How to Make a Crocheted Yoke

Today's tutorial comes to us from Jane Ruhl, the talented designer of Sweet Pea Fashions! Jane is a retired civil engineer who started crocheting over forty years ago. For Jane, writing patterns is the best of both worlds: crochet, and problem solving! Today, she sells her wares at craft shows, through her Etsy shop, and here on Pixie Faire (click here to see her designs). Thank you Jane for sharing some of your expertise with us today!

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We all love the Liberty Jane Sorrento pattern because it is so versatile. The sewing pattern was designed to use premade crocheted trim or braided fabric, and it is available in three different doll sizes.

  

The yoke of the top can be made for just about any kind of trim, so you can make it casual or elaborate, depending on your mood. If you crochet, you have even more options for the yoke. This tutorial will show you how to adapt an adult collar pattern into a crocheted yoke for your Sorrento top.

The pattern used for this tutorial is based off of a design for an adult sized top that was made from worsted weight yarn. To make it doll-size, it will be worked in size 10 crochet thread with a size 8 (1.5 mm) steel hook. While I chose this pattern, you can choose any pattern that starts with a foundation chain at the neckline.
I made an 18 Inch doll sized Sorrento Top. However, a yoke for any doll can be made by adapting these basic instructions.

The collar has a repeating pattern, enabling you to make it in any size that you want. The basic unit is shown in this diagram.

The yoke has five rows.  To start the first row, make a chain that is a multiple of four plus two.  To determine the length of this chain, consult your Sorrento pattern.  Look at Step 9 and find the length of the trim after it is gathered to fit the doll’s neckline.  This chain should be one half inch less than that length.  For the AG-size yoke, that dimension is 11 inches, so the foundation chain should be 10.5 inches.  The foundation chain in this tutorial is ch78 (19 x 4 = 76, 76 + 2 = 78).  Note that everyone crochets differently, and your chain may not be 78 chains long.  Just make sure that it is a multiple of four plus two more.

Row 1 - Work ahdc in the 3rd chain from the hook, 1 hdc into the remaining chains. Turn. Before proceeding to the next row, check to see that your yoke has the correct length that you determined from Step 9 of the Sorrento pattern.  This doesn’t need to be exact, just close.

Row 2:  Ch 3, skip next stitch, (1 dc, ch 2, 1 dc) in next stitchto create V stitch, skip next stitch, *I dc in next stitch, skip next stitch, (1dc, ch 2, 1 dc) in next stitch, skip next stitch.* Repeat from * to * until end of row. [If you started with 78 Chain stitches as in the example, you should have 20 doubles and 19 V stitches] Turn.

Row 3: Ch 3, *(2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) into V stitch [ch 2 space from previous round], skip next stitch, 1 dc in next stitch [should be directly above single dc from previous row]*, Repeat from * to * until end of row. [Make sure your last double of this row is worked into the top of the ch-3 from the previous row.] Turn.

Row 4: Ch 3, *(3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) into V stitch [ch-2 space from previous round], skip next 2 stitches, 1 dc into next stitch [should be directly above single dc from previous row]*, Repeat from * to * until end of row. [make sure your last double of this row is worked into the top of the ch-3 from the previous row] Turn.

Row 5: Ch 3, *8 dc into V Stitch [ch 2 space from previous round], skip next 3 stitches, 1dc into next stitch [should be directly above single dc from previous row]*, Repeat from * to * until end of row. [make sure your last double of this row is worked into the top of the Ch3 from the previous row]. Do not fasten off.

Yoke ends: Turn the work 90 degrees. *Ch 1 and work a row of sc across the end. Turn. Repeat from * two more times. Fasten off and attach thread to the other end of the yoke at the neckline. Work 3 rows of sc across the end of the yoke in the same manner.

Weave in all of your thread ends using the large-eye needle.

Now proceed to construct your Sorrento top.  Finish the armhole edges as in Step 1 and gather the front of the top as in Steps 2, 3, and 4.  As in Step 5, find the center of your crocheted yoke, and mark it with a pin.  As in Step 6, sew the front of the top to the yoke, matching the center points.  This can be done either by hand or on the sewing machine.

Skip Steps 7, 8, and 9.  Complete the remaining steps, finishing the back edges, attaching the back pieces, sewing the side seams, adding a hook and loop (or snap) closure, and hemming.

Congratulations!


26 Comments

Carol-Ann
Carol-Ann

April 20, 2021

How would I add 2 or 3 more rows to make a longer size yoke? In other words until under the arms.
Thank you
Carol-Ann

Peggy
Peggy

January 23, 2020

Beautiful will definitely try the pattern. Love it

Ellen
Ellen

December 30, 2018

Just made one and I love it. Is there a link to download this or a place to save it in my pixie fair account? I’d hate to lose this.

Tina
Tina

July 03, 2017

Thank you for sharing this adorable and feminine yoke. My 6 year-old loves it too. :)

Dorrie
Dorrie

December 30, 2016

Thank you for this! My granddaughter will love the femininity it gives the top.

Ann Niddrie
Ann Niddrie

November 14, 2016

This is wonderful, as a novice crocheter I am wondering if you also have the adult or child size pattern available as I don’t feel confident I will convert it very well myself. I bought the Sorrento pattern to make the doll size which is very exciting. Also are these US or U.K. Terms?

Patricia Cedeño Cabezas
Patricia Cedeño Cabezas

September 15, 2016

Preciosa blusa. Estoy segura que la voy a hacer más de una ocasión. Gracias.

Wendy
Wendy

July 09, 2016

This is fabulous! Thank you so much for sharing this for free :-) I just wish there was a pin button so I could share it with doll-lovers who follow me on Pinterest…

Maria (Belfast)
Maria (Belfast)

July 04, 2016

Jane

Can I ask you. Would you have a pattern similar to this one?

https://uk.pinterest.com/pin/395050198546408289/?utm_campaign=bprecsf&e_t=d774759da15c4e3a8c34129088aa65ce&utm_content=395050198546408289&utm_source=31&utm_term=6&utm_medium=2004

Maria

Shirley Johnson
Shirley Johnson

July 30, 2015

I love this! I was getting ready to do this and here you have done all the work for me! I like this pattern.

Arlene Hughes
Arlene Hughes

June 18, 2015

Just finished making the crocheted collar. Very good instructions, easy to make and adorable when finished! Thank you for the pattern!

Judy
Judy

May 21, 2015

I dont see well enough to crochet bit used a doily I cut to fit the neck line.

jelina
jelina

May 08, 2015

love this very well done

Lucy
Lucy

May 08, 2015

I want to learn how to crochet also. This looks doable. I really like Joann’s idea of the beads.
Thank you so much for this pattern.

Marge R (mer)
Marge R (mer)

May 08, 2015

Jane (and anyone else who has ever wanted to turn any webpage into a .pdf), you’ll LOVE this — go to http://www.printfriendly.com/
Then copy/paste this page’s/or any URL and you can then choose to either print it or click the PDF button and you’ll instantly have your pdf to open in Adobe Reader — LOVE this!!! ;0) I found it in a comment somewhere and use it all the time! Would love to give credit, but don’t recall where I first saw it. Enjoy!!!

margaret
margaret

May 08, 2015

jane – thank you for this. I have been intending to learn to crochet —this is the perfect project.

Marian
Marian

May 08, 2015

I have sewn forever but crochet is a new endeavor. This encourages me to learn faster!

Kathi
Kathi

May 08, 2015

This is so cute! Thanks for sharing!

joliflot
joliflot

May 08, 2015

Merci de partager les explications de ce ravissant modèle.

Joan
Joan

May 07, 2015

Very fun crochet. Make it wild on plain fabric, add some beads, enjoy!

Carlena
Carlena

May 07, 2015

I love it!! Not only have I been doing tons of sewing for my granddaughters doll but for her too. I want to make matching tops using this crochet collar. She will be so excited.

Jeri
Jeri

May 07, 2015

Nice photos and instructions. I think I can do this! Love the fabric too. :) Thanks for sharing Jane.

Fran Stroud
Fran Stroud

May 07, 2015

i can’t wait to try this.

Jane
Jane

May 07, 2015

Wish it was a pdf so I could download it to save for working on later.

Kelly
Kelly

May 07, 2015

Wow! This collar tutorial looks so simple. It makes me want to dig through my stash of crochet threads and needles and attempt to make it immediately. Thanks so much for sharing! ?

Marge R (mer)
Marge R (mer)

May 06, 2015

Sooo cute; TFS these directions!!! Need to find time to make one of these for my new ‘girl’ arriving this weekend! ;’)

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