Runswick Top Crochet Pattern

Runswick Top in Rowan Summerlite 4ply

What is Being Made

The Runswick Top is a crocheted garment designed by Lisa Richardson, available in nine sizes to fit chest measurements ranging from 71-76 cm (28-30 inches) up to 152-157 cm (60-62 inches). The finished garment chest measurements span from 80 cm (31½ inches) to 162.5 cm (64 inches), offering a comfortable fit across multiple body types. This intermediate-level crochet project creates a lightweight, open-work top perfect for warm weather wear.

Crochet Techniques Used

The Runswick Top employs several key crochet techniques to achieve its distinctive design. The garment is constructed using motif-based construction, where individual square motifs are crocheted and then joined together to form the complete top. The pattern utilizes picot edging as a decorative element, with picots appearing at corners and along the sides of each motif square. Motifs are joined while working, meaning they are connected during the final round rather than sewn together afterward, creating a seamless integration between pieces. The lower edge of the motif panels forms the finished hem, with specific instructions to omit the centre picots along the lower edge of joined motifs to create a clean finished edge.

Stitches Used

The pattern incorporates fundamental crochet stitches executed in a systematic manner. Treble stitches (tr) form the primary structural element, appearing in groups of varying quantities to create texture and shaping. Double crochet stitches (dc) are used extensively, particularly in the final round for edging and definition. Chain stitches (ch) create the open-work spaces characteristic of the design, with chain spaces (ch sp) serving as key structural features. Slip stitches (ss) are used to join rounds and to connect motifs together during construction. The picot detail—a decorative element created by working chains and slip stitches—appears at regular intervals along the motif edges.

Materials: Yarn and Tools

The Runswick Top is designed to be worked in Rowan Summerlite 4ply yarn, a lightweight four-ply weight suitable for creating breathable, drape-friendly garments. The yarn requirements vary by size, ranging from 7 to 13 balls of 50-gram skeins depending on the finished garment size. The pattern offers multiple color options: Pure White 417 (shown in smaller quantities), Mint 451, Peachy 459, and Warm Grey 457, with the sample photographed in Buttermilk 421. The pattern specifies the use of an appropriate crochet hook suitable for 4ply yarn, though the specific hook size is referenced in the complete pattern documentation. The lightweight nature of Summerlite 4ply makes it an ideal choice for a summer top, providing comfort and breathability while maintaining stitch definition.

Pattern Structure and Construction

The construction progresses through multiple rounds, with detailed instructions for increasing and shaping. Round 5 demonstrates the pattern's use of varied stitch groupings, including sections of 5 trebles separated by chain spaces to create the open-work aesthetic. Round 6 introduces the picot edging that defines the motif squares, with picots strategically placed at corners and along each side. The joining method—replacing chain stitches with chain-slip stitch-chain sequences—allows motifs to connect seamlessly during the final round of construction, eliminating the need for additional finishing steps.