Crocheted halter top and shawl

Halter is worked in shell pattern throughout. Instructions are written for Extra-Small (XS) size. Any changes for Small (S) or Medium/Large (M/L) are written in brackets. If there is only one set of figures, it applies to all sizes. Standard abbreviations are used. Recommended for crocheters with some experience.

You need:
Patons Grace pure cotton yarn (50 g balls) as follows:
4(5,5) balls main colour (MC), 60450 Coral
Small quantities of Contrast A (60604 Terracotta), Contrast B (60603 Apricot) and Contrast C (60451 Mango)
3 mm crochet hook and 3.5 mm crochet hook OR whichever size you require to produce the tension given below
Tapestry needle

Tension:
3-1/2 shells and 11 rows = 10 cm (4 ins) in pattern with larger hook. TO SAVE TIME, TAKE TIME TO CHECK TENSION.

FRONT
**With larger hook and MC, ch 80 (86,92).
Foundation row (right side): 1 sc in 2nd ch from hook, *skip next 2 ch, 5 dc in next ch (shell made), skip next 2 ch, 1 sc in next ch, rep from * to end of ch, turn. 13 (14,15) shells in row.
Row 1: Ch 3, 2 dc in first sc, *skip next 2 dc, 1 sc in next dc, skip next 2 dc, shell in next sc, rep from *, ending with 3 dc in last sc, turn.
Row 2: Ch 1, 1 sc in first dc, *skip next 2 dc, shell in next sc, skip next 2 dc, 1 sc in next dc, rep from *, ending with 1 sc in top of turning ch, turn.
Last 2 rows form pat.

Cont in pat until work from beg measures 24(24, 27) cm / 9-1/2 (9-1/2,10-1/2) ins, ending with right side facing for next row.**

To shape top:
Row 1 (right side): Sl st in each of first 3 dc, sl st in next sc, sl st in each of next 3 dc, ch 1, 1 sc in same dc as last sl st, pat to last 9 sts, skip next 2 dc, 1 sc in next dc, turn. Leave rem sts unworked.
Row 2: Sl st in first sc, sl st in each of next 3 dc, ch 1, 1 sc in same dc as last sl st, pat to last shell, skip next 2 dc, 1 sc in next dc, turn. Leave rem sts unworked.

Rep last row 4 (4,5) times more. 6 (7,7) shells in row.

Ch 3, 2 dc in first sc, *skip next 2 dc, 1 sc in next dc, skip next 2 dc, shell in next sc, rep from *, ending with 3 dc in last sc, turn.
Next row: Ch 1, 1 sc in first dc, *skip next 2 dc, shell in next sc, skip next 2 dc, 1 sc in next dc, rep from *, ending with 1 sc in top of turning ch, turn.

Rep last 2 rows 4 times more. Fasten off.

BACK
Work from ** to ** as given for Front. Fasten off.

To make edging:
Sew side seams. With right side facing and smaller hook, join yarn with sl st to top right-hand corner of Front. Work 1 row of sc evenly down right front shaping, across Back and up left front shaping. Do not turn.
Next row: Working from left to right instead of from right to left as usual, work 1 reverse sc in each sc to end of row. Fasten off.

To make casing:
Fold last 2 rows of Front to wrong side and sew in place, leaving ends open to make casing for tie.

To make tie:
With larger hook, make a chain 122 cm (48 ins) long. turn chain sideways and sl st in centre 'bump' at back of 2nd ch from hook, continue, sl st in each bump to end of ch. Fasten off.

FLOWERS
With smaller hook, ch 5, Join with sl st to first ch to form ring.
Rnd 1: [Ch 3, 1 dc in ring, ch 3, sl st in ring] 6 times. Fasten off, leaving approx 15 cm (6 ins) yarn end for sewing Flower to garment.

Rep to make 10(11,12) flowers each with A, B and C.

With tapestry needle and matching yarn, sew flowers around bottom edge of garment as shown in photo.