Empire Waist Crocheted Tunic

This colorful crochet tunic pattern from Caron Yarns is beautiful on any body type.  Made with beads and simple crochet stitches, this top is easy to make and perfect for wearing out with your friends.  For those who are new to crochet or who are looking for a bit of a challenge, this is a great pattern to help you get started. 

Materials:

• US G-6 (4 mm) crochet hook, or size to obtain gauge
• 28 (28, 30, 30, 32) bicone crystal beads, black diamond—6mm
• 14 (14, 15, 15, 16) double cone foil beads, rose garnet—11 x 20mm
• 14 (14, 15, 15, 16) faceted briolette beads, rose garnet—8 x 16mm
• 18 (21, 21, 23, 27) oz Caron International's Simply Soft Shadows Yarn (100% Acrylic, 3oz/85g, 150yds/137m) (A)
• 6 (6, 12, 12, 12) oz Caron International's Simply Soft Yarn (100% acrylic; 6 oz/170 g, 315 yds/288 m skein) (B)
• Embroidery needle
• Yarn needle
• Beading needle
• Beading thread
• Split-ring stitch markers or scrap yarn
• Tracing paper
• Pins
• Embroidery floss
• Pattern

Gauge:  In double crochet, 14 sts and 8 rows = 4"/10cm; In single crochet, 14 sts and 20 rows = 4"/10cm.

Special Terms:

• dc2tog: Double crochet 2 together—[Yarn over, insert hook in next st and draw up a loop, yarn over and draw through 2 loops] twice, yarn over and draw through all 3 loops on hook.
• sc2tog: Single crochet 2 together—Insert hook in next stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop, (2 loops on hook), insert hook in next stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop, yarn over and draw through all 3 loops on hook.
• Embroidery Stitch:  Stem stitch

Instructions:
Sizes:  S (M, L, XL, XXL)

Back

Lower Band

1. With B, ch 75 (81, 87, 93, 99)
    
2. Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across, turn—74 (80, 86, 92, 98) sc.
    
3. Row 2: Ch 1, sc in each sc across, turn.
    
4. Repeat last row until piece measures 2 (2, 2, 2 1/4, 2 1/4)"/5 (5, 5, 5.5, 5.5)cm from beginning, end with a WS row.

Body

1. Change to A.
    
2. Row 1 (RS): Ch 3 (counts as dc here and throughout), dc2tog, dc in each st across to last 3 sts, dc2tog, dc in last st, turn—72 (78, 84, 90, 96) dc.
    
3. Row 2: Ch 3, dc in each st across, turn.
    
4. Repeat last 2 rows 7 (7, 8, 7, 8) more times—58 (64, 68, 76, 80) dc.
    
5. Repeat Row 2 until piece measures 12 (12 1/2, 12 1/2, 13, 13)" from beginning, end with a WS row.
    
6. Next Row (RS): Ch 3, 2 dc in next st, dc in each st across to last 2 sts, 2 dc in next st, dc in last st, turn—60 (66, 70, 78, 82) dc.
    
7. Next Row: Ch 3, dc in each st across, turn.
    
8. Repeat last 2 rows 2 more times—64 (70, 74, 82, 86) dc.

Contrasting Band

1. Change to B.
    
2. Next Row (RS): Ch 1, sc in each st across, turn.
    
3. Repeat last row 4 (4, 4, 5, 5) more times.
    
4. Next Row: Ch 1, sc in first st, 2 sc in next st, sc in each st across to last 2 sts, 2 sc in next st, sc in last st, turn—66 (72, 76, 84, 88) sc.
    
5. Next Row: Ch 1, sc in each st across, turn.
    
6. Repeat last row until piece measures 17 (17, 17, 18, 18)"/43 (43, 43, 45.5, 45.5)cm from beginning, end with a WS row.
    
7. Change to A.
    
8. Next Row (RS): Ch 3, 2 dc in next st, dc in each st across to last 2 sts, 2 dc in next st, dc in last st, turn—68 (74, 78, 86, 90) dc.
    
9. Next Row: Ch 3, dc in each st across, turn.
    
10. Repeat last 2 rows 1 (1, 2, 1, 1) more time(s)—70 (76, 82, 88, 92) dc.
     
11. Next Row: Ch 3, dc in each st across, turn.
     
12. Repeat last row until piece measures 20 (20, 21, 22, 22)"/51 (53.5, 53.5, 56, 56)cm from beginning, end with a WS row.

Shape Armholes

1. Row 1 (RS): Sk first st, sl st in next 3 (3, 4, 4, 4) sts, ch 3 (counts as dc with base at last sl st made), dc in each st across to last 3 (3, 4, 4, 4) sts, turn; leave remaining sts unworked—64 (70, 74, 80, 84) sts.
    
2. Row 2: Sk first st, sl st in next 2 (3, 3, 3, 4) sts, ch 3 (counts as dc with base at last sl st made), dc in each st across to last 2 (3, 3, 3, 4) sts, turn; leave remaining sts unworked—60 (64, 68, 74, 76) sts.
    
3. Row 3: Ch 3, dc2tog, dc in each st across to last 3 sts, dc2tog, dc in last st, turn—58 (62, 66, 72, 74) sts.
    
4. Rows 4–6 (6, 7, 7, 7): Repeat last row 3 (3, 4, 4, 4) more times—52 (56, 58, 64, 66) sts.

Sizes M (L, 1X, 2X) Only

1. Next Row: Ch 3, dc in each st across, turn.
    
2. Next Row: Repeat Row 3—54 (56, 62, 64) sts.
    
3. Repeat last 2 rows 0 (0, 1, 1) more time(s)—54 (56, 60, 62) sts.

All Sizes

1. Next Row: Ch 3, dc in each st across, turn.
    
2. Repeat last row until armhole measures 6 (6 1/2, 7, 7 1/2, 8)"/15 (16.5, 18, 19, 20.5)cm, end with a WS row.
    
3. Place marker on each side of center 12 (14, 16, 16, 18) sts for neck.

Shape Neck and First Shoulder

1. Row 1 (RS): Ch 3, dc in each st to first marker, turn; leave remaining sts unworked for neck and 2nd shoulder—20 (20, 20, 22, 22) sts.
    
2. Row 2: Sk first st, sl st in next 4 sts, ch 3 (counts as dc with base at last sl st made), dc in each st across, turn—16 (16, 16, 18, 18) sts.
    
3. Row 3: Ch 3, dc in next 11 (11, 11, 13, 13) sts, turn; leave remaining sts unworked—12 (12, 12, 14, 14) dc.
    
4. Row 4: Ch 3, dc in each st across, turn.
    
5. Repeat last row until armhole measures 8 (8 1/2, 9, 9 1/2, 10)"/20.5 (21.5, 23, 24, 25.5)cm, end with a WS row.
    
6. Next Row (RS): Sk first st, sl st in next 4 (4, 4, 5, 5) sts, ch 3 (counts as dc with base at last sl st made), dc in each st across, turn—8 (8, 8, 9, 9) sts.
    
7. Next Row: Ch 3, dc in next 3 sts, turn; leave remaining sts unworked—4 dc.
    
8. Fasten off.

Shape Neck and Second Shoulder

1. With RS facing, join A at second marker, leaving center 12 (14, 16, 16, 18) sts unworked for neck.
    
2. Row 1 (RS): Ch 3, dc in each st across—20 (20, 20, 22, 22) sts.
    
3. Row 2: Ch 3, dc in next 15 (15, 15, 17, 17) sts, turn; leave remaining sts unworked—16 (16, 16, 18, 18) sts.
    
4. Row 3: Sk first st, sl st in next 4 sts, ch 3 (counts as dc with base at last sl st made), dc in each st across, turn—12 (12, 12, 14, 14) dc.
    
5. Row 4: Ch 3, dc in each st across, turn.
    
6. Repeat last row until armhole measures 8 (8 1/2, 9, 9 1/2, 10)"/20.5 (21.5, 23, 24, 25.5)cm, end with a WS row.
    
7. Next Row (RS): Ch 3, dc in next 7 (7, 7, 8, 8) sts, turn; leave remaining sts unworked—8 (8, 8, 9, 9) sts.
    
8. Next Row: Sk first st, sl st in next 4 (4, 4, 5, 5) sts, ch 3 (counts as dc with base at last sl st made), dc in each st across, turn—4 dc.
    
9. Fasten off.

Front

1. Work same as back until contrasting band is complete. Piece should measure 17 (17, 17, 18, 18)"/43 (43, 43, 45.5, 45.5)cm from beginning, end with a WS row—66 (72, 76, 84, 88) sc.
    
2. Place marker each side of center 8 (10, 10, 12, 12) sts.

Shape Neck and First Shoulder

1. Change to A.
    
2. Row 1 (RS): Ch 3, 2 dc in next st, dc in each st to first marker, turn; leave remaining sts unworked for neck and 2nd shoulder and armhole—30 (32, 34, 37, 39) sts.
    
3. Row 2: Ch 3, dc2tog, dc in each st across, turn—29 (31, 33, 36, 38) sts.
    
4. Row 3: Ch 3, 2 dc in next st, dc in each st across—30 (32, 34, 37, 39) sts.
    
5. Repeat last 2 rows 0 (0, 1, 0, 0) more time(s).
    
6. Next Row (WS): Repeat Row 2—29 (31, 33, 36, 38) sts.

Sizes 1X (2X) Only

1. Next Row: Ch 3, dc in each st across.
    
2. Next Row (WS): Ch 3, dc2tog, dc in each st across, turn—35 (37) sts.

Armhole
All Sizes

1. Row 1 (RS): Sk first st, sl st in next 3 (3, 4, 4, 4) sts, ch 3 (counts as dc with base at last sl st made), dc in each st across, turn—26 (28, 29, 31, 33) sts.
    
2. Row 2: Ch 3, dc2tog, dc in each st across to last 2 (3, 3, 3, 4) sts, turn; leave remaining sts unworked—23 (24, 25, 27, 28) sts.
    
3. Row 3: Ch 3, dc2tog, dc in each st across, turn—22 (23, 24, 26, 27 sts.
    
4. Row 4: Ch 3, dc2tog, dc in each st across to last 3 sts, dc2tog, dc in last st, turn—20 (21, 22, 24, 25) sts.
    
5. Rows 5 and 6: Repeat last 2 rows—17 (18, 19, 21, 22) sts.

Sizes M (L, 1X, 2X) only

1. Rows 7–8 (9, 11, 11): Repeat Row 3—16 (16, 16, 17) sts.

Sizes L (1X, 2X) Only

1. Next Row (WS): Ch 3, dc in each st across, turn.
    
2. Next Row: Ch 3, dc in each st across to last 3 sts, dc2tog, dc in last st, turn—15 (15, 16) sts.
    
3. Repeat last 2 rows 3 (1, 2) more times—12 (14, 14) sts.

Size S (M) Only

1. Next Row (RS): Ch 3, dc in each st across, turn.
    
2. Next Row: Ch 3, dc2tog, dc in each st across, turn—16 (15, 15, 15, 16) sts.
    
3. Repeat last 2 rows 4 (3) more times—12 (12) sts.

All Sizes

1. Next Row: Ch 3, dc in each st across, turn.
    
2. Repeat last row until armhole measures 8 (8 1/2, 9, 9 1/2, 10)"/20.5 (21.5, 23, 24, 25.5)cm, end with a WS row.

Shape First Shoulder

1. Next Row (RS): Sk first st, sl st in next 4 (4, 4, 5, 5) sts, ch 3 (counts as dc with base at last sl st made), dc in each st across, turn—8 (8, 8, 9, 9) sts.
    
2. Next Row: Ch 3, dc in next 3 sts, turn; leave remaining sts unworked—4 dc.
    
3. Fasten off.

Shape Neck and Second Shoulder

1. With RS facing, join A at second marker, leaving center 8 (10, 10, 12, 12) sts unworked for neck.
    
2. Row 1 (RS): Ch 3, dc in each st across to last 2 sts, 2 dc in next st, dc in last st—30 (32, 34, 37, 39) sts.
    
3. Row 2: Ch 3, dc in each st across to last 3 sts, dc2tog, dc in last st, turn—29 (31, 33, 36, 38) sts.
    
4. Row 3: Ch 3, dc in each st across to last 2 sts, 2 dc in next st, dc in last st, turn—30 (32, 34, 37, 39) sts.
    
5. Repeat last 2 rows 0 (0, 1, 0, 0) more time(s).
    
6. Next Row (WS): Repeat Row 2—29 (31, 33, 36, 38) sts.

Sizes 1X (2X) Only

1. Next Row: Ch 3, dc in each st across.
    
2. Next Row (WS): Ch 3, dc in each st across to last 3 sts, dc2tog, dc in last st, turn—35 (37) sts.

Shape Armhole
All Sizes

1. Row 1 (RS): Ch 3, dc in each st across to last 3 (3, 4, 4, 4) sts, turn; leave remaining sts unworked—26 (28, 29, 31, 33) sts.
    
2. Row 2: Sk first st, sl st in next 2 (3, 3, 3, 4) sts, ch 3 (counts as dc with base at last sl st made), dc in each st across to last 3 sts, dc2tog, dc in last st, turn—23 (24, 25, 27, 28) sts.
    
3. Row 3: Ch 3, dc in each st across to last 3 sts, dc2tog, dc in last st, turn—22 (23, 24, 26, 27) sts.
    
4. Row 4: Ch 3, dc2tog, dc in each st across to last 3 sts, dc2tog, dc in last st, turn—20 (21, 22, 24, 25) sts.
    
5. Rows 5 and 6: Repeat last 2 rows—17 (18, 19, 21, 22) sts.

Sizes M (L, 1X, 2X) Only

1. Rows 7–8 (9, 11, 11): Repeat Row 3—16 (16, 16, 17) sts.

Sizes L (1X, 2X) Only

1. Next Row (WS): Ch 3, dc in each st across, turn.
    
2. Next Row: Ch 3, dc2tog, dc in each st across, turn—15 (15, 16) sts.
    
3. Repeat last 2 rows 3 (1, 2) more times—12 (14, 14) sts.

Sizes S (M) Only

1. Next Row (RS): Ch 3, dc in each st across, turn.
    
2. Next Row: Ch 3, dc in each st across to last 3 sts, dc2tog, dc in last st—16 (15) sts.
    
3. Repeat last 2 rows 4 (3) more times—12 (12) sts.

All Sizes

1. Next Row: Ch 3, dc in each st across, turn.
    
2. Repeat last row until armhole measures 8 (8 1/2, 9, 9 1/2, 10)"/20.5 (21.5, 23, 24, 25.5)cm, end with a WS row.

Shape Second Shoulder

1. Next Row: Ch 3, dc in next 7 (7, 7, 8, 8) sts, turn; leave remaining sts unworked—8 (8, 8, 9, 9) sts.
    
2. Next Row (RS): Sk first st, sl st in next 4 (4, 4, 5, 5) sts, ch 3 (counts as dc with base at last sl st made), dc in each st across, turn—4 dc.
    
3. Fasten off.

Sleeve (Make 2)

Lower Band

1. With B, ch 59 (65, 71, 77, 81) sts.
    
2. Row 1 (RS): Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across, turn—58 (64, 70, 76, 80) sts.
    
3. Row 2: Ch 1, sc in each st across, turn.
    
4. Repeat last row until piece measures 2 (2, 2, 2 1/4, 2 1/4)"/5 (5, 5, 5.5, 5.5)cm from beginning, end with a WS row.

Shape Sleeve

1. Change to A.
    
2. Row 1 (RS): Ch 3, dc2tog, dc in each st across to last 3 sts, dc2tog, dc in last st, turn—56 (62, 68, 74, 78) sts.
    
3. Row 2: Ch 3, dc in each st across, turn.
    
4. Repeat last 2 rows 6 (4, 4, 5, 4) more times—44 (54, 60, 64, 70) sts.
    
5. Next Row: Ch 3, dc in each st across, turn.
    
6. Repeat last row until piece measures 9 1/2 (9 1/2, 10, 10 1/2, 11)"/24 (24, 25.5, 25.5, 28)cm from beginning, end with a WS row.

Shape Cap

1. Row 1 (RS): Sk first st, sl st in next 3 (3, 4, 4, 4) sts, ch 3 (counts as dc with base at last sl st made), dc in each st across to last 3 (3, 4, 4, 4) sts, turn; leave remaining sts unworked—38 (48, 52, 56, 62) sts.
    
2. Row 2: Sk first st, sl st in next 2 (3, 3, 3, 4) sts, ch 3 (counts as dc with base at last sl st made), dc in each st across to last 2 (3, 3, 3, 4) sts, turn; leave remaining sts unworked—34 (42, 46, 50, 54) sts.

Sizes L (1X, 2X) Only

1. Row 3: Sk first st, sl st in next 2 sts, ch 3 (counts as dc with base at last sl st made), dc in each st across to last 2 sts, turn; leave remaining sts unworked—42 (46, 50) sts.

All Sizes

1. Next Row: Ch 3, dc2tog, dc in each st across to last 3 sts, dc2tog, dc in last st—32 (40, 40, 44, 48) sts.
    
2. Repeat last row 6 (8, 7, 7, 8) more times—20 (24, 26, 30, 32) sts.
    
3. Next Row: Sk first st, sl st in next 2 (3, 3, 4, 5) sts, ch 3 (counts as dc with base at last sl st made), dc in each st across to last 2 (3, 3, 4, 5) sts, turn; leave remaining sts unworked—16 (18, 20, 22, 22) sts.

Sizes L (1X, 2X) Only

1. Next Row: Sk first st, sl st in next 2 sts, ch 3 (counts as dc with base at last sl st made), dc in each st across to last 2 sts, turn; leave remaining sts unworked—16 (18, 18) sts.

All Sizes

1. Fasten off.

Finishing

1. Sew shoulder seams. Set in sleeves. Sew side and sleeve seams.

Neckband
Note: Place markers between the stitches, not into a particular stitch.

1. Round 1: With RS facing, join B with sl st in shoulder seam to work down front neck edge, ch 1, work 44 (48, 50, 52, 54) sc evenly down front neck edge, place marker (pm), sc in the 8 (10, 10, 12, 12) front neck sts, pm, work 44 (48, 50, 52, 54) sc evenly up opposite front neck edge, work 50 (50, 50, 54, 54) sc evenly across back neck; join with sl st in first sc—146 (156, 160, 170, 174) sts.
    
2. Place a marker on either side of 28 (28, 28, 30, 30) center back neck sts. Move markers up as work progresses.

Shape Neckband

1. Round 2: Ch 1, sc in each st to first (front) marker, sc2tog, sc in each st to 2 sts before next (front) marker, sc2tog, sc in each st to 2 sts before next (back) marker, sc2tog, sc in each st to next (back) marker, sc2tog, sc in each st around; join with sl st in first sc—142 (152, 156, 166, 170) sts.
    
2. Round 3: Ch 1, sc in each st to first (front) marker, sc2tog, sc in each st to 2 sts before next (front) marker, sc2tog, sc in each st around; join with sl st in first sc—140 (150, 154, 164, 168) sts.

Size S Only

1. Repeat Round 2—136 sts.

Sizes M (L, 1X, 2X) Only

1. Repeat Rounds 2 and 3—144 (148, 158, 162) sts.

Sizes 1X (2X)

1. Repeat Round 2—154 (158) sts.

All Sizes

1. Next Round: Ch 1, sc in each st to first (front) marker, sc2tog, remove next (front) marker, sc in each st to 2 sts before next (back) marker, sc2tog, sc in each st to next (back) marker, sc2tog, sc in each st around; join with sl st in first sc—133 (141, 145, 151, 155) sts.
    
2. Next Round: Ch 1, sc in each st to 2 sts before center front marker (2 sts before the center front sc2tog), sc2tog, sc in next (center) st, sc2tog, sc in each st to 2 sts before next (back) marker, sc2tog, sc in each st to next (back) marker, sc2tog, sc in each st around; join with sl st in first sc—129 (137, 141, 147, 151) sts.
    
3. Next Round: Ch 1, sc in each st to 2 sts before center front marker, sc2tog, sc in next (center) st, sc2tog, sc in each st around; join with sl st in first sc—127 (135, 139, 145, 149) sts.
    
4. Repeat last 2 rounds 2 (2, 2, 4, 4) more times—115 (123, 127, 121, 125) sts.

Sizes S (M, L) Only

1. Next Round: Ch 1, sc in each st to 2 sts before center front marker, sc2tog, sc in next (center) st, sc2tog, sc in each st to 2 sts before next (back) marker, sc2tog, sc in each st to next (back) marker, sc2tog, sc in each st around; join with sl st in first sc—111 (119, 123) sts.

All Sizes

1. Fasten off.
    
2. Weave in all ends.

Embellishment

1. Trace the pattern onto pieces of tracing paper and arrange them around the front contrasting band. Using embroidery needle and floss, work a running stitch (or basting stitch) along pattern lines to mark the placement; carefully tear away tracing paper.
    
2. Unravel a strand of A, into separate plies. With yarn needle and holding 2 strands together, work stem stitch over lines marked with embroidery floss. Note: The broken line indicates that the stitching will pass under the solid line.
    
3. Remove any embroidery floss not covered with yarn.
    
4. Place double cone bead inside each oval, with a bicone crystal bead on each end. Sew a briolette bead in center of each diamond between ovals.