How to crochet backless blouse – The Midnight Dream

I can’t believe the way this design turned out! Totally stunning! It just holds your gaze for a long long time….

This blouse shines with deep feminine power. The front V neck with triangular edging is teasingly enough and brings out the beautiful structure of this neckline.

The back shaping is enticing yet aids in providing perfect body fitting.

I made this design as part of the design challenge held by @theknitklub . I used their premium long thread Cool Soft Cotton Yarn and thoroughly enjoyed the experience of crocheting with it. It’s made the garment breathable and beautiful at the same time.

Still wondering if I should make this in a size inclusive pattern Or keep it as it. Do let me know in the comments below.

Instructions

Gauge information- Size/medium

Difficulty level – Beginner

The pattern is written using US crochet stitch terminology. Here hook size 4.5mm (US G/4 or UK 7) is used. The tension is 16 single crochet stitches x 14 rows = 10 cm/4” in width and 10 cm/4” height.

The hook size is only a guide. Change to a larger/ smaller hook size, if there are too many/ few stitches in 4″ or 10cm gauge.

To make this crop top/blouse you will need following material

• Worsted weight yarn – The knit klub Cool soft cotton– colour – midnight purple – 200g
• Hook- 4.5 mm
• Scissors
• Markers to mark important stitches
• Yarn needle to weave in the ends
• Measuring tape
• Beads over fringes (optional)

Symbols for reading the pattern instructions–

• SL ST- Slip stitch
• ST- Stitch
• YO = Yarn over
• CH= chain stitch
• CH-SP = Chain space
• SC= Single crochet in stitch
• RS = Right Side
• LS = Left Side
• BEG = Beginning of row

Finished measurements:

Chest measures 92 cm or 36” and full length 30 1/2 cm or 12”. Sleeves measures about 10 cm or 4″.

The garment will tend to measure more when held up, hence measure the final length of the piece while holding it up.

Short overview:

• The garment is worked top down in four pieces, two front and two back piece. They are stitched together on the side.
• Sleeves are worked separately and then attached to the garment.
• Crochet shell edge is worked over the neckline and the sleeves. Single crochet edging is worked on the back and bottom.
• String ties with beads and tassels are attached at the back for fastening.

Written instructions:

Front left

• Row 1 – CH 11, SC in the 2nd ST from the hook, SC in each CH ST. Total SC= 10.
• Row 2-Row 9 – Turn, CH 1, SC in 1st ST, SC in each ST till end of the row. Total SC= 10. The piece measures appx 6cm.
• Neckline increase – Row 10 – Turn, CH 1, 2 SC in 1st ST, SC in each ST till end of the row. Total SC= 11.
• Row 11 – Turn, CH 1, SC in 1st ST, SC in each ST till end of the row. Total SC= 11.
• Row 12 to Row 29 – Repeat Row 10 and Row 11 alternatively. Total SC at the end of Row 29 = 19. Piece measures appx. 16 cm.
• Armhole increase- Row 30 – With seperate strand of yarn, CH 4, attach the CH on the opposite side of the row and cut the yarn. Now turn, CH 1, 2 SC in 1st ST, SC in each ST till end of row, SC in each of the 4 CH ST. Total SC – 24.
• Row 31 – Turn, CH 1, SC in 1st ST, SC in each ST till end of the row. Total SC= 24.
• Row 32 – Turn, CH 1, 2 SC in 1st ST, SC in each ST till end of row. Total SC= 25.
• Row 33 – Turn, CH 1, SC in 1st ST, SC in each ST till end of the row. Total SC= 25.
• Row 34 to Row 47 – Repeat Row 32 and Row 33 alternatively. Total SC at the end of Row 47 – 32.
• Row 48 to Row 53– Turn, CH 1, SC in 1st ST, SC in each ST till end of the row. Total SC= 32.
• Neckline decrease – Row 54 – Turn, SC2TOG in first 2 ST, SC in each ST till end of row. Total SC= 31.
• Row 55 – Turn, CH 1, SC in 1st ST, SC in each ST till end of the row. Total SC= 31.
• Row 56 to Row 59 – Repeat Row 54 and Row 55 alternatively. Total SC at the end of Row 47 – 29. Cut the yarn.

Front right

• Row 1 – CH 11, SC in the 2nd ST from the hook, SC in each CH ST. Total SC= 10.
• Row 2-Row 9 – Turn, CH 1, SC in 1st ST, SC in each ST till end of the row. Total SC= 10. The piece measures appx 6cm.
• Neckline increase – Row 10 – Turn, CH 1, SC in 1st ST, SC in each ST except last ST, 2 SC in last ST. Total SC= 11.
• Row 11 – Turn, CH 1, SC in 1st ST, SC in each ST till end of the row. Total SC= 11.
• Row 12 to Row 29 – Repeat Row 10 and Row 11 alternatively. Total SC at the end of Row 29 – 19. Piece measures appx. 16 cm.
• Armhole increase- Row 30 – CH 5, turn, SC in 2nd CH from hook, SC in each of next 3 CH ST, SC in each ST except last ST, 2 SC in in last ST. Total SC – 24.
• Row 31 – Turn, CH 1, SC in 1st ST, SC in each ST till end of the row. Total SC= 24.
• Row 32 – Turn, CH 1, SC in 1st ST, SC in each ST except last ST, 2 SC in last ST. Total SC= 25.
• Row 33 – Turn, CH 1, SC in 1st ST, SC in each ST till end of the row. Total SC= 25.
• Row 34 to Row 47 – Repeat Row 32 and Row 33 alternatively. Total SC at the end of Row 47 – 32.
• Row 48 to Row 53– Turn, CH 1, SC in 1st ST, SC in each ST till end of the row. Total SC= 32.
• Neckline decrease – Row 54 – Turn, CH 1, SC in 1st ST, SC in each ST except last 2 ST, SC2TOG in last 2 ST. Total SC= 31.
• Row 55 – Turn, CH 1, SC in 1st ST, SC in each ST till end of the row. Total SC= 31.
• Row 56 to Row 59 – Repeat Row 54and Row 55 alternatively. Total SC at the end of Row 47 – 29. Do not cut the yarn. Continue to bottom edging.

Edging over bottom front:

• Continue from front right panel.
• Row 1- CH 1, SC in 1st ST, SC in each ST till end of row, CH 5, attach CH on the decrease side of front left panel (this makes triangle shape in the middle), continue to work SC over each ST till end of row on left panel.
• Row 2 –Turn, CH 1, SC in 1st ST, SC in each ST, SC over each CH ST, SC over remaining ST till the end of the row.
• Row 3 to Row 5 – Turn, CH 1, SC in 1st ST, SC in each ST till end of row.

Back panel – Left

• Row 1 – CH 11, SC in the 2nd ST from the hook, SC in each CH ST. Total SC= 10.
• Row 2-Row 4 – Turn, CH 1, SC in 1st ST, SC in each ST till end of the row. Total SC= 10.
• With another strand of yarn, CH 15 and attach it to the opposite side of the working end.
• Row 5 – Turn, CH 1, SC in 1st ST, SC in each ST till end of the row, SC in each of the 15 CH ST. Total SC= 25.
• Row 6 – Turn, CH 1, SC2TOG in first 2 ST, SC in each ST till end of the row. Total SC= 24.
• Row 7 – Turn, CH 1, SC in 1st ST, SC in each ST till end of the row. Total SC= 24.
• Row 8-Row 35 – Repeat Row 6 and Row 7 alternatively. Total SC at end of row 35= 10.
• Row 36 to Row 53 – Turn, CH 1, SC in 1st ST, SC in each ST till end of the row. Total SC= 10.

Back panel – Right

• Row 1 – CH 11, SC in the 2nd ST from the hook, SC in each CH ST. Total SC= 10.
• Row 2-Row 4 – Turn, CH 1, SC in 1st ST, SC in each ST till end of the row. Total SC= 10. CH 16.
• Row 5 – SC in the 2nd ST from the hook, SC in each CH ST, SC in each ST till the end of the row. Total SC= 25.
• Row 6 – Turn, CH 1, SC in 1st ST, SC in each ST till end of the row except last 2 ST, SC2TOG in last 2 ST. Total SC= 24.
• Row 7 – Turn, CH 1, SC in 1st ST, SC in each ST till end of the row. Total SC= 24.
• Row 8-Row 35 – Repeat Row 6 and Row 7 alternatively. Total SC at end if row 35= 10.
• Row 36 to Row 53 – Turn, CH 1, SC in 1st ST, SC in each ST till end of the row. Total SC= 10.

Assembly panels:

• Place the panels such that the wrong sides are facing outward.
• Place the left front and left back panels over each other and sew on the side seams stitch by stitch.
• Repeat the same for the right front and right back panels.

Sleeves (Make two)

• Row 1 – CH 16, SC in 2nd ST from hook, SC in each CH ST till end. Total SC= 15.
• Row 2 to Row 15– CH1, 2 SC in first ST, SC in every ST except last ST, 2 SC in last ST.
• Picot shell edging over sleeves- CH1, SC in first ST, *skip 2 ST, 3 DC in next ST, CH3, SLST in first CH, 3 DC in same ST, skip 2 ST, SC in next ST*. Repeat * to * till the end of the row.

Assembly – sleeves:

• With WS of both armholes and sleeves facing outward, start sewing from the sides of armhole and sleeves edge to edge in the outermost stitches till the armhole length.
• Do not work on the bottom side of the armholes as we are working cap sleeves here.

Neck edging-

• Attach yarn on the first ST on the right panel.
• Picot shell edging over sleeves- CH1, SC in first ST, *skip 2 ST, 3 DC in next ST, CH3, SLST in first CH, 3 DC in same ST, skip 2 ST, SC in next ST*. Repeat * to * till the end of the neckline.
• Repeat the same on left front panel.

Finished top:

Happy crocheting!!