Unlike what is normally seen in Tunisian crochet, Elisa includes a unique lace stitch pattern.
Worked in cool cotton for strength and comfort, it can be worn throughout the year with layering. Minimal seaming makes this top as quick to stitch as it is flattering to wear.
Pattern includes written instructions, finished garment schematics and a lace stitch diagram/chart.
Elisa Sleeveless Top
designed by Kim Guzman © Feb. 2013
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Technique: Tunisian Crochet
Finished Sizes
Extra-Small (Small, Medium, Large, 1X, 2X, 3X)
To Fit Bust Sizes
Up to 29” (33”, 37”, 41”, 45”, 49”, 53”) depending on desired ease (Measure at the widest part of the bust. Do not use bra size.)
Materials
- Tahki Yarns Cotton Classic Lite, 146 yds per 50g: 4 (5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10) hanks
- Size 6.5mm [US K-10 ½] 14” afghan hook (afghan hook with nylon extension useful due to width of project)
- Size 4mm [US G-6] regular crochet hook
- 4 (4, 4, 4, 4, 4, 4) size 3/4” round buttons
- Split ring stitch markers (or small contrasting pieces of yarn)
- Yarn needle
Blocked Gauge
With afghan hook, 14 tks for 16 rows measures approx 4” square.
Pattern Note
Due to the natural effects of gravity and fiber content, this garment lengthens when worn. Natural fibers recommended.
Prior to blocking, bust width may be considerably wider across and length may be considerably shorter. Garment intended for natural fibers which will reduce in width and lengthen from both blocking and gravity when worn.
Pattern has been written to take the natural properties of the fiber into account. Schematic indicates approximate after-blocking measurements.
Larger sizes may grow in length even more due to the weight of the finished garment. The pattern has very little fluctuation in the armhole height to keep the garment in proportion.
Special Stitches
Tunisian Knit Stitch (tks): Insert hook between front and back vertical bars of the same st, coming out at back of work, yo, pull lp through.
Left Leaning Decrease (LDec): Insert hook between front and back vertical bars, of two sts at the same time, coming out at back of work, yo, pull lp through.
Right Leaning Decrease (RDec): Sk 1 st, insert hook as though to do a tks in next st. Before coming out at back of work, pull the front vertical bar with the hook until it is even with the skipped st. Cont with tks, working through both sts at the same time, yo, pull lp through.
All Stitches Above Demonstrated in the Same Video: Right-Handed Video | Left Handed Video
Additional Abbreviations
approx=approximately; beg=beginning; ch=chain; cont=continue; lp(s)=loop(s); mm=millimeter; RS=right side; rem=remaining; rep=repeat; rnd=round; sc=single crochet; sk=skip(ped); sl=slip; sp(s)=space(s); st(s)=stitch(es); yds=yards; yo=yarn over
Instructions
Garment is made in one piece, starting at hem, then divided and worked separately at the armholes, seaming only at the back of the shoulders.
Skirting (Symbol Chart Below)
Row 1:
A. With afghan hook, ch 105 (111, 123, 141, 153, 177, 189), insert hook in 2nd ch from hook, yo, pull lp through, [insert hook in next ch, yo, pull lp through] across—105 (111, 123, 141, 153, 177, 189) lps on hook.
B. Ch 1, [yo, pull through 2 lps] twice, [ch 1, yo, pull through 4 lps, ch 1, (yo, pull through 2 lps) 3 times] across.
Row 2:
A. Sk first vertical bar, tks in next 2 sts, [insert hook in horizontal bar above 3 joined sts, yo, pull lp through, tks in next 3 sts] across.
B. Ch 1, [yo, pull through 2 lps] twice, [ch 1, yo, pull through 2 lps, ch 1, (yo, pull through 2 lps) 3 times] across.
Row 3:
A. Sk first vertical bar, tks in next 2 sts, [insert hook in ch-1 sp, yo, pull lp through, tks in next st, insert hook in ch-1 sp, yo, pull lp through, tks in next 3 sts] across.
B. Ch 1, [yo, pull through 2 lps] twice, [ch 1, yo, pull through 4 lps, ch 1, (yo, pull through 2 lps) 3 times] across.
Rep rows 2-3 for pattern until 20 (22, 24, 24, 26, 26, 28) rows have been completed from beg, ending with a row 2 of stitch pattern.
Bodice
Pattern Note: For all rows of Bodice, close normally as follows: Ch 1, [yo, pull through 2 lps] across.
Row 1: With afghan hook, sk first vertical bar, tks in next 2 sts, [insert hook in ch-1 sp, yo, pull lp through, tks in next st, insert hook in ch-1 sp, yo, pull lp through, tks in next 3 sts] across.—105 (111, 123, 141, 153, 177, 189) lps on hook. Close normally.
For sizes 1X, 2X and 3X only: Mark 4 (8, 8) sts evenly across, sk first vertical bar, tks across, except work LDec at each marked position—149 (169, 181) lps on hook. Close normally. Cont to Next Row.
Next Row (for all sizes): Sk first vertical bar, tks across. Close normally.
Rep previous row until 22 (22, 22, 22, 22, 22, 22) rows have been completed for Bodice.
First Front
Row 1: Sk first vertical bar, tks in next 22 (23, 25, 31, 33, 38, 40) sts, leaving rem sts unworked—23 (24, 26, 32, 34, 39, 41) sts. Close normally.
Row 2: Sk first vertical bar, tks across to last 3 sts, RDec across 2 sts, tks in last st—22 (23, 25, 31, 33, 38, 40) sts. Close normally.
Rep previous row 3 (4, 3, 5, 6, 8, 10) times more. On final row, 19 (19, 22, 26, 27, 30, 30) sts.
Next row (for all sizes except 3X): Sk first vertical bar, tks across. Close normally.
For all sizes except 3X: Rep previous row 4 (5, 4, 4, 5, 1) times more.
Next row (for all sizes): Sk first vertical bar, working as for tks, sl st across next 10 (10, 9, 13, 12, 15, 13) sts, 1 lp now on hook, sk first vertical bar, LDec across 2 sts, tks across—8 (8, 12, 12, 14, 14, 16) sts. Close normally.
Next row: Sk first vertical bar, LDec across 2 sts, tks across—7 (7, 11, 11, 13, 13, 15) sts. Close normally.
Rep previous row 1 (1, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3) times more. On final row, 6 (6, 8, 8, 10, 10, 12) sts.
Next row: Sk first vertical bar, tks across. Close normally.
Rep previous row 11 (11, 11, 11, 11, 13, 13) times more.
Last row: Sk first vertical bar, working as for tks, sl st across. Fasten off.
Back
Row 1: On unworked sts from row 22 (22, 22, 22, 22, 22, 22) of Bodice, join yarn with sl st to first unworked st, ch 1 (counts as first lp), sk first vertical bar, working as for tks, sl st across 6 (6, 8, 8, 8, 10, 12) sts, 1 lp now on hook, sk first vertical bar, tks in next 46 (50, 54, 60, 64, 70, 74) sts, leaving rem sts unworked—47 (51, 55, 61, 65, 71, 75) sts. Close normally.
Row 2: Sk first vertical bar, LDec across 2 sts, tks across to last 3 sts, RDec across 2 sts, tks in last st—45 (49, 53, 59, 63, 69, 73) sts. Close normally.
Rep previous row 2 (3, 2, 4, 5, 7, 9) times more. On final row, 41 (43, 49, 51, 53, 55, 55) sts.
Next row: Sk first vertical bar, tks across. Close normally.
Rep previous row 17 (18, 19, 19, 20, 18, 16) times more.
Last row: Sk first vertical bar, working as for tks, sl st across. Fasten off.
Second Front
Row 1: On unworked sts from row 22 (22, 22, 22, 22, 22, 22) of Bodice, join yarn with sl st to first unworked st, ch 1 (counts as first lp), sk first vertical bar, working as for tks, sl st across 6 (6, 8, 8, 8, 10, 12) sts, 1 lp now on hook, sk first vertical bar, tks across—23 (24, 26, 32, 34, 39, 41) sts. Close normally.
Row 2: Sk first vertical bar, LDec across 2 sts, tks across—22 (23, 25, 31, 33, 38, 40) sts. Close normally.
Rep previous row 3 (4, 3, 5, 6, 8, 10) times more. On final row, 19 (19, 22, 26, 27, 30, 30) sts.
Next row (for all sizes except 3X): Sk first vertical bar, tks across. Close normally.
For all sizes except 3X: Rep previous row 4 (5, 4, 4, 5, 1) times more.
Next row (for all sizes): Sk first vertical bar, 7 (7, 11, 11, 13, 13, 15) tks, Rdec—9 (9, 13, 13, 15, 15, 17) lps now on hook, working as for tks, sl st across, fasten off, 8 (8, 12, 12, 14, 14, 16) lps rem on hook. With new strand of yarn, close normally.
Next row: Sk first vertical bar, tks to last 3 sts, RDec across 2 sts, tks in last st—7 (7, 11, 11, 13, 13, 15) sts. Close normally.
Rep previous row 1 (1, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3) times more. On final row, 6 (6, 8, 8, 10, 10, 12) sts.
Next row: Sk first vertical bar, tks across. Close normally.
Rep previous row 11 (11, 11, 11, 11, 13, 13) times more.
Last row: Sk first vertical bar, working as for tks, sl st across. Fasten off.
Blocking
Blocking is suggested prior to seaming or adding trim. Completely immerse garment in cool water. Gently squeeze out water. Roll in dry towel to remove excess water. Lie flat, shape, smoothing vertically slightly to simulate the natural lengthening effects of gravity and allow to dry completely. Do not move until completely dry. Use schematic below as a guide to meet proper measurements during blocking.
Seaming
With yarn needle, seam top of Fronts to Back, matching stitch for stitch.
Right Front Button Band
Row 1 (RS): With regular crochet hook, with RS facing, join yarn with sl st to beg working along inner edge, ch 1, sc evenly along inner edge, turn. (Make note of total number of sts made.)
Row 2: With stitch markers or small pieces of yarn, mark 4 (4, 4, 4, 4, 4, 4) buttonhole positions using photo as a guide, ch 1, sc across, except at buttonhole positions, [ch 1, sk 1 sc], turn.
Row 3: Ch 1, sc in each sc and ch-1 sp across. Fasten off.
Left Front Button Band
Row 1 (RS): With regular crochet hook, with RS facing, join yarn with sl st to beg working along opposite inner edge, ch 1, sc across (ensuring that you are completing the same number as the prior button band), turn.
Rows 2-3: Ch 1, sc across. Fasten off after final row.
Neck Trim
With regular crochet hook, with RS facing, join yarn with sl st to beg working around neck (including the side edges of button band rows), ch 1, sc evenly from front of neck, around back of neck, and along opposite front of neck. Fasten off.
Armhole Trim
With regular crochet hook, with RS facing, join yarn with sl st at bottom of armhole, ch 1, sc evenly around armhole, sl st to first sc. Fasten off.
Rep Armhole Trim for opposite armhole.
Finishing
Block again, if necessary. Attach buttons adjacent to buttonholes. Weave in all ends carefully.
Schematic Measurements (Click to Enlarge)
These are suggested measurements and should be used as a guide when blocking. These measurements are without trim or button band. Note that the height of the fronts is taller than the back. This is intentional. The seaming is actually at the back of the shoulder rather than the top of the shoulder.
Symbol Chart (Click to Enlarge)
