In the mid-19th century, Ireland was struck by a severe famine due to poor harvests and a potato blight epidemic. The population of the country decreased by 30%. Many emigrated to the USA. This led to many looking for different sources of income for their families. In Ireland, a new method of imitating Venetian lace was invented. To this day, Irish lace is experiencing a second birth, and it is used by the most famous designers in their shows. Just like us, true fashionistas, we knit a top in the technique of Irish lace.

Size 38

You will need:

1. 200 g of white yarn MONDIAL CABLE'5 (100% cotton, 200m/50 g).
2. Hook No. 3.
3. Darning needle.

Double crochets: crochet 1 double crochet in each stitch, replacing the 1st double crochet of each row with 3 chain stitches; complete the last double crochet in the 3rd chain stitch of the previous row; to decrease 1 stitch, crochet 2 double crochets together without finishing them, then complete them together.

Leaf (7 pieces): for one leaf, crochet a chain of 22 chain stitches and, starting from the 3rd stitch from the hook, crochet 1 single crochet in each stitch; then crochet according to the pattern. 

Single crochets of the 4th, 8th, and 12th rows are crocheted behind the single crochets of the two previous rows (for convenience, you can turn the stitches of the last two rows to the right side). Thus, the single crochets of the last two rows form relief stripes. 
After finishing the 14th row of the pattern, cut and secure the thread. 

Flower A: crochet a chain of 14 chain stitches and join it into a ring with 1 slip stitch in the last chain stitch from the hook. 1st row: 1 chain stitch for turning, in the ring 29 single crochets, 1 slip stitch in the chain stitch for turning; then crochet according to the pattern. 
After finishing the 3rd row, cut and secure the thread. Crochet the required number of flowers.

Flower B: crochet a chain of 10 chain stitches and join it into a ring with 1 slip stitch in the last chain stitch from the hook. 
1st row: 3 chain stitches for turning, 20 double crochets, 1 slip stitch in the 3rd chain stitch for turning; then crochet according to the pattern. After finishing the 3rd row, cut and secure the thread. Crochet the required number of flowers.

Flower C: crochet a chain of 9 chain stitches and join it into a ring with 1 slip stitch in the last chain stitch from the hook. 
1st row: 1 chain stitch for turning, 5 chain stitches, *1 single crochet, 5 chain stitches*, repeat from * to * 5 times, 1 slip stitch in the chain stitch for turning; then crochet according to the pattern. 
After finishing the 2nd row, crochet 2 chain stitches and crochet 2 slip stitches in the stitches of the last two rows to reach the center of the first petal, 3 chain stitches and continue crocheting the row. 
To make elongated double crochets in the 3rd row, you can turn the petals to the right side. 
After finishing the 4th row, cut and secure the thread. Crochet the required number of flowers.

Flower D: crochet the foundation chain, 1st and 2nd rows, as for flower C; cut and secure the thread.
Flower E: crochet the required number of flowers according to the pattern. 
Flower F: crochet the foundation chain, 1st and 2nd rows, as for flower E; cut and secure the thread. 
Crochet the required number of flowers.

Circle G: crochet a chain of 12 chain stitches and join it into a ring with 1 slip stitch in the last chain stitch from the hook. 1st row: 3 chain stitches for turning, 24 double crochets, 1 slip stitch in the 3rd chain stitch for turning; cut and secure the thread.

Knitting density, double crochet: 27 stitches and 14 rows = 10 x 10 cm.

Back: crochet a chain of 111 chain stitches and, starting from the 3rd chain stitch from the hook, crochet 1 single crochet in each chain stitch. Then crochet double crochets. After 26 cm from the starting edge for the armhole slants, close 1 x 9 stitches from both sides in each row, 3 x 3 stitches (at the beginning of the row, crochet 1 slip stitch in each closing stitch, at the end of the row turn the work before the first closing stitch, not crocheting the remaining stitches), then close after the first and before the last stitch in each row 3 x 1 stitch. After 5 cm from the start of the armhole slants (= 68 stitches), secure and cut the thread.

Front: make a full-size pattern. Crochet separate motifs and, placing them on the pattern, join them in the process of crocheting the last row of the next motif with the already crocheted motifs with slip stitches. First, place the leaves on the pattern, then crochet one flower of each type, lay them on the fabric and outline the contours. Determine the required number of flowers of each type. In the free spaces, place circles, either one or in groups. Arrange the motifs along the neckline so that they (besides the leaves) form a continuous line, which can be aligned if necessary using chains of chain stitches: secure the thread with 1 slip stitch in the last stitch of one motif, crochet the required number of chain stitches and 1 slip stitch in the last stitch of the neighboring motif; turn the work and crochet 1 row of single crochets. Along the lower edge, sew several protruding motifs so that they form a random wavy continuous line (for this, place the outer motifs very close to each other); in this way, the middle part of the front will be slightly longer than the back. 

The right strap: crochet a chain of 66 chain stitches. 
1st row: starting from the 2nd chain stitch from the hook, crochet 1 single crochet in each stitch; 
2nd row: 1 chain stitch for turning, 1 single crochet in each single crochet, 3 single crochets in the last stitch, turn the work and crochet on the second side of the foundation chain 1 single crochet in each stitch; cut and secure the thread.

The left strap: crochet a chain of 105 chain stitches and crochet as for the right strap. 

Assembly: join the side motifs of the front to the back. Bind the upper and lower edges of the top with 1 row of single crochets and 1 row of "crab stitch" (single crochet from left to right). Sew the ends of the straps on the back side to the upper edge of the top, so that a few centimeters of the straps are under the motifs of the front; adjust the length of the straps beforehand.