Crochet Tunic with Relief Stripes
You’ll need:
4 (4, 5, 5, 6, 7, 7, 8, 8) skeins of Lion Brand Superwash Merino (Weight: 3/DK – 306 Yds, 3.5 oz) in Hemp color;
Crochet hook 5 mm;
Yarn needle;
Stitch markers;
Measuring tape;
Scissors.
Size: XS (S, M, L, XL, 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X)
Stitches control: 18 sts x 20 rows = 10 x 10 cm.
Instructions
Back
1st row: Ch 75 (84,93,102,111,120,129,138,147) + 1 for turning Ch;
2nd row (RS): sc in 2nd Ch from hook and each st across. Turn;
3rd row (WS): Ch 1, sc in each st across. Turn;
4th row: Repeat step 3 4x for a total of 6 sc rows;
5th row: Ch 5 (counts as dc and Ch 2), sk2 sts, dc in next st, *Ch 2, sk2 sts, dc in next st*. Repeat to end. Turn;
6th row: Ch 5 (counts as dc and Ch 2), sk ChSp, dc in next st (on top of previous row dc), *Ch 2, dc on top of previous row dc*. Repeat until final chain space. Ch 2, dc in 3rd Ch of Ch 5. Turn;
7th row: Repeat step 6 until you have 4 rows of mesh openings;
8th row: Ch 1, *2sc in ChSp, sc in next st*. Repeat across to final ChSp. 2sc in ChSp, 1sc in 3rd Ch of Ch5. Turn;
9th row: Ch 1, sc in each stitch across. Turn;
10th row: Repeat step 9 4x for a total of 6 sc rows;
11th row: Repeat steps 5-10 until you have 6(6,6,6,6,7,7,7,8) solid rows and 6(6,6,6,6,7,7,7,8) mesh rows.
Sleeves
You will drop yarn you were working with and leave joined for later, DO NOT fasten off. In 3rd Ch of Ch5 on opposite side (same row you just finished) slst a new ball of yarn to attach and begin working Ch for first sleeve
1st row: Ch 72(72,72,72,72,75,75,75,75), break yarn, fasten off;
2nd row: *return to yarn you dropped earlier and insert crochet hook to begin Ch for other sleeve*;
3rd row: Ch 72(72,72,72,72,75,75,75,75) + 1 for turning Ch;
4th row: Sc in 2nd Ch from hook and in each st across, continuing to sc 2x in each ChSp and sc on top of each dc. When you get to the end of back panel area sc3 in last ChSp since the 3rd Ch was already used to attach new ball of yarn. Continue to sc until you have reached the end of second sleeve. Turn. 219(228, 237, 246, 255, 270, 279, 288, 297);
5th row: Ch1, sc in each st across. Turn;
6th row: Repeat step 5 4x for a total of 6 sc rows;
7th row: Ch 5, sk 2 sts, dc in next st, *Ch2, sk2, dc in next st*, repeat to end. Turn;
8th row: Ch 5, sk ChSp, dc in next st (on top of previous row dc), *Ch2, sk ChSp, dc on top of previous row dc*. Repeat until final ChSp. Ch2, dc in 3rd Ch of Ch5. Turn;
9th row: Repeat step 8 until you have 4 rows of mesh openings;
10th row: Repeat in pattern (6sc rows/4 mesh openings) until sleeve width measures approx. 5.5(6.5, 7, 7.5, 8, 8.5, 9, 9.5)”;
*you can adjust sleeve width as needed if you would like to end at the end of a section instead of stopping in the middle*
11th row: Now we will work the neck hole and top of shoulders. Count in evenly from each side and find center 2 sts, mark with stitch markers. This will be the center of your neck opening. Including the right center st that is marked with a stitch marker, count over 18 sts to right, pm. Including the left center st that is marked with a stitch marker, count over 18 sts to the left, pm. Remove center markers. You should now have an approx. 8″ (36 sts) section marked off in center for neck opening. Continuing in pattern where you left off in section repeats, crochet over to first sm and turn;
*continue this shoulder section, in pattern, until shoulder area measures approx. 2.5(2.5, 2.5, 2.5, 3, 3, 3.5, 3.5, 4)”. Break yarn and fasten off.
12th row: slst yarn to other side of neck, one st beside sm, so we will have two matching shoulder sides on either side of neck hole opening. Repeat steps from opposite shoulder so you have the same amount of rows to match your approx. 2.5(2.5, 2,5, 2.5, 3, 3, 3.5, 3.5, 4)” from previous section;
*if you end this shoulder section on the outer edge leave yarn and continue to step 13. If your yarn ended by neck hole opening to match your other side, break yarn, fasten off, and attach by slst to outer edge.
WHETHER YOU END ON A SC ROW OR A MESH ROW THE NEXT STEPS WILL CONTINUE THE SAME.
13th row: Continue to crochet in pattern toward neck opening. After last st before neck opening Ch 42 (front neckline) and continue working straight across after sm on other side of neck opening;
14th row: Continue working across all sts until other half of sleeve width matches the first half, 5.5(6, 6.5, 7, 7.5, 8, 8.5, 9, 9.5)”. You should now have 225(234, 243, 252, 261, 276, 285, 294, 303) sts across.
Sleeve + shoulder + sleeve width= total of approx. 13.5(14.5, 15.5, 16.5, 18, 19, 20.5, 21.5, 23)”
When above sleeve and shoulder width is reached, break yarn and fasten off.
Front
1st row: Count in 72(72, 72, 72, 72, 75, 75, 75, 75) sts from sleeve edge on both sides and place stitch markers. You will have 81(90, 99, 108, 117, 126, 135, 144, 153) sts between markers. These sts will be worked for your front panel;
2nd row: Attach yarn by slst to first st between markers. Continue across, back and forth between markers, in pattern until you have one less sc section and one less mesh section han the back panel. This will give you high-low look on your side hem;
3rd row: End after a sc section. Break yarn and fasten off.
Assembly
Weave in ends and block to desired dimensions. Fold in half with WS facing out. Line up sleeves and edges to begin seaming. Using a basic whip stitch, starting at one sleeve end, seam up sleeve and down side of front and back panels. Leave one sc section and one mesh section out of seam of front panel and two sc sections and two mesh sections out of seam of back panel. This will give you the split hem on the sides.