Friday, September 21, 2012

Erin top - free pattern!

Here is a Tunisian crochet top I worked out recently.  It couldn't be more simple!  It's just two large rectangles, seamed together on the sides and at the top.

Experience Level:
Beginner +

Measurements:
Finished chest measurements approximately 31” (35”, 39”, 43”, 47”, 51”)
Sizes XS (S, M, L, XL, XXL)

Materials: 
4 (4, 4, 5, 5, 6) balls Plymouth Encore DK, 75% Acrylic, 25% Wool, 50g (1.75 oz)/137m (150 yds), color Christmas Green
5.00mm H Tunisian hook, or hook required to obtain gauge

Gauge: 15 stitches X 16 rows = 4”, in Tunisian reverse stitch.  

Terms:
Ch - chain
ExTks - extended Tunisian knit stitch.  Insert hook knitwise (from front to back, through fabric), pull up loop, ch 1
ExTrs - extended Tunisian reverse stitch.  Insert hook from right to left, through back of stitch, pull up loop, ch 1
Trs - Tunisian reverse stitch
Sl st - slip stitch

Notes:
  • This pattern is written to be worked flat and then seamed.
  • Pattern is written for size XS, with all other sizes noted in ( ).
  • All return rows are completed as normal (ch 1, y/o and pull through two loops for remainder of row).
  • Note that the loop on the hook at the beginning of each row is always the first stitch, and that the last stitch of each row is always tks (or an extended stitch).

Pattern:
Make 2
Ch 56 (65, 71, 79, 86, 94)
Row 1:  Pull up loop in each stitch across.
Rows 2 - 4:  Trs each stitch across. 
Row 5:  Ch 1, ExTrs in each stitch across.
Rows 6 - 8:  Ch 1, ExTks in each stitch across.
Repeat Rows 2 - 8:  7 (7, 8, 8, 9, 9) more times.
Repeat Rows 2 - 4: one more time (all sizes).

Loosely bind off using sl st (as if making a Trs).

Blocking:
Block each rectangle to the following dimensions
XS - 15.5” wide X 21” long
S - 17.5” wide X 21” long
M - 19.5” wide X 22” long
L - 21.5” wide X 22” long
XL - 23.5” wide X 23” long
XL - 25.5” wide X 23” long


Finishing:
With right sides together, seam 11” (11”, 11.5”, 11.5”, 12”, 12”) from bottom hem, up the sides.  Leave remaining fabric unseamed for armhole.
With right sides together, seam 4” (4”, 4.25”, 4.25”. 4.5”, 4.5”) from the top of each rectangle, forming the shoulders.

Turn right side out, and enjoy this simple mesh top, suitable for so many summer occasions!

9 comments:

  1. This pattern is awesome! I also think the color is perfect for the design. Now to bite the bullet and learn Tunisian crochet...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Don't be afraid! Really, it is simple. Once you learn, you are going to wonder why it took so long to take the plunge.

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  2. I'm really new to Tunisian so sorry if this is a silly question,but when you do the extended knit stitch, does the hook go through the stitch below or into the chain space between the stitches?

    Thanks in advance,
    Tanya

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. There is no silly question! You insert the hook knitwise into the stitch below. Knitwise means that you insert the hook from front to back, through the stitch.

      Happy hooking!

      Delete
  3. Ok I am new to this whole "making garments" thing and I needed to know what blocking is. Could you give me some advice?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jessica, I believe that blocking can be summed up as "stretching" more or less, to a proper size that you want your project to be (with-in limits of course).

      This is done on something fairly soft that you can pin your project to as you stretch it to its desired size. You can then heat it with a steam iron by steaming it - NOT actually ironing it with steam - and letting it dry and shape overnight.

      Richard

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    2. Jessica, Richard is absolutely right. Depending on the yarn you used, steaming or wet-blocking (soaking an item, pinning it to desired dimensions, and then letting it dry) will open up the lace in this top.

      Delete
  4. I love your Tunisian crochet patterns,I can't source the hooks any help in Ireland

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi. I bought a set of 10 bamboo hooks with plastic extensions from Amazon. They start small and go up to 10mm. Came from China but very good, smooth easy to use. I'm in the UK.

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