Help! Looking for Knit or Crochet Pattern for Midriff Tie-Front Long-Sleeve Sweater/Top

MelissaH wrote

on Jun 24, 2008 8:27 AM

   Hello!  I have scoured the net trying to locate a knit or crochet pattern for a very specific top I want to make.  I plan to wear it "layered-style" over a close-fitting dress or top, so I need something in a somewhat delicate, smooth and flat knit, not bulky, fuzzy or shiny.  The best way I can describe it is that I am looking for a cropped (midriff-style), tie-front, long-sleeve sweater/top, like one that ballet dancers wear (not the ones that wrap all the way around) or one that is like a choli top (bellydancer's top).  I've found plenty of wrap, tie-front and cropped patterns, but none of them fit all of my criteria.  I am desperate to find this style of tie-top pattern so I can get busy making a black one and a white one to go with so many articles of clothing I own.  The reason I don't order one of the ones below is that the first one is too fuzzy and the second one is too shiny (made of rayon, spandex, etc.)  I am looking for something a little dressier and I want to make it myself!   Can anyone help me with a pattern?  I am attaching links to websites with pictures of the type of top I am looking to give all of you lovely people a pretty good idea of what I am looking for in a pattern.  If you have any ideas at all, let me know!  You don't know how much I would appreciate it!  Thanks to anyone who can help me! 

Long Sleeve Tie Front Crop Top

http://www.danskin.com/043475166000.html?utm_source=ink&utm_medium=cpc

Top With Crop Tie Front

http://www.yandy.com/Tie-Front-Top-RL15.php

Just Jo wrote

on Jun 27, 2008 10:45 AM

 Have you considered just substituting the type of yarn called for in the patterns you like with a yarn that isn't fuzzy or too shiny?  It might take a little fiddling with it to get the gauge and drape just right using a different kind of yarn, but there's no reason you can't change a pattern to fit your liking.  I often substitute yarns, and it usually turns out okay.  Have fun with it, experiment!  At the very least, it gives you something to try until you come across a better pattern.  Hope this helps.

ZassZ wrote

on Jun 27, 2008 2:11 PM

 MelissaH, Hi.  Have you tried going to Suss?  www.suss.com  I did see a tie front, long sleeved sweater that didn't look bulky, fuzzy or shiny.  Let me know what you think?

Mirl56 wrote

on Jun 29, 2008 5:58 AM

 http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEsummer08/index.html

How about the one on the front of the current knitty.  You'd jus need to add sleeves.

Mirl56 wrote

on Jun 29, 2008 6:10 AM

 http://www.rainbowyarns.co.uk/acatalog/CARDIGANS_BOLEROS.html

http://www.vintageknitting.net/2006/03/28/free-pattern-1952-bow-tie-shrug/

http://www.laughinghens.com/knitting-pattern.asp?patternid=396  last one in first column

Have you tried searching for tie front shrugs or boleros

MelissaH wrote

on Oct 28, 2008 8:07 AM

Thanks, ZassZ, but I saw nothing at that website that had anything to do with yarn, knitting or clothing.  It was some sort of industrial metal website.  This must be spam or you've linked the wrong company. 

MelissaH wrote

on Oct 28, 2008 8:13 AM

Yes, Mirl56, the tie top you linked from knitty is VERY much like what I am looking for, but I'm a novice knitter/crocheter and, sadly, I am not good with adding things that aren't written out for me in a pattern.  Thank you so much for taking time to respond...you are definitely on the right track regarding the pattern for which I am looking! 

The pattern at Laughing Hens was awesome, but it wouldn't let me access what it said was a free pattern and I would love to work on that one!

MelissaH wrote

on Oct 28, 2008 8:24 AM

Thanks, Just Jo, yes I have thought of substituting yarns if and when I can find the right pattern.  The pattern itself is what I'm having a hard time finding.  I do appreciate your suggestions!

dorry wrote

on Mar 17, 2009 11:10 AM

I too have looked all over for a long sleeve tie in front crop top. I liked this pattern. Instead of stopping at round ten on the sleeves, just keep going (but keep track of exactly how many rounds and when you get to the middle of your upper arm (try putting your arm into the sleeve to measure) start decreasing every row until you get to the width you like and keep it at that number until you get to the length you like. Then add your own edging at the end (I like using the crab stitch (AKA reverse single crochet) which works on any number of stitches). you can find crochet tutorials on how to decrease, increase and do anything you want with crocheting online.

http://www.coatsandclark.com/Crafts/Crochet/Projects/Apparel/LC1508+Tie+Front+Top.htm

Also if you like to knit and want to make something unique and original looking I love this one: http://knitty.com/ISSUEspring06/PATTconvertible.html

BlueViolet wrote

on May 12, 2010 10:37 PM

Melissa's post was written nearly two years ago ... and that's about how long I've been looking for the same pattern.  This tie front style ( in the meantime) seems to have become even more popular ...  I've purchased three, but I want to be able to knit my own, in  the colors I want.   I have only basic knitting skills, but this should be a very basic, simple pattern ...... and I cannot believe the knitting magazines  have not picked up on this .... it seems perfect for a knitting project.   I will pursue suggestions below, but if anyone has come up with anything new ..... please please PLEASE let me know !!! .... In other words, as Melissa says ...... HELP !!!        I too will greatly appreciate  it !!!!

ZassZ wrote

on May 13, 2010 11:40 PM

"Suss" of Suss Design has a shop in Los Angeles, California and has been written up in many press articles and magazines a few of which I will list for you.   Vogue Knitting, New York Magazine, InStyle, Vogue, People, Seventeen, Oprah.  Her knitwear designs are sold at Barneys, Bergdorf's, Nordstroms, Fred Segal, Neiman Marcus to name a few.  She designs for movie and tv.  If you walk into her shop you can come out with any 'custom' designed thing you are looking for.   Try looking her up again and if you can go thru "Jimmy Beans Wool" which is one of the many website yarn shops that feature her patterns and yarns.  Also, knittingabout.com shares some of her most popular patterns from her runway and department store collections.  

Somehow you just pulled up the wrong site, it can happen to anyone.   So sorry I didn't see this post sooner or I would have written with more info.  But I just came across it because it was responsed to recently for some reason.

Joycemd wrote

on Feb 2, 2011 12:58 PM

http://naturallycaron.com/projects/athens/athens.pdf

I know your post is from long ago, but I have recently been looking for the same kind of thing. This is the closest I could find. Not long sleeved like you are looking for & I wish the tie  was just a bit different, but I think it is the closest I am going to get.  With more experience I am sure some of these things could be changed, but I am not quite there yet.