Lunar Lace Tunic—Free Crochet Pattern

A new crochet pattern free on the Blog…the Lunar Lace Tunic! I am so excited to share this free crochet top with you all. There is just something about elegant, lacy patterns that I love.

Read on all about my inspiration, design process, yarn and more—or scroll down to get directly to the free pattern!

So, the Lunar Lace Tunic…this one had quite its ups and downs! However, the finished result turned out almost exactly how I pictured it at the beginning, which is awesome!

I designed this pattern for the Celebrate Mom Blog Hop hosted by Pattern Paradise. It was so much fun to create an elegant pattern I knew my mom would love. Which, by the way…my mom modelling the top for me! She is such a blessing to me, and this top is now hers to keep!

To view all the Mother’s Day themed patterns included in this post, be sure to check out www.pattern-paradise.com!

I designed this top using the Cathedral Stitch—a free stitch tutorial that is apart of my Desert Blossom Stitch Along. From the very beginning, I knew that this lacy stitch would work wonderfully in a summer top, so I set out to figure out how to bring my vision to life.

It took quite a bit of frogging to get it just right…but I finally did! It also took an extra order from Knit Picks because I ran out of yarn…😣but I think it was worth the extra money.

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Speaking of yarn…here is what I used!

Knit Picks Galileo

Okay you guys. This yarn…is so beautiful. It’s a sport weight, springy blend of Merino Wool and Viscose. Galileo has a nice softness to it, but it’s also bouncy and has great drape! Plus, who can say no to gorgeous jewel tone colors? Besides this deep blue, Galileo also comes in a lovely peacock, deep ruby red, and more!

As always, this is just a reminder there is also an ad-free, PDF version of this pattern available! This version is super easy to print, and overall will allow you to make this top with less hassle. Grab it HERE or click below to view!

Lunar Lace Tunic—Free Crochet Pattern

By Desert Blossom Crafts

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• To get the ad-free, PDF version of this pattern, click HERE.
• To add this pattern to your Ravelry Queue, click HERE.

Materials:

• Knit Picks Galileo Yarn: 6 (7, 8, 10, 10, 11) balls.

• Or sport weight yarn in the following yardage: Approx. 750, 850, 950, 1,200, 1,250, 1,350) yards
• G (4.25mm) Hook (or size to obtain gauge)
• F (3.75mm) hook (or one size smaller than hook that obtains gauge).
• Yarn needle

Abbreviations/Stitches Used:

Chain – ch

Foundation Single Crochet – fsc

Slip Stitch: sl st

Single crochet – sc

Double crochet – dc

Repeat – rep

Round – rnd

Skip – sk

Stitch(es) – st(s)

Space – sp

RS: right side

WS: wrong side

Sizing:

Sizes shown are S (M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL)

To fit bust size: 32-34 (36, 38-40, 42, 44-46, 48)”

Finished bust size: 38 (41, 44, 47, 50, 53)”

Pattern is designed with 4-6” of positive ease. To choose your size: the “to fit” measurement is just a guide. To better determine your size, look at the finished bust size (this is the exact finished measurement if you get gauge) and decide how much positive ease you want. Extra positive ease won’t hurt, as this is designed to be a loose fitting top.

For reference, model is 5’ 4″ with a bust of 32”, wearing a size Small.

Finished Measurements

Width of front and back panel (AFTER blocking): 19 (20.5, 22, 23.5, 25, 26.5)

Gauge:

16 dc = 4”

9 rows in stitch pattern = 4”

Make a gauge swatch as follows:

Fsc 21.

Row 1: Ch 3, dc across.

Row 2-4: follow rows 2-4 in front panel instructions.

Row 5-7: follow rows 11-13 in pattern.

Rows 8-10: follow rows 2-4 again.

BLOCK your swatch, then measure gauge as follows:

For width, measure across the ALL DC row in the middle; here, 16 dc should equal 4”. Next, measure from the first lace row up to the last row (9 rows total). These rows should equal 4” as well.

Notes:

1. This top is made of 2 panels, sewn together at the sides and shoulders. 
2. Ch 3 at beginning of rows counts as a dc.
3. Ch 1 at beginning of rows does NOT count as a sc.
4. Pattern is written in size S, with sizes M-3XL in parentheses.

Instructions:

FRONT PANEL

Ribbing

With F hook, ch 12.

Row 1: Hdc in second ch from hook and each ch across. Turn.

Row 2: Ch 1, hdc in BL of ea st across. Turn.

Rep row 2 for a total of 50 (54, 58, 62, 66, 70) rows.

You will now be working along the side of the band.

Change to G hook. Sc 75 (81, 87, 93, 99,105) across side of band. (You will need to do approximately 1.5 sc per row of hdc).

Row 1 (RS): Ch 3 (counts as dc, here and throughout) dc in ea st across.

Row 2: Ch 3 (counts as dc, here and throughout) dc in next dc. Sk 2 dc, 3 dc in next dc. *Ch 3, sk 2 dc, sc in next dc. Ch 3, sk 2 dc, 3 dc in next dc. Rep from * until 4 sts left. Sk 2 dc, dc in last 2 dc. Turn.

Row 3: Ch 3, sk next dc, 2 dc in next dc. Dc in next dc, 2 dc in next dc. *Ch 2, sk ch-3 sp, sc in next sc, sk ch-3 sp. Ch 2, 2 dc in next dc, dc in next dc, 2 dc in next dc. Rep from * across, till 2 dc left. Sk next dc, dc in last dc. Turn.

Row 4: Ch 1 (does NOT count as st) sc in first st and next 5 sts. *Ch 2, sk next ch spaces and sc. Sc in next 5 dc. Rep from * till one st left. Sc in last st. Turn.

Row 5: Ch 3, dc in next st. Ch 3, sk next sc, sc in next sc. Ch 3, *sk 2 sc, 3 dc in ch-2 sp. Ch 3, sk 2 sc, sc in next sc. Ch 3. Rep from * until 3 sts left. Sk next sc, dc in last 2 sc. Turn.

Row 6: Ch 3, dc in next dc. Ch 2, sk ch-2 sp, sc in next sc. Ch 2, *2 dc in next dc. Dc in next dc, 2 dc in next dc. Ch 2, sk ch-2 sp, sc in next sc, ch 2. Rep from * until 2 sts left. Dc in last 2 dc. Turn.

Row 7: Ch 1, sc in first 2 sts. Ch 2, sk next ch spaces and sc. *Sc in next 5 dc. Ch 2, sk next ch spaces and sc. Rep from * till 2 sts left. Sc in last 2 dc. Turn.

Row 8: Ch 3, dc in next sc. 3 dc in next ch-2 sp. *Ch 3, sk 2 sc, sc in next sc. Ch 3, sk 2 sc, 3 dc in next ch-2 sp. Rep from * till 2 sts left. Dc in last 2 sc. Turn.

Row 9-10: Rep rows 3-4.

Row 11: Ch 3, dc in next 5 sts. 2 dc in next ch 2 sp. Dc in next 5 sc. *Dc in next ch-2 sp, dc in next 5 sc. Rep from * until 1 ch sp is left. 2 dc in next ch sp, dc in last 6 sc. Turn. 75 (81, 87, 93, 99, 105) dc Note for clarification: The two edge ch spaces have 2 dc worked into them, but the rest of the ch spaces have only 1 dc.

Row 12: Ch 1, sc in ea st across. Turn.

Row 13: Ch 3, dc in ea st across. Turn.

Rows 14-25: Rep rows 2-13.

Row 26-37: Rep rows 2-13 once more.

Sizes will now be split up into separate instructions.

Sizes S, M, and L: Rep rows 2-4 again. Then, repeat row 11. Turn. Move onto v-neck.

Sizes XL, 2XL, and 3XL: Rep rows 2-11 once more. Turn. Move onto v-neck.

Begin V-NECK

Row 1: Sc in next 37 (40, 43, 46, 49, 52) sts. TURN, leaving rest of row unworked.

Row 2: Ch 2 (counts as dc for v-neck) Dc2tog. Dc across row. Turn. 36 (39, 42, 45, 48, 51) dc.

Row 3: Ch 1, Sc across row until 3 sts left. Sc2tog over next 2 sts, sc in last st. Turn. 35 (38, 41, 44, 47, 50) sc.

Rep rows 2-3 a total of 8 (9, 10, 10, 11, 12) times more. Then rep row 2 once more. Fasten off. 18 (19, 20, 23, 24, 25) dc.

Size Adjustment Tip: You can absolutely change the size of your v-neck! Simply keep repeating rows 2-3 until it reaches your desired length, and then repeat row 2 once more to finish. If you’d like a shorter v-neck, you can subtract from these rows as well. Just keep in mind everything will stretch when blocking!

Other side of V NECK

Row 1: Go to base of v neck. Sk 1 st. Sc in ea st across.

Row 2: Ch 3, dc in each sc until 3 sts left. Dc2tog, dc in last st. Turn. 36 (39, 42, 45, 48, 51) dc.

Row 3: Ch 1, sc in first st. Sc2tog. Sc in rest of sts across. 35 (38, 41, 44, 47, 50) sc.

Rep rows 2-3 a total of 8 (9, 10, 10, 11, 12) times more (or until v-neck reaches the same length other side). Then rep row 2 once more. Fasten off.

BACK PANEL

Rep the same as for the front until you reach the v-neck. Then, continue as below:

Next row: Ch 1, sc in ea st across.

Next row: Ch 3, dc in ea sc across.

Rep these two rows until you have done the same amount of rows as other side of the v-neck.

ASSEMBLY

With right sides together, lay your front and back panels together. Sew the shoulder seams using your desired seaming method. Sew side seams, leaving a 6.5 (7, 7.5, 8, 8.5, 9)” arm opening. (Sew along dotted lines shown in picture below!)

FINISHING:

Join yarn at the back of the neck and sc all around the neck opening for a nice finish.

Weave in all ends and block to finished measurements: top should measure 19 (20.5, 22, 23.5, 25, 26.5)” across. Be sure to get a consistent width across.

If you have any questions at all, please don’t hesitate to contact me.

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Happy Crocheting!

—Rachel 🙂

© 2019 All rights reserved. You may not reproduce or distribute this pattern in any way for any public or commercial use. You may sell finished items made from this pattern, but please give credit to me and link back to my blog. For info about permission to share pictures/use this pattern in Roundups, please contact me. Thank you!