Crocheted beach cover-up (1977)

Sorry about the delay in posting this - major broadband disappearance!!!

Yarn

9 50gr balls of Rowan Wool & Cotton in Citron 901 (A)

1 50 gr ball of Rowan Wool & Cotton in Tender 951 (B)

Hook

3.5 mm

Size

One size

Stitches used

ch - chain

sl st - slip stitch

sp - space

dc - double crochet

tr - treble

dtr - double treble

Guage

Each motif measures 5cm by 5cm

Method

Using (A) and 3.5 mm hook ch 5, sl st in first ch to form ring.

Round 1: 8 dc in ring: sl st to first st.

Round 2: Ch 5 (1 dtr, ch 2) 7 times; sl st in 3rd ch of ch-5.

Round 3: Ch 4; 3 dtr in same ch-4 sp as sl st; ch 3; *4 dtr in next ch-2 sp; ch 11; 4 dtr in next ch-2 sp; ch 3* (3 times); 4 dtr in next ch 2 sp; ch 11; sl st in 4th ch of ch 4. Fasten off.

Continue to make motifs in this manner, joining them as you work; in corners, in ch-11 arches, replace the 6th ch by 1 sl st in the 6th ch of corresponding arch of another motif; and on the sides, replace the 2nd ch worked between 2 groups of dtr by 1 sl st in corresponding space of 2nd motif; then work a 3rd joining in next corner. But each time a motif will be placed along one edge of garment (lower hem and sleeves) replace the ch-3 at centre of one side of motif by ch 1 to prevent stretching.

Make 12 motifs for the first band of the lower edge (remember to replace one edge of ch-3 sp with ch-2). When making the 12th motif join it to the first motif of the band, thus forming a ring of 12 motifs.

Make 5 more bands in this manner, joining them to the 12 motifs of preceding bands. On the last band, leave one motif free at each side for armholes. Continue working separately front and back. Make 2 bands of 9 motifs for front and back, joining the centre 5 motifs to the motifs of the preceding band, leaving 2 motifs free at each end for sleeves (ch 1 instead of ch 3 in centre of outer edge of each motif); and on the 2nd band the 3 centre motifs form the neck edge (ch 1 instead of ch 3 and ch 9 instead of ch 11).

Leaving the 3 centre motifs for neck edge, place 1 band of 3 motifs on each side of front with ch 1 instead of ch 3 on sleeve hem edge; and ch 1 instead of ch 3, and ch 9 instead of ch 11 on neck edge. Join with a matching band to back so that the garment is almost completed without seams!!!

Complete each sleeve underarm with a band of 2 motifs, joined also to the free motifs at each armhole.

Edging

Using (B) and 3.5 mm hook, work a border along sleeve hem edges, tunic hem edges and neck edges, *1 dc in corner sp; 2 dc in the dtrs; 1 dc and 1 picot (ch 3, 1 dc in top st of last dc = picot made) in side sp; 2 dc in the dtrs; 2 dc in corner sps; repeat from * around.

As always, let me know of any probs.

Embroidering with crochet

I found these pictures waiting to be posted and thought - let's go for it. These were taken of my beach bag last summer - a wicked purchase that I shouldn't have, but did, make!!! Lazing by the pool on my jolly hols, got me to thinking about embroidering in crochet onto a double crochet piece of work. I think I'll get onto that when the dust has settled from all the millions of other projects I've got simmering.

I haven't actually tried this out yet but give me a few days and I'll get back to you.

Let me know if you have some tips.

This bag that I bought is lovely and soooo useful but it was only while sitting by the pool in Sicily that I realised why I love it so. Of course it's the crochet (double) and also it's totally within most people's capabilities. The clever-clogs side is the embroidery which I have analysed as single crochet applied to the double crochet panels. I think that this could be an answer to not having fairisle at a crocheter's command. We can do colour and pattern as well as knitters (well, almost).

I'll keep you posted on what I find out.

From the sublime

Ooo, what a shocking July. I must say it was divine to go to Italy for an all-too-short holiday. I didn't skive off from crochet and here is a little taste of my crochet location! Now that I'm back I'm going to keep popping into the chaincreative workshop and post more tips, stitches and patterns. Stitch of the Week will be updated every Friday afternoon (unless something crops up!!). This week is actually going to be Pattern of the Week with the publishing, as promised, of the Beach Cover-up. It was an absolute success on the holiday and I really recommend making it up.

Just another tip. If you're wondering about where to go to get some sun you couldn't go far wrong in Southern Italy. We love Sicily and go through a company called ThinkSicily (http://www.thinksicily.com/) and they have a fabulous range of different places to stay. I love it there and find it's atmosphere so relaxing. Masses of time to crochet too!!!

Teatime doily

I made these macaroons on Sunday filled with mascarpone and raspberries and blueberry jam. Yummeeeeeeee! It got me thinking about doilies so I hunted out a vintage set of doilies I have (you can just see one of them on the plate) but I think I want to make my own in some zingy colours!! I have hundreds of vintage patterns so when I identify a goody I'll post it. I must admit a soft spot their retro outrageousness!!!

Stitch of the Week 2 July 2007

Easy-peasy Chevron

This is a neat way of creating a wickedly sharp zig-zag and without the annoyance of complicated decreases. I've passed on this knowledge from a great book by Jan Eaton called Ripple Stitch Patterns (Quarto Publishing).

Foundation Chain

Multiple of 16 plus 2

Row 1: 2 dc into 2nd ch from hook, *1 dc into each of next 7 chs, sk next ch, 1 dc into each of next 7 chs, 3 dc into next ch; rep from * to end, ending last rep with 2 dc into last ch; turn.

Row 2: Ch 1, 2 dc into first dc, *1 dc into each of next 7 dc, sk next 2 dc, 1 dc into each of next 7 dc, 3 dc into next dc; rep from * to end, ending last rep with 2 dc into last dc, turn.

Rep Row 2 from now on.

I haven't mentioned colour changes as that is up to you. The stitch pattern is so easy to remember and to follow.

I'm planning a shift dress in the tradition of 60's Mary Quant with a hint of Missoni.

In development

Now for something truly crochet. I'm just about to finish this beach cover-up (or tunic) and I'm really pleased with how its progressing. Made in Rowan Wool and Cotton, the motifs join together thus eliminating the need for any seams! How about that?! There are some yummy colours (I used Citron for this) and it gives just a little warmth for breezy summer holidays. I added the double crochet contrast trim with design advice from my daughter who, being a knitwear graduate, has a great eye for colour. I never do anything without asking her and she always seems to come up with something I haven't thought of.

Talking of summer hols, I'm away from next week but I'll post the pattern for this on my return in a couple of weeks. I want to 'road test' it before releasing it to the world.