The All A Flutter (Child/Youth) – Free Crochet Top Pattern is copyrighted by I Need It Crochet. You may not copy, share, change, or sell the pattern itself. Also, you may not claim this pattern as your own. All pictures contained in this pattern fall under the copyright and may not be used.
Finished items made from the All A Flutter (Child/Youth) – Free Crochet Top Pattern belong to you, and you may do what you wish with them. If you choose to sell them on Etsy, I would very much appreciate it if you credited me as the pattern designer.
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Naturally, after designing and writing the original adult version of All A Flutter, I had to make one for my daughter because who doesn’t want to see an adorable little girl in a flutter sleeve top??
The beautiful texture and sweet, frilly sleeves make this pattern a must-have for your child’s summer wardrobe. This top is also very flattering on any body, so why not make a matching version for yourself?
Finished Sizes:
Instructions given to fit size 2; changes for 4, 6, 8, 10, 12/14, and 16 are in ()
2 (4, 6, 8, 10, 12/14, 16)
Finished Chest: 21” (23”, 25”, 27 ½”, 29”, 32”, 33 ½”)
Finished Length: Customizable. Length on model shown is 19”
Materials:
I used Premier Yarns Cotton Fair, which is 52% Cotton/48% Acrylic, #2 Fine weight yarn.
Any yarn of similar weight would work.
Approximately 300 (400, 500, 600, 700, 750, 800, 850) yds.
5mm Hook
Stitch Markers
Yarn Needle
Scissors
Measuring Tape
Abbreviations:
Sk = Skip
Sp = Space
St = Stitch
Yo = Yarn Over
Ss = Slip Stitch
Ch = Chain
Sc = Single Crochet
Hdc = Half Double Crochet
Mc = Mixed Cluster Stitch (See Tutorial Here)
Gauge:
Gauge swatch instructions are below. Always be sure to swatch before you begin. It will save you a lot of time and heartache!
Notes:
Ch1 at the beginning of a row is never considered a stitch.
Ch1 between Hdc is always considered a stitch.
Each ch in the neck opening is considered a stitch.
A Mixed Cluster counts as 2 stitches.
I have written a tutorial for the Mixed Cluster stitch. You can find it here.
I have added many pictures to help you along the way.
The model above has a 26” chest and is wearing a size 8.
Choose your size according to the finished measurements noted above and your preferences.
Gauge Swatch
1. Ch16. Hdc in 2nd ch from hook and each ch across. Turn. – 15 st
2. Ch1, hdc in 1st st. Beginning in same st, mc across until there are only 2 sts left unworked. Yo, insert your hook into the same st as your last st, pull up a loop, yo, and pull through 2 loops. Sk next st, *yo, insert your hook in the next st, yo, and pull up a loop. ** Repeat from * to ** one more time. Yo, and draw through all 6 loops. Hdc in last st. Turn. – 15 st
3. Ch1. Hdc in 1st st and each st across. Turn – 15 st
Repeat rows 2 & 3 until you have 10 rows total. Your swatch should measure 4” H x 4” W. If your swatch is not the right size, try again with a different sized hook.
All A Flutter (Child/Youth) – Free Crochet Top Pattern
Instructions
We will begin with the back at the level of the underarm. From there, we’ll work in rows upwards towards the neck, create a neck opening, and then work down the front. Once we have made the front the same length as the back, we will join and begin working in rounds. We will keep working rounds until we have achieved the desired length and finish off the bottom. Finally, we will add the sleeves and finish off the neckline.
Upper Back
Ch 40 (44, 48, 52, 56, 60, 64)
1 Hdc in 2nd ch from hook and each ch across. Turn. – 39 (43, 47, 51, 55, 59, 63) st
2. Ch1, hdc in 1st st. Ch1, sk 2 sts, (hdc, ch1, hdc) in next st. *Ch1, sk 3 sts, (hdc, ch1, hdc) in next st. ** Repeat from * to ** across until there are only 3 sts left unworked. Ch1, sk 2 sts, hdc in last st. Turn. – 39 (43, 47, 51, 55, 59, 63) st
3. Ch1, hdc in 1st st. Ch1, sk next 2 sts, (hdc, ch1, hdc) in next ch1 sp. *Ch1, sk next 3 sts, (hdc, ch1, hdc) in next ch1 sp. ** Repeat from * to ** across until there are only 3 sts left unworked. Ch1, sk 2 sts, hdc in last st. Turn. – 39 (43, 47, 51, 55, 59, 63) st
4. Ch1, hdc in 1st st. Ch1, sk next 2 sts, (3hdc) in next ch1 sp. *Ch1, sk next 3 sts, (3hdc) in next ch1 sp. ** Repeat from * to ** across until there are only 3 sts left unworked. Ch1, sk 2 sts, hdc in last st. Turn. – 39 (43, 47, 51, 55, 59, 63) st
5. Ch1, hdc in 1st st. Beginning in same st, mc across until there are only 2 sts left unworked. Yo, insert your hook into the same st as your last st, pull up a loop, yo, and pull through 2 loops. Sk next st, *yo, insert your hook in the next st, yo, and pull up a loop. ** Repeat from * to ** one more time. Yo, and draw through all 6 loops. Hdc in last st. Turn. – 39 (43, 47, 51, 55, 59, 63) st
Gauge check: It is very common for our tension to change when transitioning from a small project (like a gauge swatch) to a large one (like a top). That is why, even if you have made a gauge swatch, it is important to check your measurements. At this point, your project should be approximately 10 ½” (11 ½”, 12 ½”, 13 ¾”, 14 ½”, 16”, 16 ¾”) wide and 2” high. Because of the lacy nature of this section, it may appear to be 1-2” narrower. Just give the sides a tug and measure again. It should stretch out to the right width without bouncing back too much.
Repeat rows 2 – 5 until you have a total of 10 (11, 13, 15, 17, 18, 19) rows. Do not bind off.
Neck Rows
1. Ch1. Sc in 1st st and each st across. Turn. – 39 (43, 47, 51, 55, 59, 63) st
2. Ch1. Sc in 1st st and next 2 (3, 5, 6, 8, 9, 11) sts. Ch 33 (35, 35, 37, 37, 39, 39). Sk next 33 (35, 35, 37, 37, 39, 39) sts. Sc in last 3 (4, 6, 7, 9, 10, 12) sts. Turn. – 39 (43, 47, 51, 55, 59, 63) st
Note: You can make your neck opening as large or as small as you like. Just alter the amount of sc in the shoulders and the number of ch in the neck. Make sure that your shoulder stitches are the same on both sides and your final stitch count is correct.
3. Ch1. Sc in 1st st and each st across. It is best to work into 2 loops of each ch st rather than around the ch, because we will be finishing off the neck opening in the final step. Turn. – 39 (43, 47, 51, 55, 59, 63) st
4. Ch1. Sc in 1st st and each st across. Turn. – 39 (43, 47, 51, 55, 59, 63) st
Your piece should now look similar to Figure 1 below.
Upper Front
Work only the instructions marked with your size.
Sizes 2 & 12/14:
1. Ch1, hdc in 1st st. Ch1, sk next 2 sts, (hdc, ch1, hdc) in next st *Ch1, sk next 3 sts, (hdc, ch1, hdc) in next st. ** Repeat from * to ** across until there are only 3 sts left unworked. Ch1, sk 2 sts, hdc in last st. Turn. – 39 (n/a, n/a, na, n/a, 59, n/a) st
2. Ch1, hdc in 1st st. Ch1, sk next 2 sts, (3hdc) in next ch1 sp. *Ch1, sk next 3 sts, (3hdc) in next ch1 sp. ** Repeat from * to ** across until there are only 3 sts left unworked. Ch1, sk 2 sts, hdc in last st. Turn. – 39 (n/a, n/a, na, n/a, 59, n/a) st
3. Ch1, hdc in 1st st. Beginning in same st, mc across until there are only 2 sts left unworked. Yo, insert your hook into the same st as your last st, pull up a loop, yo, and pull through 2 loops. Sk next st, *yo, insert your hook in the next st, yo, and pull up a loop. ** Repeat from * to ** one more time. Yo, and draw through all 6 loops. Hdc in last st. Turn. – 39 (n/a, n/a, na, n/a, 59, n/a) st
4. Ch1, hdc in 1st st. Ch1, sk 2 sts, (hdc, ch1, hdc) in next st. *Ch1, sk 3 sts, (hdc, ch1, hdc) in next st. ** Repeat from * to ** across until there are only 3 sts left unworked. Ch1, sk 2 sts, hdc in last st. Turn. – 39 (n/a, n/a, na, n/a, 59, n/a) st
5. Ch1. Hdc in 1st st and each st across. Turn. – 39 (n/a, n/a, na, n/a, 59, n/a) st
6. Ch1, hdc in 1st st. Beginning in same st, mc across until there are only 2 sts left unworked. Yo, insert your hook into the same st as your last st, pull up a loop, yo, and pull through 2 loops. Sk next st, *yo, insert your hook in the next st, yo, and pull up a loop. ** Repeat from * to ** one more time. Yo, and draw through all 6 loops. Hdc in last st. Turn. – 39 (n/a, n/a, na, n/a, 59, n/a) st
Repeat rows 5 & 6 until your upper front section (everything after the sc rows) has a total of 10 (n/a, n/a, n/a, n/a, 18, n/a) rows, but do not turn at the end of the last row. Do not bind off.
Sizes 4, 6, 8, 10, & 16:
1. Ch1, hdc in 1st st. Ch1, sk next 2 sts, (3hdc) in next st. *Ch1, sk next 3 sts, (3hdc) in next st sp. ** Repeat from * to ** across until there are only 3 sts left unworked. Ch1, sk 2 sts, hdc in last st. Turn. – n/a (43, 47, 51, 55, n/a, 63) st
2. Ch1, hdc in 1st st. Beginning in same st, mc across until there are only 2 sts left unworked. Yo, insert your hook into the same st as your last st, pull up a loop, yo, and pull through 2 loops. Sk next st, *yo, insert your hook in the next st, yo, and pull up a loop. ** Repeat from * to ** one more time. Yo, and draw through all 6 loops. Hdc in last st. Turn. – n/a (43, 47, 51, 55, n/a, 63) st
3. Ch1, hdc in 1st st. Ch1, sk 2 sts, (hdc, ch1, hdc) in next st. *Ch1, sk 3 sts, (hdc, ch1, hdc) in next st. ** Repeat from * to ** across until there are only 3 sts left unworked. Ch1, sk 2 sts, hdc in last st. Turn. – n/a (43, 47, 51, 55, n/a, 63) st
4. Ch1, hdc in 1st st. Ch1, sk next 2 sts, (hdc, ch1, hdc) in next ch1 sp. *Ch1, sk next 3 sts, (hdc, ch1, hdc) in next ch1 sp. ** Repeat from * to ** across until there are only 3 sts left unworked. Ch1, sk 2 sts, hdc in last st. Turn. – n/a (43, 47, 51, 55, n/a, 63) st
5. Ch1, hdc in 1st st. Beginning in same st, mc across until there are only 2 sts left unworked. Yo, insert your hook into the same st as your last st, pull up a loop, yo, and pull through 2 loops. Sk next st, *yo, insert your hook in the next st, yo, and pull up a loop. ** Repeat from * to ** one more time. Yo, and draw through all 6 loops. Hdc in last st. Turn. – n/a (43, 47, 51, 55, n/a, 63) st
6. Ch1. Hdc in 1st st and each st across. Turn. – n/a (43, 47, 51, 55, n/a, 63) st
Repeat rows 5 & 6 until your upper front section (everything after the sc rows) has a total of n/a (11, 13, 15, 17, n/a, 19) rows, but do not turn at the end of the last row. Do not bind off.
Lower Body
Next, we will join the corners and continue working downwards in the round. You should have a large square or rectangular piece with a slit in the middle.
– Lay your piece out like Figure 2, with your hook on the top left, and your starting tail on the bottom right.
– Fold the bottom half up to meet the top half (see Figure 3).
– Use the starting tail to tie the top right corners together (see Figure 3).
– Pick up your hook and slip stitch into the bottom of the last stitch of row 1 (see Figure 4). Turn.
Note: You will notice that for the next rounds, you will begin your mc rounds in the same st you chained from, and you will begin your hdc rounds in the next st. This is to keep your side seam straight.
1. (Wrong Side) Ch1. Hdc in next st and each st around, ending with last hdc in the same st you chained from. Ss to join to 1st st. Turn. – 78 (86, 94, 102, 110, 118, 126) st
2. (Right Side) Ch1. Beginning in same st you chained from, mc around until there is only 1 st left unworked. Yo, insert your hook into the same st as your last st, pull up a loop, yo, and pull through 2 loops. Sk last st, *yo, insert your hook in the same st as you did at the beginning of the round, yo, and pull up a loop. ** Repeat from * to ** one more time. Yo, and draw through all 6 loops. Ch1, ss to join to 1st st. Turn. – 78 (86, 94, 102, 110, 118, 126) st
Repeat rounds 1 & 2 until you have achieved the desired length. Turn your work so that it is right side facing you.
1. Ch1. Sc in 1st st and each st around. Ss to join to 1st st. Bind off. – 78 (86, 94, 102, 110, 118, 126) st
Sleeves
Next, we will add these sweet little flutter sleeves. If flutter sleeves aren’t your thing, this top looks very cute without sleeves. Just work round 1 and bind off.
With the right side of your project facing you, join your yarn in the center of the underarm (see Figure 5).
1. Sc evenly around the entire armhole on the following manner:
– *1 sc in the end of the next hdc row, 2 sc in the end of the next hdc row. ** Repeat from * to ** until you come to the sc rows.
– 1 sc in the end of each sc row.
– *1 sc in the end of the next hdc row, 2 sc in the end of the next hdc row. ** Repeat from * to ** until you have worked the rest of the hdc rows.
– Ss to join to 1st st. Turn. – 34 (36, 42, 48, 54, 58, 60) st
2. Ch1. (Hdc, ch1, hdc) in 1st st. *Ch1, sk next st, (hdc, ch1, hdc) in next st. ** Repeat from * to ** around until there is only 1 st left unworked. Ch1, ss to join to 1st st. Ss into next ch1 sp. Turn. – 68 (72, 84, 96, 108, 116, 120) st
3. Ch1. (3hdc) in 1st ch1 sp. *Ch1, sk next 3 sts, (3hdc) in next ch1 sp. ** Repeat from * to ** around until there are only 3 sts left unworked. Ch1, ss to join to 1st st. Turn. – 68 (72, 84, 96, 108, 116, 120) st
4. Ch1. Beginning in same st you chained from, mc around until there is only 1 st left unworked. Yo, insert your hook into the same st as your last st, pull up a loop, yo, and pull through 2 loops. Sk last st, *yo, insert your hook in the same st as you did at the beginning of the round, yo, and pull up a loop. ** Repeat from * to ** one more time. Yo, and draw through all 6 loops. Ch1, ss to join to 1st st. Bind off. – 68 (72, 84, 96, 108, 116, 120) st
Neck
Lastly, we will finish off the neck edge. With the right side facing you, join your yarn anywhere on the neck edge.
1. Ch1. Sc in 1st st and each st around. Ss to join to 1st st. Bind off. – 66 (70, 70, 74, 74, 78, 78)) st
Weave in your ends, and you’re done!
I hope you love your new top, and I look forward to seeing all of your beautiful pictures on Ravelry!
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If you enjoyed the All A Flutter (Child/Youth) – Free Crochet Top Pattern, you may want to check out my other designs!
And until next time… Happy Hooking! 😉
