Heart Shaped Sweater
The pattern is done in double crochet stitches (db), from bottom to top. This model has been realized using a 1mm crochet and a size 8 pearled cotton (a gauge supposed to be crocheted with crochet size 1.25mm , but I like a tighter stitch for dolls clothes). The exact reference I used for the model in the pictures is DMC Petra8.
You need to know:
how to chain stitch (ch) how to make a simple crochet stitch (sc) how to make a double crochet stitch (db) how to crochet two double crochet stitches together (2dbtog) how to do a slip stitch (ss) Abbreviations: skip \* stitch (sk\*) Special stitch: picot: 3 chain stitches, a slip stitch in the first chain stitch. fantasy stitch: \*sc, 1 ch, sk1, 1db, 1 picot, 1db in same stitch, 1 picot, 1db in same stitch, 1ch, sk1\*, repeat from \* to \* Optional: you can add pearls to the fantaisy stitch. Having previously put pearls on the thread, make one of them slip between the last stitch and your crochet while doing the middle chain stitch of each picot. At the beginning of each row, 3 chain stitches for turning count as a stitch. When a row starts by 2 chain stitch, it is because a decreasing is needed. A chain 2 followed by a db is equivalent to 2 db together. This way, you form one stitch withtwo.
Main body piece:
(1) On a base made of 35 chain stitches: row 1: 3 ch, db to end. (35 stitches) row 2: 3 ch, db to end. (35 stitches) row 3: 3 ch, 1 db in the same stitch, db to last, 2db in the last stitch (37 stitches) row 4: 3 ch, 1 db in the same stitch, db to last, 2db in the last stitch (39 stitches) row 5:3 ch, 2db in one stitch for the following stitches: number 15,16,17,18 and 22, 23, 24, 25. 1db in each stitch for the rest of the stitches. This will make the shape of the two cups. (47 stitches) On this base, you will mount the two sides of the back and the front separately. Numbers in green show where to start crochetting once you have finished and cut ateach step.
Right Back:
row 1: 3ch, 1db in the same stitch, 1db in each of next 5 stitches, 2dbtog (8 stitches on a 8 stitches base) row 2: 3ch, 1db in each of next 6 stitches, 2db in last stitch (9 stitches) row 3: 3ch, db to end (9 stitches) row 4: repeat rank 3 Cut, close the thread.
Front:
skip 3 stitches from the last stitch from the left back, attach the thread on the 4th (this will form the armhole, see position 2 in green on the picture). rank1: 2ch, 1db in each of the 4 next stitches, 5 db in the same stitch (cup), sk2, 1sc in each of next 9 stitches, sk2, 5db in the same stitch, 1db in each of the next 3 stitches, 2dbtog. row 2: 2ch, 1db in each of the next 3 stitches, 2db in each of the next 5 db, sk2, 1sc in each of the next 5 stitches, sk2, 2db in each of the next 5 stitches, 1db in the next 2 stitches, 2dbtog. row 3: 3ch, 1db in next 2 stitches, 1db in next 10 db (cup), sk2, 1sc, sk2, dbto end.
left shoulder:
row 1: 3ch, 1db in each 2 following stitches, 2dbtog (4 stitches on a 5 stitchesbase) row 2 : 3ch, db to end.(4 stitches) repeat row 2 twice (4 rows in total) Cut, close the thread.
right shoulder:
attach the thread on the 5th stitch counting from the end (see position 3 on picture). row 1: 2ch, 1db in each of the 4 following stitches (4 stitches on a 5 stitch base) row 2: 3ch, db to end (4 stitches) repeat row 2 twice (4 rows in total) Cut, close the thread.
Left Back
skip 3 stitches from the last stitch of the front piece, attach the thread on the 4th (see position 4 on picture). row 1: 2ch, 1 db in each of the next 6 stitches, 2db in the last stitch. (8 stitches on a 8 stitches base). row 2: 3ch, 1 db in the same stitch, db to end (9 stitches). row 3: 3ch, db to end.(9 stitches). row 4: repeat rank 3. Cut, close the thread. Sew the shoulder parts to the back parts (you can do it with your crochet using slip stitches to gather both sides)
Arms:
Since I don't like to sew, the arms parts are crochetted in round around the harmholes.
Join the thread under the arm hole, on the middle stitch of the 3, on the main body piece. row 1: 3ch, 1 db in next stitch, 2db on the side of each db around, 1db on last stitch, join in the first stitch with a slip stitch (25 stitches without counting the slip stitch), turn row 2: 3ch, \*2dbtog, 1db in next stitch\* repeat until the end and join with a slip stitch (17 stitches), turn row 3: 3ch, 1db in each db around, join with a slip stitch, (17 stitches) turn repeat row 3, 3 times (6 ranks in total) row 7: 1 ch, start the fantaisy stitches with 1sc in the same stitch as the first ch. Finish with with a slip stitch in the first sc.
Finishing
Bottom lace:
Join the thread at the start of the beginning chain of the main body piece. 1ch, 1 sc in the same stitch, fantaisy stitch and finish with two sc.
Back piece:
Add three rows on the vertical side of each side of the back, in order to sew snaps : 1sc on the side of sc, and 5 sc in total on the side of 2 db. (the count depends on your personal natural tension. Hide the thread ends into the sweater with an embroidery needle. Sew two snaps to close the sweater.
