Isca

Isca is my first crochet pattern, named after the Roman name for my home city of Exeter (Isca Dumnoniorum).

Isca is a cropped top with an asymmetric ribbed bottom edge and a beaded waffle stitch panel on the reverse.

This is a measure-along pattern with instructions rather than specific rows and stitch counts. I have included information about my gauge, the yarn and hook I used but as this is a measure along you work from your own gauge swatch and do not need to match mine.

I am X-LARGE with a 46” bust and used around 344g/757 yards of dk mercerised cotton. Some of my testers have used as little as 400 yards of yarn. The amount you need will depend upon your size, how long you make the bodice and the length of the ribbing.
Beads are optional but I used around 72 6mm beads. You may need more or less depending on your measurements.

Isca can be made with dk or aran yarn and whichever hook suits your yarn. I used dk yarn with a 3.5mm hook.

This is a 26 page pattern with many photos and links to tutorials for lesser-known stitches. The pattern also includes a link to a walk-through photo guide and a printer friendly no-pictures version.