I am attempting to make this a one piece. I have a 36 inch afghan hook. I am beginning at the left edge.

I am working six rows in tss and one row in tdc
Beginning with 3 sts i am increasing at the beginning and end of the forward rows until the left edge measures 48 inches . ON rows with the tdc, I am increasing two st at the end of the forward row
I am hopeful that it will be a rectangle when I am done

Hibernating April 2010 to work on some summer projects
Sept 2010 Started back up
Started with 2 stitches, increased on forward rows at beg and end. Once the left edge was 48 inches, I inc at beg of forward row and dec at end of forward row to create an edge.

It was very difficult to find the neck opening.
I was off on one side by about three inches.
I think it might have been useful to block the garment and make measurements before creating the opening.
I continued to use the 4 ft afghan hook with the opening and crocheted across. I did have to use two skeins of yarn from the same dyelot.