Free Crochet Pattern for Spectacular Tunic or Shift Dress

Hello darlings and welcome to a new and long expected blog post. I know a lot of our fans asked for this pattern and also for several ideas so here come the written instructions, ideas and suggestions for one of the most versatile crochet design out there. The design caught my eye when I first started to crochet and I admit I did not have the courage to try it then because the “clover stitch” seemed complicated ...when in fact it is rather simple. A few years ago the fillet designs seemed a bit too much for me but now I must say I find the easier than pie. Why I like this design?

1. It can be made a tunic to wear on the beach but also combined with tights and skinny jeans, or to top a regular slip dress with lace border( romantic boho look)
2. This can be made as a shift dress and worn with a shorter underlining slip dress and a belt. Sleeves cam be made short, medium or long and you can add fringes.
3. You can make it a loose fit V neck lacy top

So let’s see how to make this beautiful tunic. Instructions:

1. Yarn and hook: mercerized cotton ( anything fine to medium works), 2, 5 - 3 mm hook
2. Work in two pieces. Front and back are the same . Front V opening is done by 45 degrees angle decrease.
3. Measure the bottom this way. The circumference of your hips plus 2cm . Divide in two. The result should be the length of the base chain.

Pattern:( chart translation into written instructions)

1. Chain the required length ( multiples of 9)
2. Ch3, 1dc, ch5sk5, 6dc, ch5 sk5, *2dc, ch5sk5, 6dc, ch5 sk5, 2dc*…repeat ** till the end of the row, turn
3. Ch3 ,1dc,ch2,*4dc,ch2,4dc,ch7*,…repeat ** till the end of the row, turn
4. Ch3, 1dc, ch5, 6dc, ch5 , *2dc ch5, 6dc, ch5 sk5, 2dc*…repeat ** till the end of the row, turn

5.Ch3, 3dc, *ch5,2dc, ch5 6dc, ch5 ,2dc*…repeat ** till the end of the row, turn 6. Ch3, 5dc, ch7, *4dc, ch2, 4dc, ch7* …repeat ** till the end of the row, turn 7.Ch3, 3dc, ch5, 2dc, *ch5,6dc,ch5, 2dc*…repeat ** till the end of the row. Repeat sequence 2 to7 until required length.

V opening decrease:
As shown in the chart you start by skipping the 2 spokes in the middle of the front section and turn decreasing one by chaining 3 and skipping 3. The same decrease repeats every other row until one side complete. Repeat the same thing for the other side. This is a basic V neck decrease.
Sleeves: regular mesh
As the sleeve opening is straight the sleeves can be worked in round using the arm opening as a base chain.

Stitch:

1. Ch 3, 1dc , *ch5, 2dc*…repeat**
2. Ch3, ch3 2dc ,*ch 5 2dc*…repeat **

Finish the neckline, the hemline and the sleeve with 3 rows of hdc.
And this is it. Considering that so far I made just one ( mine was a shift dress…I say *was* because I gave it as gift ) all I can say is that you will love this “clover” stitch pattern and you will want to use it for something else too ( I’m thinking : lacy cardigan) Darlings , I hope you like this post and I hope you will do me the favor and share it far and wide for all those in love with this tunic to enjoy and have fun making it.
Looking forward to see you on Facebook, on my Google page and on our Pinterest board to enjoy new and interesting crochet projects and ideas.
Xoxo Eva