Light, airy, and modern — a long‑sleeve crocheted mesh top in 100% cotton with a wide boat neck, long sleeves finished with fitted cuffs, and a short loose ribbed cropped hem. Worked in separate panels (yoke, front/back panels, sleeves) so you can adjust fit easily.
Cropped body length (shoulder to hem): 15" / 38 cm (adjust shorter/longer as desired). Ribbing at hem: 1.5" / 4 cm. Sleeve length from shoulder seam to cuff: 22" / 56 cm. Cuff width (finished): 6" / 15 cm.
100% cotton, smooth stitch definition, DK / Light Worsted (US #3) recommended.
Main mesh: US 7 (4.5 mm) / UK 7 / 4.5 mm. For ribbed edges (slightly tighter): US G‑6 (4.0 mm) / UK 6 / 4.0 mm. If you prefer a looser mesh, try US H‑8 (5.0 mm) / 5.0 mm; if too open, go down to US G‑6 (4.0 mm).
Mesh pattern gauge (blocked): 14 mesh repeats x 10 rows = 4" / 10 cm using 4.5 mm hook. Because this is an openwork garment, gauge affects drape and bust ease; if your gauge is denser, use a larger hook.
This pattern uses a simple open V / chain mesh which is easy to scale and flattering.
Pattern repeat: multiple of 2 sts + 1.
Mesh Row (RS): Ch 3 (counts as dc), *ch 1, sk next st, dc in next st* across, end dc in last st. Turn.
Return Row (WS): Ch 3 (counts as dc), dc in each dc and in each ch‑1 space across. Turn.
These two rows form the mesh repeat. The ch‑1 spaces give airy holes; work evenly and keep tension loose for drape.
Measurements below give the full neckline chain (worked flat across the full neck circumference). For symmetry you will split the chain in half to work the yoke rows and then divide into front and back panels.
Note: chain counts are multiples of 2 + 1 so the mesh repeat aligns.
Make 1 (for back) and 1 (for front) or work full chain then split — either method works. Instructions below assume you make 2 identical panels by chaining the half length (see half counts above) and working each piece flat; these halves will be joined later at shoulders and side seams.
With 4.5 mm hook and main yarn, chain half the neck count plus 1 (for turning) — see half counts above, then add 1 turning ch.
Row 1 (WS): Dc in 4th ch from hook (counts as dc + ch1 openings later), *ch 1, sk next ch, dc in next ch* across to last ch, dc. Turn.
Row 2 (RS): Ch 3, dc in each dc and in each ch‑1 space across. Turn.
Repeat Rows 1–2 until yoke depth measures 4" / 10 cm from starting chain (or 5" / 12.5 cm for broader shoulder coverage). Keep final row a Row 2 (dc row) so division is even.
At this point you can work front and back as identical panels. You will have two halves (left and right) worked; join the halves at the shoulder area during seaming leaving a central boat opening. Practical approach: make two panels (front and back) each starting with the half neck chain. If you instead made one long strip, fold it and cut/split into front and back centered on shoulder lines.
Continue mesh rows until the panel measures from the top of yoke to underarm approx 8" / 20 cm (this is the depth before you shape side seams — change if you want deeper armholes). After that, continue mesh until total length from shoulder reaches 13.5" / 34.5 cm (this is body length before ribbing). Then begin hem ribbing as below. You should end with an RS row on top.
Switch to 4.0 mm hook if you want a slightly firmer rib. Work hdc in BLO (back loop only) across for 1.5" / 4 cm or 4–6 rounds depending on your tension.
Row 1 (RS): Ch 2 (does NOT count as hdc), hdc BLO in first st and each st across. Turn.
Repeat until rib measures 1.5" / 4 cm. Fasten off. Make front and back the same length and finish both hems identically.
Block panels lightly to shape. With RS together, seam the shoulder areas leaving the central neck opening wide. A comfortable shoulder seam width is 3" / 7.5 cm on each side (so total boat neck opening equals panel width minus 6" for the two shoulder seams); adjust if you prefer a wider or narrower boat neck. Sew side seams from hem up to underarm depth (leave sleeve openings equal to your measured armhole depth, typically 8" / 20 cm). Use mattress stitch or whipstitch to keep mesh aligned.
Option A — Worked as a tube top‑down and sewn into armhole:
Cuff (fitted)
Switch to 4.0 mm hook. Work in rounds in hdc in BLO for a slightly elastic fitted cuff, decreasing in circumference gradually to achieve the finished cuff width (~6" / 15 cm).
Round 1 (cuff): Ch 2, hdc in BLO in each st around. Join.
Round 2: Work 1 round even. If you need to reduce circumference, every 4th round decrease evenly by hdc2tog across until cuff circumference measures target width. Work 2" / 5 cm to 3" / 7.5 cm for a snug cuff. Fasten off and weave ends.
Attach sleeve to armhole: Sew sleeve head into armhole, easing mesh fabric lightly so stitch pattern aligns. Alternatively set the sleeve tube into the armhole and sew around with mattress stitch.
Wash gently by hand in cool water, reshape while damp, and lay flat to dry. Cotton may shrink slightly on first wash; block after washing to restore shape.
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