Striped Summer Shirt

This intermediate shirt crochet pattern creates a sporty striped shirt in lightweight yarn, perfect for summer. Back, front and sleeves are worked in seperate blocks, but you do not have to cut off the yarn at the end of each stripe. Pick your own colors or use the bright turquoise and fuchsia colors from Lion Brand Yarn.

Materials:

• 910-148 Microspun Yarn: Turquoise 4 balls (4, 5, 6)  (T)
• 910-146 Microspun Yarn: Fuchsia 2 balls (2, 3, 3)  (F)
• Lion Brand Crochet Hook - Size H-8

Size: Small, Medium, Large, 1X
Small (Medium, Large, X-Large) Finished chest 36 (40, 44, 48) inches
Note: Pattern is written for smallest size with changes for larger sizes in parentheses. When only one number is given, it applies to all sizes. To follow pattern more easily, circle all numbers pertaining to your size before beginning.

Gauge:

14 sts + 12 rows = 4 inches in Seed St pat. BE SURE TO CHECK YOUR GAUGE. When you match the gauge in a pattern, your project will be the size specified in the pattern and the materials specified in the pattern will be sufficient. If it takes you fewer stitches and rows to make a 4 in. [10 cm] square, try using a smaller size hook or needles; if more stitches and rows, try a larger size hook or needles.

Stitch Explanation:

Seed Stitch: Ch 1, turn. * Sc in next dc, dc in next sc; rep from * across.

Notes:

When working stripes, do not end off each color but carry them loosely along side until needed later on.
To change colors Always end off last lps of last st with next color.
To dec Do not work off last 2 lps of first st but work them off tog with next st by drawing yarn through all 3 lps on hook.
To bind off at beg of row, sl st across designated number of sts.
To bind off at end of row, skip or leave unworked the designated number of sts.
Do not include first or last sts when measuring width of pieces, as these are “selvedge inches sts for seaming.

Instructions:

BACK

With T, loosely ch 67 (73, 79, 87).

Row 1 Sc in 2nd ch from hook, dc in next ch * sc in next ch, dc in next ch; rep from * across - 66 (72, 78, 86) sts.

Seed St Pat: Next row and subsequent rows Ch 1, turn. * Sc in next dc, dc in next sc; rep from * across. Cont in est Seed St pat until piece measures 10 inches from beg. Check that piece measures 18 (20, 22, 24) inches wide. Shape armholes: Next row Cont in Seed St pat, bind off 4 (6, 6, 8) sts at beg and end of row - 58 (60, 66, 70) sts. Work 1 row in pat, joining F at last st. Cont in pat and work 2 rows F, 2 rows T, 4 rows F, 2 rows T, 4 rows F, 2 rows T, 2 rows F, ending off F at last row. Cont in pat with T only hereafter until armholes measure 7½ (7½, 8½, 8½) inches from first row or armhole shaping. Check that piece measures 16 (17, 18¼, 19½) inches wide across shoulders. Shape shoulders and neck Work in pat over first 6 sts (hdc in dc, tr in sc) over next 10 (10, 12, 10) sts, skip center 26 (28, 30, 38) sts, join separate strand of yarn to next st, (tr in sc, hdc in dc) over next 10 (10, 12, 10) sts, pat over last 6 sts - 16 (16, 18, 16) sts each side for shoulders. Work both shoulders at the same time using separate strands of yarn as foll: Next row Work pat over first 11 (11, 12, 11) sts, (hdc in dc, tr in sc) over 4 (4, 6, 4) sts, hdc in rem 1 (1, 0, 1) st. Fasten off.

FRONT

Work as for Back until armholes measure 6 (6, 7, 7) inches from first row of armhole shaping. Shape front neck Cont in pat and color sequence as for Back as foll: Next row Work first 20 (20, 22, 20) sts, skip center 18 (20, 22, 30) sts, join separate strand of yarn to next st, pat over last 20 (20, 22, 20) sts. Work both shoulders at the same time using separate strands of yarn, dec 1 st at each neck edge over next 4 rows - 16 (16, 18, 16) sts each side for shoulders. Shape shoulders Work as for last 2 rows of Back shoulder shaping. Fasten off.

SLEEVES

With F, loosely ch 59 (59, 65, 65). Work in Seed St pat for 2 rows on 58 (58, 64, 64) sts, changing to T in last st. Cont in pat and work 2 rows T, 4 rows F, 2 rows T, 4 rows F, 2 rows T, 2 rows F. Fasten off.

FINISHING

Sew shoulder seams. Sew Sleeves into armholes with last 1 1/8 (1¾, 1¾, 2¼) inches along side edges of Sleeve, fitting into 1 1/8 (1¾, 1¾, 2¼) inches bound-off edge at underarm of Front and Back. Sew side and Sleeve seams. Neckband With RS facing, join T, sc evenly spaced around neck.