1 -12 Omitting the increases so you only make 1 skull!

​Tie off yarn and turn the skull to the FS  (The DC of chin frontside)

TURN before starting each row

.Row 5  Will have 9 CH 5 on each side & 4 CH 5 on each side of the SH ST at bottom. Work next rows Repeating Row 4 & Row 5. 
           For size small Work 10 Rows, Size Medium 11 Rows and size Large 12 Rows XL 14 rows.
This is super stretchy so don't be fooled by it looking too small, it needs to be fitted and worn over a cami. Check to make sure your corner loops are right and the chains on each side of the shell stitch are every other row ch 3, SH ST and CH 5 skip CH3 SH ST! Other than that it's all repetitive and easy!

Front and back sides  Part 1 completed.
Looks too short right? Right!
​Don't worry adding length comes in Part 3, unless you want to make it a crop top.
​Place both sides with the right sides facing out For the No Sew stitch to begin

Armhole placement start in the corresponding size. Size Large will start with 9th CH 5 SP from the top not counting the Corner Loop

Repeat for other side right side facing out!

Part 2 "NO SEW SEAMS" Complete!

It is worked much the same as the rest but now we will be adding a SH ST to the sides and working in the round will not increase the width, only the length.
​Work until your desired length.

To begin I used only 1 skein of the Hempster yarn to complete the front, back and no sew seams. I am still waiting for the rest of my yarn to be delivered so I am doing this part of the tutorial in a contrasting color for now. It will help to show the work better, however it looks garish so I will be ripping it out when my yarn arrives. But for now it helps explain the process well.

The first side shells in the first row do not look good but once you complete the second, third and more rows it looks like it is supposed to look. You will have a nice V shaped hem at the sides and middles of the top.
I will post more pictures when my yarn arrives and I can finish this!! It only took me 2 days to complete, But now that I have the tutorial finished it should work up faster and it is not a yarn hog at all probably less than 300 yards.

This pattern was edited on May 20 2019 the original pattern after wearing stretched so much that I had to change the pattern. The pattern as previously written would be a large to XL size.

​Supplies:
2 skeins Lion Brand Re-UP yarn 114 yds. ea. (may need to use part of a third skein for L/XL.
Hook size 4M for Small or 4.5M for Medium - Large/XL
This pattern is really stretchy you make think it looks too small buy it stretches a lot!
Needle for sewing in ends.
2 stitch markers or safety pins

​CH – chain stitch
ST - stitch
SC – single crochet
SS – Slipstitch
DC – double crochet (American)
Cluster – DC 4 together (flower petals)

Notes: Front and back pieces start out as separate pieces use 1 skein for each side do not 
cut the yarn on last stitch before joining, place a stitch marker in the loop so the work 
does not come undone while you work. 

About my yarn choice I am not getting paid by Lion Brand I wish I were! 
I just really like that it is recycled material and easy on the wallet.  
It is a bit quirky to work with as it is kind of stringy and likes to separate. 
I originally bought it for making market bags but then I liked it so much I decided a tank top 
would be great fun to have and make.  Michaels carries this yarn for $2 each, less if you have a coupon! 
And the Lion Brand website also offers a denim color that is not found in stores it’s $1.99.
My next project with this pattern I am going to try a Caron Cotton Cake. 
Feel free to use any cotton you like the 24/7 would probably work up nicely too.

​Round 2 – CH 2 tight (does not count as DC) 2 DC in each DC, SS to top of first DC. 36 DC

​Round 3 – Petals CH 3 (counts as part of first Cluster) 2 partial DC in next stich,  
1 partial DC in next stitch (4 loops left on hook) then pull through all loops. CH 4
Remaining Clusters: Partial DC in next stitch (leave 2 loops on hook) 2 partial DC in next ST (4 loops left on hook) 
partial DC in next ST (5 loops left on hook) Pull through all 5 loops CH 4 continue to end SS to top of first petal. 
12 Petals & 12 CH Spaces

Yikes!! I finished the row with only 11 petals! Time to start over!! I hope this doesn't happen to you! It was an easy fix. 

Tada! 12 Petals!!

​This round begins to make the square:
Round 4 – CH 5, SS back in to the base to form a circle, this will be the first of 4 corners. 
CH 5 and SS to top of next Cluster, CH 5, SS to top of next Cluster, CH5, SS to top of next Cluster this is the second of 4 corners 
CH 5 SS back to top of Cluster repeat to end beginning next row in first corner worked. 

​Round 5 - 11 Into first corner worked SC into CH 5 space CH 5 and SC back onto corner CH 5, CH SC into next CH 5 space continue work all sides and corners. (For Large- XL add 1-2 more rows)

row 
​Round 12  Starting in first corner which will be the bottom edge of top work 5 CHs SC in first 8
CH 5s, CH 4 SC in next 2 CH 5s, CH 4  Work corner SC, CH 4, SC. Top edge of square Work all as:
CH 3, SC in CH 5 to corner, work corner, CH 4 SC, CH 4, SC, CH 4, SC work all the rest of round as in Rw 5. For S/M stop here.
​          (Round 13 Same as round 12 For L/XL only.)

​Finish with a SC into the corner CH 5 spaces to not cut your yarn place a stitch marker in the loop to hold your work. 

Just an example all my rows are not yet complete

​With the second Skein of yarn make the back same as the front.

Part 2 
Will be joining the sides with and making the armhole and spaghetti strap. 
Next will be adding more CH 5, SC rows to the bottom working in the round until desired length. 
Instructions and pictures will be posted next week! 
Have fun!  Feel free to contact me with any questions!

Stitching up the sides and making the armholes:
​With both squares side by side right side up match the 2 bottom corners on the square with the yarn attached SC in corner CH SP, CH 4, SC in corner CH SP of next square,

CH 4, SC to next CH SP of the first square

Continue back and forth up the CH 5 SP with a CH 4 SC in each side, leave 4 CH SP, and corner unworked for the armhole.

Don not cut the yarn, place a stitch marker in the loop to hold your work.

Now work the other side the same way making sure the right sides are facing out.

Armhole and spaghetti strap:
CH 1 SC into next CH BLO (back loop only). From here out the arm holes and neckline will be worked this way. SC into each CH and SC BLO up to corner.SC into CH SP of the corner, CH 34. 

Attach to the next corner CH SP with a SC. Be sure the chains are not twisted!!!

SC in next SC and each CH BLO until you reach the start.

You can SS to first SC and tie off.
I like a cleaner finish and do it this way:
On your last SC cut a 5" tail and pull through, using a needle sew a loop into the first SC and back to the last SC  then sew in your end.

First armhole and spaghetti strap. Go back to the side and repeat.
Neck line and finishing the strap:
I top corner in the first SC attach your yarn CH 1 and SC in same SC BLO, continue to SC across same as armhole through all CH and SC BLO

Finished armhole, neckline and spaghetti straps.
Next to add length to the bottom of the top:
​Attach yarn like the photo below.

I put place markers in the SC in the 2 corners the CH 4 space in the middle is the under arm seam. 
Attach your yarn in the CH 4 SP, CH 6 counts as SC and CH 5.  

SC to next CH SP, Place a stitch marker in the CH 6 SP to mark the beginning of each row. CH 5, SC into CH 5 SP repeat across for as may rows as you want to the length you like. I crocheted 10 rows. I am long waisted and don't like crop tops!

This top works up fast and easy! As shown is 4 balls of yarn to make it a tunic style you will need at least 6 or 7 balls or 9 balls for a swimsuit cover-up.

Pretty pink open stitches 

​



Pink Weave Crochet Top 
Noro Tokonatsu Yarn
5mm hook (if you crochet tight use a 6-7 mm hook)
 
 
Top is worked in 3 sections. First make 2 pieces front and back worked bottom to top shoulders mattress stitched together.
Then working in the round front and back joined and stitched top to bottom.
Stitches:
CH
V Stitch
DC
SC
Reverse V Stitch
Modified 4 post 1 ch shell stitch

First two pieces worked the same until row 12
 
Make 2:
 
Chain 75 + 4
Row 1: In fifth ch from hook make a V Stitch sk 2 ch V stitch across until 2 ch sk 1 DC in last, ch 4 turn.
Row 2: in ch 1 sp work a DC 2 Tog, ch 2, repeat across, DC in last st ch 3 turn.
Row 3: In DC 2 Tog top sp V stitch across DC in last st, ch 4, turn.
Row 4 – 14 Repeat row 2-3
 
Front:
Row 15*: V st 8x DC in 9th dc 2 tog sp. Chain 3 turn
Row 16: DC 2 Tog in ch 1 space 8x dc last st ch 2 turn
Row 16-20: repeat rows 15 & 16.
Repeat for other side of shoulde
 
Back:
Work all rows across except last 2 rows st in first 8 and again 8 for other shoulder.
Mattress stitch both shoulders
 
Third piece: Attach yarn to both front and back pieces at armholes and crochet in the round 
 
Row 1 in the round: Sc in same stitch in ch st where the first V stitch is 2 DC ch 1 2 DC in same ch, sc in next V stitch ch. 2DC ch 1 2DC in next repeat all the way around sl st to first sc.
Row 2: ch 4 V ST in ch 1 sp, ch 1, DC in sc st, repeat around sl st to ch3 of turning ch.
Repeat all rows until desired length.
Last row will be: SS in top of joining DC, in top of V 2DC, ch 1, TC, ch 1, 2 DC, ss to top of next DC repeat around!
 
Note: I sewed up 4 rows of the armhole to make it smaller you may leave it or even sew 5-6 rows up if you desire.
 
You will notice this top is a little short you can make it any length or even a dress length for a swimsuit cover-up. I plan to finish off the last rows with a contrasting Noro yarn and add a sc row of contrast to armholes and neck.

I used Paton's Grace cotton yarn, driftwood from my trip to Mendocino and some scraps of organic cotton for the leaves and hemp yarn to hang, fishing wire or more of the same yarn would work nicely too. 

​              ​I would have used the grace but Charley girl got to it
              before I could finish and I had to throw it away.
​              That dog loves my yarn more than I do!! Naughty girl!
               She has done this more times then I like to remember....
                                          As you can see!

The middle flower is the Never ending Wildflower pattern I found here at 
Little Monkeys Crochet
littlemonkeyscrochet.com
littlemonkeyscrochet.com/the-never-ending-wildflower
I added a row of chains and single crochet then one large row of scallops and one row of small.  Attached it to the driftwood along with the cotton leaves and a little hemp cord for hanging. 
I think it would be a nice gift!

It's a rare day to be home on a Saturday, usually I am working or driving to Long Beach to visit my grand-baby., so I am enjoying the time at home to crochet. I have so many unfinished projects I wouldn't know where to begin and then a pen-pal fellow crocheter asked if I would like to pattern test for her beautiful tops she makes and I had to say yes!! Yes, because thats exactly what I want to do today!!!  Of course I have a little help from my lap pal Pup P. Good thing I have a fan running next to me since it is 90 degrees outside and about 80 inside. I am hoping to finish soon so I can start on a project for a 8 pointed poncho style top I have been trying to pen a pattern for. I will show both projects soon and finish the Fisherman's blanket so I can share the pattern here also.  I guess I am a little ADD about crochet and jump around too much but there just isn't enough hours in the day not to mention work and laundry and dogs and bills and..............

Oh dear Pup P's hair matches the yarn colors! 

​Felix aka Pup P, I can never resist those dark brooding eyes!! He is the smallest of the three and the fiercest! A love bug one minute and an ill tempered tyrant the next.

    That great feeling you get when a package of yarn arrives just in time to finish up a project you didn't buy enough yarn for in the beginning! I am in love with this yarn!! At first I just wasn't having it about all the hype with Caron Cakes then the Tea Cakes and Sprinkles went on sale and I bought a few made a couple of projects and feel in love! Now I am ordering it because my store sold out. Once I finish with all the cakes I ordered I will have to find a new yarn to love! 


​FYI that isn't the only box of yarn to arrive lately! 

When it's 100 degrees in the shade what does a crazy crochet grandma do? Well, make woolen blankets of course!

Loving the rich color and textures of this pattern.
​ I think it would look great in any room especially in a  modern or minimalist decor.
Charley Girl agrees.