This very simple tunic top is perfect for layering over anything from a tank top and leggings to a swimsuit. Changing hook sizes is a terrific way to work shaping into a complicated stitch pattern so you don’t have to fiddle with too much increasing or decreasing in pattern.
Skill Level: Intermediate
Size: S/M (L/XL, 2X/3X); Finished Bust: 40 (47, 54)”
Gauge: 1 Repeat/12 sts = 3.5” [9 cm] in pattern st after blocking with 7 (4.5 mm) hook; 5 rows = 4” [10 cm] in pattern st after blocking with 7 (4.5 mm) hook
Materials
Yarn: Kraemer Yarns Perfection (70% acrylic, 30% domestic merino; 260 yards [238 meters]/100 grams): #Y2227 Dew Drop (4 (4, 5, 5, 6) skeins)
Hooks: US sizes 7 (4.5 mm), H/8 (5.0 mm), I/9 (5.5 mm), J/10 (6.0 mm), K/10.5 (6.5 mm), and L/11 (8.0 mm) hooks
Notions: Stitch marker, tapestry needle
Pattern Notes
Ch-3 counts as 1 dc but in rows that begin with half shells, the directions tell you how many dc to put in the very first dc in addition to the beg-ch-3.
Remember to go down one hook size after every 5 rows, until you get to the 7 (4.5 mm) hook, with which you will complete the project.
Pattern
Back
With hook size L/11 (8.0 mm) ch 100 (112, 124).
Row 1: 4 dc in 4th ch from hook, ch 2, sk 5 ch, dc in next ch, [ch 2, sk 5 ch, (4 dc, ch 4, 4 dc in next ch), ch 2, sk 5 ch, dc in next ch] 7 (8, 9) times, ch 2, sk 5 ch, 5 dc in last ch. Ch 3, turn. (7 (8, 9) shells)
Row 2: 3 dc in first dc, ch 2, sk ch-2 sp, (dc, ch 2, dc) in next dc, [ch 2, sk ch-2 sp, [(3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in next ch-2 sp, ch 2, sk ch-2 sp, (dc, ch 2, dc) in next dc] 7 (8, 9) times, ch 2, sk ch-2 sp and 4 dc, 4 dc in last dc. Ch 3, turn.
Row 3: 2 dc in first dc, ch 2, sk ch-2 sp, (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in next dc, [ch 2, sk ch-2 sp, [(2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in next ch-2 sp, ch 2, sk ch-2 sp, (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in next ch-2 sp] 7 (8, 9) times, ch 2, sk ch-2 sp and 3 dc, 3 dc in last dc. Change to size K/10.5 (6.5mm) hook, ch 3, turn.
Row 4: Dc in first dc, ch 2, sk ch-2 sp, (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in next dc, [ch 2, sk ch-2 sp, [(dc, ch 2, dc) in next ch-2 sp, ch 2, sk ch-2 sp, (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in next ch-2 sp] 7 (8, 9) times, ch 2, sk ch-2 sp and 2 dc, 2 dc in last dc. Ch 5, turn.
Row 5: Sk first ch-2 sp, (4 dc, ch 2, 4 dc) in next ch-2 sp, [ch 2, sk ch-2 sp, dc in next ch-2 sp, ch-2, sk ch-2 sp, (4 dc, ch 2, 4 dc) in next ch-2 sp] 7 (8, 9) times, ch 2, sk 1 dc, dc in last dc. Ch 3, turn.
Row 6: Dc in first dc, ch 2, sk ch-2 sp, (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in next ch-2 sp, [ch 2, sk ch-2 sp, (dc, ch 2, dc) in next ch-2 sp, ch 2, sk ch-2 sp, (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in next dc] 7 times, ch 2, sk ch-2 sp, 2 dc in 3rd ch of t-ch. Ch 3, turn.
Row 7: Rep Row 3.
Row 8: Rep Row 2.
Row 9: 4 dc in first dc, ch 2, sk ch-2 sp, dc in next ch-2 sp, [ch 2, sk ch-2 sp, (4 dc, ch 4, 4 dc in next ch-2 sp), ch 2, sk ch-2 sp, dc in next ch-2 sp] 7 (8, 9) times, ch 2, sk 4 dc, 5 dc in last ch. Ch 3, turn.
Rep Rows 2-9 for pattern until 33 rows have been completed, ch 1, turn at the end of the last pattern row, WHILE AT THE SAME TIME going down one hook size after every 5 rows have been completed until you get to the 7 (4.5 mm) hook, with which you will complete the piece.
Armhole Decreases
Row 1: Sl st in each dc and ch until you have 1 sl st in 2nd ch-2 sp, ch 5, sk first ch-2 sp, (4 dc, ch 2, 4 dc) in next ch-2 sp, [ch 2, sk ch-2 sp, dc in next ch-2 sp, ch-2, sk ch-2 sp, (4 dc, ch 2, 4 dc) in next ch-2 sp] 6 (7, 8) times, ch 2, sk ch-2 sp, dc in next ch-2 sp, leave remaining sts unworked. Ch 3, turn.
Continue on in pattern as established, beginning with Row 6 of Back, but working bracketed instructions 6 (7, 8) times instead of 7 (8. 9) times, until work measures 7.5 (8.5, 9)” or desired armhole depth. End off.
Front
Rep all instructions for Back until 25 rows have been completed. Place stitch marker in center ch-2 sp.
Divide for Neckline
Continue on in pattern as established, dividing for the V-neck by working each side of the Front separately on either side of the stitch marker.
Decrease one stitch at neck edge every row until each side measures 4” (all sizes).
Continue on in pattern as established until armhole measures same as Back. End off.
Finishing
Block both pieces to measurements on schematic.
Crochet Front to Back with single crochet along side seams and shoulder seams.
Edgings
With 7 (4.5 mm) hook, work 2 rounds of single crochet around each armhole.
With 7 (4.5 mm) hook, work 2 rounds of single crochet around neckline, beginning anywhere on the back neck edge, and working a decrease at the center front point to make sure it lays flat.
Bottom Edging
With size L/11 (8.0mm) hook, work Row 1 around bottom hem on the opposite side of the foundation chain. Join rnd with sl st in first dc, end off.
Weave in all ends.
I would love to make this pattern but from the ?s presented earlier it seems there are many errors for the back. Did it ever get straightened out & if so where are corrections. Thank you
Has this pattern ever been republished correctly written? I have found several mistakes. Including the size of the yarn used. If the yarn is a dk it should be listed as a 3.
Hello! Kramer Yarns lists this yarn was worsted weight on their website: https://patternsbykraemer.com/products/perfection-worsted?variant=6932604321820
Please let us know if you have other specific questions about this pattern and we will reach out to the designer for advice! – Nicola, Editor
I’m really confused about the front and finishing. For Front, you say, “Rep all instructions for Back until 5 rows have been completed. Place stitch marker in center ch-2 sp.” But the back, before the armhole shaping begins, is 33 rows long. The pattern itself (rows 2-9) is 8 rows and is repeated 4 times to make 33 rows. This makes “5 rows” (in instructions for front) ridiculous. Do you mean 5 patterns or 40 rows?
Then in the Finishing instructions, you say, “Block both pieces to measurements on schematic. [What schematic? There is none.]
Crochet Front to Back with single crochet along side seams and shoulder seams. [okay that makes sense, but then…]
[WHERE does this happen?]: 2 dc in first dc, ch 2, sk ch-2 sp, (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in next dc, [ch 2, sk ch-2 sp, [(2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in next ch-2 sp, ch 2, sk ch-2 sp, (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in next dc] 7 times, ch 2, sk ch-2 sp and 3 dc, 3 dc in last dc.
I was looking forward to making this until I gave the instructions a good hard look and realized they don’t make any sense. Help!!
Hi Marcia – I am so sorry for these issues, not sure what happened. I am on the road traveling and don’t have the tunic in my hand but I will go over everything when I get home (4/18/18) and figure out where the edit went wrong! Again, my sincere apologies.
Did you update the pattern?
Did you ever update this pattern? If live to make it but the issues seem almost insurmountable. And I could tell just by looking at it that its a 3 weight yarn used. Do where do I find updates??
The pattern now says 25 rows instead of 5 rows. “Rep all instructions for Back until 25 rows have been completed”
Hello CJ! I’ve reached out to the designer for advice and she or I will reply as soon as possible. Thanks! – Nicola, Editor
What is the weight of the yarn used in this pattern? Thank You
It’s DK yarn.