In the Shell is a crochet top worked in the Tunisian short-row technique. Each shell element of the top is small enough to place all of your stitches on a regular crochet hook.

The pattern assumes basic familiarity with Tunisian crochet, specifically how each row is worked as two separate passes and how to work the Tunisian simple stitch.

Find Tunisian crochet tutorials at www.msweaver.com/tutorials/tunisian-crochet/.

The top is started at the bottom and worked up to the armholes in rows of shells with the right side always facing up. The upper portion (starting from the armholes) is worked separately, side to side.

MATERIALS

• Yarn: Lace Merino by Ella Rae, Fingering/4 ply, 100% merino, 460yd (421m) per 100g skein, shades 00 Natural, 26 Sand Stone
• Regular crochet hook: US G (4mm)
• Yarn needle to weave in ends
• Stitch markers

YARDAGE

• 1 (2, 2, 2, 2) skeins each in 26 Sand Stone (MC) and 00 Natural (CC)

GAUGE

• 2 shells = 5¼’’ (13.3 cm) wide
• 1 shell = 1¾’’ (4.5 cm) tall
• The size of the top can be adjusted by using thinner/thicker yarn or making a shorter/longer base row and changing the number of starting half-circles.

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Sizes S (M, L, 1X, 2X) to fit 31½ (36¾, 42, 47¼, 52½)“ / 80 (93, 107, 120, 133) cm bust circumference with no ease.

1. WIDTH: 15¾ (18⅜, 21, 23⅝, 26¼)’’ / 40 (46.5, 53.5, 60, 66.5) cm
2. CIRCUMFERENCE: 31½ (36¾, 42, 47¼, 52½ )’’ / 80 (93, 107, 120, 133) cm
3. ARMHOLE DEPTH: 6¼ (8, 8, 9, 9)’’ / 15.75 (20.25, 20.25, 22.5, 22.5) cm
4. LENGTH UP TO ARMHOLES: 12⅜ (14, 14, 14, 14)’’ / 31.5 (36, 36, 36, 36) cm
5. TOTAL LENGTH: 18½ (22, 22, 23, 23)’’ / 47.25 (56.25, 56.25, 58.5, 58.5) cm
6. BACK NECK WIDTH: 6 (7⅞, 9⅞, 9⅞, 11⅞)’’ / 15 (20, 25, 25, 30) cm

Tech editing by Amy Curtin (Amerz on Ravelry).

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