Empire Waist Stripe Tunic

This experienced crochet pattern creates a flattering tunic with empire waist and stripe details. Use this free tunic crochet pattern to create a stylish and comfortable sweater for the cooler months.
 

Materials: Small (Medium, Large, X-Large, XX-Large, XXX-Large)

• Yarn: Caron International's Simply Soft (100% acrylic; 6 oz/170 g, 315 yds/288 m skein):
  #9703 Bone (A), 24 (30, 30, 36, 36, 42) oz/ 680 (849,849, 1019,1019, 1189)g
  #9750 Chocolate (B), 6 oz/170g (all sizes)
  #9747 Iris (C), 6 oz/170g (all sizes)

• Detail Yarn:  Caron International's Simply Soft Brites (100% acrylic): #9610 Grape (D), 6 oz/170g (all sizes)
• Crochet Hook: One size US G-6 (4 mm) crochet hook, or size to obtain gauge, One size US H-8 (5 mm) crochet hook, or size to obtain gauge, One size US I-9 (5.5 mm) crochet hook, or size to obtain gauge
• 4 split-ring stitch markers
• Yarn needle

Gauge:

In single crochet worked in front loop only, using H-8 (5 mm) hook, 15 sts and 14 rows = 4"/10 cm

In wrapped single crochet, using G-6 (4 mm) hook, 16 sts and 16 rows = 4"/10 cm

In tunic skirt stitch pattern, using I-9 (5.5 mm) hook, 18 sts and 17 rows = 5"/12.5 cm
 

Stitches:

Chain (ch)

Half double crochet (hdc)

Single crochet (sc)

Slip stitch (slip st)
 

Special Terms:

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.

wsc: Wrapped single crochet – Bring yarn to front of work, work single crochet in next stitch wrapping yarn around front of stitch.

Notes:

1. When working a row of single crochet stitches in the front loops only, always work the last single crochet of the row in both loops, for stability.

2. Front trim and internal bust shaping provide additional width at bust (not reflected in schematic).

Instructions:
 

BODICE BACK

Note: Bodice back is worked from side to side. Work in front loops only throughout.

With size H-8 (5 mm) hook and A, chain 13 (17, 19, 21, 21, 21).

Row 1: Sc in second ch from hook and in each remaining ch across, turn—12 (16, 18, 20, 20, 20) sc.

Rows 2–4 (6, 6, 8, 8, 10): Ch 1, working in front loops only, sc in each sc across, turn.

Continue working in front loops only throughout.

Shape First Armhole

Row 5 (7, 7, 9, 9, 11): Ch 1, sc in each sc across to last sc, 2 sc in last sc, turn—13 (17, 19, 21, 21, 21) sc.

Sizes Medium (Large, X-Large, XX-Large, XXX-Large) only:

Row 8 (8, 10, 10, 12): Ch 2, sc in second ch from hook, sc in each sc across, turn—18 (20, 22, 22, 22) sc.

Row 9 (9, 11, 11, 13): Ch 1, sc in each sc across to last sc, 2 sc in last sc, turn—19 (21, 23, 23, 23) sc.

Repeat last 2 rows 0 (0, 1, 1, 1) more times—19 (21, 25, 25, 25) sc.

Shape First Shoulder

All Sizes:

Row 6 (10, 10, 14, 14, 16): Ch 22 (20, 20, 18, 18, 18), sc in second ch from hook and in each remaining ch and sc across, turn—34 (38, 40, 42, 42, 42) sc.

Rows 7 (11, 11, 15, 15, 17)–11 (13, 15, 17, 19, 21): Ch 1, sc in each sc across, turn.

Shape Neck

Row 12 (14, 16, 18, 20, 22): Ch 1, sc2tog, sc in each remaining sc across, turn—33 (37, 39, 41, 41, 41) sc.

Row 13 (15, 17, 19, 21, 23): Ch 1, sc in each sc across to last 2 sc, sc2tog, turn—32 (36, 38, 40, 40, 40) sc.

Row 14 (16, 18, 20, 22, 24): Ch 1, sc2tog, sc in each remaining sc across, turn—31 (35, 37, 39, 39, 39) sc.

Rows 15 (17, 19, 21, 23, 25)–36 (40, 44, 48, 54, 56): Ch 1, sc in each sc across, turn.

Shape Second Shoulder

Row 37 (41, 45, 49, 55, 57): Ch 1, sc in each sc across to last sc, 2 sc in last sc, turn—32 (36, 38, 40, 40, 40) sc.

Row 38 (42, 46, 50, 56, 58): Ch 2, sc in second ch from hook, sc in each remaining sc across, turn—33 (37, 39, 41, 41, 41) sc.

Row 39 (43, 47, 51, 57, 59): Ch 1, sc in each sc across to last sc, 2 sc in last sc, turn—34 (38, 40, 42, 42, 42) sc.

Rows 40 (44, 48, 52, 58, 60)–45 (47, 53, 55, 63, 65): Ch 1, sc in each sc across, turn.

Fasten off.

Shape Second Armhole

Skip first 21 (19, 19, 17, 17, 17) sc, join A with slip st in next sc.

Row 46 (48, 54, 56, 64, 66): Ch 1, sc in same sc as join, sc in each remaining sc across, turn—13 (19, 21, 25, 25, 25) sc.

Row 47 (49, 55, 57, 65, 67): Ch 1, sc in each sc across to last 2 sc, sc2tog, turn—12 (18, 20, 24, 24, 24) sc.

Sizes Medium (Large, X-Large, XX-Large, XXX-Large) only:

Row 50 (56, 58, 66, 68): Ch 1, sc2tog, sc in each remaining sc across, turn—17 (19, 23, 23, 23) sc.

Row 51 (57, 59, 67, 69): Ch 1, sc in each sc across to last 2 sc, sc2tog, turn—16 (18, 22, 22, 22) sc.

Repeat last 2 rows 0 (0, 1, 1, 1) more times—16 (18, 20, 20, 20) sc.

All Sizes:

Rows 48 (52, 58, 62, 70, 72)–50 (56, 62, 68, 76, 80): Ch 1, sc in each sc across, turn.

Fasten off.

BODICE RIGHT FRONT

Work same as bodice back until a total of 8 (10, 12, 14, 16, 18) rows have been completed—34 (38, 40, 42, 42, 42) sc.

Shape Bust

Row 9 (11, 13, 15, 17, 19) (RS): Ch 1, sc in next 3 sc, hdc in next 5 (5, 6, 6, 7, 8) sc, sc in each remaining sc across, turn.

Row 10 (12, 14, 16, 18, 20): Ch 1, sc in each sc across, turn.

Row 11 (13, 15, 17, 19, 21): Repeat Row 9 (11, 13, 15, 17, 19).

Shape Neck

Row 12 (14, 16, 18, 20, 22): Ch 1, sc2tog, sc in each remaining st across, turn—33 (37, 39, 41, 41, 41) sc.

Row 13 (15, 17, 19, 21, 23): Ch 1, sc in next 3 sc, hdc in next 5 (5, 6, 6, 7, 8) sc, sc in each remaining sc across to last 2 sc, sc2tog, turn—32 (36, 38, 40, 40, 40) sc.

Row 14 (16, 18, 20, 22, 24): Repeat Row 12 (14, 16, 18, 20, 22)—31 (35, 37, 39, 39, 39) sc.

Rows 15 (17, 19, 21, 23, 25)–18 (20, 22, 26, 28, 30): Repeat last 2 rows—27 (31, 33, 33, 33, 33) sc.

Row 19 (21, 23, 27, 29, 31): Ch 1, sc in next 3 sc, hdc in next 5 (5, 6, 6, 7, 8) sc, sc in each remaining sc across, turn.

Row 20 (22, 24, 28, 30, 32): Ch 1, sc in each st across, turn.

Work 0 (1, 2, 1, 3, 3) more even rows as established.

Fasten off.

BODICE LEFT FRONT

Work as for bodice back until 9 (11, 13, 15, 17, 19) rows have been completed—34 (38, 40, 42, 42, 42) sc.

Shape Bust

Row 10 (12, 14, 16, 18, 20) (RS): Ch 1, sc in each sc to last 8 (8, 9, 9, 10, 11) sc, hdc in next 5 (5, 6, 6, 7, 8) sc, sc in last 3 sc, turn.

Row 11 (13, 15, 17, 19, 21): Ch 1, sc in each sc across, turn.

Shape Neck

Row 12 (14, 16, 18, 20, 22): Ch 1, sc2tog, sc in each sc to last 8 (8, 9, 9, 10, 11) sc, hdc in next 5 (5, 6, 6, 7, 8) sc, sc in last 3 sc, turn—33 (37, 39, 41, 41, 41) sc.

Row 13 (15, 17, 19, 21, 23): Ch 1, sc across to last 2 sc, sc2tog, turn—32 (36, 38, 40, 40, 40) sc.

Row 14 (16, 18, 20, 22, 24): Repeat Row 12 (14, 16, 18, 20, 22)—31 (35, 37, 39, 39, 39) sc.

Rows 15 (17, 19, 21, 23, 25)–18 (20, 22, 26, 28, 30): Repeat last 2 rows—27 (31, 33, 33, 33, 33) sc.

Row 19 (21, 23, 27, 29, 31): Ch 1, sc in each st across, turn.

Row 20 (22, 24, 28, 30, 32): Ch 1, sc in each sc to last 8 (8, 9, 9, 10, 11) sc, hdc in next 5 (5, 6, 6, 7, 8) sc, sc in last 3 sc, turn.

Work 0 (1, 2, 1, 3, 3) more even rows as established.

Fasten off.

ASSEMBLY

With yarn needle and A, seam shoulder and side seams.

Neck Trim

Work neck trim using G-6 (4 mm) hook.

Row 1: With RS facing, join A with slip st in lower inner corner of front edge; ch 1, sc evenly around inner edge, neckline and opposite inner edge, working 2 sc in each corner. Fasten off.

Row 2: With RS facing, join D with slip st in first sc of Row 1; ch 1, wsc in each sc around, working 2 wsc in each corner. Fasten off.

Row 3: With RS facing, join A with slip st in first wsc of Row 2; ch 1, wsc in each wsc around, working 2 wsc in each corner. Fasten off.

Row 4: With RS facing, join B with slip st in first wsc of Row 3; ch 1, wsc in each wsc around, working 2 wsc in each corner. Fasten off.

Waist Trim

Work waist trim using G-6 (4 mm) hook.

Row 1: With RS facing, join A with slip st in lower edge of bodice; ch 1, work 98 (110, 122, 134, 150, 158) sc evenly around entire lower edge of bodice. Fasten off.

Row 2: With RS facing, join D with slip st in first sc of Row 1; ch 1, wsc in each sc around. Fasten off.

Row 3: With RS facing, join A with slip st in first wsc of Row 2; ch 1, wsc in each wsc around. Fasten off.

Repeat Row 3 in the following color pattern: 1 row with B, 1 row with A, 1 row with C, 1 row with A, 1 row with B, 1 row with A, 1 row with D.

Final Row of Neck Trim

With RS facing and G-6 (4 mm) hook, join A with slip st in lower edge of waist trim at inner edge of front. Ch 1, wsc evenly around inner edge, neckline and opposite inner edge, working 2 sc in each corner. Fasten off.

Seam Inner Front Edge

Measuring down from top of shoulder, place a stitch marker 8 (8 1/2, 9, 9 1/2, 9 1/2, 10)"/20.5 (21.5, 23, 24, 24, 25.5) cm along front V-neck edge. With yarn needle and A, seam from lower edge of waist trim to stitch marker.

TUNIC SKIRT

Note: Skirt is worked in rounds from the lower edge of waist trim downwards.

With I-9 (5.5 mm) hook, join A with slip st to center back of lower edge of waist trim.

Round 1: Ch 1, work 100 (112, 124, 136, 152, 160) sc evenly around lower edge of waist trim; join with slip st in first sc.

Round 2: Ch 1, (sc, ch 1, sc) in same sc as join, *skip next sc, (sc, ch 1, sc) in next sc; repeat from * to last sc, skip last sc; join with slip st in first sc.

Round 3: Slip st in first ch-1 space, ch 1, (sc, ch 1, sc) in same ch-1 space and in each ch-1 space around; join with slip st in first sc—50 (56, 62, 68, 76, 80) ch-1 spaces.

Place four stitch markers evenly spaced around last round, as follows: Lay garment flat with front facing you. Place two stitch markers in ch-1 spaces, evenly spaced, using the center as a guide. With back of garment facing you, place two more stitch markers in opposite positions of the first two.

Round 4: Slip st in first ch-1 space, (sc, ch 1, sc) in same ch-1 space, *(sc, ch 1, sc) in each ch-1 space to next stitch marker, (sc, ch 1, sc, ch 1, sc) in marked ch-1 space; repeat from * around, (sc, ch 1, sc) in each ch-1 space to end; join with slip st in first sc—54 (60, 66, 72, 80, 84) ch-1 spaces. Do not remove stitch markers.

Rounds 5–7: Repeat Round 3.

Move stitch markers up, corresponding with the previous increase.

Repeat last 4 rows four more times—70 (76, 82, 88, 96, 100) ch-1 spaces.

Repeat Round 3 until tunic measures 26 1/2 (27 1/2, 28, 28 1/2, 28 1/2, 29)"/67.5 (70, 71, 72.5, 72.5, 73.5) cm from top of shoulder to lower edge. Fasten off.

SLEEVE (make 2)

Note: Sleeve is worked from side to side. Work in front loops only throughout.

With H-8 (5 mm) hook, chain 47 (49, 49, 49, 49, 49).

Row 1: Sc in second ch from hook and in each remaining ch across, turn—46 (48, 48, 48, 48, 48) sc.

Rows 2–3 (5, 7, 7, 9, 9): Ch 1, sc in each sc across, turn.

Shape Cap

Row 4 (6, 8, 8, 10, 10): Ch 2, sc in second ch from hook and in each remaining sc across, turn—47 (49, 49, 49, 49, 49) sc.

Row 5 (7, 9, 9, 11, 11): Ch 1, sc in each sc across to last sc, 2 sc in last sc, turn—48 (50, 50, 50, 50, 50) sc.

Rows 6 (8, 10, 10, 12, 12)–19 (21, 23, 23, 25, 25): Repeat last 2 rows—62 (64, 64, 64, 64, 64) sc.

Rows 20 (22, 24, 24, 26, 26)–23 (23, 27, 29, 33, 37): Ch 1, sc in each sc across, turn.

Row 24 (24, 28, 30, 34, 38): Ch 1, sc2tog, sc in each remaining sc across, turn—61 (63, 63, 63, 63, 63) sc.

Row 25 (25, 29, 31, 35, 39): Ch 1, sc in each sc across to last 2 sc, sc2tog, turn—60 (62, 62, 62, 62, 62) sc.

Rows 26 (26, 30, 32, 36, 40)–39 (39, 43, 45, 49, 53): Repeat last 2 rows—46 (48, 48, 48, 48, 48) sc.

Rows 40 (40, 44, 46, 50, 54)–42 (44, 50, 52, 58, 62): Ch 1, sc in each sc across, turn.

Fasten off.

Wrist Trim

With G-6 (4 mm) hook, join A with slip st in lower edge of sleeve. Work 42 (46, 50, 52, 56, 60) sc evenly across. Fasten off. Work as for bodice waist trim.

FINISHING

With yarn needle and A, set in sleeves. Seam sleeves. Weave in all ends.