Norene B

F Hook is best used for the crochet.
Working from top to bottom of dress. Handle is done separately. For handle, chain 27, skip 4 and dc back 2 times, chain 1, then dc back to end of chain tie off. Leave string on both ends for attaching to dress top.

For top of dress. First color, Ch 44, sl st. tog to make a circle.

Every round will start on the back of the top.
Round 1: Single crochet in each stitch keeping 44 stitches. Sl st. tog to complete row. Tie off. I leave the strings and hide them inside work using a needle rather than cutting them off.

Starting this in the Single crochet row that you first did.
Round 2: Second color. Chain 3, then put dc in same hole as the chain, dc next 3 holes, then 2 dc. continuing all around your circle. Increase to 56 dc using this method. Sl St. together.

Round 3: Chain 3, then dc in back loop of Round 2, making sure you have 56 dc. Sl. St. together.


Round 4: Using First color. Make shell in the first dc. (2 DC-CH2-2DC0 (the first dc of the first shell in a rnd is a chain 3), skip 4 dc, then make another shell, skip 4 dc, continue all around, sl st. together. You should have 14 shells. Tie off.

Round 5: Second color. Start shell in middle of back shell, next shell to the left, then between shells, turn top leaving 4 shells for sleeve, then 2 dc on the other side, then 3 complete shells and on other sleeve 2 dc between shells on one side, turn top and 2 dc on other side, 1 more complete shell, sl st together at middle.

Round 6-8: Sl st into center of shell, Make shells 2DC-CH2-2DC including under sleeves.

Round 9: Change to first color and 2DC-CH2-2DC around bottom.

Round 10: Single crochet around bottom. This gives an area for sewing your towel on to hide your stitches.

To join towel, fold in middle and do a gather stitch across top. I fold each side to the back about half an inch. Put inside the crochet topper, pin, then sew through all layers by hand.

To put handle on, center on back side, use the yarn to sew handle to back, making sure the pretty side of handle is on the outside when you turn it to the front to button it. Find your favorite button and sew on the front.

You can also cut the towel in half if you prefer. The towel I'm picturing is a little different at the bottom but the directions are the way I usually do it. You can also make more rows if you want a longer top. Any questions, please ask.