Tunisian crochet lace top or dress pattern - Bluebell

About the pattern

This is an intermediate Tunisian crochet pattern for a summer top with straps and a scoop neckline.

The top has a high waist and peplum bottom, which you can extend into a skirt, with either lace or a plain fabric.

It is worked from the waist up to make the armholes and neckline, then from the waist down to make the peplum or skirt. The front and back panels are made separately.

The two pieces are seamed and the armholes and neckband are finished off after seaming.

The pattern is written out for all 12 sizes and includes ease.

The pattern includes written instructions and charts, plus instructions for adding optional bust shaping for fuller busts (annex 1).

Skill level

Intermediate - you will work mainly with the Tunisian simple stitch, decreases, and yarn overs for the lace section. You will make short rows for shaping the armholes and neckline.

Measurements

See images for tables of measurements.

The pattern comes with 12 fully written sizes. You can easily customize the length of the straps by adding or skipping rows.

The garment measurements include ease. There are 10 cm or 4” of ease at bust. Choose a size that has an amount of ease from your body measurements that is comfortable for you.

Three different lengths of feather lace motifs are provided, so you can choose the desired skirt length based on which feather option you choose for your size, with a maximum of 83 rows of skirt pattern.

Skirt lengths differ due to the row you start on.

Notions

• Yarn: size 2 weight cotton or bamboo viscose yarn at 185 meters per 50 grams (see below for length requirements per size);
• Hook - Tunisian crochet hook with cable or straight, 4 to 5 mm or hook size that gets you gauge; 3 or 3.5 mm regular crochet hook for finishing;
• Tapestry needle, scissors, tape measure;
• Stitch markers;
• Optional: tools for blocking (iron with steam or other steamer), blocking mats and pins.

Approximate total length of yarn per size required for the short skirt:

• In meters - 1100, 1170, 1250 (1300, 1420, 1480) 1540, 1550, 1670 {1740, 1830, 1890}.
• In yards - 1200, 1280, 1360 (1420, 1550, 1620) 1680, 1700, 1830 {1900, 2000, 2070}.

For the long skirt:

• In meters - 1370, 1440, 1540 (1650, 1760, 1850) 1940, 1980, 2110 {2220, 2290, 2390}.
• In yards - 1500, 1570, 1680 (1800, 1920, 2020) 2120, 2170, 2130 {2430, 2500, 2610}.

Sample made in 1100 m Infinity Hearts Orchid, 100% bamboo viscose, 185 m per 50 g ball, color 16; the body made using the first 44 rows of the skirt.

Note: In my sample, the back has no lace to show how that would look like. I recommend you either make both sides with lace or both sides without, as there is a length difference between the lace fabric and the plain fabric.