Lacy Torso Blouse Pattern #S-725

Sizes 12, 14, 16 and 18 Directions are given for Size 12. Changes for Sizes 14, 16 and 18 are in parentheses. J. & P. COATS "KNIT-CRO-SHEEN" METALLIC, Art. A.64: 10 (10-12-14) balls of No. M.1 White. Milwards Steel Crochet Hook No. 2; OR CHADWICK'S RED HEART BABY WOOL, 3 Ply, Art. E.277 (1 oz. "Tangle-Proof" Pull-Out Skeins): 7 (7-8-9) skeins of No. 261 Maize. Clark's O.N.T. Plastic Crochet Hook No. 2. 8 small buttons... 1 yard of white grosgrain ribbon, 1 inch wide ... 2 packages each of Walco lime and gold sequins, Style No. 1431 and Kelly green and gold beads, Style No. 2116.

GAUGE: 7 sc make 1 inch; 3 sc rows, 1 group st row and 1 loop row make 1 inch. BLOCKING MEASUREMENTS: SIZES | Bust | Width across back at underarm | Length from shoulder to lower edge 12 | 32" | 16" | 19" 14 | 34" | 17" | 19½" 16 | 36" | 17" | 19½" 18 | 38" | 18" | 20"

BACK... Starting at side edge make a chain 25 inches long. 1st row: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across until there are on row 133 (137-137-141) sc; row measures 19 (19½-19½-20) inches. Ch 1, turn.

2nd row: Sc in front loop of each sc across. Ch 4, turn.

3rd row: Skip first st, insert hook in back loop of next st and draw loop through, skip next st, insert hook in back loop of next st and draw loop through, * (thread over and draw through 2 loops on hook) twice (group st made); ch 1, insert hook where last loop was drawn through and draw loop through, skip next st, insert hook in back loop of next st and draw loop through. Repeat from * across to within last st, ch 1, dc in last st. There are on row 65 (67-67-69) group sts. Ch 1, turn.

4th row: Sc through both loops of dc, ch 1, * sc in front loop of next group st, ch 3, skip next group st. Repeat from * across, ending with ch 1, skip 1 ch, sc in next ch (this is a ch-3 loop row). Ch 4, turn.

5th row: Repeat 3rd row. There are on row 65 (67-67-69) group sts. Ch 1, turn.

6th row: Sc in front loop of each st across, sc in next 2 ch. Ch 1, turn.

7th row: Sc in back loop of each sc across. Ch 1, turn.

8th row: Repeat 2nd row.

9th to 12th rows incl: Repeat 3rd to 6th rows incl.

13th row: 2 sc in back loop of first 2 sc (2 sc increased at shoulder edge), sc in back loop of each sc across. Ch 1, turn.

14th row: Sc in front loop of each sc across to within last 2 sc, inc 2 sc as before. Ch 4, turn.

Work in pattern for 2 more rows. Place a marker (this is end of shoulder). Continue in pattern without increasing until 40 (43-43-46) rows have been completed. There are on group st rows 67 (69-69-71) group sts. This is one half of Back.

Place a marker of another color and work other half to correspond, decreasing 4 sc where 4 sc were previously increased—to dec 2 sc, (work off 2 sc as 1 sc) twice. Break off.

LEFT FRONT... Starting at side edge make a chain 25 inches long. On Size 12 only, continue as for Back until shoulder has been completed.

On Sizes 14, 16 and 18 only: 1st row: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across, until there are on row (89-89-89) sc. Cut off any remaining chain. Ch 1, turn.

2nd row: Sc in front loop of each sc across. Ch 1, turn.

3rd row: On Sizes 14, 16 and 18 only, make sc in back loop of each sc across. Ch 1, turn.

On Size 18 only, repeat the last 2 rows once more. Ch 4, turn.

On Sizes 16 and 18 only, work next 3 rows as for 3rd, 4th and 5th rows of Back.

On Size 14 only, sc in front loop of each sc across. Ch 49, turn.

On Sizes 16 and 18 only, ch 49 (53). On Sizes 14, 16 and 18 only, sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across, sc in back loop of each st across.

On next row: Make sc in front loop of each st across. Now work in pattern as for Back until shoulder has been completed. On all sizes, break off.

To Shape Neck: Attach thread to center chain of 9th ch-3 sp from shoulder edge. 1st row: Ch 4, draw up a loop in next ch, skip next st, draw up a loop in next st and complete a group st as before, ch 1 and continue in pattern across. Ch 1, turn.

Keeping shoulder in position, work in pattern as before until work reaches marker at center back.

BUTTONBAND ... Work 6 rows of sc, making one row in back loops and next row in front loops. Break off. On Left Front, mark with pins the position of 7 buttons evenly spaced, having the lower one 2 inch up from lower edge and top one 1 inch down from neck edge.

RIGHT FRONT... Starting at front edge, work as for Buttonband of Left Front, having the same number of sc and making a buttonhole opposite each pin mark on the center row of buttonband— to make a buttonhole, ch 3, skip 3 sc, sc in next sc. Continue in pattern as for other front until work lines up with shoulder edge.

Attach another ball to top chain at beginning of last row, ch 36 for side neck edge. Break off. Pick up working thread and complete shoulder to correspond with other front. Break off.

On Sizes 14, 16 and 18 only, place Right Front over Left Front, attach thread in line with underarm seam and complete to correspond with Left Front.

Block pieces. On Size 12, sew up side seams to within 7 inches from top. Sew shoulder seams. On other sizes, sew up shoulder and side seams.

Work 5 rows of sc closely together around lower edge alternating front and back loops as before.

Work 5 rnds of sc around armholes working in back loops. If a longer sleeve is desired add a few more rnds.

Work 5 rows of sc around neck edge as before, keeping work flat and making a buttonhole directly above other buttonholes on 3rd row.

Cut a piece of ribbon the same measurement as waist and sew in place on wrong side, holding blouse in to fit. Sew on buttons opposite buttonholes. Trim with sequins and beads as desired.

This free pattern originally published in Coats & Clark's O.N.T. #313, Cottons You'll Love