Materials: #10 crochet cotton, steel crochet hook size 7, small snaps, matching sewing thread, sewing needle, scissors.
Gauge: Fits most fashion dolls
Special stitches: Foundation dc, foundation joined dc (ch 4, do not yo, draw up a lp in 2nd ch from hook and in 4th ch from hook, (yo and through 2 lps)2x, sc dec (draw up a lp in each of next 2 sts, yo and through 3 lps). Dc dec (yo hook draw up a lp in stated st, yo and through 2 lps. Yo hook, draw up a lp in next stated st, yo and through 2 lps. Yo and through 3 lps.)
Note: Starting ch-3 counts as 1st dc of row or round.
First side:
Row 1-Make a foundation dc row of 17 sts, turn.
Row 2-Ch 3, joined dc in 1st st, 2 dc in next 10 sts, dc in last 6 sts, turn. 28 sts
Row 3-Ch 3 as first dc, dc in each st across, end off.
Second side-
Row 1-Ch 4, joined foundation dc in 4th ch from hook, 15 more foundation dc, turn. 17 sts
Row 2-Ch 3, dc in next 5 sts, 2 dc in each st across, turn. 28 sts.
Row 3-Ch 3, joined dc in next st, dc in each st across, turn.
Row 4 (Make armholes, join sides)-Ch 3, dc in next 7 sts, 3 dc in next st, ch 4, sk next 10 sts, 3 dc in next st, dc in next 8 sts. Now take the first side and continue row 4 with dc in next 8 sts of first side, 3 dc in next st, ch 4, sk next 10 sts, 3 dc in next st, dc in last 8 sts, turn. 52 sts.
Row 5-Ch 3 as 1st dc, dc in each dc and in back lp of each ch across, turn.
Row 6-Ch 3 as first dc, dc in next 3 sts, 2 dc in next st, dc in next 17 sts, 2 dc in each of next 2 sts, dc in next 4 sts, 2 dc in each of next 2 sts, dc in next 17 sts, 2 dc in next st, dc in last 4 sts, turn. 58 sts
Rows 7-11- Ch 3 as 1st dc, dc in each st across, turn.
Row 12-[shape waist]-Ch 1, sc in 1st 2 sts, *(sc dec over next 2 sts)8x, sc in next 3 sts*, repeat between **’s, (sc dec over next 2 sts)8x, sc in last 2 sts, turn. 34 sts
Row 13-Ch 1, sc in each st across, turn.
Row 14-Ch 3 as first dc, dc in next st, (2 dc in next st)30x, dc in last 2 sts, turn. 64 sts
Rows 15-17-Ch 3 as 1st dc, dc in each st across, turn. End off after row 17.
Sleeves-
Join yarn on other side of starting ch in 3rd skipped st at either underarm. WS of dc should be facing out on row 5 so stitch pattern continues.
Round 1-Ch 3, joined dc in next ch, dc dec up side of next dc of row 4, dc in each dc, dc dec down side of dc of row 4, dc in last 2 ch of underarm, join to top of ch 3, turn. 16 sts
Round 2-Ch 3, joined dc in next st, dc in each st around, join to top of ch 3, turn.
Repeat round 2 for desired length (model has 16 rounds). End off at last row.
Repeat for 2nd sleeve.
Finishing: Weave in ends, sew snaps to secure back.
See Ravelry.com for photos of this project. The red-haired doll with braids is wearing this version of the top. (The first version had too much of an overlap on the back.)