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# Boho Mesh Crop Top — "Butter Sunshine"
### Sheer Short-Sleeve Crochet Crop Top in Butter Yellow

A light, airy, beginner-friendly crop top worked in a simple V-mesh (net) stitch. Built from easy rectangles — no complicated shaping — with a relaxed boho fit and breezy short sleeves. Perfect for layering over a bralette or cami.

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## 🧶 Materials

| Item | Details |
|------|---------|
| **Yarn** | Worsted weight (#4) 100% cotton, butter yellow (soft pale-yellow). E.g., Lily Sugar 'n Cream, Paintbox Cotton Aran, or Bernat Handicrafter Cotton |
| **Yardage** | XS 350 yds · S 400 yds · M 450 yds · L 525 yds · XL 600 yds · 2XL 675 yds |
| **Hook** | US H/8 (5.0 mm) main · US G/6 (4.0 mm) for border |
| **Notions** | Tapestry needle, stitch markers, scissors |
| **Gauge** | In mesh pattern: 8 mesh squares (dc, ch-1) = 4 in wide; 9 rows = 4 in tall, blocked. Each mesh square ≈ 0.5 in wide. |

> 📝 **Note:** Use a smooth mercerized cotton for the prettiest sheen and crisp mesh. Block your swatch — mesh relaxes and opens after washing.

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## 📏 Sizes & Finished Measurements

Sizes: **XS · S · M · L · XL · 2XL**
Designed with a **cropped length** and a relaxed (2–4 in positive ease) fit.

| Size | To fit Bust | Finished Bust | Body Length | Sleeve Width | Sleeve Length |
|------|-------------|---------------|-------------|--------------|---------------|
| XS | 30–32 in | 34 in | 14 in | 11 in | 4 in |
| S | 33–35 in | 37 in | 14.5 in | 11.5 in | 4 in |
| M | 36–38 in | 40 in | 15 in | 12 in | 4.5 in |
| L | 39–41 in | 43 in | 15.5 in | 13 in | 4.5 in |
| XL | 42–44 in | 46 in | 16 in | 14 in | 5 in |
| 2XL | 45–48 in | 49 in | 16 in | 15 in | 5 in |

**Finished Bust** = width of Front + width of Back (each panel = ½ bust).

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## 🔤 Abbreviations (US Terms)

- **ch** = chain
- **dc** = double crochet
- **sc** = single crochet
- **st(s)** = stitch(es)
- **sp** = space
- **sl st** = slip stitch
- **rep** = repeat

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## 🕸️ Mesh Stitch Pattern (practice swatch)

The whole top uses this one simple pattern:

> **Set-up:** Chain a multiple of 2 + 4.
> **Row 1:** dc in 6th ch from hook, *ch 1, skip 1 ch, dc in next ch*; rep across. Turn.
> **Row 2:** ch 4 (counts as dc + ch 1), skip first ch-1 sp, dc in next dc, *ch 1, dc in next dc*; rep across, working last dc into the 3rd ch of turning chain. Turn.
> **Rep Row 2** for pattern.

Each "square" = 1 dc + 1 ch-1 space = ½ in wide. ✅

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## 🧮 How the Math Works (validation)

- Each mesh square = **0.5 in**, so squares per panel = **panel width × 2**.
- Foundation chain = **(number of squares × 2) + 4**.

Per panel width = **Finished Bust ÷ 2**:

| Size | Panel Width | Squares (width×2) | Foundation Chain (sq×2+4) |
|------|-------------|--------------------|---------------------------|
| XS | 17 in | 34 | 72 |
| S | 18.5 in | 37 | 78 |
| M | 20 in | 40 | 84 |
| L | 21.5 in | 43 | 90 |
| XL | 23 in | 46 | 96 |
| 2XL | 24.5 in | 49 | 102 |

Rows for body = **Body Length × (9 rows ÷ 4 in) ≈ Length × 2.25**:

| Size | Body Length | Rows |
|------|-------------|------|
| XS | 14 in | 32 |
| S | 14.5 in | 33 |
| M | 15 in | 34 |
| L | 15.5 in | 35 |
| XL | 16 in | 36 |
| 2XL | 16 in | 36 |

✅ Math verified: chain counts are even multiples of 2 + 4, matching the mesh repeat.

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## ⬜ BACK PANEL

With H/8 hook, chain per your size from the chart above.

> Example (M): ch 84.

**Row 1:** dc in 6th ch from hook, *ch 1, skip 1 ch, dc in next ch*; rep across. Turn.
*(M: 40 mesh squares)*

**Rows 2 to [row count for your size]:** Work Mesh Row 2 across. Turn.

Fasten off after completing the row count for your size. Set aside.

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## ⬜ FRONT PANEL

Work **exactly the same as the Back** (same chain, same row count).

This is a pullover-style boho top — both panels are identical rectangles. The neckline is created during assembly by leaving the center open.

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## 👕 SLEEVES (make 2) — Short, Boxy, Dropped-Shoulder

Sleeves are simple rectangles (no tapering — true to the kimono/T-shape construction).

**Sleeve width** = number of squares from chart:

| Size | Sleeve Width | Squares | Foundation Chain (sq×2+4) | Rows (length×2.25) |
|------|--------------|---------|---------------------------|---------------------|
| XS | 11 in | 22 | 48 | 9 |
| S | 11.5 in | 23 | 50 | 9 |
| M | 12 in | 24 | 52 | 10 |
| L | 13 in | 26 | 56 | 10 |
| XL | 14 in | 28 | 60 | 11 |
| 2XL | 15 in | 30 | 64 | 11 |

With H/8 hook, chain per your size.

**Row 1:** dc in 6th ch from hook, *ch 1, skip 1 ch, dc in next ch*; rep across. Turn.

**Rows 2 to [row count]:** Work Mesh Row 2 across. Turn.

Fasten off. Make a second sleeve the same.

> 💡 The sleeve's **chained edge** becomes the outer cuff; the **last row edge** attaches to the body.

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## 🪡 ASSEMBLY

Lay both body panels flat with right sides together.

**1. Shoulder seams:**
Measure in from each side edge along the top of the panels.
- Seam **6 in (XS–S) / 6.5 in (M–L) / 7 in (XL–2XL)** from each armhole edge inward for each shoulder.
- Leave the **center gap open** for the neckline (about 9–10 in across).
Use mattress stitch or sl st seam.

**2. Mark the armhole depth:**
Measure down from the shoulder seam along each side edge:
- **5.5 in (XS–S) / 6 in (M–L) / 6.5 in (XL–2XL)**.
Place a marker — this is the underarm point.

**3. Attach sleeves:**
Center the top edge (last-row edge) of each sleeve at the shoulder seam. Pin the sleeve evenly into the armhole opening (between the front and back underarm markers), attaching it **perpendicular** to the body (dropped shoulder). Seam in place.

**4. Side & underarm seams:**
Seam each side from hem up to the underarm marker, then continue along the underside of the sleeve to the cuff in one continuous line. Repeat on the other side.

**5. Weave in all ends.**

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## 🌼 BORDER / EDGING

Switch to **G/6 (4.0 mm)** hook for crisper edges. Join butter yellow yarn at a side seam.

### Bottom Hem Edging
**Round 1:** sc evenly around the bottom hem, 2 sc per mesh square; join with sl st.
**Round 2 (picot shell):** *skip 1 sc, 5 dc in next sc, skip 1 sc, sc in next sc*; rep around. Join, fasten off.

### Neckline Edging
**Round 1:** Join yarn at a shoulder seam. sc evenly around the neckline opening, keeping the count even; join with sl st.
**Round 2:** ch 1, sc in each sc around for a clean finish; join, fasten off.

### Sleeve Cuff Edging
**Round 1:** Join at underarm seam. sc evenly around the cuff (2 sc per square); join.
**Round 2:** *skip 1 sc, 5 dc in next sc, skip 1 sc, sc in next sc*; rep around. Join, fasten off.

> 🌸 The shell edging gives that soft boho, feminine finish on the hem and cuffs.

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## 🧼 FINISHING & BLOCKING

1. Weave in all remaining ends.
2. **Wet block:** soak in cool water, gently squeeze out (do not wring), lay flat to the finished measurements, and pin. Let the mesh open up and relax fully.
3. Allow to dry completely before wearing.

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## ✅ Final Checklist

- [x] Butter yellow worsted cotton — sheer mesh fabric
- [x] Short, boxy sleeves (dropped shoulder, no taper)
- [x] Cropped length (14–16 in)
- [x] Sizes XS–2XL with finished measurements
- [x] Beginner-friendly: one repeating stitch, simple rectangles
- [x] Decorative shell border on hem & cuffs

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## 🎨 Image Generation Prompt

To recreate the matching photo, use this prompt in your image generator:

> *"A soft butter-yellow crochet mesh crop top, sheer airy net/V-mesh stitch, short boxy sleeves with a delicate shell-scalloped edge, cropped relaxed boho fit, displayed flat-lay on a neutral cream background with soft natural daylight, pastel summer aesthetic, high detail handmade crochet texture, 100% cotton yarn."*

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**Designed in the relaxed boho kimono-construction tradition — adapted into a closed pullover crop top per your request. Happy hooking! 🌻**