Making a Top with the Cartwheels & Clovers Motif – 4ply Version

Recent updates to this page:

02/08/2023 – I have some notes for the linen, 3ply version I made, you can find them here: Cartwheels & Clovers 3ply linen top.

08/07/2022 – I have made this page and videos public on YouTube BUT THIS IS NOT A FINISHED PATTERN. Please message me if you need help.

28/07/2020 – Hem Border (Video)

25/07/2020 – Armhole/Sleeve Border (Written instructions + video)

Thank you so much for showing an interest in my crochet work. I really appreciate your support and I’m happy to share some of my processes here with you in case you fancy having a go yourself at making a top using the motif.

***THIS PAGE IS A WORK IN PROGRESS***

My pattern has not been tested or tech edited. If you embark on the creative journey of crocheting a garment with these notes, please see these instructions as more of a “recipe” to help you make your own unique item.

I will be editing and adding tips, videos and photo tutorials to this page so if you come back once in a while, you might find more useful stuff.

Project Overview – Yellow Top

Construction : square motifs which are connected with the “join as you go” method in the last round. Neck shaping is created with partial motifs.
Simple borders on the neck, arms & hem.
Shape & Fit : a loose, rectangular, sleeveless tee with split hems. I measure 91cm/36 inches around the chest and I’m about 171cm/5′ 7″ tall.
Finished Size : 58cm / 23″ across, 116cm / 46″ around chest, 54cm /21″ long.
Materials : 7 x 50g balls (252 metres / 276 yards) of Catona 4ply Cotton from Scheepjes in Saffron.
Tools : 3mm hook & locking stitch markers.

Resources

Scroll down to find a list of videos and pdf tutorials currently available. All except the basic motif and join, are not yet publicly available. I recommend using the written instructions in conjunction with the videos.

Choosing Your Yarn & Hook Size

Because these are quite large motifs with some relatively large open spaces, I would not recommend using anything thicker than 4py for making a garment. The thinner the yarn, the more flexibility you will have with sizing. These notes covering making the top in 4ply/fingering and 3ply/heavy lace but you can apply the same principles if you use 2ply/laceweight or any of the finer crochet threads.

Swatching

You will need to start by making a swatch of 2×2 motifs.
As a guide:
For 4ply/fingering yarn, I have used a 3mm hook.
For the 3ply/heavy lace yarn, I have used a 2.25mm hook.
Hook size will vary from person to person depending on your gauge, the way you crochet and how “thick” your yarn is within it’s given yarn group, which can vary from one brand to the next, i.e. some 4ply could almost be classed as DK and some are very thin 4ply, could almost be a heavy lace weight.

This part is really important : You will need to wash, block and allow your 4 motif section to dry before measuring so that you have an accurate starting point for working out your sizing.

Coming soon : Video, tips for blocking (video).

Motifs & Join

You can find the main motif and joining techniques by clicking on the links:

Downloadable pdf for motif & joining technique.
Video for motif.
Video for joining.

Schematics, Layouts & Construction

Here are some details about the tops I have made, including overall sizes, placement of motifs and yarn weights/yardage and hook sizes:

General advice (video), made before I had completed the 3ply version, so this will be updated eventually.
Layout & Construction – Summary for 4ply Version (pdf).
Coming soon – Layout for 3ply Version – in progress.

Neck Shaping

Neck motifs & border (pdf).
Neck motifs & border (video), see below.

Split Motif

This motif is used for making the split in the sides of the hem if you are using half motifs.

Split Motif – instructions (PDF).
Video coming soon.

Half Motif

Coming soon.

Triangle Motif

Use this motif for shoulder shaping or as an underarm gusset if you are using half motifs for the side seams. More details for placement will be available when the 3ply version has been finished.
Triangle Motif – instructions (PDF)

Joining Front to Back – Arm Holes & Side Split

Coming Soon.

Hem Border

PDF instructions coming Soon.

Video below:

Sleeve / Armhole Border

Making the border for the “sleeve” – instructions (PDF)

Video below:

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