purlJam

# Spider Web Long Sleeve Top with Heart Motif

**DESCRIPTION:**
A trendy, gothic-inspired openwork top constructed from circular "spider web" motifs. The top is worked from the centre out, creating a dramatic radial pattern using increasingly tall stitches and chain spaces. It features a cropped silhouette (adjustable), long flared sleeves, and a contrasting heart appliqué in the centre web.

**DIFFICULTY LEVEL:** Beginner (Requires comfort with counting long chain spaces and tall stitches).

**YARN WEIGHT:** Sport / Fine (5 ply)
**SPECIFICATIONS FOR THIS YARN WEIGHT:**
Approximately 130g - 150g total (approx. 570m).
*Suggested: Cotton or Acrylic blend for structure.*

**TOOLS & MATERIALS:**
*   5.00mm Crochet Hook (Main Body)
*   4.00mm Crochet Hook (Heart Appliqué)
*   Tapestry Needle
*   Stitch Markers (essential for assembly)
*   Scissors

**TERMINOLOGY & ABBREVIATION PROFILE:**
*   **Standard:** UK English (US terms in parentheses).
*   **ch:** chain
*   **ss:** slip stitch
*   **dc:** double crochet (US single crochet)
*   **tr:** treble crochet (US double crochet)
*   **dtr:** double treble (US treble crochet)
*   **ttr:** triple treble (Yarn over hook 3 times)
*   **qtr:** quadruple treble (Yarn over hook 4 times)
*   **6-tr:** sextuple treble (Yarn over hook 6 times)
*   **sp:** space
*   **st(s):** stitch(es)

**TENSION (GAUGE):**
After Row 1 (centre ring), diameter should measure approx. 4-5 cm.
*Note: Tension is critical for the "flatness" of the web. If your web bowls (curls up), loosen your chains. If it ruffles, tighten your chains.*

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### INSTRUCTIONS

#### PART 1: FRONT & BACK PANELS (Make 2 Identical)

**Centre Setup**
Using 5.00mm hook, make a Magic Ring.

**Row 1:** Ch 3 (counts as 1st tr), work 19 tr into the ring. Tighten ring. Join with ss to top of starting ch-3.
`[Count: 19 tr + ch-3 = 20 sts total]`

**Row 2 (Increase Row):** Ch 4 (counts as tr + ch 1). *Tr in next st, ch 1, tr in next st, ch 1, tr in next st, ch 1, (tr, ch 1, tr) in next st (increase made)*. Repeat from * to end. Join with ss to 3rd ch of starting ch-4.
`[Math: 20 base sts / 5 = 4 repeats. 4 increases added. Total = 24 posts]`

**Row 3:** Ch 4 (counts as tr + ch 1). *Tr in next tr, ch 1*. Repeat from * around. Join with ss to 3rd ch of starting ch-4.
`[Count: 24 posts, 24 ch-1 sps]`

**Row 4 (Increase Row):** Ch 5 (counts as tr + ch 2). *Work (tr, ch 2) in next 5 sts, then work (tr, ch 2, tr) in the 6th st*. Repeat from * around. Join with ss to 3rd ch of starting ch-5.
`[Math: 24 base sts / 6 = 4 repeats. 4 increases added. Total = 28 posts]`

**Row 5:** Ch 5 (counts as tr + ch 2). *Tr in next tr, ch 2*. Repeat from * around. Join with ss to 3rd ch of starting ch-5.
`[Count: 28 posts]`

**Row 6 (Final Increase Row):** Ch 6 (counts as tr + ch 3). *Work (tr, ch 3) in next 6 sts, then work (tr, ch 3, tr) in the 7th st*. Repeat from * around. Join with ss to 3rd ch of starting ch-6.
`[Math: 28 base sts / 7 = 4 repeats. 4 increases added. Total = 32 posts]`

**Row 7 (Tall Stitches):** Ch 10 (counts as ttr + ch 5). *Make 1 ttr (yarn over 3 times) in next st, ch 5*. Repeat from * around. Join with ss to 5th ch of starting chain.
`[Count: 32 posts]`

**Row 8:** Ch 11 (counts as qtr + ch 5). *Make 1 qtr (yarn over 4 times) in next st, ch 5*. Repeat from * around. Join with ss to 6th ch of starting chain.
`[Count: 32 posts]`

**Row 9 (Max Height):** Ch 14 (counts as 6-tr + ch 6). *Make 1 6-tr (yarn over 6 times) in next st, ch 6*. Repeat from * around. Join with ss to 8th ch of starting chain.
`[Count: 32 posts]`

**Row 10:** Ch 11 (counts as tr + ch 8). *Tr in next st, ch 8*. Repeat from * around. Join with ss to 3rd ch of starting chain.

**Row 11:** Repeat Row 10.

**Row 12:** Ch 12 (counts as tr + ch 9). *Tr in next st, ch 9*. Repeat from * around. Join with ss to 3rd ch of starting chain.

**Row 13:** Repeat Row 12.

**Row 14 (Hem Shaping):**
This row creates the bottom edge. We will place markers to define the neckline and sides before starting.
1.  **Marking:** Identify your starting point. Place Marker A. Count 5 arches (gaps) and place Marker B (Neckline). Count 9 arches from Marker B and place Marker C (Shoulder/Armhole). Count 5 arches from Marker C and place Marker D (Bottom Hem). Remaining arches are the second side.
2.  **Working the Row:**
    *   Work standard pattern: Ch 13 (tr + ch 10). *Tr in next st, ch 10*. Repeat until you reach the Bottom Hem section (between Markers C and D side).
    *   **Stretched Arches (Bottom Hem):** To create the uneven, "dripping" web look, increase chain counts between posts in this section only: Ch 18, tr, Ch 20, tr, Ch 25, tr, Ch 20, tr, Ch 18.
    *   Resume standard *Tr, ch 10* to end of round.
    *   Join with ss. Fasten off.

#### PART 2: SLEEVES (Make 2)
Work exactly as Front Panel for **Rows 1 through 10**.
*   *Size Adjustment:* For shorter sleeves, stop at Row 9. For longer/wider sleeves, continue to Row 12.
*   Fasten off after your last row.

#### PART 3: HEART APPLIQUÉ
Use 4.00mm hook and matching yarn.
1.  Make Magic Ring.
2.  Ch 3, work 3 dtr (US tr) into ring.
3.  Work 3 tr (US dc) into ring.
4.  Ch 1, 1 dtr into ring (point of heart), ch 1.
5.  Work 3 tr into ring.
6.  Work 3 dtr into ring.
7.  Ch 2, ss into centre of ring.
8.  Tighten ring securely. Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.

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### FINISHING & ASSEMBLY

**1. Sew Heart:**
Stitch the heart appliqué directly onto the centre ring (Row 1) of the Front Panel using the yarn tail.

**2. Shoulder Seams:**
*   Place Front and Back panels right sides facing (Inside Out).
*   Align the top 3 arches (the webbing) on the left and right of the neck opening.
*   **Join:** Insert hook through the chain-space of both panels. Join yarn with a ss.
*   *Work 10 dc (US sc) into the arch space, 1 dc into the tr post*. Repeat across the 3 shoulder arches.
*   Fasten off. Repeat for the other shoulder.

**3. Sleeve Attachment:**
*   Lay the top flat, open at the sides.
*   Align the centre of the Sleeve circle with the shoulder seam.
*   Pin the sleeve to the body arches (approx. 9 arches of the body should align with 9 arches of the sleeve).
*   Join yarn and work a row of dc (US sc) to seam them together:
    *   Work 9 dc in each chain-arch, 1 dc in each post.
    *   At the "Corners" (underarm area where the sleeve circle closes), work 2 dc to ease the turn.

**4. Side Seams:**
*   Fold the top so Front and Back align.
*   Join the side seams starting from the bottom hem up to the armpit using the same method (10 dc in arches, 1 dc in posts).
*   Weave in all ends using a tapestry needle.