Tunic is a universal and modern wardrobe item that has become a favorite for many girls and women. In the broad sense of the word, tunics are called clothes for the upper body, reaching the thigh line. The length of the model, decoration and technique can be completely different.
There are a large number of options for sewing and knitting tunics, which include sleeves or their absence, a dense or openwork fabric, the presence of everyday or holiday decor.
In this article, we will talk about what constitutes and how a summer tunic is crocheted. Schemes and descriptions of various models are provided with illustrations.
What yarn is suitable for knitting openwork products?
When choosing a material for making clothes, it is worthwhile first of all to pay attention to yarn with a high content of natural fibers. Suitable for summer things:
- Cotton.
- Linen.
- Bamboo.
- Viscose.
- Silk.
Why do many experienced craftswomen recommend such threads for crocheting a tunic? Patterns and descriptions for women (knitting patterns) also often involve the use of these materials, but the thread is applied a little thicker.
Many models are designed based on optimal and average parameters, and natural materials are suitable for most people. They absorb moisture well, let air through, in such clothes it’s not hot.
Unnatural threads
In some cases, you can apply blended yarn, in which artificial components are added to natural raw materials:
- Acrylic.
- Microfiber.
- Polyamide.
- Nylon.
If their content does not exceed 30%, then the material that prevails will determine the performance of the product. These components give the thread strength, elasticity, shine and lightness. In addition, this significantly reduces the cost of yarn.
Due to the negative effect on the skin and the inability to “breathe,” do not use a 100% artificial thread for crocheting tunics. Schemes and descriptions for women, photos, instructions and recommendations set forth below are given for cotton threads of various thicknesses.
Knitting a simple everyday tunic
The photo below shows a tunic with a straight silhouette.
The degree of complexity of such work is initial. This means that any novice craftswoman will easily get such a delicate crochet tunic (schemes and a description of the sequence of execution are proposed below).
As you can see in the diagram, the details of the front, back and sleeves are rectangles. To determine how many rapports will be the width of each fabric, you need to tie a control sample of the selected yarn. Its dimensions should be at least 12 centimeters on each side. In this case, the calculations will be more accurate, and the crocheted knitted openwork tunic (schemes and description are proposed for sizes 44-46) will fit.
When the sample is ready, it should be measured and determined how many rapports and rows occupy 10 cm in height and 10 cm in width. Using a simple proportion, you can easily calculate the width of the parts. To knit a tunic in the photo, six rapports were used for the details of the front and back and four for each sleeve.
Getting Started: Knitting
Based on the calculations, you need to dial the required number of air loops (VP). For this pattern, this number should be a multiple of 18, plus one loop per edge.
The specific direction of knitting (top to bottom) is a feature of this tunic model (crochet), the diagrams and description illustrate this. In the drawing of the pattern, the direction is indicated by arrows. This aspect should be considered when stitching parts.
Having knitted a cloth of the required length, the work is postponed and the manufacture of the following parts is started.
Tunic assembly
Finished parts are sewn along the shoulder seams 13 cm on each side. Then, the side seams are made, leaving 18 cm cuts for the armhole. Next, the sleeve is sewn along the side and sewn into the armhole.
The connection of parts is best done with a needle with the same thread that was used to crochet the tunic. Schemes and descriptions for women do not provide for strapping, but it can still be done along the edge of the sleeves and bottom.
An interesting product will turn out if you perform a deep neck and a narrowed sleeve. Such models form a more elegant silhouette. A good example is the following figure, which greatly facilitates crocheting of tunics (schemes and description of parameters in centimeters are suggested below).
There is also a variant of the pattern and simple binding of the edge of the product. It should be done after several rows of single crochet.
Crochet summer tunic - schemes and description
Openwork, almost transparent products have always been popular for many years.
The nice thing is that simple models are still considered classics and continue to find their fans. Among the simplest summer tunics can be called a product associated with a seamless pattern. However, in the previous paragraphs, the principle of making such a tunic crocheted with diagrams and description has already been given. Therefore, here we will consider the product, the details of which are collected from individual motives.
How to place square motifs?
Of course, you can use fragments of different shapes: triangular, round, hexagons and others. But squares are easiest to model, especially for beginners.
Openwork fragment becomes the main decoration of the tunic crocheted. Schemes and descriptions for women, as a rule, suggest either to make all the canvases from squares, or to combine them into stripes and combine with another pattern.
This model includes a simple mesh and large lace motifs. Fragments are arranged in three rows along the bottom line (typesetting canvas), and on the sleeves they represent a strip.
Special mention should be made of products consisting of one large square.
Most often, this technique is used to crochet spacious tunics, patterns and descriptions for women who are full consist in repeating the last rows of the motive as many times as necessary.
The process of making a summer tunic from motifs
The photo below shows an openwork tunic, which consists of squares.
For its manufacture, any scheme you like for the craftswoman is suitable. A good example is such a square.
Fragments connected by these schemes also look interesting. Repeating them is easy, a novice craftswoman will cope with this.
Details of the front and backs of the tunic are collected from motifs interconnected during the last row of knitting. In fact, this results in a circular canvas, which, when folded in half, has the shape of a rectangle.
Its width should be equal to half the circumference of the chest, and the height - the length of the tunic to the armholes.
Straps are knitted, starting from the front part, and sew on the back. Their width can be any: from one to ten centimeters. The final stage is the binding of the product. It is important here not to overdo it with the complexity of the pattern. If the squares have a rich ornament, the binding should be simple.
What is the beauty of improvisation
In such an exclusively applied form of creativity as crocheting, there are very few rigid and unshakable rules. For the most part, they relate to the general appearance of the product, the correctness of its cut and proportions.
Everything else (color, texture, pattern, arrangement of ornament elements and their quantity) depends only on the imagination of the knitter and her skill. The tunic depicted in the photo below is a great example of a creative approach to creating a model.
Here there are round motifs (flowers), a solid openwork pattern and continuous knitting, which is used to fix the bottom line and armholes.
The alternation of strips with various elements opens up the possibility for regulating the width of the canvas. This is true if the craftswoman plans to knit a fitted model.
Of particular admiration is the solution that has been used to form the neck. It combines the principle of the formation of a raglan sleeve with thin straps characteristic of summer products.
How to handle a knitted tunic
Cloths made with a hook are much denser than those knitted with needles. They are less susceptible to deformation, but although stretching does not threaten them, shrinkage is quite possible. Almost all natural materials can sit a little over time, especially after washing in hot water.
Therefore, the basic rules for caring for crocheted tunics relate to washing and drying. Water temperature should not exceed 30 degrees, machine wash is absolutely contraindicated, and it is better to dry such products when unfolded.
If necessary, iron the knitted tunic, this is best done through a layer of thin, damp cloth.
Conclusion
Guided by the tips and recommendations outlined, you can quickly crochet summer tunics (schemes and descriptions for women are pretty detailed). At the same time, the pattern is easily replaceable, and models can be decorated with additional decor: knitted flowers, beads or embroidery.