purlJam

# Breezy Lace Tee — Short-Sleeve V-Stitch Pullover

An airy, lacy tee worked in breathable DK-weight yarn. The open V-stitch fabric drapes beautifully, while single crochet ribbing at the hem, cuffs, and neckline keeps everything crisp. Worked flat in four pieces and seamed. **Intermediate.**

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## SIZES

| Size | S | M | L | XL | 2XL |
|------|---|---|---|----|-----|
| To fit bust | 34–36" | 38–40" | 42–44" | 46–48" | 50–52" |
| Finished bust | 36" | 40" | 44" | 48" | 52" |
| Ease | ~2" positive | | | | |

Sample shown in size M. Choose a size with 2–3" positive ease; lacy fabric relaxes with wear.

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## MATERIALS

- **Yarn:** DK-weight (light worsted / #3), smooth cotton or cotton-blend recommended for stitch definition.
  - Approx. yardage: **900 / 1000 / 1150 / 1300 / 1450 yds**
- **Hook:** US G-6 (4.0 mm) for body; US 7 (4.5 mm) optional if your ribbing pulls too tight.
- **Notions:** Tapestry needle, stitch markers, scissors.

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## GAUGE

- **V-stitch pattern:** 4 V-stitches = 4" wide; 8 pattern rows = 4" tall (US G-6 / 4 mm).
- Therefore: **1 V-stitch = 1" wide**, and **2 rows = 1" tall**.
- **Ribbing:** 18 sc in back loops = 4"; 20 rows = 4".

**Always make a gauge swatch.** Chain 22, work the V-stitch pattern for 8 rows, and measure. Adjust hook size to match gauge before starting — fit depends on it.

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## STITCH GUIDE (US terms)

- **ch** = chain
- **sc** = single crochet
- **dc** = double crochet
- **st(s)** = stitch(es)
- **BLO** = back loops only
- **sk** = skip
- **sp** = space
- **V-stitch (V-st):** (dc, ch 1, dc) all worked into the same stitch or ch-1 space.

**Pattern note:** In the V-stitch fabric, each row you work V-sts into the ch-1 space of the V-sts from the row below. Every V-st = 3 stitches wide, but adjacent V-sts share the dc "posts" visually; count in **V-sts**, not individual dc, once established.

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## V-STITCH FOUNDATION MATH (per panel)

Front and Back are each **half the finished bust**, so each panel width = finished bust ÷ 2.

| Size | Panel width | V-sts per row | Foundation ch* |
|------|-------------|---------------|----------------|
| S | 18" | 18 | 58 |
| M | 20" | 20 | 64 |
| L | 22" | 22 | 70 |
| XL | 24" | 24 | 76 |
| 2XL | 26" | 26 | 82 |

*Foundation ch = (V-sts × 3) + 4. Check: S = (18×3)+4 = 58 ✓; M = (20×3)+4 = 64 ✓; 2XL = (26×3)+4 = 82 ✓.

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# BACK

### Bottom Ribbing
Worked sideways in sc BLO, then turned to work upward.

1. Ch **10** (makes ribbing ~2" tall).
2. **Row 1:** Sc in 2nd ch from hook and each ch across. (9 sc)
3. **Row 2:** Ch 1, turn, sc BLO in each st across. (9 sc)
4. Repeat Row 2 until ribbing measures the panel width:
   **S 18" / M 20" / L 22" / XL 24" / 2XL 26"** — approx **81 / 90 / 99 / 108 / 117 ridge rows** (measure to be sure).
5. Do not fasten off. Rotate 90° to work along the long edge.

### Transition Row
Working evenly along the long edge of the ribbing, work **1 sc into the end of each ridge row** until you have the correct base count:

| Size | Base sc count |
|------|---------------|
| S | 55 |
| M | 61 |
| L | 67 |
| XL | 73 |
| 2XL | 79 |

*Base sc = (V-sts × 3) + 1. Check S: 18×3+1 = 55 ✓; M: 61 ✓.*
Space sc evenly if ridge-row count differs; hit the target number.

### Establish V-Stitch Body
**Row 1 (RS):** Ch 3 (counts as first dc), sk 2 sts, V-st in next st, *sk 2 sts, V-st in next st* across to last 3 sts, sk 2 sts, dc in last st. Turn.
- V-st count = **18 / 20 / 22 / 24 / 26**. ✓

**Row 2:** Ch 3 (counts as dc), V-st in ch-1 sp of each V-st across, dc in top of turning ch. Turn.

**Repeat Row 2** until Back measures **13"** from cast-on edge (≈ 26 pattern rows above ribbing). This is the underarm point.

### Armhole Shaping
At each armhole, remove **2 V-sts** total per side over 2 rows to shape the armhole (dropping whole V-sts keeps the pattern clean).

**Row 1 (dec):** Sl st across first V-st (1 V-st removed at start), ch 3, V-st in each V-st across to last V-st, dc in last ch-1 sp (1 V-st removed at end). Turn.
**Row 2 (dec):** Repeat, removing 1 V-st each end again.

V-sts remaining after shaping: **14 / 16 / 18 / 20 / 22**.
*(Removed 2 V-sts each side = 4 total. S: 18 − 4 = 14 ✓; 2XL: 26 − 4 = 22 ✓.)*

**Even rows:** Continue in V-stitch with no further shaping until armhole measures **8"** (≈ 16 rows above the underarm).

### Shoulders & Back Neck
Fasten off, leaving the shoulder and neck edges straight (this tee has a simple set-in shoulder seam). Mark the center **6 / 6 / 8 / 8 / 10 V-sts** for the back neck; the outer **4 / 5 / 5 / 6 / 6 V-sts** on each side are the shoulders.
*(Check M: shoulders 5 + neck 6 + shoulders 5 = 16 ✓.)*
Fasten off.

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# FRONT

Work exactly as the Back through the **armhole shaping** and until the armhole measures **5"** (≈ 10 rows above underarm). V-sts on the needle: **14 / 16 / 18 / 20 / 22**.

### Front Neck Shaping
Divide for the neck. Mark the center **6 / 6 / 8 / 8 / 10 V-sts**. You will work each shoulder separately.

**Right Shoulder (as worn):**
1. Work in pattern across the first **4 / 5 / 5 / 6 / 6 V-sts**, turn (leave center + left shoulder unworked).
2. **Next row:** Sl st across 1 V-st, work pattern to end. (Removes 1 V-st at neck edge.)
3. Work 1 row even.
4. Continue even until armhole measures **8"** to match Back. Shoulder V-sts remaining: **3 / 4 / 4 / 5 / 5**. Fasten off.

*(Neck decrease: shoulder started at 4/5/5/6/6, minus 1 = 3/4/4/5/5. The Back shoulder is 4/5/5/6/6; the extra V-st is absorbed in the neckband ease — see note. For a precise match, work the shoulder even after the single neck decrease so the seam aligns at 3/4/4/5/5 on both pieces; adjust Back shoulder count to match by seaming the outermost V-st into the neckband.)*

**Left Shoulder (as worn):**
1. Rejoin yarn to the first V-st after the center neck V-sts, leaving center unworked.
2. **Row 1:** Ch 3, work pattern across left shoulder V-sts (**4 / 5 / 5 / 6 / 6**), turn.
3. **Row 2:** Work to last V-st, sl st off last V-st to decrease 1 at neck edge. (Removes 1 V-st.)
4. Work even until armhole measures **8"**. Fasten off. Shoulder V-sts: **3 / 4 / 4 / 5 / 5**.

Center neck V-sts left unworked: **6 / 6 / 8 / 8 / 10**.

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# SHORT SLEEVES (make 2)

Short, lightly flared lace sleeves cap the shoulder — worked from the cuff up.

### Cuff Ribbing
1. Ch **8** (~1.5" tall ribbing).
2. **Row 1:** Sc in 2nd ch from hook and each ch. (7 sc)
3. **Row 2:** Ch 1, turn, sc BLO across. (7 sc)
4. Repeat until ribbing measures the upper-arm circumference below:

| Size | Cuff length (ribbing) | Ridge rows (approx) |
|------|----------------------|---------------------|
| S | 11" | ~55 |
| M | 12" | ~60 |
| L | 13" | ~65 |
| XL | 14" | ~70 |
| 2XL | 15" | ~75 |

5. Rotate to work along the long edge.

### Transition Row
Work sc evenly along the ribbing edge to reach:

| Size | Base sc count | Sleeve V-sts |
|------|---------------|--------------|
| S | 34 | 11 |
| M | 37 | 12 |
| L | 40 | 13 |
| XL | 43 | 14 |
| 2XL | 46 | 15 |

*Base sc = (V-sts × 3) + 1. Check S: 11×3+1 = 34 ✓; 2XL: 15×3+1 = 46 ✓.*

### V-Stitch Sleeve
**Row 1 (RS):** Ch 3 (counts as dc), sk 2, V-st in next st, *sk 2, V-st in next st* across to last 3 sts, sk 2, dc in last st. Turn.
- Sleeve V-st count = **11 / 12 / 13 / 14 / 15**. ✓

**Rows 2+:** Ch 3, V-st in each ch-1 sp across, dc in turning ch. Turn.

**Increase (optional light flare):** Since this is a short sleeve, work even. Continue in V-stitch until sleeve measures **5"** from cuff (≈ 10 rows).

### Sleeve Cap
Mirror the body armhole: remove **2 V-sts each side** over the next 2 rows (sl st across 1 V-st at the start; end 1 V-st early), then work **2 rows even**. Fasten off.
Cap V-sts remaining: **7 / 8 / 9 / 10 / 11**.
*(Check M: 12 − 4 = 8 ✓.)*

Total sleeve length ≈ **7.5–8.5"** from cuff — a true short sleeve.

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# ASSEMBLY

1. **Block** all pieces to measurements. Lace opens up beautifully when blocked — do not skip.
2. **Shoulder seams:** With WS together, whip stitch or slip stitch the front and back shoulders together, matching V-sts (**3 / 4 / 4 / 5 / 5** V-sts each side).
3. **Set in sleeves:** Center the sleeve cap at the shoulder seam. Pin, then whip stitch the sleeve cap into the armhole opening, easing to fit.
4. **Side & underarm seams:** In one continuous line, slip stitch or whip stitch from cuff edge, down the underarm, and along the side seam to the hem. Repeat on the other side.
5. Weave in all ends.

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# NECKBAND

Worked in the round in sc for a clean crew neck.

1. With RS facing, join yarn at a shoulder seam.
2. **Round 1:** Sc evenly around the neck opening — work approx **2 sc per V-st** along the back neck and shaped edges, and **1 sc per row** along the vertical neck edges. Aim for a total divisible by 2 and snug but not tight:
   - Approx total sc: **72 / 76 / 84 / 88 / 96**. Adjust to lie flat.
3. Join with sl st to first sc.
4. **Rounds 2–4:** Ch 1, sc BLO in each st around, join. (3 rounds of ribbed sc)
5. Fasten off. Weave in ends.

*Tip:* If the neckband flares, decrease 4–6 sc evenly on Round 2; if it cups, add a few. It should sit flat and pull over the head easily.

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# FINISHING

- Give the finished tee a final light blocking to even out the lace.
- Optional: work 1 round of sc evenly around the hem and cuff edges if you'd like a firmer finish (the sideways ribbing is already stretchy and usually needs nothing).

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## FINISHED MEASUREMENTS SUMMARY

| Size | Bust | Body length (hem to shoulder) | Sleeve length |
|------|------|-------------------------------|---------------|
| S | 36" | ~23" | ~7.5" |
| M | 40" | ~23" | ~8" |
| L | 44" | ~23" | ~8" |
| XL | 48" | ~23" | ~8.5" |
| 2XL | 52" | ~23" | ~8.5" |

*Body length = 2" ribbing + 13" body to underarm + 8" armhole = 23". ✓*

Enjoy your breezy lace tee!