Now you can feel like a mermaid in this slinky, shiny top, the color of the sea. The Mermaid’s Purse Top, with tapering neckline and waist, side splits and fishtails, is made with half double crochets. It makes good use of the stitch’s third loop to create a block of texture to catch the light.

The top is made in 4 identical panels, which are later crocheted together. The panels are worked sideways. Right side rows start at the bottom edge, wrong side rows start at the top edge.