For this stitch we’ll learn how to easily change colors back and forth in rows…without fastening off! The result is a great red & white American themed stitch.

If you haven’t joined my Stitch Along yet, it’s not too late! I’m releasing 4 stitch patterns per month, but you can jump in at any time! Be sure to join the Stitch Along community in my Facebook group HERE. Or follow me on Instagram to see new stitches there.

You can also view the master list of stitches that have been released so far by clicking HERE! There are definitely some more cool ones you will want to check out.

Last thing before we get started on this stitch: I created a bundle of 4 stitch patterns on Etsy which can be found here. Included is the Americana Stitch, plus 3 OTHER stitch patterns (all of the ones that will be released in July!) The stitches are written out for easy printing. Find this bundle HERE!

How to Crochet the Americana Stitch

• To Pin this Tutorial to your Pinterest Boards, click HERE
• To get the PDF version of this pattern (+3 bonus stitch patterns!) click HERE
• To pre-order the ENTIRE library of stitches in the Stitch Along, click HERE

Notes

• Stitch pattern is a multiple of 3
• Ch 1 at beginning of rows does NOT count as st

Materials

You can potentially use ANY yarn and hook for this stitch. However, here’s what I used:

• Red Heart Super Saver Yarn
• J/10 Crochet Hook

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1/ Niagara Cardigan 2/ New York Sign 3/ Wave Shawl

Instructions:

Fsc a multiple of 3 (to start with a chain stitch, you’ll need a multiple of 3+1, and then one row of single crochet).

Row 1: Ch 1 (does NOT count as st, here and throughout) sc in first st. (Sc, ch 2, sc) in next fsc. *Sk 2 fsc. (Sc, ch 2, sc) in next fsc. Rep from * until 1 st left. Sc in last fsc (change colors on this st). Turn.

Changing colors:

Like this pattern so far? Be sure to check out the printer-friendly version (plus 3 BONUS stitch patterns—see picture below!)

Click HERE for more information!

Row 2: Ch 1, sc in first st. Sk next sc, (sc, ch 2, sc) in next ch-2 sp. *Sk 2 sc, (sc, ch 2, sc) in next ch-2 sp. Rep from * until 2 sts left. Sk next sc, sc in last sc (change colors on this st). Turn.

Another note on color changes: don’t forget to CARRY the unused color so that you’ll have less ends to weave in. For example, as shown in the picture below, I will be working with red, and crocheting OVER the white strand across the row.

Rep row 2 for stitch pattern!

I hope you have enjoyed learning this fun stitch pattern.

If you have any questions at all, please don’t hesitate to contact me.

SHARING IS CARING!

If you did enjoy this post, I would love if you shared it in the following places so many MORE people can see it!

• Pin to Pinterest – just hover over any of the photos in this post and click “save”
• Tag me in your Instagram posts
• Share photos in my Facebook Group

Happy Crocheting!

Happy Crocheting!

—Rachel

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The Pattern

Right off the bat I’ll tell you…the entire pattern, written in PDF form, is already available. I release the PDF early for those of you who would rather have the pattern all together in one place. This is also perfect for easy printing. Grab the PDF HERE.

P.S. It’s ON SALE right now!

However, if you prefer to wait for the sections of the free pattern, that is totally fine too! Read on to hear the details of how this will work.

PIN THIS POST TO YOUR PINTEREST BOARDS HERE

The Yarn

The yarn used for this top is one of my new favorites…Lion Brand Jeans! Why do I love this yarn? It is worsted weight, but it is the softest, most amazing worsted weight I’ve ever used, especially for an acrylic yarn! Even though it’s worsted, it still makes for an airy, breathable summer top.

You can order your yarn right now by clicking HERE! Note: Lion Brand has 2 different listings for this yarn. The more neutral colors can be found here. But there are also some brighter colors, which can be found here. All of them would make amazing tops!

How much yarn will you need? That depends on your size. This top is available in sizes S-2XL.

Yarn needed: 2 (3, 3, 3, 4) skeins of Jeans Yarn.

Follow the steps below to choose your size…

The finished bust size of the top (as long as you obtain gauge) is: 33 (39, 45, 50, 56)”

You can go for a few different looks as far as this top goes. If you want a loose fitting top, then choose a size that is 2-3” larger than your bust. However, if you want a more fitted top, go for either a size that is the same as your bust, or go for negative ease by choosing a size 1-2” smaller than your bust.

For reference, I chose to make mine with 3” of positive ease. My bust is 30”, and I made a size Small.

The Community

One of my favorite things about CAL’s is the community that gets built during them. For this CAL, there’s a few things you need to know about the community aspect.

The main place we’ll talk about our tops is in my Facebook Group! Here we can share photos, ask questions, etc. Be sure to join HERE if you haven’t already!

Secondly, I’d love it if you guys share your photos on Instagram! Be sure to use the hashtag #midnightcal in your posts, and tag me @desertblossomcrafts so I can see!

Now that we’ve covered the pattern, yarn, and community, let’s get on to the schedule for the CAL.

Midnight Top Crochet Along

The crochet along spans 3 weeks total. Here is how I have everything scheduled:

Week 1: Read Intro post (that’s this post!) Get your yarn and pattern (if you want the PDF). And finally, join my Facebook group!

Week 2: Part 1 of pattern will be released on the blog. Note: it is now available! Click HERE to view part 1. This week you will make your gauge swatch, and then begin the yoke of the top.

Week 3: Part 2 of pattern will be released on the Blog. Join the armholes of your top and then make the body.

I hope you guys are as excited about this CAL as I am! I can’t wait to see all your tops in progress. Don’t forget to join my Facebook group so we can all encourage each other.

Happy Crocheting!

— Rachel

The post Midnight Top—Free Crochet Along Introduction appeared first on .