The Starry Yoke
Crochet colorwork made easy in a garment that fits.
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Detailed PDF pattern
Step-by-step instructions and tutorial photos.
Round tracker for yoke and sleeves.
Size-inclusive
Pattern written for 9 sizes (XS-5X) with instructions on customization.
Fits busts from 31″ to 67″.
What you'll need
Expression Fiber Arts Luster Sport, Schachenmayr Catania or any sport or fingering weight yarn in the amounts shown below.
Hooks: 4 mm, 3.5 mm, 3 mm. I like to use my Clover Amours.
Tape measure, scissors, darning needle, 6 locking stitch markers.
Pattern support
🖤 For pattern related questions, please join my Facebook support group or contact me at thecrochethighway [at] gmail.com.
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The INSPO
I wanted to create an easy-to-make crochet garment with an interesting, eye-catching colorwork but without the fuss of having to work with multiple yarns at the same time. Enter: the Starry Yoke! This easy to wear crochet top is the perfect garment pattern for beginners and veterans alike: it’s easy, it’s straight forward, and relaxing to work up while watching a movie. Win win!
The Zodiac Collection
The Starry Yoke is the first crochet garment pattern published in the Zodiac Crochet Collection – a series of crochet garments and accessories that follow a common theme: colorwork made easy. Use hashtag #MyZodiacSweater when posting your makes on social media!
The designs in this collection use multiple colors for a contrasting effect, but the stitch patterns are carefully selected, so that you only have to work with one color at a time. Check out the other designs in the #MyZodiacSweater collection:
The design
The Starry Yoke is a top-down type sweater that uses at least two contrasting colors to create an eye-catching starry effect. Working with a single color at a time, this is one of the easiest colorwork sweaters you’ll ever make.
With a classic fit at the bust, this will quickly become one of the most comfortable yet stylish tees in your wardrobe! The sweater features short rows to raise the back neck and is worn with a small amount of positive ease at the underarm.
The pattern calls for sport weight yarn, but a heavier fingering weight may also be used, as long as you meet gauge, for a breezier, more airy fabric to wear on hot summer days.
The pattern
This upper beginner pattern has you covered with step-by-step instructions and tutorial photos including on how to complete the yoke, how to add short rows, and how to split for sleeves.
Adding short rows not only ensures a proper fit of the sweater on your back, but it’s also super easy with my detailed instructions and tutorial photos. Even if you have never made short rows before, I guarantee you will fly through them without a second thought. I thought up a stitch marker numbering system, which will make life easier for you when splitting for sleeves and adding the sleeves to the body.
Like most CrochetHighway patterns, this pattern also comes with a detailed round tracker, laying out the stitch count for all yoke rounds in all sizes. This is a handy tool that allows you to easily check your stitch count at any given point, for that peace of mind that you’re on track and haven’t missed anything!
Designer sampleS
I used Schachenmayr Catania for my short-sleeved samples (100% mercerized cotton, 13 WPI). I’m wearing the short-sleeved tops in size 3, showing about 2″ (5 cm) of positive ease around the bust.
I preferred mercerized cotton for this due to its amazing stitch definition, durability, and subtle sheen. The thing about 100% cotton is that after you stretch it once, it doesn’t like to bounce back to its original shape. This is not an issue if you’re wearing your garment with positive ease like me, since it will not get stretched during wear. But if you want to wear the garment with zero or negative ease around the bust, I suggest a fiber with some stretch or elasticity to it (like merino, or merino/nylon blend). A perfect example is Luster Sport from Expression Fiber Arts, shown here in Sugarblush as MC and Cloud as CC. I’m wearing the long-sleeved version in size 2 with about 2″ (5 cm) of negative ease around the bust.
Yardage
This is a size-inclusive pattern written for 9 sizes (XS-5X).
Main color: 5 (5, 5, 6, 6) (7, 7, 8, 8) hanks of EFA Luster Sport, or 1625 (1780, 1945, 2150, 2305) (2485, 2635, 2860, 3045) yds / 1485 (1630, 1780, 1965, 2110) (2270, 2410, 2615, 2785) m
Contrast color: 1 (2, 2, 2, 2) (2, 2, 2, 2) hanks of EFA Luster Sport, or 395 (435, 475, 525, 565) (605, 645, 700, 745) yds / 360 (400, 435, 480, 515) (555, 590, 640, 680) m
Main color: 3 (3, 3, 4, 4) (4, 4, 5, 5) hanks of EFA Luster Sport, or 975 (1075, 1175, 1275, 1350) (1450, 1550, 1650, 1725) yds / 890 (985, 1075, 1165, 1235) (1325, 1415, 1510, 1575) m
Contrast color: 1 (1, 1, 2, 2) (2, 2, 2, 2) hanks of EFA Luster Sport, or 300 (325, 375, 400, 450) (550, 600, 650, 700) yds / 275 (295, 345, 365, 410) (505, 550, 595, 640) m
Sizing
FINISHED BUST MEASUREMENTS
Size 1: 33″ (84 cm)
Size 2: 37″ (94 cm)
Size 3: 41″ (104 cm)
Size 4: 45″ (114 cm)
Size 5: 49″ (124 cm)
Size 6: 53″ (135 cm)
Size 7: 57″ (145 cm)
Size 8: 61″ (155 cm)
Size 9: 65″ (165 cm)
The sizing for this pattern is based on the standard Craft Yarn Council (CYC) measurements.
This top is designed to be worn with -2″ to +2″ (-5 to +5 cm) of ease around the bust. When choosing a size, find your actual bust size in column a of the table. The finished bust circumference in column b will be anywhere from 2″ (5 cm) smaller (negative ease) or 2″ (5 cm) larger (positive ease) than your actual bust measurement. If your hip circumference is significantly larger than your bust circumference, consider picking your size based on your hip measurement.
For example, the model has a 39″ (100 cm) bust and is wearing size 2 (pink top) with 2″ (5 cm) of negative ease around the bust. If in between sizes, size up for a more oversized fit, or size down for a snug top that hugs your curves.
Tried & tested substitution yarns
My testers used a variety of yarns to make their Starry Yoke. Here is a list of yarns (and their Ravelry listing) recommended by my testers. The list is sorted alphabetically. If you’re looking for inspiration or a quick yarn substitution idea, this is the place to start!
Pro tip! When gauge swatching, always crochet a swatch bigger than 10×10 cm (4×4″) — the larger the swatch, the more accurate your results! You can also get an idea of the drape your yarn will create based off of your gauge swatch.
Check out my testers' versions
My patterns would not be so smooth without the input of my team of talented testers. Scroll alllll the way to the end of this photo gallery for some inspiration on various colors. Swipe left & right for more photos of your favorite versions!
Want to test my future patterns? Check out how you can become a pattern tester for CrochetHighway!
Size 3, using 1200 yds for MC and 400 yds for CC of locally sourced, 4 ply cotton yarn
Size 2, using 855 yds for MC and 270 yds for CC of locally sourced, 4 ply cotton yarn
Size 2, using 1100 yds for MC and 330 yds for CC of Magic Needles Kotton 4 Ply
Size 2, using 850 yds of Patons Grace (MC) and 260 yds of Knit Picks Shine (CC)
Size 4, using 1100 yds of Paintbox Cotton DK (MC) and 326 yds of Stylecraft Cabaret (CC)
Size 8, using 1332 yds for MC and 748 yds for CC of Jubilee Yarn Bamboo Cotton Sportweight
Size 1, using 851 yds for MC and 335 yds for CC of Lincraft European Collection Aspio
Size 1, using 1124 yds of a locally sourced yarn (MC) and 273 yds of Garnstudio DROPS Safran (CC)
Size 5, using 1220 yds of Bernat Baby Sport (MC) and 414 yds Loops & Threads Snuggly Wuggly (CC)
Size 2, using 943 yds of Handspun Hope Ethiopian cotton (MC) and 326 yds of Elemental Affects Coastal (CC)
Size 6, using 1077 yds of Lion Brand Baby Soft (MC) and 580 yds of Big Twist Renewal (CC)
Size 1, using 950 yds for MC and 250 yds for CC of bamboo yarn from crochetnow.in
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Thirsty for more? Why not check out some of my recently published crochet patterns and stitch tutorials: