Geismar summer top

Geismar Summer Top by Filamira

What Is Being Made

The Geismar Summer Top is a beginner-friendly crochet garment designed by independent designer Filamira. This summer top features a unique construction method where the lower portion is crocheted longitudinally from head to waist, followed by a carrying piece worked at the top. The design is versatile and can easily be extended in length to create a tunic-style garment, making it adaptable for different style preferences and occasions.

Construction and Design Approach

This crochet top uses an unconventional construction technique that sets it apart from traditional top patterns. Rather than working in the typical bottom-up or top-down circular method, the Geismar Summer Top is crocheted longitudinally along the length of the garment from head to waist. This approach allows for interesting stitch pattern development and fabric characteristics. After completing the lower section, a carrying piece is worked at the top to finish the neckline and upper garment structure. This construction method makes it straightforward to adjust the garment length by simply crocheting additional rows before completing the carrying piece, allowing crafters to customize the top into a longer tunic if desired.

Stitches and Techniques Used

The Geismar Summer Top employs fundamental crochet stitches appropriate for its beginner difficulty level:

• Chain stitch (ch) – Used to create the foundation and throughout the pattern
• Single crochet (sc) – A basic stitch that creates a tight, dense fabric
• Double crochet (dc) – Used to build height and drape in the garment

These essential stitches are combined to create the fabric structure, with the pattern worked in rows as indicated by the row abbreviation (rw) in the instructions.

Yarn and Materials

The Geismar Summer Top is designed to be made with Cotton merino yarn from Drops, a blend consisting of 50% wool and 50% cotton. This fiber composition provides both breathability and elasticity, making it ideal for a summer garment. The yarn is a DK weight, with a yardage of 110 meters per 50-gram ball.

Yarn quantities by color:

• Color A (Jeans Blue, Color 16): 8 balls
• Color B (Ice Blue, Color 9): 1 ball
• Color C (Coral, Color 13): Approximately 10 grams (residue)

The pattern calls for a total of 9 balls of Cotton merino from Drops, plus a small residue of a third color for accent details or color blocking. This three-color combination creates visual interest while keeping the yarn requirements manageable.

Hook Size and Gauge

The Geismar Summer Top is worked with a 4.0 mm crochet hook, which is appropriate for DK weight yarn. The pattern specifies a gauge of 10 x 10 centimeters = 19 stitches by 11 rows, which is essential for achieving the correct finished size. Checking gauge before beginning is important to ensure the garment fits as intended.

Sizing and Fit

The Geismar Summer Top is designed in one size. The pattern begins with a foundation chain of 95 stitches for both the back and front pieces, providing a consistent base for construction.

Care Instructions

The Cotton merino fiber blend used in this top is easy to care for. The garment can be machine washed at 30 degrees Celsius, making it practical for regular wear and maintenance. This gentle temperature protects the fiber blend while effectively cleaning the garment.