How to Crochet a Summer Lace Halter for a Baby Girl

There is something essentially innocent and just plain pretty about tiny lacy things. While the spring and summer months make it seem very silly to work on heavy items like sweaters and blankets, it doesn't stop our fingers from itching to crochet something beautiful.

This halter works up very quickly and is made with a simple cluster stitch that results in a lacey, sun-loving shirt for a baby girl 0-3, 6-9, 12-18 months. Created using Caron Simply Soft yarn, it brushes over the skin like a cloud that the little ones in your life will love to wear.

You can find a hat & sock combo and a pair of crochet sandals to match this halter here.

Instructions are written for the beginning crocheter, using no abbreviations in the main pattern.

Crochet Lace Halter

Materials
Caron Simply Soft No Dye Lot Yarn (or other Medium Weight 4), Soft Pink - 1 Skein (6 oz.)
F/5 3.75mm crochet hook, G /6 4.25mm crochet hook
Yarn needle

Finished Size
3 [6, 12] months

Gauge
4 clusters = 1 inch

Pattern Notes

Instructions are given for size 3 months. Changes (where applicable) are in parenthesis.

Worked in one piece, starting at the waist. Worked in rounds to the chest, which are worked in rows. Edging and ties are added to the finished halter.

Special Pattern Stitches

Beginning cluster (beg. cluster): Ch 2; yo, insert hook in first sc, yo and pull up a loop, yo and draw through 2 loops on hook, (yo, insert hook in next sc, yo and pull up a loop, yo and draw through 2 loops on hook) twice, yo and draw through all 3 loops on hook.
Basic cluster (cluster): Yo, insert hook in same sc as last st, yo and pull up a loop, yo and pull through 2 loops on hook, (yo, insert hook in next sc, yo and pull up a loop, yo and draw through 2 loops on hook) twice, yo and draw through all 4 loops on hook, ch 2 loosely.

Halter

Halter Body:

With F hook, ch 60 (70, 80) loosely. Join with slip stitch to form a ring.

Round 1: Chain 2, single crochet in next chain and in each chain around. Join with slip stitch to top of beginning chain 2. (60 [70, 80] sc)
Round 2: (right side) Chain 2, turn; insert hook in first single crochet, work beg. cluster, chain 2 loosely, cluster around to the last single crochet, half-double crochet in last single crochet. Join with slip stitch to top of beginning chain 2.
Round 3: Chain 1, turn; single crochet in half-double crochet and in each of next 2 chains, *skip next stitch, single crochet in each of next 2 chains. Repeat from * around to the last 2 stitches; skip next stitch, single crochet in beginning chain 1.
Rounds 4-7 (9, 11): Repeat rounds 2-3.

(Start Chest)

Row 8 (10, 12): Chain 2, turn; insert hook in first single crochet, work beg. cluster, chain 2 loosely, cluster for 18 (22, 24) stitches to make 11 (13, 15) clusters. Slip stitch into same single crochet as last stitch made.
Row 9 (11, 13): Ch 1, turn; single crochet in half-double crochet and in each of next 2 stitches, *skip next stitch, single crochet in each of next 2 stitches. Repeat from * around to the last 2 stitches; skip next stitch, single crochet in beginning chain 1.
Row 10 (12, 14): Chain 2, turn; insert hook in first single crochet, work beg. cluster, chain 2 loosely, cluster in each stitch around to last single crochet of previous row. Chain 2, slip stitch in last single crochet.
Rows 11-15 (13-17, 15-19): Repeat rows 9-10.

Fasten off and weave in the yarn ends.

Edging and Ties:

Worked in one piece, incorporating ties into edging.

Join yarn to top right corner of halter chest. Chain 150 loosely, slip stitch in 2nd chain from hook and in each chain down, including same stitch as joining (first tie made).

Continuing across top edge: *3 single crochet in next stitch, skip next 2 stitches. Repeat from * to opposite corner of halter chest. Chain 150 loosely, slip stitch in 2nd chain from hook and in each chain down, including same stitch as first chain. (second tie made).

Continuing down side, single crochet evenly to the first round of waist. (Single crochet, chain 5, single crochet) in last stitch before waist.

Continuing around waist, single crochet in each stitch to center back. (Single crochet, chain 5, single crochet) in each of next 2 stitches, single crochet in each remaining stitch of waist, working (single crochet, chain 5, single crochet) in first stitch of opposite side. Single crochet up side to joining.

Fasten off and weave in the yarn ends.