Derieza – the comfort of repetition
I used to loathe this design. I never quite understood why it was so popular. But it was easy to make—much less complicated than Laloce, though it carried almost the same silhouette.
I remember people especially liking the midrib design. I liked that part too, I feel like there’s nothing particularly special about it, but I think what really stood out was its simplicity. In a way, I liked making it because it was quick. There was a balance in the repetition—enough to settle into the rhythm, but still fast enough that I could finish it early and move on to the next project.
This was around the time the Coachella boho aesthetic was everywhere—Vanessa Hudgens and all that. Crochet tops suddenly became something people appreciated again. The one she wore was a granny square top, and of course I made a replica of that too.
It was a fun time for me. Whenever I saw crochet garments on TV, I’d get excited. People who knew I crocheted would send me photos of designs or ask if I could make them something similar—long before fast fashion started producing machine-made versions that only look like crochet.
But I digress.
This particular design became one of the pieces that calmed me down. I made it so many times that I could recite the pattern by heart. I knew exactly how many layers it would take before the neckline started creeping too close to the neck.
Sometimes I would use double-pulled Monaco 4-ply mercerized cotton—this was back before the 5-ply even existed. I also experimented with hand-dyeing yarn using Venus dye, or what my dad used to call “Jobus.” I actually remember the whole story of why it’s called Jobus. The yarn came out softer, though probably more delicate. I’m not even sure how long the color would last, but every version turned out slightly different, and I think that’s what made them beautiful.
I also made versions with off-shoulder styles, midrib variations, and the shorter ones that sit just under the bust.
What makes Derieza, Derieza is that chest detail. That’s usually how I end up naming my crochet tops—the defining detail becomes the name.
For a while, this was one of those designs I kept returning to. Simple, familiar, and always ready for the next piece of yarn.
