Shell Yeah! Free Tunic Crochet Pattern
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This lightweight, breezy, and beautiful tunic crochet pattern is perfect for summer. Pair this gorgeous tunic with a solid tank top underneath and you’ll be set all season long. The Shell Yeah! Tunic is a free crochet pattern in NINE sizes!
Shell Yeah! Tunic Crochet Pattern
For this tunic we are using the beautiful and open weave Argyle Shell stitch. We combine a series of chains, single crochets, and double crochets to make this delicate and super lightweight top.
This pattern has been recently UPDATED to include NINE sizes, instead of the original pattern that was one-size-fits-most. There is quite a bit of positive ease to this design meaning that you can use this as a tunic over a tank with jeans or leggings as I have done here, or it could be used as a super chic swimsuit coverup as well.
The drawstring (using I-cord, Romanian Cord, Lucet Fork, or a simple chain) and fancy beads add just the right amount of pizzazz!
This stitch is intermediate level, and there is a video tutorial that will help should you need it. Find that tutorial here, and work up the free pattern below!
Materials:
Size 1 yarn (Comfy Fingering in “Whisker” colorway used)
-approx. (1010, 1100, 1165, 1450, 1350, 1550, 1650, 1800, 1900) yards
Crochet hook in size 3.5mm or needed to obtain gauge.
Pattern Notes:
Shell = (dc, ch-1, dc, ch-1, dc) in same stitch.
The ch-5 at the beginning of the even numbered rows counts as a dc + ch-2.
Fsc = Foundation Single Crochet
If you need help reading a crochet pattern, make sure you head over here and check out this detailed post.
Right side (RS) are ODD numbered rows.
Finished Size:
Gauge: (5) argyle shells wide = 9” and (3) argyles tall = 4”
Gauge pattern:
Foundation: Ch-42, sc in second ch from hook. * ch-5, sk 3 sts, sc in next * repeat between * * to end.
Row 1: Ch-5, turn, * sc around ch-sp, shell in next sc, sc around next ch-sp. Ch-5 * repeat between * * 3 more times. Sc around next ch-sp, shell in next sc, sc around ch-sp. Ch-2, dc in last st.
Row 2: Ch-1, turn, sc in first st. * Shell in next sc, sc in center dc of next shell, shell in next sc. Sc around next ch-sp * repeat between * * 3 more times. Shell in next sc, sc in center dc of next shell, shell in next sc, sc in 3rd ch from beg ch.
Row 3: Ch-5, turn, * sc in center dc of next shell, shell in next sc, sc in center of next shell, ch-5 * repeat between * * three more times. Sc in center dc of next shell, shell in next sc. Sc in center dc of next shell. Ch-2, dc in last st.
Row 4: Ch-1, turn. Sc in first st, ch-5, * sc in center dc of next shell. Ch-5, sc around next ch-sp, ch-5 * repeat between * * three more times. Sc in center dc of next shell. Ch-5, sc in 3rd ch from beg ch.
Repeat rows 1 – 4 two more times for a total height of three argyle shells as pictured. Measure for gauge.
Get the ad-free printable version of this pattern on Ravelry or Etsy. Thank you!
Tunic Crochet Pattern:
Make two…
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Row 1: Fsc-(105, 113, 121, 129, 137, 145, 153, 169, 177) alternately you could ch-(106, 113, 122, 130, 138, 146, 154, 170, 178), sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch to end.
Row 2: Ch-1, turn, sc in each st to end. (105, 113, 121, 129, 137, 145, 153, 169, 177)
Row 3: Ch-1, turn. Sc in first st, * ch-5, sk 3 sts, sc in next * repeat between * * to end. (26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 42, 44 ch-sps)
Row 4: Ch-5, turn, * sc around ch-sp, shell in next sc, sc around next ch-sp. Ch-5 * repeat between * * (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 19, 20) more times. Sc around next ch-sp, shell in next sc, sc around ch-sp. Ch-2, dc in last st.
Row 5: Ch-1, turn, sc in first st. * Shell in next sc, sc in center dc of next shell, shell in next sc. Sc around next ch-sp * repeat between * * (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 19, 20) more times. Shell in next sc, sc in center dc of next shell, shell in next sc, sc in 3rd ch from beg ch.
Row 6: Ch-5, turn, * sc in center dc of next shell, shell in next sc, sc in center of next shell, ch-5 * repeat between * * (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 19, 20) more times. Sc in center dc of next shell, shell in next sc. Sc in center dc of next shell. Ch-2, dc in last st.
Row 7: Ch-1, turn. Sc in first st, ch-5, * sc in center dc of next shell. Ch-5, sc around next ch-sp, ch-5 * repeat between * * (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 19, 20) more times. Sc in center dc of next shell. Ch-5, sc in 3rd ch from beg ch.
Rows 8 – (75, 75, 75, 75, 75, 83, 83, 83, 83): repeat rows 4 – 7 — (17, 17, 17, 17, 17, 19, 19, 19, 19) more times.
Row (76, 76, 76, 76, 76, 84, 84, 84, 84): repeat row 4
Row (77, 77, 77, 77, 77, 85, 85, 85, 85): repeat row 5
Row (78, 78, 78, 78, 78, 86, 86, 86, 86): repeat row 6
*piece should measure approx. (25.5”, 28”) tall
Row (79, 79, 79, 79, 79, 87, 87, 87, 87): Ch-1, turn. Sc in first st, * ch-3, sc in center dc of next shell, ch-3, sc around next ch-sp * repeat between * * to end. Ch-3, sc in center dc of last shell, ch-3, sc in 3rd ch from beg ch. (105, 113, 121, 129, 137, 145, 153, 169, 177)
Fasten off leaving ~20” tail for seaming shoulders.
Block to (23, 25, 27, 29, 31, 33, 35, 37, 39)” x (31, 31, 31, 31, 31, 33, 33, 33, 33)”
Construction:
When finished blocking, lay wrong sides together (looking at fsc row is easiest to tell right from wrong side) and position shoulders for sewing.
Using the tails from where you left off and starting from the outside, sew each shoulder together using the Mattress Stitch for the width of (3, 4, 4, 4, 5, 5, 6, 7, 7) shells (or more or less as you like). Weave in ends.
Sides:
Position tunic so that the bottom rows line up. Counting up from the bottom, leaving eight shells unattached and seam sides together for the height of four argyle shells. Weave in all ends.
Drawstring (optional but snazzy!) make a drawstring as long as desired to wrap around yourself and tie a bow. Add wooden beads or larger glass beads as I have done here.
If the Argyle Shell is a new stitch for you, I hope you enjoyed learning it and working up this beautiful Shell Yeah tunic crochet pattern! I loved creating it and I can’t wait to see yours. Please share a photo with me by tagging @HeartHookHome on Instagram or Twitter, or in the Heart Hook Home Crochet Community on Facebook.
Remember that you can grab the ad-free printable version of this pattern on Ravelry or Etsy. Thank you!
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Hi, I like this pattern and the drawstring you made for it. Could you please tell me the steps for how you put that last bead on with the yarn around it? Thanks
Hello, I’ve purchased this pattern on revelry and I can complete up to the end of row 1 of the gauge pattern and then all goes awry. I have no problem following the instruction and completing the stitches, I think there may be something wrong on the instructions for row 2. I see another person left feedback who also had the same problem, can you check the instructions for the gauge pattern?
My apologies that it took me so long to get this fixed, but I have updated the pattern.
Do you have a video? I can’t even make it through the Guage swatch, I got lost on row 2 at the end. I have too many stitches or missed a stitch, not sure which it is.
Hi Angie! Yes, I have a tutorial for the Argyle Shell stitch which can be found here: https://hearthookhome.com/argyle-shell-crochet-stitch-tutorial/
Your patterns are always wonderful. Thank you for sharing all your creativity! I am always looking for a very lacy short-sleeve jacket to wear with sleeveless blouses. When I finish my current big project, I would like to make one of these; it may take me a year to get it done (I am a slow crocheter), but perhaps I can figure out how to make the pattern revisions — wish me luck!
How many stitches do you think should be added to make it a 3XL? And approximately how much more yarn will be needed? I appreciate any advice you can give. Thank you so much! You have inspired me to Crochet much more than I have in years.
Hi Ashlea, first I would like to say, Thank you for all that you do and share with us, you are so talented and for you to take the time to share so many of your creative skills with us, is a true blessing, so, I THANK YOU
Your crocheting follower and Fan!
Claudia
What would an good alternative yarn be that I could buy at Hobby Lobby I have a gift card and would love to use it for this.
Hi Genessa! Hobby Lobby has some sock yarns that would work well with this pattern…or they have Yarn Bee Mimosa which might work. Hope this helps!
OMGOODNESS!!!!
ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS!!!!! Love the COLOR
WOW!!! WOW!!! WOW!!!