The first attempt (knitted) was a total failure, the second (again: knitted) was better but sagging and not at all what I had wanted it to be.
The third time’s the charm! Here is the tunic I have made: It’s crocheted and has the granny squares Catherine (mother to one of J’s classmates) wanted to have. I managed to weave in the last ends in time to give it to her on her birthday. And – yay! – it fits her.
Maybe I can convince the happy owner to take a picture when wearing it for all of you to see.
Thank you again for your suggestions. (At the end, I would come up with my own pattern).