V-Neck Crochet Blouse

Difficulty: Confident beginner
Terminology: US crochet terms
Construction: Route A — flat panels, bottom-up, seamed. Front and Back are worked separately from a foundation chain to the shoulders, then seamed at the sides and shoulders. Wide straps are a continuation of the panels.

A sleeveless, hip-length blouse in solid half double crochet. The fabric is opaque and structured — a good everyday layer. The Front has a moderate V-neck; the Back has a shallow shaped neck. No waist shaping.

This is written as a confident-beginner project: you will decrease for armholes and a V-neck, then seam. If you can work even hdc, hdc2tog, and mattress stitch, you can make this.

Sizes

XS (S, M, L, XL, XXL)

Instructions are written for XS with S, M, L, XL, and XXL in parentheses. When only one number is given, it applies to all sizes.

To fit bust: 30 (34, 38, 42, 46, 50) in (76 [86.5, 96.5, 106.5, 117, 127] cm)
Finished bust: 32 (36, 40, 44, 48, 52) in (81.5 [91.5, 101.5, 112, 122, 132] cm)
Intended ease: about 2 in (5 cm) — standard fit
Finished length (shoulder to hem): 21½ (22½, 23½, 24½, 25½, 26½) in (54.5 [57, 59.5, 62, 65, 67.5] cm)
Armhole depth: 7½ (8, 8½, 9, 9½, 10) in (19 [20.5, 21.5, 23, 24, 25.5] cm)
Shoulder strap width: 2¾ (3, 3½, 3¾, 4, 4¼) in (7 [7.5, 9, 9.5, 10, 11] cm)

Choose the size closest to your bust plus the ease you want. For a closer fit, go down one size if your bust is at the low end of a range.

Materials

Yarn: Worsted weight (4), cotton or cotton blend recommended for a breathable blouse.
Yardage: 500 (600, 700, 850, 1000, 1150) yd (455 [550, 640, 775, 915, 1050] m)

Hook: US H-8 (5 mm), or size needed to obtain gauge. Use a hook one size larger for the foundation chain if your chains run tight.

Notions:

• 4 stitch markers (2 locking/removable markers for the V-neck edges)
• Tapestry needle
• Scissors

Gauge

14 hdc and 12 rows = 4 in (10 cm) in hdc, worked flat, measured after blocking.

Swatch at least 6 in (15 cm) square. Block it the same way you will block the blouse, then measure the center 4 in (10 cm).

Stitch gauge controls the bust. If you have too many stitches per 4 in, go up a hook size; if too few, go down. Row gauge controls length — you may add or remove even body rows so the piece matches the inch measurement to the underarm.

Stitch Guide (US)

ch — chain
sl st — slip stitch
sc — single crochet
hdc — half double crochet
hdc2tog — half double crochet 2 together (1 stitch decreased): yarn over, insert hook in next stitch, yarn over, pull up a loop (3 loops on hook); yarn over, insert hook in next stitch, yarn over, pull up a loop (5 loops on hook); yarn over, pull through all 5 loops.
sc2tog — single crochet 2 together (1 stitch decreased): insert hook in next stitch, yarn over, pull up a loop; insert hook in next stitch, yarn over, pull up a loop; yarn over, pull through all 3 loops.

Pattern Notes

• The turning ch-1 at the start of an hdc row does not count as a stitch. Work the first hdc in the first stitch of the row.
• Work into both loops unless told otherwise.
• Stitch counts appear in bold at the end of each row that changes count.
• On sizes S, L, and XXL the Front has an odd stitch count. One center stitch is left unworked between the two sides of the V.
• Place a locking marker on the neck edge of each Front side as soon as you split the V. Decrease at the marked edge so you never have to remember left vs. right.
• Block both pieces before seaming.
• The solid hdc fabric is opaque. No lining is needed.

Back

Foundation: Ch 57 (64, 71, 78, 85, 92).

Row 1 (RS): Hdc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across, turn.
56 (63, 70, 77, 84, 91) hdc

Rows 2–42 (44, 45, 47, 48, 50): Ch 1, hdc in each st across, turn.
56 (63, 70, 77, 84, 91) hdc

Piece should measure about 14 (14½, 15, 15½, 16, 16½) in (35.5 [37, 38, 39.5, 40.5, 42] cm) from the foundation edge. Add or remove even rows here if you need a different torso length; match this row count on the Front.

Shape armholes

Armhole Row 1 (RS): Sl st in first 3 (4, 4, 5, 5, 6) sts, ch 1, hdc in each st across to last 3 (4, 4, 5, 5, 6) sts, turn, leaving rem sts unworked.
50 (55, 62, 67, 74, 79) hdc
(56 − 3 − 3 = 50 ✓; 63 − 4 − 4 = 55 ✓; 70 − 4 − 4 = 62 ✓; 77 − 5 − 5 = 67 ✓; 84 − 5 − 5 = 74 ✓; 91 − 6 − 6 = 79 ✓)

Armhole Rows 2–3 (3, 4, 4, 5, 5): Ch 1, hdc2tog, hdc in each st to last 2 sts, hdc2tog, turn.
Work 2 (2, 3, 3, 4, 4) decrease rows.
46 (51, 56, 61, 66, 71) hdc
(50 − 2 − 2 = 46 ✓; 55 − 2 − 2 = 51 ✓; 62 − 3 − 3 = 56 ✓; 67 − 3 − 3 = 61 ✓; 74 − 4 − 4 = 66 ✓; 79 − 4 − 4 = 71 ✓)

Next 16 (17, 18, 19, 20, 21) rows: Ch 1, hdc in each st across, turn.
46 (51, 56, 61, 66, 71) hdc

Armhole should now measure about 6 (6½, 7, 7½, 8, 8½) in (15 [16.5, 18, 19, 20.5, 21.5] cm). End after a WS row.

Shape back neck and shoulders

First shoulder (wearer’s left)

Neck Row 1 (RS): Ch 1, hdc in first 12 (13, 14, 15, 16, 17) sts, turn, leaving rem sts unworked.
12 (13, 14, 15, 16, 17) hdc

Neck Row 2 (WS): Ch 1, hdc2tog, hdc in each st to end, turn.
11 (12, 13, 14, 15, 16) hdc

Neck Row 3: Ch 1, hdc in each st across, turn.
11 (12, 13, 14, 15, 16) hdc

Neck Row 4: Ch 1, hdc2tog, hdc in each st to end.
10 (11, 12, 13, 14, 15) hdc
Fasten off.

Second shoulder (wearer’s right)

With RS facing, skip center 22 (25, 28, 31, 34, 37) sts, join yarn in the next st.

(12 + 22 + 12 = 46 ✓; 13 + 25 + 13 = 51 ✓; 14 + 28 + 14 = 56 ✓; 15 + 31 + 15 = 61 ✓; 16 + 34 + 16 = 66 ✓; 17 + 37 + 17 = 71 ✓)

Neck Row 1 (RS): Ch 1, hdc in same st and in each st to end, turn.
12 (13, 14, 15, 16, 17) hdc

Neck Row 2 (WS): Ch 1, hdc in each st to last 2 sts, hdc2tog, turn.
11 (12, 13, 14, 15, 16) hdc

Neck Row 3: Ch 1, hdc in each st across, turn.
11 (12, 13, 14, 15, 16) hdc

Neck Row 4: Ch 1, hdc in each st to last 2 sts, hdc2tog.
10 (11, 12, 13, 14, 15) hdc
Fasten off.

Total armhole rows: 23 (24, 26, 27, 29, 30) = 7½ (8, 8½, 9, 9½, 10) in ✓

Front

Work as for Back through Row 42 (44, 45, 47, 48, 50).
56 (63, 70, 77, 84, 91) hdc

Front and Back should be the same length to the underarm.

Place a marker on the center of the row. On sizes XS, M, and XL (even counts), place it between the two center stitches. On sizes S, L, and XXL (odd counts), place it in the single center stitch.

Shape armholes and V-neck — first side

You will now work one side of the V to the shoulder, then return and work the other side.

Dividing Row (RS): Sl st in first 3 (4, 4, 5, 5, 6) sts, ch 1, hdc in next 23 (25, 29, 31, 35, 37) sts, hdc2tog (neck), turn, leaving rem sts unworked.
24 (26, 30, 32, 36, 38) hdc
(sts used on this side after the skipped underarm: 25 [27, 31, 33, 37, 39]; hdc2tog uses the last 2 → 24 [26, 30, 32, 36, 38] ✓)

Place a locking marker on the neck edge (the edge you just decreased).

Both-edge decreases (armhole and neck)

Work 2 (2, 3, 3, 4, 4) rows as follows:

Decrease row: Ch 1, hdc2tog, hdc in each st to last 2 sts, hdc2tog, turn. (−2 sts each row)

20 (22, 24, 26, 28, 30) hdc
(24 − 2×2 = 20 ✓; 26 − 2×2 = 22 ✓; 30 − 2×3 = 24 ✓; 32 − 2×3 = 26 ✓; 36 − 2×4 = 28 ✓; 38 − 2×4 = 30 ✓)

Neck decreases only

Decrease 1 stitch at the neck edge every row 10 (11, 12, 13, 14, 15) times:

• WS rows: Ch 1, hdc2tog (neck), hdc in each st to end, turn.
• RS rows: Ch 1, hdc in each st to last 2 sts, hdc2tog (neck), turn.

10 (11, 12, 13, 14, 15) hdc
(20 − 10 = 10 ✓; 22 − 11 = 11 ✓; 24 − 12 = 12 ✓; 26 − 13 = 13 ✓; 28 − 14 = 14 ✓; 30 − 15 = 15 ✓)

Work even

Next 10 rows: Ch 1, hdc in each st across, turn.
10 (11, 12, 13, 14, 15) hdc

Armhole should now measure 7½ (8, 8½, 9, 9½, 10) in (19 [20.5, 21.5, 23, 24, 25.5] cm) and match the Back row count 23 (24, 26, 27, 29, 30). Fasten off.

Shape armholes and V-neck — second side

With RS facing, skip the center stitch on sizes S, L, and XXL (on XS, M, and XL there is no extra center stitch — join in the next st). Join yarn in the next st (neck edge of the second side).

Dividing Row (RS): Ch 1, hdc2tog (neck) in same st and next st, hdc in each st to last 3 (4, 4, 5, 5, 6) sts, turn, leaving rem sts unworked.
24 (26, 30, 32, 36, 38) hdc

Place a locking marker on the neck edge.

Both-edge decreases (armhole and neck)

Work 2 (2, 3, 3, 4, 4) rows as follows:

Decrease row: Ch 1, hdc2tog, hdc in each st to last 2 sts, hdc2tog, turn. (−2 sts each row)

20 (22, 24, 26, 28, 30) hdc

Neck decreases only

Decrease 1 stitch at the neck edge every row 10 (11, 12, 13, 14, 15) times:

• RS rows: Ch 1, hdc2tog (neck), hdc in each st to end, turn.
• WS rows: Ch 1, hdc in each st to last 2 sts, hdc2tog (neck), turn.

10 (11, 12, 13, 14, 15) hdc

Work even

Next 10 rows: Ch 1, hdc in each st across, turn.
10 (11, 12, 13, 14, 15) hdc

Match the first side and the Back: 23 (24, 26, 27, 29, 30) armhole rows. Fasten off.

Finishing

Block. Wet-block or steam-block Front and Back to the finished measurements below. Pin the V so it lies flat and the point is crisp. Let dry completely.

Shoulder seams. With RS together (or WS together if you prefer the seam on the inside), mattress-stitch each shoulder using the 10 (11, 12, 13, 14, 15) hdc. Front and Back shoulder counts match.

Side seams. Mattress-stitch each side from the hem to the start of the armhole shaping (the skipped underarm stitches). Do not sew the armholes closed.

Edging

Use the same hook. Work with RS facing. Keep the edging relaxed — if it draws in, go up a hook size for these rounds only.

Neckline (2 rounds): Join yarn at a shoulder seam.
Round 1: Ch 1, sc evenly around the neckline, working 3 sc per 2 row-ends along vertical edges and 1 sc in each st along horizontal edges. At the V-point, work sc2tog twice (over 4 sts at the point) so the V cups in instead of flaring. Join with sl st to first sc.
Round 2: Ch 1, sc in each sc around; at the V-point work sc2tog once. Join, fasten off.

Armholes (1 round each): Join at the underarm seam. Ch 1, sc evenly around (3 sc per 2 row-ends along the vertical edges; 1 sc in each skipped underarm st). Join, fasten off. Repeat for the second armhole.

Hem (1 round): Join at a side seam. Ch 1, sc in each foundation-chain stitch around. Join, fasten off.

Weave in ends. On this solid fabric you may weave along the wrong side of a column of hdc for 2–3 in (5–7.5 cm), then reverse direction for a few stitches to lock.

Finished Measurements (blocked)

Fit notes

• If the V sits too high, work 2–4 extra neck-decrease rows (and 2–4 fewer even strap rows) so the shoulder count stays the same.
• If the V sits too low, work 2–4 fewer neck-decrease rows and add those rows as even strap rows.
• Try the pieces on, held at the shoulders, before seaming if you want to confirm V depth.
• For a longer blouse, add even rows to both Front and Back before the armhole split, in matching counts.