ginkgo

Errata in row 1 – sorry about that! 

 New pattern! :D 

Really liking those half-lace blouses that are popular nowadays. So I figure I could make my own lace :D

It’s basically a part crochet, part fabric square top (my favourite kind of shirts!) with neck shaping.

I tried to make a ginkgo leaf pattern in the lace.

The size I made is 34″ around. But it’s a simple grid-like pattern repeat so every part is easily adjustable. 

I used one skein of #10 cotton crochet thread, and a 2.5mm hook.

Lace pattern starts from the bottom.

Shell = 5 dc in 1 st

Shell in the beginning/end of row = 3 dc in 1 st

Lace (make 2)

ch 135. (for size adjustments, add or minus multiples of 6 stitches. 6 stitches equals approx. 0.75″)

Row 1 (WS): ch 3, dc in 4th ch from hook, dc in each ch across. 

Row 2 (RS): ch 3, 2 dc in same st, skip 2 dc, dc in next dc, [skip 2 dc, 5 dc in next dc, skip 2 dc, dc in next dc] across, skip 2 dc, 3 dc in the top of turning ch. Turn.

Row 3: ch 5, skip shell in the beginning of row, dc in next dc, [ch 2, dc in 3rd dc of shell, ch 2, skip rest of shell, dc in next dc] across, ch 2, dc in top of turning ch. Turn.

Row 4: ch 3, 5 dc in next dc, [dc in dc, 5 dc in next dc across], dc in 3rd ch of turning ch. Turn.

Row 5: ch 5, dc in 3rd dc of shell, [skip rest of shell, ch 2, dc in next dc, ch 2, dc in 3rd dc of shell] across, ch 2, dc in top of turning ch. Turn.

Row 6: ch 3, 2 dc in same st, dc in next dc, [5 dc in next dc, dc in next dc] across, 3 dc in 3rd st of turning ch.

Row 7 – 16: crochet rows 3-6 twice, then rows 3-4

Right neck shaping:

Row 17: work as row 5 until 15 dc’s are made, dc in 3rd dc of next shell, turn.

Row 18: ch 3, skip 1st dc, dc in next dc, [shell in next dc, dc in next dc] to end, 3 dc in turning ch, turn.

Row 19: ch 5, work as row 3, dc in 3rd dc of last shell, skip rest of shell, dc in next dc, turn.

Row 20: ch 3, skip 1st dc, shell in next dc, work as row 4 to end.

Row 21: ch 5, work as row 5, dc in 3rd dc of last shell, dc in turning ch.

Row 22: repeat row 18.

Row 23: ch 1, sc in same st, sc in each st across. Fasten off.

Left neck shaping:

With wrong side facing, counting from the left edge, attach yarn to 3rd dc of the 8th shell.

Row 17: ch 3, skip remaining dc of shell, dc in next dc, work in pattern to end, turn.

Row 18: work in pattern until second last dc, dc in 2nd last dc, dc in last dc, turn.

Row 19: skip 1st dc, dc in 3rd dc of 1st shell, continue in pattern to end, turn.

Row 20: work in pattern, end with dc in turning ch, turn.

Row 21: ch 3, dc in 3rd dc of 1st shell, continue in pattern to end, turn.

Row 22: work in pattern, end with dc in turning ch, turn.

Row 23: ch 1, sc in same st, sc in each st across. Fasten off. 

Repeat from beginning for the other piece.

With right sides together, sew shoulder seams together. 

With right side facing, work a row of sc evenly across each sleeve edge by crocheting 2 sc in each row.

With right side facing, attach yarn to a stitch in the centre of neckline and sl st in every st around neckline.

Slightly block or gently press the piece so it lies flat.

Now the sewing begins! 

Determine total length of blouse, or how long you want your blouse to be.

Fold crocheted piece in half along shoulder seams and measure its height from shoulder to bottom of piece. 

Subtract height of crocheted piece from total length of blouse = length of fabric needed.

Measure width of crocheted piece from sleeve edge to sleeve edge = width of fabric needed.

Add 1/2″ seam allowance on all sides.

Cut 2 pieces of fabric to measurement.

With the sewing machine, I zigzag stitched around all sides on both fabric to minimize fraying.

With right sides together, centre crocheted piece on fabric along top edge. Pin bottom row of crocheted piece to the top edge of one piece of fabric, leaving the 1/2″ seam allowance on fabric, like so…

Close up of pinning…

Using small and close-together running stitches, hand-sew fabric and crochet piece together along the stitches between the dc row and the first shells row (where I placed the pins in the photo above).

Then machine-sew along the same line with large stitches, like so.

Repeat with the other side of the crochet piece and the other piece of fabric.

Press seam allowance downward (see photo below).

For the length of the armholes, I measured from top of shoulder to mid chest. Alternatively, one could measure a sweater that fits well from top of shoulder to underarm to get the measurement. Mark where the armhole ends on the fabric. Then sew each side seam up to that mark, like so…

Press side seams open. Then sew a V-shape around the bottom of each arm hole, with the seam allowance of the fabric wrapping around the edge of the crochet piece. Back stitch a couple of times at the bottom of the V, across the side seam. Like so…

Press and sew hem. And we’re all done! :D

Feel free to drop me a note if you want any clarification!

Have a wonderful Thursday! :D