McCall's Stitchery, Motifs in Crochet, Vol. III, 1972

Winter white squares and 3-color squares fit together neatly to make this charming blouse. Color motifs stripe sleeves, form bottom border, go in pars up front and back. A feminine note: little bows tied on sleeves.

SIZE:  Directions for small (6-8). Changes for medium (10-12) are in parentheses.

Note:  Both sizes are made the same; only the hook size and gauge are different.

Body Bust Size: 30-1/2" - 31-1/2" (32-1/2" - 34")
Blocked Bust Size: 32" (36")

MATERIALS: Knitting worsted, 2 4-oz. skeins winter white, main color (MC); 2 oz. each of light yellow, orange, pink, green, red, turquoise and purple or any desired colors. Crochet hook size H (J).

GAUGE: Each motif = 4" (4-1/2") square.

BLOUSE:  MOTIF A (make 30): With first color, ch 4, sl st in first ch to form ring.
Rnd 1: Ch 3, 2 dc in ring, (ch 3, 3 dc I n ring) 3 times, ch 3; join with sl st in top of first ch 3; end off.
Rnd 2: Join 2nd color in any ch-3 sp, ch 3, 2 dc in same sp, ch 3, 3 dc in same sp, (3 dc, ch 3, 3 dc in next sp) 3 times; join; end off.
Rnd 3: Join 3rd color in any corner ch-3 sp, ch 3, 2 dc in same sp, (3 dc in next sp between 3-dc groups; 3 dc, ch 3, 3 dc in next ch-3 sp) 3 times, 3 dc in next sp between 3-dc groups; join; end off. Check gauge; motifs should measure 4" (4-1/2") square.

MOTIF B (make 28): With MC only, work same as for motif A. Do not end off each rnd; sl st to corner sp.

JOINING: Arrange motifs as sown on diagram. From wrong side, with color matching one side, keeping seams elastic, sew motifs tog through top lps only.

GUSSETS: From right side, join MC in first corner sp at lower edge of 2nd sleeve motif (X on diagram), 2 sc in same sp, 3 hdc in next sp, 3 dc in next sp, 2 dc in next sp, dc in corner sp of next motif, 3 dc in each of next 2 sps, 3 dc in corner sp. End off. Beg in corner sp on opposite edge of sleeve, work gusset to correspond, end with 2 sc in corner sp at lower edge of 2nd motif.

FINISHING: Run in yarn ends on wrong side. Weave sleeve and sides tog.

NECK EDGING: With MC, make lp on hook, dc in corner ch-3 sp at center front neck, * ch 1, sk next dc, dc in next dc, repeat from * to neck corner; yo hook, pull up a lp in corner sp, yo and through 2 lps on hook, yo hook, pull up a lp in corner sp of next motif, yo hook and through 2 lps on hook, yo and through 3 lps, repeat from * around. End off.

SLEEVE EDGING: Join MC in corner ch-3 sp at sleeve seam. Ch 4, * sk next dc, dc in next dc, ch 1, repeat from * around sleeve edge, join in 3rd ch of ch 4; do not turn.
Rnd 2: Ch 4, * (dc, ch 1) twice in next dc, dc in next dc, ch 1, repeat from * around; join with a sl st in 3rd ch of ch 4. End off.

LOWER EDGING: With MC, work sc, ch 1 loosely around lower edge; join; end off.

TIES (make 2): With MC, ch 18" long. Tie into bow around center 3 dc group at center top of each sleeve. Make on 30" chain. Tie at front neck edge.

Steam press lightly.