Perfect Sleeveless Crochet Tunic

Materials:

• 861-109 Vanna's Glamour Yarn: Sapphire 6 balls
• Lion Brand Crochet Hook - Size G-6 (4 mm)    
• Lion Brand Split Ring Stitch Markers          
• Lion Brand Large-Eye Blunt Needles (Set of 6)
• Diagram
• Pattern Stitch

GAUGE:

3 repeats + 12 rows = about 4 in. (10 cm) in pattern.

When you match the gauge in a pattern, your project will be the size specified in the pattern and the materials specified in the pattern will be sufficient. The needle or hook size called for in the pattern is based on what the designer used, but it is not unusual for gauge to vary from person to person. If it takes you fewer stitches and rows to make your swatch, try using a smaller size hook or needles; if more stitches and rows, try a larger size hook or needles.
 

STITCH EXPLANATION:

Double dc2tog (worked over more than 2 sts)
Step 1: Yarn over, insert hook into last dc of Half Shell (Shell) and draw up a loop, yarn over and draw through 2 loops (first half of first dc2tog).
Step 2: Yarn over, sk 2 dc, insert hook into next ch-2 space and draw up a loop, yarn over, draw through 2 loops (second half of first dc2tog).
Step 3: Yarn over and draw through all loops on hook (first dc2tog complete), ch 3.
Step 4: Yarn over, insert hook in same ch-2 space and draw up a loop, yarn over and draw through 2 loops (first half of second dc2tog).
Step 5: Yarn over, sk 2 dc, insert hook in first dc of next Shell and draw up a loop, yarn over, draw through 2 loops (second half of second dc2tog).
Step 6: Yarn over and draw through all loops on hook (second dc2tog complete), ch 3.

Shell (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in next ch or ch-space.

dc2tog (dc 2 sts together) (Yarn over, insert hook in next st and draw up a loop, yarn over and draw through 2 loops) twice, yarn over and draw through all 3 loops on hook – 1 st decreased.

BACK
Ch 187 (200, 226, 239, 265, 278).
Row 1: 2 dc in 5th ch from hook (beg 4 ch counts as dc and ch 1) – counts as Half Shell, *sk 3 ch, dc in next 2 ch, ch 2, sk 2 ch, dc in next 2 ch, sk 3 ch, (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in next ch – Shell made; rep from * to last 13 ch, sk 3 ch, dc in next 2 ch, ch 2, sk 2 ch, dc in next 2 ch, sk 3 ch, (2 dc, ch 1, dc) in last ch – counts as Half Shell – 13 (14, 16, 17, 19, 20) full Shells and 2 Half Shells.
Row 2: Ch 6 (counts as first dc and ch 3), turn, *Double dc2tog, 2 dc in ch-2 sp of Shell, ch 3; rep from * to last full Shell, Double dc2tog, dc in 3rd ch of beg ch.
Row 3: Ch 3 (counts as first dc), turn, *2 dc in first ch-3 sp, Shell in next ch-3 sp, 2 dc in next ch-3 sp, ch 2; rep from * to last st, dc in 3rd ch of beg ch.
Row 4: Ch 3 (counts as first dc), turn, dc2tog in same st and first st of next Shell, ch 3, *2 dc in ch-2 sp of Shell, ch 3, Double dc2tog; rep from * to last full Shell, 2 dc in ch-2 space of Shell, ch 3, dc2tog in last dc of Shell and top of beg ch, dc in top of beg ch.
Row 5: Ch 4 (counts as first dc and ch 1), 2 dc in same st, *2 dc in next ch-3 sp, ch 2, 2 dc in next ch-3 sp**, Shell in next ch-3 sp; rep from * ending last rep at **, (2 dc, ch 1, dc) in 3rd ch of beg ch.
Rep Rows 2-5 until piece measures 14 in. (35.5 cm) from beg, place markers at each side of last row for armholes.
Continue rep Rows 2-5 until armholes measure 9 (9, 9 1/2, 9 1/2, 10, 10) in. (23 (23, 24, 24, 25.5, 25.5) cm).
Shape Neck and Shoulders
Note: Because number of stitches change on each row of pattern, stitch counts are given in pattern reps. Center pattern reps may begin and end at different spots than depicted on chart depending on size being worked. Half Shells count as part of pattern rep.
Mark center 6 (6, 6, 6, 8, 8) pattern reps for neck, leaving 4 (4 1/2, 5 1/2, 6, 6, 6 1/2) pattern reps on each side for shoulders.
First Shoulder
Next Row: Ch 1, turn, sl st across first 1 (1, 2, 2, 2, 2) pattern rep(s), ch 1, work in pattern to center marked sts; leave rem sts unworked.
Next Row: Ch 2, turn, sk first st, work in pattern to last full rep worked; leave last rep unworked.
Next Row: Ch 1, turn, sl st across first rep, work in pattern to end of shoulder.
Fasten off.
Second Shoulder
Next Row: Sk marked center 6 (6, 6, 6, 8, 8) pattern reps, join yarn in next st, ch 2, sk next st, work in pattern to last 1 (1, 2, 2, 2, 2) pattern rep(s); leave rem sts unworked.
Next Row: Ch 1, turn, sl st across next full pattern rep, work in pattern to end of row.
Next Row: Ch 3, turn, work in pattern to last pattern rep; leave rem sts unworked.
Fasten off.

FRONT
Make same as Back.

FINISHING
Sew shoulder seams. Sew side seams to armhole markers.
Lower Edging
Rnd 1 (RS): From RS, join yarn with sl st in side seam at lower edge, ch 1, work sc evenly spaced around lower edge; join with sl st in first sc.
Rnds 2-3: Ch 1, sc in each sc around; join with sl st in first sc.
Fasten off.
Armhole Edging
Rnd 1 (RS): From RS, join yarn with sl st in side seam at underarm, ch 1, work sc evenly spaced around armhole; join with sl st in first sc.
Rnds 2-3: Ch 1, sc in each sc around, sl st in first sc.
Fasten off.
Rep around opposite armhole.
Neck Edging
Rnd 1 (RS): From RS, join yarn with sl st in shoulder seam at neck edge, ch 1, work sc evenly spaced around neck edge; join with sl st in first sc.
Rnds 2-3: Ch 1, sc in each sc around; join with sl st in first sc.
Fasten off.
Weave in ends.