How to Crochet a Scottish Tartan Plaid Crop Top – Free Pattern

Crochet Pattern: How to Crochet a Scottish Tartan Plaid Crop Top – Free Pattern

Materials

• Medium weight (Category 4) yarn in Royal Blue, Forest Green, Dark Navy, Crimson Red, and White
• Small amounts of Gold, Purple, and Green embroidery thread (for the lion and thistle motif)
• US size G/6 (4.0mm) crochet hook (for ribbing)
• US size H/8 (5.0mm) crochet hook (for main body)
• Yarn needle and embroidery needle
• Scissors
• Stitch markers

Abbreviations

• ch – chain
• sc – single crochet
• dc – double crochet
• sl st – slip stitch
• st(s) – stitch(es)
• blo – back loop only
• RS – right side
• WS – wrong side
• MC – main color (Royal Blue)

Instructions

Gauge: 16 sts x 14 rows in sc/dc plaid grid = 4″ (10 cm) square using 5.0mm hook.

Note on Plaid Technique: The horizontal colors are changed as you work the rows (Tapestry Crochet style, carrying unworked yarn along). The thin vertical stripes are added later using surface slip stitches once the panels are completed.

Front Panel:

• Using 5.0mm hook and Royal Blue, chain 74.
• Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. Turn. (73 sts)
• Rows 2-42 (Plaid Grid): Follow a repeating color chart of: 10 sts Royal Blue, 6 sts Forest Green, 4 sts Dark Navy, 2 sts Crimson Red, 4 sts Dark Navy, 6 sts Forest Green. To keep the plaid block grid, work 4 rows of each horizontal stripe sequence (Royal Blue bands, Dark Navy bands, and Crimson Red thin bands).
• Neckline Shaping: At Row 43, skip the center 25 sts for the scoop neck. Work the left and right shoulders separately for an additional 12 rows, decreasing 1 st at the neck edge on every other row. Fasten off and weave in ends.

Back Panel:

• Repeat the same colorwork pattern as the Front Panel, but work without the deep scoop neck. Keep the back flat, only decreasing 4 sts at the neck edge during the last 4 rows.

Adding Vertical Plaid Stripes:

• Using a yarn needle or crochet hook, work surface slip stitches vertically from bottom to top along designated stitch columns to create the intersecting grid lines.
• Work White vertical lines on the borders of the Royal Blue sections.
• Work Red vertical lines down the centers of the Navy Blue columns.

Sleeves (Make 2):

• Using 5.0mm hook, chain 36. Work in the same color grid pattern to match the plaid look, increasing 1 st at each end every 3rd row. Work for 14 rows. Fasten off.

Assembly:

• Sew the front and back panels together at the shoulders and sides using a mattress stitch, leaving armholes open. Sew sleeve seams and set them into the armholes.

Ribbed Trims (Collar, Hem, and Cuffs):

• Waist Ribbing & Scallop Hem: Attach Royal Blue to the bottom hem. Work in BLO sc perpendicular to the hem for 2 inches (8-10 rows). To finish the bottom edge, work a scallop border: *skip 2 sts, 5 dc in next st, skip 2 sts, sl st in next st; repeat from * around.
• Sleeve Cuffs & Neck Collar: Attach Royal Blue and work in BLO sc ribbing (approx 1.5 inches for sleeves, 1 inch for collar) directly around the openings. Fasten off.

Embroidery Motif:

• Using gold embroidery thread and a needle, embroider a Lion Rampant in the center chest area using satin stitch and split stitch.
• Using purple and green embroidery thread, add the Scottish thistles on either side of the lion.