With the Plain Trellis Stitch:

A multiple of 4 stitches + 3.
(Add 3 for base chain).

1st Row. 1 sc into 6th ch from hook, *5 ch, skip 3 ch, 1 sc into next ch; rep from * to ed, turn.
2nd Row. *5 ch, 1 sc into next 5-ch arch, repeat from * to end, turn.
Rep 2nd Row.

Tip:
For a firmer fabric, work the single crochet in the center chain of 5, instead of in the chain space.

Crochet a sleeveless blouse, or a dress.

Detail showing trellis with block and diamond patterns.

This crochetology problem is an exploration of one of the simplest in the category of openwork and lace patterns: the Plain Trellis Stitch.

The Trellis Stitch is also known as “fishnet chains” and “arch mesh.” It is also commonly found as net or mesh background in Irish crochet.

Below is another instruction/chart for the Trellis Stitch.

In designing the garment, you can incorporate other patterns or variations of the Trellis Stitch.

One variation of the Plain Trellis Stitch that I used is the Shell Trellis Stitch.

Shell Trellis Stitch

Multiple of 12 sts + 1 (add 2 for base chain).
1st Row (right side). 2 dc into 3rd ch from hook, *skip 2ch, 1 sc into next ch, 5 ch, skip 5ch, 1 sc into next ch, skip 2 ch, 5 dc into next ch; rep from * ending last rep qith only 3 dc into last ch, turn.
2nd Row. 1 ch, 1 sc into first st, *5ch, 1 sc into next 5-ch arch, 5 ch, 1 sc into 3rd dc of next 5 dc; rep from *ending last rep with 1 sc into top of tch (turning chain), turn.
3rd Row. *5 ch, 1 sc into next 5-ch arch, 5 dc into next sc, 1 sc into next arch; rep from * ending 2 ch, 1 dc into last sc, skip tch, turn.
4th Row. 1 ch, 1 sc into first st, *5 ch, 1 sc into 3rd dc of next 5 dc, 5 ch, 1 sc into next 5-ch arch; rep from * to end, turn.
5th Row. 3 ch (counts as 1 dc), 2 dc into first st, *1 sc into next arch, 5 ch, 1 sc into next arch, 5 dc into next sc; rep from * ending last rep with only 3 dc into last sc, skip tch, turn.
Rep 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th rows.

In my work, I re-arranged the shells in the Shell Trellis Stitch so that the shells form a diamond pattern.

To complement the Trellis design (which is used largely for the lower section of the blouse), I decided on the block and diamond pattern for the bodice.

Block and diamond pattern:

CL2 (2-dc cluster): (Yo and draw up a lp, yo and draw through 2 lps on hook) two times in same stitch, yo and draw through all 3 lps on hook.
CL3 (3-dc cluster): (Yo and draw up a loop, yo and draw through 2 lps on hook) three times in same stitch, yo and draw through all 4 lps on hook.

Make foundation chain.
Row 1. 7 dc, ch 3, sk 3 ch, dc on 4th ch, ch 3, 7 dc.
Row 2. 7 dc, sk 3 ch, CL3 in dc, ch 3 CL3 in same dc, sk 3 ch, 7 dc.
Row 3. 7 dc, ch 3, sl st in 3-ch loop, ch 3, 7 dc.
Rep from row 1.

Hem:

For this blouse, I used the same basic chain loops and clusters as the basis for this scalloped edging. Try experimenting with other trimmings.

Sl st to center of 5-ch loop.
Row 1. Ch 3, dc in 3rd ch of next 5-ch lp, ch 3, dc in same ch, ch 3, sc in next 5-ch lp. Rep to end.
Row 2. 3 sc in 3-ch sp, 4 sc in 3-ch sp bet dc, 3 sc in 3-ch sp, sc in sc. Rep to end.
Row 3. Dc, sk 3 sc, (3DCL in next sc, ch 1) four times, sk 3 sc, dc in next sc. Rep to end.
Row 4. Dc in dc, *dc in first cl, ch 2, dc in 2nd cl, ch 2, dc in 3rd cl, ch 2, dc in 4th cl, dc in dc; rep from * to end.
Row 5. Sl st to 2-ch sp, *tr, ch 2, tr in next 2-ch sp, ch 2, tr in same sp, ch 2, tr in next 2-ch sp, sk 3 dc, rep from * to end. Join with sl st to beg tr.
Row 6. 3 dc in first 2-ch sp, 3 dc in 2nd 2-ch sp, 3 dc in 3rd 2-ch sp, dc bet next 2 dc. Rep to end.
Rep rows 1, 2, 3.

To shape the neckline and armholes, decreasing Trellis Stitches are used. The straps are also made entirely of Trellis Stitches.

Below is a schematic of the design of the sleeveless blouse. You can start with a study drawing such as this to see how the different stitches and patterns fit together. In my case, however, I usually start by crocheting one section of the garment (usually the front bodice) and then develop the rest of the design along the way.

Construction schematic for the blouse.

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