Hyper Balloon Baby Doll Top

The pattern is done in double crochet stitches (db), from bottom to top.
This model has been realized using a 1mm crochet and a size 20 crochet thread
(a gauge supposed to be crochetted with crochet size 1.25mm , but I like a
tighter stitch for dolls clothes). The exact reference I used for the model in the
pictures is DMC Cebelia 20.

You need to know:

• how to chain stitch (ch) (in french maille chainee)

• how to make a simple crochet stitch (sc) (in french maille simple)
• how to make a double crochet stitch (db) (in french bride)
• how to crochet two double crochet stitches together (2dbtog)
• how to do a slip stitch (ss) (in french maille coulee)
Special motif:
The lowest part of this top has a straight shape, and is made of shells, which you
can easily replace by whatever other classical or original motif. I built the motif of
this exact model like this:

• row 1: prepare arches for the shells groups. 1ch, 1sc in the same (first)
stitch, 1sc in the next stitch, | 3ch (arch), 1sc in each of the next 3
stitches | repeat from | to |, finish with 2sc
• row 2: 1ch, 1sc in the same (first) stitch, skip the next stitch, |5db in the
next arch of 3ch (shell), 1sc in the 2nd next sc|, repeat from | to |,
finishing with: skip the 2nd last stitch, 1sc in the last stitch.
• row 3: 5ch, |1sc in each of the 2nd, 3rd and 4th stitch of the next shell,
3ch|, repeat from | to |, finishing with 2ch and 1db in the last stitch.
• row 4: 3ch, 2db under the first arch of 5ch, |1sc in the 2nd of the next
group of 3sc, 5db under the next arch of 3ch (shell)| repeat from | to |,
finishing with: 3db in the last arch of 2ch and 1db.
• row 5: 1ml, 1sc in the sane (first) stitch, 1sc in following stitch, |3ch, 1sc
in each of the 2nd, 3rd and 4th stitch of the next shell |, repeat from | to
| finishing with: 1sc in each of the 2 last stitches.
• repeat from row 2

At the beginning of each row of db, 3 chain stitches for turning count as a stitch.
When a db row starts by 2 chain stitches, it is because a decreasing is needed. A
chain 2 followed by a db is equivalent to 2 db together. This way, you form one
stitch with two.
.

Upper body piece:

On a base made of 39 chain stitches:

• row 1: 3 ch, 2db in one stitch for the following stitches: number
15,16,17,18 and 22, 23, 24, 25. 1db in each stitch for the rest of the
stitches. This will make the shape of the two cups. (47 stitches)

On this base, you will mount the two sides of the back and the front separately.

Right Back:

• row1: 3ch, 1db in the same stitch, 1db in each of next 5 stitches, 2dbtog
(8 stitches on a 8 stitches base).
• row 2: 3ch, 1db in each of next 6 stitches, 2db in last stitch (9 stitches).
• row 3: 3ch, db to end (9 stitches).
• row 4: repeat row 3.

Cut, close the thread.

Front:

• skip 3 stitches from the last stitch of the left back, attach the thread
on the 4th (this will form the armhole).
• row1: 2ch, 1db in each of the 23 next stitches, 2dbtog (24 stitches on a
26 stitches base).
• row 2: 3ch, 1db in each following stitch. (24 stitches).
• row3: repeat row 3.

left shoulder:

• row 1: 3ch, 1db in each 3 following stitches, 2dbtog (5 stitches on a 6

stitches base).
• row2 : 3ch, db to end.(5 stitches).
• row 3-4: repeat row 2.

Cut, close the thread.

right shoulder:

• attach the thread on the 6th stitch counting from the end.
 • row 1: 2ch, 1db in each of the 5 following stitches (5 stitches on a 6 stitch
base).
• row 2: 3ch, db to end (5 stitches).
• row 3-4: repeat row 2.

Cut, close the thread.

Left Back

• skip 3 stitches from the last stitch of the front piece, attach the thread on
the 4th.
• row 1: 2ch, 1 db in each of the next 6 stitches, 2db in the last stitch. (8
stitches on a 8 stitches base)
• row 2: 3ch, 1 db in the same stitch, db to end (9 stitches)
• row 3: 3ch, db to end.(9 stitches)
• row 4: repeat row 3.

Cut, close the thread.

Lower Body Piece

Pull a loop through the first chain of the base chain.

• row 1: 4ch, |skip 1 stitch, 1db in next stitch, 1ch| repeat, finishing with
1db in the last stitch (20db). This will make a row of spaced db where you
can pass a ribbon if you wish. Alternatively, you can just make a row of
db.
• row2: 3ch, 1 stitch in the next 3 stitches, 2db in the next stitch, | 1 stitch
in the next 4 stitches, 2db in the next stitch| repeat, 1db in each of the 4
last stitches (46 stitches on a 39 stitches base).
• row 3: 3ch, 1 stitch in the next 4 stitches, 2db in the next stitch, | 1 stitch
in the next 5 stitches, 2db in the next stitch| repeat, 1db in each of the 4
last stitches (53 stitches on a 46 stitches base).
• row 4: 3ch, 1 stitch in the next 5 stitches, 2db in the next stitch, | 1 stitch
in the next 6 stitches, 2db in the next stitch| repeat, 1db in each of the 4
last stitches (60 stitches on a 53 stitches base).
• row 5: 3ch, 1 stitch in the next 6 stitches, 2db in the next stitch, | 1 stitch
in the next 7 stitches, 2db in the next stitch| repeat, 1db in each of the 4
last stitches (67 stitches on a 60 stitches base).
• Continue straight until the desired length. Use the motif described above
to make shells like the model shown on the picture.
Balloons:
Since I don't like to sew, the arms parts are crochetted in round around the
harmholes.

• Join the thread under the arm hole, on the middle stitch of the 3, on the
main body piece.
• row 1: the aim is to distribute as evenly as possible 51 stitches around
the armhole. This is how I do but you may prefer another way: 3ch, 1 db
in next stitch, 1 db between the last stitch and the next vertical db, then 4
db on the side of each db, except on each side of the shoulder seam where
I put 5, finishing the round by: 1 db between the last vertical db and the
first stitch of the under-arm, 1db in last stitch, , join in the first stitch with
a slip stitch (51 stitches), turn
• row 2: 3ch, 1db in each db, join with a slip stitch, (51 stitches), turn
• row 3: idem row 2
• row 4: 3ch, 2dbtog, |1db, 2dbtog|, repeat between | and | until last
stitch, join with a slip stitch (34 stitches), turn
• row 5: 2ch, 1db in next stitch, 2dbtog all round, join with a slip stitch (17
stitches), turn
• row 6: 1 ch, 1 sc in the same stitch, sc all around (17 stitches without
counting the 1st ch as a stitch), turn
• row 7: idem row 6. Then close and cut the thread.
Finishing
Add three rows on each vertical side of the back, in order to sew snaps : 1sc on
the side of sc, and 5 sc in total on the side of 2 db. (the count depends on your
personal natural tension.

Hide the thread ends into the sweater with an embroidery needle.
Sew two snaps to close the top on the back. I usually put snaps on the very top
and at the level of the waistline, and nothing below: some doll pants are bulky at
the top so sometimes, extra flare is needed.

I like to use a very thin silk ribbon or a crochetted one to emphasize the empire
waist feature.