The Craze to Cast On

The larger crochet hook creates a different effect.

Skill Level: Beginner

Sizes: XS (S, M, L, XL, XXL) The pattern is written for the smallest size with changes for larger sizes in parentheses. When only one number is given, it applies to all sizes. Note: For ease in working, before you begin the pattern, circle all numbers pertaining to your size.

Finished Measurements: Bust = 32 (36, 40, 44, 48, 52)" Length = 22 (22-1/2, 23, 23-1/2, 24, 24-1/2)"

Gauge: In single crochet, 10 stitches and 10 rows = 4"/10cm. TAKE TIME TO CHECK YOUR GAUGE.

• Lion Brand Homespun, Art. 790, 98 percent acrylic/2 percent polyester yarn (185 yards per skein): 4 (5, 5, 6, 6, 7) skeins of Waterfall (329)
• Size 10-1/2/K (6.5mm) aluminum crochet hook or size needed to obtain gauge
• Yarn needle

1. Back: Beginning at the lower edge, chain 41 (46, 51, 56, 61, 66). Row 1 (right side): Single crochet in second chain from hook and in each chain across * 40 (45, 50, 55, 60, 65) stitches; turn. Row 2: Chain 1, single crochet in each single crochet across; turn. Repeat Row 2 until piece measures approximately 15 inches from beginning ending with a wrong side row. Fasten off.

2. Armhole Shaping: With the right side facing, join yarn with a slip stitch in third stitch from right edge. Chain 1, single crochet in same stitch as joining and in each stitch across leaving last 2 stitches unworked; turn. Work even on remaining 36 (41, 46, 51, 56, 61) stitches to approximately 22 (221/2, 23, 231/2, 24, 241/2)" from beginning. Fasten off.

3. Front: Work as for Back to approximately 19-1/2 (20, 20-1/2, 21, 21-1/2, 22)" from beginning ending with a wrong side row; turn.

4. Left Shoulder: Chain 1, single crochet in each of first 10 (12, 14, 16, 18, 20) stitches; turn. Work even on these stitches until piece measures same as Back. Fasten off.

5. Neck and Right Shoulder: With the right side facing, skip the center 16 (17, 18, 19, 20, 21) stitches for neck. Join yarn with a slip stitch in the next stitch. Chain 1, single crochet in the same stitch as joining and in each remaining stitch across; turn. Work even on the 10 (12, 14, 16, 18, 20) stitches to same length as Left Shoulder. Fasten off.

6. Sleeves (make two): Beginning at the lower edge, chain 24 (24, 26, 26, 28, 28). Row 1 (right side): Single crochet in second chain from hook and in each chain across * 23 (23, 25, 25, 27, 27) sts; turn. Row 2: Chain 1, single crochet in each single crochet across; turn. Increase Row: Chain 1, 2 single crochet in first stitch, single crochet in each stitch across ending 2 single crochet in last stitch * 25 (25, 27, 27, 29, 29) stitches; turn. Repeat Increase Row every 4th row 0 (0, 0, 5, 5, 8) times, every 6th row 4 (6, 6, 3, 3, 1) time(s), and every 8th row 1 (0, 0, 0, 0, 0) time. Work even on the 35 (37, 39, 43, 45, 47) stitches until piece measures approximately 18-1/2 (19, 19-1/2 , 19-1/2 , 19-1/2 , 20)" from beginning. Fasten off.

7. Finishing: Join shoulder seams. Set in sleeves, sewing the skipped stitches on body to sides of upper sleeves. Join underarm and side seams. With the right side facing, join yarn with a slip stitch at neck edge near left shoulder. Slip stitch evenly around neck working a chain 1 at each corner on the front. At end, fasten off. Weave in loose ends on wrong side of fabric.