How To Crochet Granny Square Crop Top – Shundorban Blouse

The blouse pattern is named after the The Sundarbans (Bengali – Shundorbôn, which means – Beautiful forest.

The formations on the blouse are similar to the formations created by mangroves in the delta area formed by the confluence of Ganges, Brahmaputra and Meghna Rivers in the Bay of Bengal.

There is nothing easier or better than a granny square!! It’s a beginners first project and a solid base to build on larger items.

It’s such a versatile unit that can be used to make things varying from coasters to cardigans; from headbands to hand towels; and of course blouses to blankets!! And what not!!!

If you are a regular on my blog, you will know my obsession with crochet saree blouses!! Whenever I pick up that hook and some lovely yarn from my stash, it’s always a design for next blouse on my mind.

I will have to admit, at this point of time there are multiple designs in my mind, about 5 in WIP and 1 finished item. But I need to get on to write the pattern for the finished one. Also testing the pattern and the calculations thereof does take a lot of time too..

It’s the ideation and creative process that I love the most!! And this time I bring to you the most easiest way to make a crop top a.k.a a saree blouse!! No increase or decrease stitches required! No long beginning chains! Just a bunch of granny squares joined together, add some spicy edging to it and Done!!! Our very own no fuss blouse is ready!!

Instructions

Gauge information- Size: XS/S, M/L, XL/2XL, 3XL/4XL, 5XL

Hook size 3 mm (US C). Make a swatch in order to confirm the right fit by making 22 double crochets x 10 rows = 10 cm / 4” in width and 10 cm / 4” height. Switch to larger hook if you have too many stitches on 10 cm = 4” or a smaller hook if you have very few stitches on 10 cm = 4”. One square measures 12 * 12 CM Or 4.5′ * 4.5′.

To make this crop top you will need following material

1. Vardhman Cotone Knitting Yarn in two contrasting colours. Body (100-150-200-250-300) g, Edging – (50-50-50-100-100) g
2. Hook- 3mm
3. Scissors
4. Markers to mark important stitches
5. Yarn needle to weave in the ends

Symbols for reading the pattern instructions–

1. MC – magic circle
2. CH SP – chain space
3. CH ST – chain stitch
4. SC – single crochet in stitch
5. DC – double crochet in stitch
6. TR – treble crochet
7. RS – Right side
8. WS – Wrong side
9. CH 3 counts as DC
10. BEG – Beginning
11. Cluster SP – space between two 3 DC clusters
12. Yarn A – main colour (here light purple)
13. Yarn B – Edging colour (here dark purple)

Finished measurements:

• Chest measurements: 72-84-96-108-120 cm = 28 1/4”-33”-38 5/8”-43 1/2”-47 1/4″
• Length measurements (straps length not included) : 26-26-38-38-50 cm = 10 1/4”-10 1/4”-15”-15”-19 1/2″.

Short overview of the top

• The top is worked by stitching together (11-13-23-25-36) granny squares.
• Straps and armhole edging is done.
• All over neckline edging is done next.
• The bottom edging is done at last.

Step by step pattern instructions

• Round 1– With yarn A, MC or CH 5 and SL ST in 1st ST. CH3, 15DC into the ring. SL ST in the 3rd CH ST at the BEG. Total DC – 16.
• Round 2 – CH 5, DC in next ST, *CH 2, DC in next ST*, REP * to * until the end of the round. CH 1, DC in the 3rd CH ST at the BEG. Total DC – 16, total CH- 32.
• Round 3 – CH 3, DC in same SP, *[CH 2, DC in next CH SP] total 3 times, CH 2, [2 DC, 2 CH, 2 DC] in next CH SP*, REP * to * total 3 times. [CH 2, DC in next CH SP] total 3 times, CH 2, 2 DC in the last corner CH SP. CH 1, DC in the 3rd CH ST at the BEG. Total DC – 28, total CH- 40.
• Round 4 – CH 3, DC in same SP, *[CH 2, DC in next CH SP] total 4 times, CH 2, [2 DC, 2 CH, 2 DC] in next CH SP*. REP * to * total 3 times. [CH 2, DC in next CH SP] total 4 times, CH 2, 2 DC in the last corner CH SP, CH 1, DC in the 3rd CH ST at the BEG. Total DC – 32, total CH- 48.
• Round 5 – CH 3, 2 DC in same SP, *[CH 1, 2 DC in next CH SP] total 5 times, CH 1, (3 DC, 3 CH, 3 DC) in next CH SP*, REP * to * total 3 times, [CH 1, 2 DC in next CH SP] total 5 times, CH 1, 3 DC in the last corner CH SP. CH 3, SL ST in the 3rd CH ST at the BEG. Total DC – 64, total CH- 36.

Assembly of squares

1. Place the squares edge by edge and sew them together in the sequence shown in the image above.
2. This design is highly adaptable. And one can make this true to their unique size. Keep on joining squares approximately for the length around chest and stop once it comfortably wraps around the chest.
3. For length, keep on adding as many rows as you wish.
4. Please refer to the video tutorial on the technique i used to join the squares.

Shoulder straps

• At this point wear the piece and place markers on the points where the shoulder straps should start on the front. And open square corners on the back
• Attache yarn B at any one of the markers on the front. SC in same ST. Continue working CH ST until required length of straps is achieved. SL ST in to the marker ST on the back.
• Work a row of SC around the armholes with SC in each DC. Do not work SC in CH ST. SL ST into the marker ST.
• Turn, SL ST into first 2 SC ST. Turn, DC in the first CH ST made for shoulder straps. DC in each CH ST till the end of the chain. SL ST in the 3rd SC over the armholes.
• Turn, REP *skip 3 DC ST on the straps, 7 TR in 4th ST, skip 3 DC ST, SC in next ST* till end of the row over shoulder straps.
• If less number of ST remain on the row, work half scallops- 4 TR, skip remaining ST and 3 SC ST on armholes and SL ST in 4th ST.
• Repeat the same on other side as well.

Neckline edging

• Join yarn B at any of the marker ST at back. SC in each DC ST (no SC in CH ST) until you reach the second marker ST on back. CH 1 and cut the yarn.
• Join yarn B at any of the marker ST on front. SC in each DC ST (no SC in CH ST) until you reach the second marker ST on front.
• Turn, *Skip 3 SC ST on the straps, 7 TR in 4th ST, skip 3 DmSC ST, SC in next ST*. REP * to * till end of the round over shoulder straps. SL ST into the 1st ST to finish the round.
• In order to get round/wheel structures on shoulder straps, make sure to work the scallops (7TR) in the same ST as the one worked on the opposite side.
• If at the beginning of the round has half scallop edging, beging with SC in first 3 ST and then continue with above step.
• If less number of ST remain at the end of the round , work half scallops- 4 TR, skip remaining ST and SL ST in first ST

Bottom edging

• Join yarn B at any one ST on the side at the bottom.
• SC in each DC ST (no SC in CH ST) until you reach the second marker ST on front.
• Turn *Skip 3 SC ST, 7 TR in 4th ST, skip 3 SC ST, SC in next ST*. REP * to * till end of the round. SL ST into the 1st ST to finish the round.

Finished piece

Download the full version of the pattern from to support me, buy the pdf version from my Etsy store.

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Happy crocheting!!