I advise that you read through the pattern and PM me with any questions before you begin, because so far this pattern has had a few mistakes (but I was only 12 when I wrote the pattern!).
SIZE: Shown in Small (but you can easily adjust to your own!)
MATERIALS:
1 skein of Bernat ‘Baby Coordinates’
(6 oz Sport Weight)
Crochet Hook #G-6
GAUGE:
16 HDC = 4”/10cm
NOTES:
The camisole may come out slightly smaller than your actual measurements. It is designed to be that way because the yarn gives it a nice stretch and a better fit. If you are using a heavier yarn or feel your yarn may not stretch as well, you may want to make a size larger. I would recommend using a different yarn, however, i was not satisfied with the yarn that I used. A lighter cotton yarn would work much better.
INSTRUCTIONS:
Pentagons (make 2): CH 8
Row 1: HDC in next 4 chains; 2 HDC in next chain;
HDC in next 2 chains; [2 HDC, 1 CH, 2 HDC] in next chain (you are now going to work in the other side of the chain); HDC in next 2 chains; 2 HDC in next chain; HDC in remaining 4 chains; 2 Ch, turn.
Row 2: HDC in next 5 stitches; 2 HDC in next stitch; HDC in next 3 stitches; [2 HDC, 1 CH, 2 HDC] in next stitch; HDC in next 3 stitches; 2 HDC in next stitch; HDC in remaining 5 stitches; 2 Ch, turn.
Row 3: HDC in next 6 stitches; 2 HDC in next stitch; HDC in next 4 stitches; [2 HDC, 1 CH, 2 HDC] in next stitch; HDC in next 4 stitches; 2 HDC in next stitch; HDC in remaining 6 stitches; 2 Ch, turn.
Basically each row increases each of the 4 sides by 1 stitch. Keep increasing on each row until the bottom measures ¼ of your chest size (or covers half of your chest comfortably). For me, it was 7.5 inches wide, 14 rows. It should turn out to look like a pentagon.
Now you’re going to connect the 2 pentagons with a chain long enough to fit around you (snug but comfortable), going from one upper corner to the upper corner of the other, like this:
/\ /\
/ \________________/ \
| | | |
|____|< < < end > > >|____|
then continue (back and forth in rows) onto the chain with the
shell stitch until the back panel is as long as the sides of the pentagons.
Shell Stitch:
Row 1: 1 SC in 2nd chain from hook; skip 2 stitches, 5 DC in next chain; skip 2 stitches; 1 SC in next chain; continue to end of row.
Row 2: [CH 3; 2 DC] in 1st stitch; skip 2 stitches, 1 SC in the 3rd (middle) stitch of the shell; skip 2 stitches; 5 DC in next stitch; continue to end of row; end last shell as 3 DC in last stitch; turn.
Row 3: CH 1; 1 SC in 1st stitch, skip 2 stitches; 5 DC in next stitch; skip 2 stitches; 1 SC in next stitch; continue to end of row; end last shell as 1 SC in top of turning chain (previous CH 3).
For the rest of the body:
You will do one row of HDC across the backpiece and both of the pentagons to make the whole row go all the way around the shirt. you will have 3 open seams: one is between the 2 pentagons and the other two are between the backpiece and each of the pentagons. (but that you will sew when you are done).
Here is where you will start the
column shell stitch for the body for the rest of the shirt. You can make it as wide as you would like. If you eant the shirt to be straight instead of babydoll-like, ignore doing any increases at all (or just do only a couple of rows of increases). If you want it to be dress-length, follow the directions and keep going with iit. You can make a babydoll dress by continuing the increases or you can stop increasing once your shirt fits your hips.
Column Shell Stitch:
Round 1: Skip 2 stitches; [2 DC, 1 CH, and 2 DC] in next stitch; 2 CH; continue to end of row; SL ST in top of turning chain (previous 3 CH); 3 CH.
SC a row when you’ve reached your desired length to give the bottom hem some shape and stability.
Repeat the column shell stitch for as many rows as you need to make the top as long as you’d like it to be (mine took about 18 rows). I increased every other row until my top was hip length because I was going for a babydoll look. If you are using a yarn that isn’t too lightweight, I suggest you don’t increase as often, maybe every 3, 4 or even 5 rows instead, especially if your hips aren’t much bigger than your waist.
You could also continue regularly and not increase at all (or until you get close to the hips) for a regular fit.
For a babydoll dress, I would increase until the body reaches past the widest part of my hips and then continue normally.
For a more fitting dress, I would not increase until I reached the hips, then continue without increases for a straight dress or continue to increase for an A-line dress.
For any version you make, you may want to sew a simple lining because the body of this top is very open and breezy. I did not because I was comfortable enough to wear it as is. When I did not want to wear it like that I wore another tank top under it.
For the straps, I made a chain of about 20-25 stitches; SC the middle half of the back; made another 20-25 CH; then did a shell stitch edging on the front middle. You can make your straps any way you would like to, and to be honest, I don’t recommend the method I used because it was uncomfortable.
~ Tatyana Janessa
