By Melissa Mall

Model: Melissa Mall
Photos: ‘Max’ and ‘Charlie’

When I went out shopping for a new shirt last month, I was surprised by one of a peculiar shape. It looked like a circle skirt, with a seam halfway up each side to form separate sections for the body and arms. I was intrigued – the whole seemed flowing and light and summery, but when I tried it on I realized that there was absolutely no waist in the thing! (A major no-no.) Still, the concept seemed like it could work for me . . . with a few modifications, of course.

Made in a summery mesh with a cotton blend – and a waist – the Cilantro Summer Tunic adds major style to an outfit without much extra insulation.

Difficulty: Intermediate

Size: Custom

Materials:

• TLC Cotton Plus [51% Cotton/49% acrylic, 178 yds/163m per 100g/3.5oz skein]; Project shown used approx. 2.5 skeins in Kiwi
• This yarn has been discontinued. A very similar substitution would be Lion Brand Cotton-Ease.
• K/ 10.5 (6.5mm size) hook
• Needle
• 4 Stitch markers or safety pins

Gauge: 3 squares/4 rows = 4″/10cm in dc, ch-3 mesh

Directions:

Rnd 1: Ch 70 (or any even number, to make neck desired size) and join to first ch made to create a loop. Ch 2, dc in first ch of loop, skip 1 ch. *Dc in next ch, ch 1, sk 1 ch. Repeat from * around; join rnd.

Rnd 2: Ch 2. *Dc in dc of previous row, ch 2, skip ch-sp. Repeat from * around; join rnd.

Rnd 3: Ch 2. *Dc in dc of previous row, ch 3, skip ch-sp. Repeat from * around; join rnd.

Rnd 4: Ch 2. *Dc in dc of previous row, ch 4, skip ch-sp. Repeat from * around; join rnd.

Rnd 5: Ch 2. *Dc in dc of previous row, ch 5, skip ch-sp. Repeat from * around; join rnd.

Rnd 6: Ch 2. *Dc in dc of previous row, ch 1, (dc, ch 1, dc) in ch-sp, ch 1. Repeat from * around; join rnd.

Rnd 7-8: Ch 2. *Dc in dc of previous row, ch 2, skip ch-sp. Repeat from * around; join rnd.

Rnd 9: Ch 2. *Dc in dc of previous row, ch 3, skip ch-sp. Repeat from * around; join rnd.

Repeat Round 9 until sleeves reach the desired length and you are ready to create the waist. Center the double ch/dc “seam” in the front and mark off the width of the waist on front left and right and back left and right with stitch markers. (Be sure to place markers in a dc and not in chains.)

Waist:

Rnd 1: Ch 2. *Dc in dc of previous row, ch 3, skip ch-sp. Repeat from * to marker, ending with a dc in dc of previous row. Skip all stitches to next marker and dc in marked dc (first sleeve made). **Ch 3, sk ch-sp, dc in dc of previous row. Repeat from ** across to marker. Skip all stitches to next marker and dc in marked dc (second sleeve made). Ch 3, sk ch-sp. ***Dc in dc of previous row, ch 3, skip ch-sp. Repeat from *** across to beginning of round; join rnd.

Now is a good time to try on your tunic so that if you need to adjust the size of the waist opening you only have to rip out one row.

Rnd 2: Ch 2, (dc in dc from previous row, ch 3, skip ch sp) across to side seam; dc in each of the next 2 dc. (Ch 3, skip ch-sp, dc in dc of previous row) across to second side seam; dc in each of the next 2 dc. Ch 3, skip ch-sp. (Dc in dc of previous row, ch 3, skip ch-sp) across to beginning of round; join rnd.

Repeat Round 2 until tunic reaches desired length.

Edging: Ch 2. (Dc in dc of previous row. Ch 1, dc in ch-sp, ch 1) across to side seam; dc in each of the next 2 dc. (Ch 1, dc in ch-sp, ch 1, dc in dc of previous row) across to second side seam. Dc in each of the next 2 dc. Ch 1, dc in ch-sp, ch 1. (Dc in dc of previous row, ch 1, dc in ch-sp, ch 1) across to beginning of rnd. Join rnd, finish off.

To finish, sew up arms along side seams (follow the dc up) until the armholes are the desired depth. Block tunic to open mesh; weave in all ends.

TIP: Round cotton fibers don’t like to be woven into loose fabrics. Try splitting your ends into two different strands and weaving them into your work in opposite directions for finishing that will stay in place discreetly.

About the Designer

Melissa Mall is an at-home mom with four sons seven and under. They have just completed yet another transcontinental move – hopefully it will be their last!!! You can keep up with their ordinary adventures over at her blog, or take a peek at her crochet patterns and tutorials at Inner Child Crochet.

Pattern & images © Melissa Mall. All rights reserved.