TUNIC SLEEVELESS TOP

It’s quick and simple to crochet Hannah Cross’ easy-to-wear tunic, with its sumptuous texture

HEART WARMER

We never know what to put on for the best this time of year – so layering up is the way to go. Hannah’s tunic is a practical option, as it will fit under coats that can’t take bulky sleeves . And you won’t need a scarf! There are no colour changes involved with this variegated chunky cake yarn, so sit back and concentrate on enjoying the pattern.

NOTES

The stitch pattern used throughout the Body of the Tunic is (ch2, skip 2 sts, 2BLtr). When working the tr sts 2 rows below you will need to work over the ch-2 space from the previous row worked so that it is hidden in the sts.

The Tunic is made of identical Front and Back sections, which are joined at the shoulder. A Cowl Neck and Border are then added. To make the Front and Back identical you can start both sections using a new ball of yarn.

TUNIC

FRONT AND BACK BOTH ALIKE

Using a 10mm hook, ch42 (46: 50: 54).

Row 1 (RS) Tr in fourth ch from hook, tr in next ch, (ch2, skip 2 ch, tr in next 2 ch) repeat across to last st, tr in last ch, turn.

[40 (44: 48: 52) sts]

Row 2 (WS) Ch4 (counts as htr, ch2 throughout), *skip 2 tr, tr in next 2 skipped ch of foundation ch, ch2; repeat from * across to last st, htr in last st, turn.

Row 3 Ch2 (counts as htr throughout), (2BLtr in next 2 sts, ch2, skip 2 sts) across to last 3 sts, 2BLtr in next 2 sts, htr in last st, turn.

Row 4 Ch4, (skip 2 sts, 2BLtr, ch2) across to last st, htr in last st, turn.

Rows 3-4 set the pattern.

Repeat Rows 3-4 another 13 (13: 15: 15) times.

Fasten off and weave in ends.

JOIN PANELS

Place the Front and Back pieces WS facing together.

Using a 10mm hook, ss seam the first 10 (12: 14: 16) sts together at the shoulder.

Fasten off. Pick out buttons that are a colour match for your yarn, to give the tunic a neat finish Skip 20 sts for the neckline, ss seam the remaining 10 (12: 14: 16) sts.

Fasten off and weave in ends.

COWL NECK

The Cowl Neck is worked in a continuous spiral. Work all the sts into the bl only. Using a 15mm hook, join yarn into one of the neckline seams.

Round 1 (RS) 2ss in side seam, ss in 20 sts of neckline, 2ss in next neckline seam, 20ss in last 20 sts of neckline. [44 ss]

Rounds 2-4 Ss in each st around.

Round 5 (2ss in first st, ss in next 10 sts) 4 times. [48 sts]

Rounds 6-7 Ss in each st around.

Round 8 (2ss in next st, ss in next 11 sts) 4 times. [52 sts]

Rounds 9-10 Ss in each st around.

Round 11 (2ss in next st, ss in next 12 sts) 4

times. [56 sts]

Rounds 12-13 Ss in each st around.

Round 14 (2ss in next st, ss in next 13 sts) 4 times. [60 sts]

Rounds 15-17 Ss in each st around.

BORDER

Using a 15mm hook, join yarn into any row end from the Front/Back.

Round 1 2ss into each row end, 1ss into each st around the Front/Back.

Rounds 2-5 Ss in bl of each st around.

TO FINISH

Sew the buttons onto the Back panel of the Tunic, on the WS of the Border. They should be positioned at approx 30cm and 40cm from the shoulder. Find the corresponding ss on the front Border of the Tunic, and use this as a buttonhole. Working skipped stitches gives a great tessellated effect