After designing the women’s Midnight Top and seeing the huge success that it was, I just KNEW a kid’s version was in order! It has been so much fun to see these mini tops take shape!

My favorite thing about this top is how quickly it works up. The adult version was super quick to make—but the kids is even quicker! You can whip one of these up in no time.

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The YARN

I used Lion Brand Jeans yarn for this top. I have to say, this probably my favorite worsted weight yarn I’ve ever worked with! Not only is it soft, but also stretchy and comfy! In short, perfect for summer. Even though it’s acrylic, it doesn’t get too hot either.

The Inspiration + Design

I actually designed the Midnight Top top in the car. I’d never designed a raglan before, so I had low expectations for it actually becoming a a successful pattern. So really, I stumbled upon this design by accident! However, after I made the adult version, I KNEW I couldn’t go by without making a kid’s version as well.

My testers were happy with that—look at this mommy and me set made by @coycrochet on Instagram below!

If you’d like to get an Ad-free, printable version of this pattern, be sure to visit my Etsy shop. By buying the premium version, you go even farther in supporting my small business—so thank you in advance to all who purchase!

Also…the PDF is on sale for limited time only! Use the code MINIMIDNIGHT to get 20% off!

One last thing…this pattern is also apart of the Design, Create, Repeat collaboration! Today I’m featuring Katie from Salty Pearl Crochet’s corner-to-corner pattern! Click HERE for the free pattern!

The Mini Midnight Top

Ok, finally to the pattern!

By Desert Blossom Crafts

• To buy the ad-free, PDF pattern, click HERE
• To pin this pattern to your Pinterest boards, click HERE
• To add this pattern to your Ravelry queue, click HERE
• To view the adult version of this top, click HERE

Materials:

• Lion Brand Jeans Yarn: 1 (2, 2) skeins; I used colors Faded and Topstitch
• Total yardage needed: Approx. 240, 300, 380 yards worsted weight yarn
• K (6.5mm) Hook (or size to obtain gauge)
• Yarn needle

Abbreviations/Stitches Used:

Chain – ch

Foundation Single Crochet – fsc

Slip Stitch: sl st

Single crochet – sc

Double crochet – dc

Repeat – rep

Round – rnd

Skip – sk

Stitch(es) – st(s)

Special Stitches:

Shell (sh): (2 dc, ch 1, 2 dc) in indicated stitch.

Sizing:

To fit chest size: 22 (25, 28)”
Finished bust size: 24 (27, 30)”

The sizes above are what the finished size of your sweater will be (as long as you obtain gauge). To leave plenty of growing room for your child, I recommend choosing a size that is 2-3” bigger than their chest measurement.

For reference, model is 4’ 2” with a chest measurement of 24”, wearing size 6-8.

Gauge:

11 dc = 4”

5 rows of dc = 3”

Notes:

1. This top’s construction is a raglan; it is worked from the top down.
2. Ch 3 at beginning of rnds counts as a stitch.
3. Ch 2 at beginning of rnds does NOT count as stitch.
4. Pattern is written in size 2-4, with sizes 6-8 and 10-12 in parentheses.

Instructions:

YOKE

Fsc (44, 56, 56). Join with a sl st to beg fsc to form a ring.

Rnd 1: Ch 3, dc in same st as sl st. Dc in next 10 (13, 13) Fsc. *Sh in next Fsc. Dc in next 10 (13,13) Fsc. Rep from * 2 times more. Complete first shell by doing 2 dc in first Fsc. Sc in beg ch 3 (counts as the ch space.) 40 (52, 52) dc, and 4 corner shells.

Rnd 2: Ch 3, dc in ch sp of current sh. Dc in next 14 (17, 17) dc. *Sh in next check sp. Dc in next 14 (17, 17) dc. Rep from * 2 times more. Complete first sh by doing 2 dc in first ch sp. Sc in beg ch 3. 56 (68, 68) dc and 4 shells.

Rnd 3: Ch 3, dc in ch sp of current sh. **Dc in next 2 dc. Ch 4, Sk 2 dc, *Sc in next dc. Ch 4, Sk 2 dc, rep from * until you reach corner shell. Dc in next 2 dc of corner sh. Sh in next ch sp. Rep from ** around. Except, on last repeat, omit the last sh, and simply finish the first shell by doing 2 dc in first ch sp. Join with sc to beg ch 3. 20 (24, 24) ch sps, 16 (20, 20) sc, 16 dc, 4 sh.

Rnd 4: Ch 3, dc in ch sp of current sh. *Dc in next 2 dc. Ch 4, Sk 2 dc, Sc in next ch sp. (Ch 4, Sc in next ch sp) across all ch spaces. Ch 4, Sk 2 dc, dc in next 2 dc. Sh in next ch sp. Rep from * around, except on last repeat, omit final sh. 2 dc in first ch sp. join with sc to beg ch 3. 24 (28, 28) ch sps, 20 (24, 24) sc, 16 dc, 4 sh.

Rnd 5: Ch 3, dc in ch sp of current sh. *Sk next dc, dc in next 3 dc. 2 dc in next ch sp. (3 dc in next ch sp) until 1 ch sp left. 2 dc in last ch sp. Dc in next 3 dc, Sk next dc. Sh in next ch sp. Rep from * around, except on last repeat, omit final sh. 2 dc in first ch sp. Join with sc to beg ch 3. 88 (100, 100) dc and 4 corner shells.

For Sizes 2-4 and 6-8, move on to the Body section now.

Size 10-12 ONLY

Rnd 6: Ch 3, dc in ch sp of current sh. Dc in ea dc across to ch sp of next corner sh. *Sh in next ch sp. Dc across to ch sp of next corner sh. Rep from * around. 2 dc in first ch sp. Join with sc to beg ch 3. 116 dc and 4 corner shells.

BODY:

Rnd 1: Ch 3, dc in ch sp of current sh. Ch 3 (4, 5) skip all the dc before next sh. 2 dc in ch sp of next sh (armhole made). Dc in all dc up to next sh. 2 dc in ch sp of next sh. Ch 3 (4, 5), skip all the dc before next sh. 2 dc in ch sp of next sh (armhole made). Dc in remaining dc. Join with a sl st to beg ch 3. 60 (66, 74) dc and 6, 8, 10 chs.  

Rnd 2: Ch 2 (does NOT count as dc), dc in same st as sl st. Dc in next dc. Dc in next 3 (4, 5) chains. Dc in across all dc until next set of chains. Dc in next 3 (4, 5) chains. Dc in remaining dcs around. Join with sl st to beg dc. 66 (74, 84) dc.

Rnd 3: Ch 2, dc in same st as sl st. Dc in ea dc around. Join with a sl st to beg dc.

Rep rnd 3 till work measures 15 (16, 17)  inches, or until top is your desired length!

Note: If you want to do color changes like I did, keep repeating Rnd 3 until you are a few rows from your desired length. Fasten off and do a rnd of dc in the contrasting color; then do a rnd of sc in the main color. Finally, do one more rnd in the contrasting color. After this, move on to the last rnd as shown below.

Last Rnd: Ch 1, sc in next st. *Ch 3, Sk next st, sc in next st. Rep from * until one st left. Ch 3, Sk last st, sl st in beg sc. Fasten off and weave in ends.

FINISHING

Sleeves: With contrasting color (if desired), join yarn with a sc at the base of the armpit. Sc evenly around the armhole opening. Join with a sl st to first sc, and fasten off.

Neck: With contrasting color (if desired), join yarn with a sc at the back of the neck opening. Sc evenly around the neck opening. Join with sl st to first sc, and fasten off.

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

To view all of my free patterns, click HERE. To get a special bonus straight to your inbox, sign up for my email list below:

Happy Crocheting!

—Rachel

© 2021 All rights reserved. You may print this pattern for private use only. You may not reproduce or distribute this pattern in any way for any public or commercial use. You may sell finished items made from this pattern, but please give credit to me and link back to my blog. For info about permission to share pictures/use this pattern in Roundups, please contact me. Thank you!

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In case you haven’t heard, the past 2 weeks we’ve been crocheting along to make to make the Midnight Top, a stylish summer crochet top! I have had SO much fun seeing all the work-in-progress photos in my Facebook Group—which, by the way, is the community for the CAL, so be sure to join it!

If this is the first time you’re seeing this post, be sure to first read the Intro post, and the Part 1 post. There you’ll find all the information you need to make your top, including detailed information about yarn and sizing.

Here we will just cover some quick references (see below) but the other posts cover lots more details.

Quick Links

• To stop reading all these different blog posts and go straight to the printable PDF, click HERE.
• To buy the yarn for this top (Lion Brand Jeans), click HERE.
• To join the CAL community in my Facebook Group, click HERE.
• To read more details about the CAL, click HERE.
• To pin this pattern to your Pinterest boards, click HERE.

THE MIDNIGHT TOP: FREE CROCHET ALONG PART 2

Note: this is PART 2 of the Midnight Top pattern. If you’re just starting your top, be sure to view the post below.

MATERIALS:

• Lion Brand Jeans yarn 2 (3, 3, 3, 4) skeins
• Total yardage needed: Approx. 470 (550, 620, 700, 780) yards worsted weight yarn
• K/6.5mm crochet hook (or size to obtain gauge)
• Yarn needle

ABBREVIATIONS/STITCHES USED (U.S. TERMINOLOGY):

Chain – ch

Foundation Single Crochet – fsc

Slip Stitch – sl st

Single crochet – sc

Double crochet – dc

Repeat – rep

Round – rnd

Skip – sk

Stitch(es) – st(s)

Space – sp

SPECIAL STITCHES: 

Shell (sh): (2 dc, ch 1, 2 dc) in indicated stitch.

SIZING

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. 

GAUGE:

11 dc = 4”

5 rows of dc = 3”

NOTES

1. This top’s construction is a raglan; it is worked from the top down.

2. Ch 3 at beginning of rnds counts as a stitch.

3. Ch 2 at beginning of rnds does NOT count as stitch.

4. Pattern is written in size S, with sizes M-2XL in parentheses.

INSTRUCTIONS: 

This pattern picks up where Part 1 left off. We finished the yoke in part 1, and now we will join the armholes and continue with the body!

BODY:

Rnd 1: Ch 3, dc in ch-sp of current sh. Ch 3 (4, 5, 6, 7) skip all the dc before next sh. 2 dc in ch-sp of next sh (armhole made), dc in all dc up to next sh. 2 dc in ch-sp of next sh. Ch 3 (4, 5, 6, 7), skip all the dc before next sh, 2 dc in ch-sp of next sh (armhole made), dc in remaining dc. Join with a sl st to beg ch 3.

Rnd 2: Ch 2 (does NOT count as dc), dc in same st as sl st. Dc in next dc. Dc in next 3 (4, 5, 6, 7) chains. Dc in all dc until next set of chains. Dc in next 3 (4, 5, 6, 7) chains. Dc in remaining dcs around. Join with sl st to beg ch 2. 92 (108, 124, 140, 156) dc.

Rnd 3: Ch 2, dc in same st as sl st. Dc in ea dc around. Join with a sl st to beg dc.

Rep rnd 2 till work measures 22 (23, 24, 25, 26) inches, or until top is your desired length! (Feel free to adjust the length here!)

Last Rnd: Ch 1, sc in next st. *Ch 3, Sk next st, sc in next st. Rep from * until one st left. Ch 3, Sk last st, sl st in beg sc. Fasten off and weave in ends. 46 (54, 62, 70, 78) ch sps.

FINISHING

Sleeves: Join yarn with a sc at the base of the armpit. Sc evenly around the armhole opening. Join with a sl st to first sc, and fasten off.

Neck: Join yarn with a sc at the back of the neck opening. Sc evenly around the neck opening. Join with sl st to first sc, fasten off, and weave in ends.

That’s it—you’re done! Thank you SO MUCH for participating in my CAL; I’ve had so much fun with you guys!

DON’T FORGET to share your finished pictures in my Facebook Group, and share pictures on Instagram too! I want to see you wearing your new summer top!

Tag me @desertblossomcrafts, and use the hashtag#midnightcal and #themidnighttop so everyone else crocheting along can see as well.

Happy Crocheting!

—Rachel 

The post Midnight Top—FREE Crochet Along Part 2 appeared first on .

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

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