Bell Blossom Top — Beginner-Friendly Crochet Pattern for Floral Patchwork Bell Sleeve Top
Hi friends!
This post contains everything you need to know about the Bell Blossom Top! This pattern is for a bell (or peasant) sleeve top made of a floral granny square motif, perfect for emulating the style of the 60s and 70s.
This pattern is size-inclusive from XS-5XL, and beginner-friendly with step-by-step photos. It is also the first new pattern I made specifically for my debut pattern book, Retro Crochet Style, which you can learn more about here!
Before we start, here are a few links for you:
The PDF version is available on:
For any questions about this pattern, please email me at sspstitches@gmail.com — I usually respond within 24 hours!
Get my new book, Retro Crochet Style: 15 Beginner-Friendly Patterns to Create Your Vintage-Inspired Closet, here!
If you want to be notified when I release a new pattern (with a discount code for all new paid ones), sign up here!
All of this info is in the PDF of the pattern, but for those of you who look for more info on a pattern before you buy it, this is for you! You can look at the yardage, unique stitches/crochet methods, etc. so you can make a more informed decision on whether or not to crochet this design. As always, if you have any questions, please email me at sspstitches@gmail.com — I’m more than happy to answer!
Happy crocheting <3
About
The Bell Blossom Top is a bell sleeve top made of individual floral granny squares patched together. The XS-5XL size range combined with the tie waist ensure that this pattern will be perfectly fit to every body — and as with all of my patterns, there is a Customized Sizing option to fit the design even better to your measurements.
This pattern is also beginner-friendly, with step-by-step photos for every single part of the pattern and links for more advanced techniques, like whipstitch.
The Bell Blossom Top pattern is also included in my first book, Retro Crochet Style! Since the Floweralls and Solar Flares were released prior to the book, this was the first pattern I made specifically for the book, and I’ll never forget the rush of excitement I got when completing this pattern. I get to relive that now every time I see a beautiful new color combo when someone sends me their version — it never gets old!
Sizing
This pattern is written for 9 sizes which correspond to the Craft Yarn Council standard sizing for women. All my patterns are written with the sizes as numbers instead of letters (XS, L, 3XL) to encourage you to look outside of your typical standard size and go with your measurements. The sizes are written as 1 (2, 3, 4, 5) (6, 7, 8, 9).
The Bell Blossom Top is meant to be slightly larger or fitted to your chest and upper arm measurements. This chart shows the finished garment measurements.
The following sizing & yardage chart is straight from the pattern PDF:
Materials
Hook: 5mm or size needed to obtain gauge
Notions:
Tapestry needle
Scissors
Stitch markers
Yarn: Worsted/aran/size 4; for amount needed for each size, see sizing chart above
I've used both Wool and the Gang's Shiny Happy Cotton & acrylics like Big Twist Value/Red Heart Super Saver to make this. I recommend a similar cotton or acrylic for your own project; you can find good substitutes on yarnsub.com.
Always make a swatch before beginning to make sure you meet gauge (also important so your garment isn’t too big or too small) and are happy with the fabric created!
Gauge
Note: For a patchwork pattern like this, the size of the squares is the most important part of meeting gauge. I'd recommend making a square first before a swatch; instructions for the square and for the gauge below are included in the pattern.
4 x 4 in (10 x 10 cm) = 15 sts and 7.5 rows in double crochet
If your swatch is too small, try using a bigger hook. If it's too big, try using a smaller hook.
Pattern Notes
Skill Level: Beginner/Advanced Beginner
Sizing: This design is written in nine sizes as follows: 1 (2, 3, 4, 5) (6, 7, 8, 9). These sizes correspond to XS-5XL. Make sure to follow the numbers for your size only.
Construction: This design is worked first in individual squares, then the squares are sewn together into rows, then rows are sewn together to make the body and sleeves. The body and sleeves are then sewn together, and the finishing details are completed.
Abbreviations
ch: chain
ch1sp: chain 1 space
ch2sp: chain 2 space
dc: double crochet
dc4tog: double crochet 4 together
hdc: half-double crochet
ps: puff stitch
sc: single crochet
sc3tog: single crochet 3 together
slst: slip stitch
st/sts: stitch/stitches
tc: triple crochet
yo: yarn over
The pattern includes step-by-step photos for every part along the way to ensure you’re on the right track! Here are a few of them:
This pattern has been tested in a range of sizes to ensure everybody is satisfied with how it fits. Here are some photos from the lovely testers who provided wonderful feedback and helped perfect the pattern for you; please check out their Instagrams, linked in this post! They put a lot of time and effort into their samples, and deserve a lot of appreciation — especially because each iteration is just so gorgeous!
If you’ve made it this far, thank you so much for reading all this! I hope it’s given you all the info you need on the Bell Blossom Top pattern. If you have any more questions, please feel free to contact me at sspstitches@gmail.com!
Find the pattern in these places:
You can find my pattern book, Retro Crochet Style: 15 Beginner-Friendly Patterns to Create Your Vintage-Inspired Closet, on the shelves of all major retailers — or see your purchasing options (US + international) here!
