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I designed this Beach Day Cover-Up Tunic for the Mother’s Day CAL. This is the 3rd pattern in the series. You can find all the information on the CAL, plus the patterns HERE.
While this was designed as a bathing suit cover-up, it could work double duty over leggings or skinny jeans and a tank top. The deep V neckline in front and back makes this an easy piece to wear and it looks kind of sexy too, don’t you think?
I sized it to fit loosely and a few inches above the knee on a typical Medium/Large frame and I’ve provided instructions on how to make it larger or smaller and longer or shorter, so you may customize to your needs.
The cover-up is so much fun to wear that my model started getting silly on the beach!
Isn’t she cute?
I used Premier Cotton Fair for my cover up, in Turquoise and White. Cotton Fair is a blend of cotton and acrylic, which makes it perfect for year-round use. The yarn is soft with a beautiful, gentle sheen. It is smooth to work with and creates nice even stitching with good definition that won’t sag out of shape. This yarn comes in a lovely range of bright solids and multi colors so you are sure to find just the right color for your project.
For the Beach Day Cover-Up Tunic
I used 3 balls of White and 2 balls of Turquoise
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Want the coordinating hat? Click the photo below!!
PATTERN INSTRUCTIONS
Size: Approximately 30″ wide x 36″ long from shoulder
Materials:
- Premier Cotton Fair Yarn or similar #2 weight yarn –
- Color 1 – 3 balls white (317 yards each);
- Color 2 – 2 balls blue (317 yards each)
- 6 beads or shells for belt (optional)
- Hook US G/4.00 mm
- 2 stitch markers
Gauge: 18 dc x 10 rows = 4”
Abbreviations:
ch: chain
dc: double crochet
FDC: foundation double crochet
sc: single crochet
st(s): stitch(es)
Special Instructions:
- Pattern written in US terms.
- Weave ends as you work.
- Stitch count is in ( ) at the end of the row.
- Repeat instructions in [ ] as indicated.
- Fasten off at color changes.
Pattern Instructions
The cover-up is worked in two long rectangles from the center out toward each arm. The First Panel is worked from center to arm and fastened off. The Second Panel is joined at row 1 of the First Panel and worked from center to the other arm. To achieve a symmetrical center seam, I use Foundation Double Crochet (FDC) to create the opening for the head when working the Second Panel. If you prefer not to work FDC, you may work two pieces exactly the same as the First Panel and simply seam them together in the first 100 stitches on either end.
First Panel:
Stitch multiple = 8 +3
Row 1 (Right Side Row): With Color 1, ch 307, dc in 4th ch from hook (skipped chs count as dc), dc in each st to end. Place stitch marker in base of last dc. Note: If you want a longer or shorter cover-up adjust the beginning chain by increments of 8. Each increment of 8 = approximately 1.75”. (305)
Rows 2: Ch3 (counts as dc here and throughout), turn, dc in each st to end. (305)
Row 3: Join Color 2, ch1, turn, sc in each st to end. (305)
Row 4: Ch7 (counts as dc+ch4), turn, skip 3, sc in next st, ch4, skip 3, [dc in next st, ch4, skip 3, sc in next st, ch4, skip 3], repeat until there is one st left, dc in last st. (76 ch4 spaces)
Row 5: Ch1, turn, sc in first st, ch9, sc in next dc, [ch9, sc in next dc] repeat to end. (38 ch9 spaces)
Row 6: Ch7 (counts as dc+ch4), turn, sc in center of ch9 space, ch4, dc in the next sc, [ch4, sc in center of ch9 space, ch4, dc in next sc], repeat to end. (76 ch4 spaces)
Row 7: Ch1, turn, sc in first st, [3sc in ch4 space, sc in next sc, 3 sc in ch4 space, sc in next dc], repeat to end. (305)
Join Color 1 in first st of Row 7 – both row 7 and 8 are right side rows. EVERY time you join Color 1 it will be a right side row.
Rows 8 to 11: Ch3, dc in each st to end. (305)
Rows 12 to 38: Repeat Rows 3 to 11, three times. Note: If you’d like to make the cover-up wider or narrower, add or delete repeats as needed. Each repeat is approximately 3″
Row 39: Repeat Row 3.
Row 40: Ch7, turn, skip 3, sc in next st, ch4, skip 3, [dc in next st, ch4, skip 3, sc in next st, ch4, skip 3] 12 times, dc (place stitch marker in this dc), ch4, skip 3, sc in next st, ch4, skip 3, [dc in next st, ch4, skip 3, sc in next st, ch4, skip 3] 11 times.
The remainder of this row will be worked into the dc already completed (up to this point) to create the side seam. Bring wrong sides of cover up together and match hemline, the next dc will be joined to the dc where you placed the stitch marker, as follows:
Join dc = Start the dc as you normally would but do not pull through the last two loops, now insert hook into the marked dc and pull a loop through it and the remaining 2 loops on the hook to complete the join,
[Make a Join dc, ch4, skip 3, sc in next st, ch4, skip 3] repeat to end making the last join in the 3rd ch of the beginning ch7. Fasten off.
Second Panel:
See ** above for alternative method to Row 1
Row 1: Join Color 1 in stitch marker, ch3, working along beginning chain of First Panel, dc in next 99 sts, FDC 105, skip 105, dc in last 100 sts. Note: If you’d like to make the neck opening smaller, dc as many stitches as desired on either side of the opening and reduce the number of FDC. (305)
Rows 2 to 40: Repeat Rows 2 to 40 of First Panel.
Hemline:
Round 1: With right side facing, join Color 1 in either side seam at hemline, ch1, sc around as follows: 1sc in each sc row, 2sc in each dc row, 3 sc in each ch3 space, join with sl st to first sc.
Rounds 2 to 3: Ch1, sc in each st to end, join.
Round 4: Turn to work from inside, working loosely, slip st in each st to end, join. Fasten off. Note: you may find it useful to go up one hook size to work a little looser.
Neckline Border:
Join Color 2 at either neckline shoulder (where the shoulder seam would be), ch1, sc in each st around making sure to join the gap from the FDC within the border.
Belt:
With Color 2, make a chain that is approximately 6 feet long, leaving a 6” long tail on both sides. Repeat two more times so that you have 3 chains.
Match up the three chains and make a knot approximately 6” from end of chain (not including the tail). Braid the three strands until you have approximately 6” of chains left (not including the tail). Knot this end as you did the first end. Make sure both knots are tight. If desired add beads or shells to the 6 loose ends of the belt using the tail to sew them on.
Weave belt through lacy part of the cover up at the waistline.
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You may also like these patterns made with Cotton Fair!
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Hi, for the beach day cover up tunic, do you think it would be OK to use Patons Silk Bamboo yarn? It’s a 3/light weight yarn. I would decrease the number of stitches – just wanted to get your opinion if you think the yarn will work. Thank you in advance!
I’m not familiar with that yarn, however, if you are comfortable playing around with it to get gauge or adjust accordingly, I’m sure it would look lovely — bamboo and silk together is usually a winning combination!
Hello!
I’m working on your Beach-day Coverup and am ready to begin the second panel. I have never come across the term FDC before and cannot find instructions for this in your pattern, or anywhere else. I assume it’s a ‘chainless’ Row of double crochets. Can you clarify or provide a link to instructions?
Many thanks,
Sabine
You are correct, it is a foundation double crochet as noted in the abbreviation and is used as an alternative method to start a project. There are many video tutorials on YouTube, I like this one: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=189tIFkAoUg
Thanks for your response- the tutorial is very helpful.
The remainder of your pattern is very well written and easy to follow. I’m looking forward to completing this coverup and bonus!! I learned something new.
Cheers
Sabine
Hello, I starting your cover up but I would like to know how to make it larger not longer (you indicate that in the instructions already). I decidee to use a much thinner yarn and I would like some advice to make it larger thnx!!!
Thank you for your note. The instructions are within the pattern, here you go:
Rows 12 to 38: Repeat Rows 3 to 11, three times. Note: If you’d like to make the cover-up wider or narrower, add or delete repeats as needed. Each repeat is approximately 3″
Love the pattern!! In regards to your #CELEBRATEMOMCAL – BEACH DAY COVER-UP TUNIC
under Hemline, Round 2 is missing… does it exist??
No, that was a typo. Thanks for letting me know.
Ow do I get a pattern for xl
If you read through the pattern, it will give you guidelines on how to change sizing.
I am just wondering if it against any rules or your own wishes to repost a free pattern into a free crochet pattern Facebook group?
You can post the link to my pattern, please do not post the actual pattern in any way.
I am having a problem with Row 5 If I do sc then ch 9 into dc I get more than 38 ch9 what am. I messing? I don’t get it,!
Hi there. I have a support group at an event in the Crochet Playground. Please ask your question there.
Link to the Crochet Playground: https://www.facebook.com/groups/CrochetPlayground/
Link to the event: https://bit.ly/2HeaqJY