Book Review: Build Your Skills Crochet Tops

Book review by EyeLoveKnots of Build Your Skills Crochet Tops: 26 Simple Patterns for First-Time Sweaters, Shrugs, Ponchos & More by Salena Baca.

I received a copy of this book for free in exchange for sharing with you! I was not paid to work up any of the designs or provided supplies. All opinions are my own. This post contains affiliate links for Lion Brand and Amazon. If you make a purchase by clicking on them, I make a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for your support!

You can find my book review below, or hop over to Amazon to purchase the book.

March 1st, Salena Baca’s new book released called Build Your Skills Crochet Tops: 26 Simple Patterns for First-Time Sweaters, Shrugs, Ponchos & More. You can check out all the designs on the book’s Ravelry page, but purchase link goes to the above link.

26 beautiful garments that cover all seasons, solid and lacy designs, and sizes Small through 2 Extra Large (some only up to Large and Extra Large), but easy to adjust to custom fit you. Pieces you can dress up for the office, or wear casually while you run errands around town.

I had a tough time narrowing down my list, but I picked five designs and worked them up for myself – Vanessa Tee, Woodbury Poncho, Coboo Top, Pistachio Poncho and Sheryl Tee. It’s been a while since I made anything for myself, so I thought this was the perfect opportunity!

I’ll share my Top 3 with you. I would love if you leave me a comment letting me know what your top 3 is!

My Top 3:

This is the Pistachio Poncho. I will admit I had the most trouble with this pattern only because I couldn’t meet gauge and it took some work to adjust, but had I had some Berroco Vintage Chunky on hand, it would have been so perfect, quick and easy. I absolutely love how cozy this poncho is, and I especially love the turtleneck cozy that will keep my neck warm, and can be pulled up over my face if needed. I worked mine with one of my favorite yarns, Lion Brand Wool Ease. A similar yarn is Berroco Vintage. Check out my Crochet Pattern Review! This pattern is available in sizes S through 2X.

This is the Coboo Top. What first caught my attention was the gorgeous lacy stitch pattern, but I also really liked that it is a top that is made in two pieces and sewn together, which makes for a very easy piece. Check out my Crochet Pattern Review!

This top was designed in Lion Brand Coboo Yarn, a yarn I’m familiar with and have enjoyed working with for a few Summer tops – I just haven’t worn them out so I am not sure how they wear or wash, but I’m really looking forward to testing them out. This will be a great versatile Summer top that can be dressed up or down. A similar yarn to Lion Brand Coboo is Berroco Modern Cotton DK – another favorite of mine! This pattern is available in sizes S through 2X.

This is the Sheryl Tee. What first caught my attention was the simple fact that it was a lacy tank top, which is perfect for living in Florida, but I also really liked that it is a top that is made in two pieces and sewn together, which makes for a very easy piece. Check out my Crochet Pattern Review!

I made mine with Berroco Modern Cotton – a favorite of mine for several years now. Modern Cotton is soft and wears and machine washes well. This will be a versatile top that I can see paired with jeans, shorts or over a maxi dress. This pattern is available in sizes S through 2X.

I also made these!

This is the Vanessa Tee. What first caught my eye was the lacy, filet design. As I looked further into it, I really liked the idea of trying out Lion Brand’s 24/7 Cotton Yarn, and working myself up a new Summer top. Here in Florida, it’s pretty much Summer all year, so I’ll get a lot more use out of a cotton top, than wool. Ultimately, I decided 24/7 was not a great choice for this top though, and definitely recommend Berroco Modern Cotton instead. I do also really liked the simple t-shirt shape of this design. Check out my Crochet Pattern Review! This pattern is available in sizes S – 2X.

This is the Woodbury Poncho. What first caught my attention was the big, beautiful, lacy fans. I also like that the style leaves my hands and arms free to do things without restriction. Check out my Crochet Pattern Review!

I went searching through my stash, and pulled out one of my favorite yarns, Lion Brand Wool Ease. This poncho will be great over a long sleeve in cooler weather, especially when I want a little more warmth than a jacket, but don’t want the heavy, bulkiness of a coat. This pattern is available in sizes S-L.

Here are a few more that I have on my make list!

This is the Flutter Tank – image courtesy of Salena Baca. Living in Florida, tank tops are on constant rotation. What I like the most about this one is that it has a beautiful rounded neckline and the cinching at the top. This top would be perfect with jeans, shorts or over a maxi skirt. I am picturing it over my bathing suit as I’m headed to the beach.

This crochet pattern is available in sizes S – 2X. It’s worked in 100% cotton, but I would recommend a cotton blend such as Berroco Modern Cotton so it has a secondary fiber in there is help keep it from stretching out too much.

This is the Thompson Poncho – image courtesy of Salena Baca. The shape of the poncho is so unique! Made of little pentagons that are joined together. It’s another great poncho that will keep you cozy, but not restrict your arm movement. If I were making it for myself, I might make it longer so I could pull my arms up into it if I needed extra warmth, and leave off the tassels.

This pattern is available is sizes S-2X. It’s worked in Red Heart Yarn Hygge – a chunky weight acrylic and nylon blend yarn. Alternatively, Berroco Vintage Chunky would be great, or Lion Brand Hue + Me.

This is the Woodthorpe Cardigan – image courtesy of Salena Baca. The wavy ripple pattern and simple cardigan caught my attention. I get so cold everywhere I go, so this would be perfect for me to take along. Since it’s worked in a bulky/chunky weight yarn, I would probably continue working the sleeves to make them long sleeve – it would be so easy to just keep adding rounds.

This crochet pattern is available in sizes S-L. It’s worked in Lion Brand Rewind – a chunky weight polyester and viscose blend. Looking on the Woodthrope Cardigan project page on Ravelry, it seems like Lion Brand Scarfie is a popular yarn choice. I think Berroco Vintage Chunky would also be lovely!

This is the ZZ Twist Vest – image courtesy of Salena Baca. What a cute, lacy vest! This easily pairs great with jeans and a tank, or over a dress!

This crochet pattern is available in sizes S-2X. It’s worked in Lion Brand ZZ Twist Yarn, which sadly has been discontinued, but I would probably work mine up in Berroco Modern Cotton or Lion Brand’s 24/7 Cotton Yarn so it keeps me cool in the Summer.

Which design has caught your eye? Tell me your top 3 choices!

On to the Giveaway!

One winner will receive a copy of the Build Your Skills Crochet Tops: 26 Simple Patterns for First-Time Sweaters, Shrugs, Ponchos & More book from me!

This giveaway is open worldwide, but if an international maker is chosen – I have no control over the length of time it may take for this book to arrive (I’m guessing up to 2 months) or if it gets lost in the mail.

I included several ways to enter (through the Rafflecopter below). To be entered in the giveaway, you only need to complete one task, but the more you do, the better your chances. Some of them you can come back and do again once a day! Last time to enter will be Sunday 03/21/21 at 11:59pm EST.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Must be 18 years or older to enter. Open to all countries. Void where prohibited. Winner has 48 hours to respond to email notification, or another winner will be chosen. Alexandra (that’s me!) of EyeLoveKnots is responsible for fulfilling remaining prizes.

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