Have you ever crocheted a wearable and all measurements are spot on. Yet, when you try on the piece the stitches have pulled and now your precious hand made item is ever so slightly too big?

This is a common problem for me. A problem that generally has NOTHING to do with a design error. For me, I tend to have very loose tension. That combined with having a smaller sized bust, sometimes a top fits well on the chest but loose in the bust (if that makes sense). I have been using elastic thread to combat this problem for a while now. It virtually takes no time at all and the results make all the difference in the World.

I recently was fortunate enough to be part of Sam from @ixanicreations pattern test team. She selected me to help pattern test one of her amazing designs called the Helen Top. It is a tube top! My first crocheted tube top- so I was rather excited to be chosen. I already had my elastic thread locked and loaded after the completion of this project because I knew I’d probably need it- and I was correct!

As you can see from this photo, the top fits well in every area but is slightly loose up top. This doesn’t work very well when wearing a tube top! You end up wearing the tube top around your belly instead of your chest.

Brainstorming Possible Solutions

Now you can try to combat this problem a few different ways:

• 1. You can frog your entire project and start over. This is not ideal for many reasons. The top reason being all the measurements were correct when working the pattern. Working it with less stitches, making smaller than what the pattern instructs will run the risk of the top being too small when you go for the second try on. Besides, the top fits at my waist and I love the drape of the piece. So, I definitely don’t want to change that.
• 2. You can add straps. Trying to work the same stitches of the pattern so that the entire piece looks cohesive would be the goal in doing so. This is definitely an option, however I really try to not change the design too much when pattern testing for someone. As a pattern tester, I try to do my best to stick to the designers’ instructions as much as possible because I feel that feedback on the overall design, construction, and explanation is very important to the designer. It is their vision- therefore, I try to stick to that as closely as possible.
• 3. You can add a tie. This is very easy to do and takes no time at all. Again, you will alter the design changing it from a tube top to a halter top- in this case.
• 4. Lastly, you can add elastic to the area that you want cinched in a bit. This will not alter the design at all. You won’t need to start over or rack your brain with stitch counts to create straps out of thin air. You will add only about 10 minutes onto this project and the benefits will take your handmade piece from good to GREAT!

Materials:

• Elastic Thread
• Scissors
• Darning needle

Instructions:

Gather your materials. (pic 1).

Attach your thread to a vertical stitch close to the top of tube top on the inside (wrong side) of your work. Double knot it. (pic 2).

Work your way around the top, going through vertical stitches all the way around. Try to keep your thread working in the same round. (pic 3).

Pic 4 shows the elastic thread after it’s been threaded through a few stitches.

When you get back to the beginning of your elastic thread, work under your current round and make another pass for added security. This round will run directly underneath the first round. (pic 5).

When you get back to the beginning, secure it by doing another double knot and weave in your ends. (pic 6).

Before and After:

The picture on the left shows before the elastic thread was used. The picture on the right shows after I added the elastic thread. The Helen Top is snug in all the right places. I’ve got the drape that I really liked. I didn’t have to add sleeves or a tie. I can wear my tube top with the security of knowing that it isn’t going to fall at any given moment. I love it!

If you’d like to watch my YouTube video on this subject I will link it here. I will also link the elastic thread that I used. Let me know if you end up trying it out! I’d love to hear your thoughts on it! Tag me on your socials @melsbellescrafts or leave a comment below.

XOXO,

Mel