KEEPSAKE COTTON CROCHET SHIRT

Instructions

Reference the downloadable project sheet for project pattern diagrams.

Abbreviations / Special Stitches

ch = chain

ch-sp = chain-space

dc = double crochet

lp/s = loop/s

Rnd = Round

RS = right side

sk = skip

slst = slip stitch

st/s = stitch/es

tr = treble crochet.

Note: Garment shape has 6 corners, won't sit flat while working, but forms a right-angle shape when folded to make the side insert.

Instructions in UK Crochet Terms.

Body & Sleeve Insert - Make 2

Using 4mm hook, make 40ch.

1st Row - 1dc in the second ch from the hook, 1dc in each ch to the end. 1ch, slst in the first ch at the end of the row. Do not turn.

Change to Rounds by working in the other side of the foundation ch.

1st Rnd (RS) - 5ch (counts as 1tr & 2ch), 3tr in the first ch, *sk 3 ch, 1ch, 3tr in the next ch, repeat from * to the end of the foundation ch, 2ch, 3tr in the same st as the last set of 3 worked, 2ch, 3tr in the starting ch at the beginning of the 1st row. Working around to the dc of the first row, (2ch, 3tr) twice in the first dc, **sk 3 dc, 1ch, 3tr in the next dc, repeat from ** to the end of the row, ensuring sets of 3 are opposite the set on the first side. 2ch, 2tr in the end ch, slst into the 5 ch-sp at the beginning of the round. Fasten off MC. (24 sets of 3 tr. 2ch spaces will become the corners, 1ch spaces the straight edges).

2nd Rnd - Using Col1, draw up a loop, in the 2ch-sp (same space the last round was fastened off), 5ch (counts as 1tr & 2ch), 3tr in same ch-sp,

*1ch, 3tr in next ch-sp, repeat from * 8 more times. 1ch, (3tr 2ch 3tr, 1ch) in next 4, 2ch sps,

**3tr in next ch-sp, 1ch, repeat from ** 8 more times, (3tr 2ch 3tr, 1ch) in next 2ch sp, 2tr in next 2 ch-sp (beginning of round), slst in 5-ch-sp at the start of the round. Fasten off Col1.

3rd Rnd - Using MC, draw up a loop, in the 2ch-sp (same space the last round was fastened off),

5ch (counts as 1tr & 2ch), 3tr in same ch-sp,

*1ch, 3tr in next ch-sp, repeat from * 9 more times.

**1ch, (3tr, 2ch, 3tr, 1ch) in next 2ch-sp, 3tr in the next 1 ch space, repeat from ** 3 more times.

***1ch, 3tr in next ch-sp, repeat from *** 8 more times.

1ch, (3tr, 2ch, 3tr, 1ch) in next 2ch-sp, 3tr in the next 1ch-sp,

1ch, 2tr in next 2 ch-sp (beginning of round), slst in 5-ch-sp at the start of the round. Fasten off MC.

4th Rnd - Using Col2, draw up a loop, in the 2ch-sp (same space the last round was fastened off),

5ch (counts as 1tr & 2ch), 3tr in same ch-sp,

*1ch, 3tr in next ch-sp, repeat from * 10 more times.

1ch, **(3tr, 2ch, 3tr, 1ch) in next 2ch-sp, (3tr, 1ch) in the next 2, 1ch spaces, repeat from ** 3 more times.

***3tr in next ch-sp, 1ch, repeat from *** 8 more times.

(3tr, 2ch, 3tr, 1ch) in next 2ch-sp, 1ch, 3tr in the next 2, 1ch spaces,

1ch, 2tr in next 2 ch-sp (beginning of round), slst in 5-ch loop at the start of the round. Fasten off Col2.

5th Rnd - Using MC, draw up a loop, in the 2ch-sp (same space the last round was fastened off),

5ch (counts as 1tr & 2ch), 3tr in same ch-sp,

*1ch, 3tr in next ch-sp, repeat from * 11 more times.

1ch, **(3tr 2ch 3tr, 1ch) in next 2ch-sp, (3tr, 1ch) in the next 3, 1ch spaces, repeat from ** 3 more times.

***3tr in next ch-sp, 1ch, repeat from *** 8 more times.

(3tr 2ch 3tr, 1ch) in next 2ch-sp, 1ch, 3tr in the next 3, 1ch spaces,

1ch, 2tr in next 2 ch-sp (beginning of round), slst in 5-ch loop at the start of the round. Fasten off MC.

6th Rnd - Using MC, draw up a loop, in the 2ch-sp (same space the last round was fastened off),

5ch (counts as 1tr & 2ch), 3tr in same ch-sp,

*1ch, 3tr in next ch-sp, repeat from * 12 more times.

1ch, **(3tr 2ch 3tr, 1ch) in next 2ch sp, (3tr, 1ch) in the next 4, 1ch spaces, repeat from ** 3 more times.

***3tr in next ch-sp, 1ch, repeat from *** 8 more times.

(3tr 2ch 3tr, 1ch) in next 2ch sp, 1ch, 3tr in the next 4, 1ch spaces,

1ch 2tr in next 2 ch-sp (beginning of round), slst in 5-ch loop at the start of the round. Fasten off Col1.

Pattern is now established, with 6 corners, 2 at the lower(start) and 4 at the top edges (these folds to make the sleeve section. Continue to alternate Col1 and Col2, spaced with the main colour. Work a total of 15 rnds, work 0(1, 2, 3) more rounds in MC. Insert panel now complete. DO NOT BREAK YARN.

Note: Garment is now completed in rows, with right and wrong side rows.

To understand the garment construction, the 6 corners of each panel will fold to make the 2 halves of the garment. Key starting and end points are labelled for the next steps.

Right Front -

Using 1 panel, continue in MC and work as follows:

1st Row - (A - this starting point is the lower front opening) 3ch, 2tr in same ch-sp, (1ch, 3tr) in the next 23(24-25-26) 1ch-sps, (1ch, 3tr, 2ch, 3tr) in the next 2ch-sp corner, (1ch, 3tr) in the next 14(15-16-17) 1 ch-sps, 1ch 3tr in the next 2ch-sp, turn. (B - the end of this row is the top edge of the right sleeve)

2nd Row - 5ch, (3tr, 1ch) in the next 15(16-17-18) 1 ch-sps, (1ch, 3tr, 2ch, 3tr) in the next 2ch-sp corner, (1ch, 3tr) in the next 24(25-26-27) 1 ch-sps, 1ch, 1tr in the top of the 3ch on the last row.

Repeat the last 2 rows increasing the count along each side to the ends and corners, 2 more times.

Front Neck Shaping - Right Front Opening

1st Row -3ch, 2tr in same ch-sp, (1ch, 3tr) in the next 25(26-27-28) 1ch-sps, 1ch, 1tr, in the next 2ch-sp (corner), turn.

2nd Row - 4ch, (3tr, 1ch) in the next 25(26-27-28), 1ch, 1tr in the top of the 3ch on the last row, turn.

3rd Row -3ch, 2tr in same ch-sp, (1ch, 3tr) in the next 24(25-26-27) 1ch-sps, 1ch, 1tr, in the 4ch-sp. Fasten off.

Front Neck Shaping - Right Front Sleeve top.

1st Row -Using MC draw up a loop in the first 1ch-sp after the 2 ch-sp at the corner (point I) 4ch, (3tr, 1ch) in the next 16(17-18-19) ch-sps, turn.

2nd Row - 4ch, (3tr, 1ch) in the next 14(15-16-17), 1ch, 1tr in next 1 ch-sp. Fasten off.

Right Back

1st Row - With the right side facing, draw up a loop in the 2 ch-sp off point C - (Right Sleeve top edge), 3ch, 2tr in same ch-sp, (1ch, 3tr) in the next 14(15-16-17) 1ch-sps, (1ch, 3tr, 2ch, 3tr) in the next 2ch-sp corner, (1ch, 3tr) in the next 23(24-25-26) 1 ch-sps, 1ch 3tr in the next 2ch-sp, turn. (the end of this row is point D)

2nd Row - 5ch, (3tr, 1ch) in the next 24(25-26-27) 1 ch-sps, (1ch, 3tr, 2ch, 3tr) in the next 2ch-sp corner, (1ch, 3tr) in the next 15(16-17-18) 1 ch-sps, 1ch, 1tr in the top of the 3ch on the last row.

Repeat the last 2 rows increasing the count along each side to the ends and corners, 4 more times. Fasten off.

Left Back - Using the second panel, continue in MC and work as follows:

1st Row - (This will be on point E) - 3ch, 2tr in same ch-sp, (1ch, 3tr) in the next 23(24-25-26) 1ch-sps, (1ch, 3tr, 2ch, 3tr) in the next 2ch-sp corner, (1ch, 3tr) in the next 14(15-16-17) 1 ch-sps, 1ch 3tr in the next 2ch-sp, turn. (the end of this row will be point F)

2nd Row - 5ch, (3tr, 1ch) in the next 15(16-17-18) 1 ch-sps, (1ch, 3tr, 2ch, 3tr) in the next 2ch-sp corner, (1ch, 3tr) in the next 24(25-26-27) 1 ch-sps, 1ch, 1tr in the top of the 3ch on the last row.

Repeat the last 2 rows increasing the count along each side to the ends and corners, 4 more times. Fasten off.

Left Front

1st Row - With the right side facing, draw up a loop in the 2 ch-sp at point G - Left Sleeve top edge, 3ch, 2tr in same ch-sp, (1ch, 3tr) in the next 14(15-16-17) 1ch-sps, (1ch, 3tr, 2ch, 3tr) in the next 2ch-sp corner, (1ch, 3tr) in the next 23(24-25-26) 1 ch-sps, 1ch 3tr in the next 2ch-sp, turn. (the end of this row is point H)

2nd Row - 5ch, (3tr, 1ch) in the next 24(25-26-27) 1 ch-sps, (1ch, 3tr, 2ch, 3tr) in the next 2ch-sp corner, (1ch, 3tr) in the next 15(16-17-18) 1 ch-sps, 1ch, 1tr in the top of the 3ch on the last row.

Repeat the last 2 rows increasing the count along each side to the ends and corners, 2 more times.

Front Neck Shaping - Right Front Sleeve top.

1st Row -3ch, 2tr in same ch-sp, (1ch, 3tr) in the next 15(16-17-18) 1ch-sps, 1ch, 1tr, next 1ch-sp corner, turn.

2nd Row - Slst in the top of the next 3 sts, slst in the next 1 ch-sp, 4ch, (3tr, 1ch) in the next 14(15-16-17), 1ch, 1tr in the top of the 3ch on the last row. Fasten off.

Front Neck Shaping - Left Front Opening

1st Row -Using MC draw up a loop in the first 2ch-sp after the 2 ch-sp at the corner (point J) 4ch, (3tr, 1ch) in the next 25(26-27-28) 1ch-sps, 3tr in the last 5 ch-sp, turn.

2nd Row - 4ch, (3tr, 1ch) in the next 25(26-27-28), 1ch, 1tr in next 1 ch-sp, turn.

2nd Row - 4ch, (3tr, 1ch) in the next 24(25-26-27), 1ch-sps, 3tr in the last 5 ch-sp. Fasten off.

Finishing

1st Step - Fold each piece to form a right angle-shape, and to mirror each side. The top of the half forms the shoulder seams, with the two pieces joined along an edge to form the centre back.

2nd Step - Centre Back: starting at the hem line of the centre back, draw up a loop in 1st st of the front, and the 1st st of the back. 1ch, 1dc in same loops, join the centre backs of the pieces working 1dc in each stitch through both sides, to the end. Fasten Off.

3rd Step - Shoulder seams: With right sides facing, join the seams in the same way as the back seam. Fasten off both.

4th Step - Collar

1st Row - With the right sides facing, draw up a loop in the 1ch 1tr space on the second last row of the right front opening. 5ch, (1ch, 3tr) in the next 5 ch-sps along the right front, 1ch, 2(2-3-)tr in the space before the sleeve seam, 0(0-1-1) ch, 2(2-3-3)tr in the space after the sleeve seam, (1ch 3tr) in the next 3 ch-sps along the right back, 1ch, 2tr in the space before the back seam, 2tr in the space after the sleeve seam, (1ch 3tr) in the next 3 ch-sps along the left back, 1ch, 2(2-3-3)tr in the space before the sleeve seam, 0(0-1-1)ch, 2(2-3-3)tr in the space after the sleeve seam, (1ch 3tr) in the next 5 ch-sps along the left front 1ch, 1tr in the next ch-sp. Turn

2nd Row - 3ch, 2tr in the same space, (1ch, 3tr) in each 1ch-sp to the end, 3tr in the last 5ch-sp. Turn.

3rd Row - 5ch, (1ch, 3tr) in each 1ch-sp to the end, 1ch 1tr in the top of the 3^rd ch of the last row. Turn.

Repeat the last 2 rows, then the 2nd Row once more. Fasten off.

5th Step - Edging

Using MC, draw up a loop at centre back seam, 1ch, *1dc in each st to the corner, (1dc, 1ch, 1dc) in the corner st, repeat from * around the edge, to finish at the centre back seam. Slst in the first dc. Fasten off.

Finishing

Weave in all loose ends and sew buttons evenly spaced along left front opening, to line up with the natural holes of the pattern to fasten.

Optional: Make I-Cords or use Ribbons approx. 70cm long x 2 for sleeve opening gather. Thread through patt as desired and tie.