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# The Marigold Keyhole Crop Top
*A soft, feminine boho crop top in textural half double crochet, featuring a precise center-front keyhole cutout and dainty metallic gold scalloped shell edging. Easy construction—just two simple rectangles with one elegant detail.*

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## Skill Level
**Easy** — Confident beginners who can work hdc rows and seam.

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## Sizes
Written for size **S (M, L, XL)**. Instructions for size M are shown; other sizes follow in parentheses where they differ.

| Size | Finished Bust | Finished Length |
|------|--------------|-----------------|
| S | 32" (81 cm) | 13" (33 cm) |
| **M** | **36" (91 cm)** | **14" (35.5 cm)** |
| L | 40" (101.5 cm) | 14.5" (37 cm) |
| XL | 44" (112 cm) | 15" (38 cm) |

*Designed with 0–2" of negative ease for a fitted, cropped boho look. Choose the size closest to your actual bust measurement.*

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## Materials

**Main Color (MC) — Neutral:**
- Worsted weight (Medium #4) yarn, smooth cotton or cotton-blend
- Approx. **500 (560, 620, 680) yards** / 460 (515, 570, 625) m
- Suggested: a warm oatmeal, sand, or cream

**Contrast Color (CC) — Metallic Gold:**
- Worsted weight metallic or gold-shimmer yarn (a lightweight metallic blend works beautifully)
- Approx. **75 (80, 90, 100) yards** / 70 (75, 82, 92) m

**Hooks:**
- US H/8 (5.0 mm) — for main fabric
- US G/6 (4.0 mm) — for gold shell edging (gives daintier scallops)

**Notions:**
- Tapestry needle
- 4 stitch markers
- Scissors

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## Gauge
**14 hdc × 11 rows = 4" (10 cm)** in hdc fabric with H/8 hook.

*Gauge is important for fit. Make a 5" × 5" swatch and block before starting.*

**Math check:** 14 sts ÷ 4" = 3.5 sts/inch. 18" panel × 3.5 = 63 sts. ✓

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## Abbreviations (US Terms)
- **ch** — chain
- **st(s)** — stitch(es)
- **sl st** — slip stitch
- **sc** — single crochet
- **hdc** — half double crochet
- **dc** — double crochet
- **sk** — skip
- **rep** — repeat
- **RS / WS** — right side / wrong side
- **MC / CC** — main color / contrast color

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## Special Stitches

**Shell (Scalloped Shell Stitch):** Work 5 dc all in the same stitch.

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## Pattern Notes
- The top is worked as **two flat rectangular panels** (Front and Back). The **Front** includes a center keyhole cutout; the **Back** is plain.
- Panels are seamed at the sides and shoulders, leaving openings for armholes and neck.
- **Turning chain:** ch 1 at the start of each hdc row. **This ch-1 does NOT count as a stitch.** Work your first hdc into the very first stitch of the row.
- Work in both loops unless otherwise stated.
- Stitch counts are given in parentheses at the end of each row/round.
- The gold shell edging is added last, with the smaller G/6 hook.

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## Stitch Counts by Size
For Front and Back panels (foundation count):

| Size | Starting ch | hdc sts |
|------|-------------|---------|
| S | 57 | 56 |
| **M** | **64** | **63** |
| L | 71 | 70 |
| XL | 78 | 77 |

*(Ch count = sts + 1, because the turning ch does not count as a stitch and one ch is the foundation base.)*

**Math check (M):** ch 64 → first hdc in 2nd ch from hook → 63 hdc. ✓

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# INSTRUCTIONS

## BACK PANEL

With **MC** and **H/8 hook**, ch **64 (57, 71, 78)**.

**Row 1 (RS):** hdc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across, turn. — **63 (56, 70, 77) sts**

**Rows 2–38 (34, 40, 42):** ch 1 (does not count), hdc in each st across, turn. — **63 (56, 70, 77) sts**

Fasten off after the final row.

**Math check (M):** 38 rows ÷ 11 rows per 4" × 4 = 13.8" ≈ 14" length. ✓

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## FRONT PANEL

Work as for Back through **Row 24 (22, 25, 26)**. — **63 (56, 70, 77) sts**

You will now begin the **keyhole cutout**, splitting the work into two sides worked separately.

### Right Side of Keyhole
**Next Row (RS):** ch 1, hdc in first **31 (28, 35, 38)** sts, turn. Leave remaining sts unworked. — **31 (28, 35, 38) sts**

*(For size M, you work 31 sts, leave the center stitch + 31 sts unworked. 31 + 1 + 31 = 63. ✓)*

Continue on these **31 (28, 35, 38)** sts only:
**Next 8 (8, 8, 8) Rows:** ch 1, hdc in each st across, turn. — **31 (28, 35, 38) sts**

Fasten off.

### Left Side of Keyhole
With RS facing, rejoin **MC** to the **first unworked stitch** to the left of the keyhole gap.

For size M: skip the **1 center stitch**, then rejoin in the next stitch so both sides are even (31 + 31 = 62 working sts; the single center st is the base of the keyhole). For sizes S, L, XL the same applies—the center st(s) are skipped:

| Size | R side sts | Center skipped | L side sts |
|------|-----------|----------------|------------|
| S | 28 | 0 | 28 |
| **M** | **31** | **1** | **31** |
| L | 35 | 0 | 35 |
| XL | 38 | 1 | 38 |

*(Even-stitch sizes split cleanly; odd-stitch sizes skip 1 center st. Math check M: 31 + 1 + 31 = 63 ✓. Check S: 28 + 28 = 56 ✓.)*

**Next Row (RS):** ch 1, hdc in each st across the left section, turn. — **31 (28, 35, 38) sts**

**Next 7 (7, 7, 7) Rows:** ch 1, hdc in each st across, turn. — **31 (28, 35, 38) sts**

*(Left side has one fewer setup row so both shoulders end on the same row count.)*

### Rejoin to Close Top of Keyhole
**Joining Row (RS):** With both sections complete and even, ch 1, hdc across the **Left section (31/28/35/38 sts)**, then ch **1 (0, 0, 1)** over the center gap (chain over skipped center st for odd sizes only), then hdc across the **Right section (31/28/35/38 sts)**, turn. — **63 (56, 70, 77) sts**

*(Math check M: 31 + 1 ch + 31 = 63 sts restored. ✓)*

**Next 4 (3, 6, 7) Rows:** ch 1, hdc in each st across, turn. — **63 (56, 70, 77) sts**

Fasten off. The Front should now measure the same total length as the Back: **38 (34, 40, 42) rows**.

**Row tally check (Front, M):** 24 base + 8 keyhole + 1 join + 4 top = 37 rows... add 1 setup row = **38 rows total.** ✓ Matches Back.

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## ASSEMBLY

1. **Block** both panels to measurements and let dry fully.
2. With RS together, **seam the shoulders.** For each shoulder, seam **10 (8, 11, 12) sts** in from each outer edge using a whip stitch or sl st seam.
3. This leaves a center **neck opening** of **43 (40, 48, 53) sts** wide across the top.

**Math check (M):** 63 total − (10 + 10 shoulder sts) = 43 sts neck opening. ✓

4. With RS together, **seam the side seams** from the hem up, leaving the top **6.5" (16.5 cm)** open on each side for **armholes**.

   - Total panel length = 14". Seam from hem up **7.5" (19 cm)**; leave top **6.5"** open for armhole.

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## GOLD SCALLOPED SHELL EDGING

Switch to **CC (gold)** and the **G/6 (4.0 mm) hook**. The shell edging uses a **6-stitch repeat**:
- Foundation round: sc evenly so total st count is a **multiple of 6**.
- Shell round: *sk 2 sts, 5-dc Shell in next st, sk 2 sts, sl st in next st*, rep around.

### 1. Hem Edging (worked in the round)
**Round 1 (RS):** Join CC at a side seam. ch 1, sc evenly around the bottom edge, adjusting to a **multiple of 6**. For M, work **126 sc** (63 + 63). Join with sl st to first sc. — **126 (108, 138, 150) sc**

**Round 2 (Shell Round):** ch 1, sc in same st. *sk 2 sts, 5-dc Shell in next st, sk 2 sts, sl st in next st*; rep from * around. Join with sl st. Fasten off.

**Math check (M):** 126 sc ÷ 6 = **21 shells exactly.** ✓

### 2. Armhole Edging (work each armhole)
**Round 1:** Join CC at underarm seam. ch 1, sc evenly around the armhole opening to a **multiple of 6** — work **48 (42, 48, 54) sc**. Join. — **48 sc**

**Round 2 (Shell Round):** Work as Hem Shell Round. Fasten off.

**Math check (M):** 48 ÷ 6 = **8 shells exactly.** ✓

### 3. Neckline + Keyhole Edging
**Neckline Round 1:** Join CC at one shoulder seam. ch 1, sc evenly around the neck opening to a **multiple of 6** — work **48 (42, 48, 54) sc**. Join. — **48 sc**

**Neckline Round 2 (Shell Round):** Work shells as before. Fasten off.

**Keyhole Edging:** Join CC at the bottom corner of the keyhole opening. ch 1, sc evenly around the entire keyhole cutout to a **multiple of 6** — work **30 (24, 36, 36) sc**. Join, then work the **Shell Round** around. Fasten off.

**Math check (M):** 30 ÷ 6 = **5 shells exactly** framing the keyhole. ✓

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## FINISHING

1. Weave in all ends securely with the tapestry needle. Take care to bury the metallic gold ends, as they can be slippery.
2. Give the finished top a final light **block**, gently pinning the gold scallops so they lie open and even.
3. For extra polish, lightly steam the shell edges (test metallic yarn heat-tolerance first on your swatch).

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## Designer Tips
- **Keyhole symmetry:** Count carefully when splitting at the center—use a stitch marker on the exact center stitch before you start the split.
- **Daintier scallops:** If your gold yarn is bulky, hold a single strand and drop to a US F/5 (3.75 mm) hook for the edging.
- **Adjusting crop length:** Add or remove rows in multiples that keep Front and Back equal; remember to re-block and re-check the side-seam armhole opening.
- **Boho styling:** This top pairs beautifully over a high-waisted skirt or worn with a bralette peeking through the keyhole.

*Enjoy your handmade Marigold Keyhole Crop Top!* 🌾✨