Dress in Wave Stitch

Posted on December 27, 2009 by fats

A new dress for Christmas. The embroidered lace bolero is a gift from my mom.

The inspiration for this project begins with the wave stitch.

Crochetology problem:

Use the wave stitch and improvisations thereof for the bodice (section B) of a crocheted sleeveless dress. Use glitter thread in combination with cotton to create an embellished effect. In this project, I used white cotton with gold glitter thread, as well as a very very soft green color of cotton thread.

Schematic for the dress.

For the straps and upper section of the bodice (section A), select a simple openwork but sturdy pattern, for example, I selected a pattern for a camisole but used two strands of thread for strong fabric.

You may also use a color lighter (rather than glaringly different) than the bodice so that the embellished bodice may stand out but not too much. I used white cotton thread in combination with white rayon thread.

The lower section (section C) of the decorative bodice is now worked in the main body color of the dress. For this project, I selected an aquamarine color cotton thread. The lower section of the bodice uses a very fancy open-work pattern which I found in a magazine.

To create a transition of golden embellishment from the upper to the lower bodice, some gold beads were hand-sewn over the holes of the fancy open-work pattern of the lower bodice. Refer to the photograph for the position of the beads.

The back, waist and hip (section D) of the dress may be worked in variations of basic crochet stitches, for example basic single crochet, back loop single crochet, front loop single crochet, alternating rows of single and double crochet, single crochet cluster stitch, double crochet cluster stitch, and space and block filet crochet. Continue reading →

Cardigan chopsuey style

Posted on November 21, 2009 by fats

This cardigan is constructed from at least five different crochet patterns/motifs, a large portion of which were pieced together with the trellis stitch. The sleeves are based on a scarf pattern, which is also used in the upper body of the cardigan.

The cardigan's buttons are also crocheted.

Following is a rough description how I put this cardigan together. I also used a simple schematic for a summer cardigan such as this below.

You may use any cardigan schematic to determine the shape and size of your cardigan - and feel free to modify.

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Constructing with the Trellis Stitch

Posted on September 10, 2009 by fats

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.

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Turn a capelet into a shrug/bolero

Posted on September 5, 2009 by fats

Given the pattern chart for a capelet:

Make a shrug or bolero.

This problem draws inspiration from the simple shrug-construction technique, which is to start with a rectangular scarf, fold it in half lengthwise and sew along the seams with the opening in the middle for the head and arms to go through.

lace-shrug-shawl-2

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Appropriating stitches from baby patterns

Posted on September 4, 2009 by fats

Using the stitches from a baby garments pattern:

Pattern for a baby's shirt.

Make a sleeveless blouse for women.

This purpose of this problem is to learn to look at crochet pattern charts or diagrams, and pick out interesting stitches that could be useful in other contexts. You can begin with the given pattern above and try to see how the stitch is constructed, and how increases and decreases made. Increasing and decreasing are very important techniques in shaping a fabric.