Design your own crochet projects : magic formulas for creating custom scarves, cowls, hats, socks, mittens, and gloves / Sara Delaney.
Record details
- ISBN: 9781612126586
- ISBN: 1612126588
- Physical Description: 250 pages : color illustrations ; 24 cm
- Publisher: North Adams, MA : Storey Publishing, [2017]
Content descriptions
General Note: | Includes index. |
Formatted Contents Note: | Scarves -- Cowls -- Hats -- Fingerless mitts -- Mittens -- Gloves -- Socks. |
Search for related items by subject
Subject: | Crocheting > Patterns. Crocheting. CRAFTS & HOBBIES / Needlework / Crocheting. DESIGN / Fashion & Accessories. REFERENCE / Handbooks & Manuals. |
Genre: | Patterns. |
Available copies
- 5 of 6 copies available at Evergreen Indiana.
Holds
- 1 current hold with 6 total copies.
Location | Call Number / Copy Notes | Barcode | Shelving Location | Status | Due Date |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Jackson Co PL - Seymour Main Library | 746.434 DELANEY (Text) | 37500004437931 | Nonfiction | Available | - |
LaGrange Co PL - LaGrange Main Library | 746.434 DEL (Text) | 30477101116691 | Adult: Nonfiction | Available | - |
Porter County PL - South Haven Public Library | 746.434 DELAN (Text) | 33410014614699 | Adult Nonfiction | Available | - |
Princeton PL - Princeton | 746.434 Del (Text) | 30890000663078 | Adult Non-Fiction, Upper Level, Middle Room | Available | - |
Waterloo-Grant Twp PL - Waterloo | CR 746.434 DEL (Text) | 30090000755681 | Crafts | Available | - |
Winchester Comm. PL - Winchester | 746.43 DEL (Text) | 76682000145808 | Adult Nonfiction | On holds shelf | - |
Loading Recommendations...
Design Your Own Crochet Projects
Magic Formulas for Creating Custom Scarves, Cowls, Hats, Socks, Mittens, and Gloves
By Sara Delaney, Ilona Sherratt, Gwen Steege
Storey Publishing
All rights reserved.
Contents
Introduction,
1. SCARVES,
2. COWLS,
3. HATS,
4. FINGERLESS MITTS,
5. MITTENS,
6. GLOVES,
7. SOCKS,
APPENDIX,
Index,
Copyright,
Other Storey Books You Will Enjoy,
CHAPTER 1
Scarves
While crocheting a scarf may seem too predictable and even slightly boring to the experienced crafter, the simple rectangle is the perfect starting point for creating your first designs. No need to worry about shaping or working in rows: you have the gloriously simple task of working rows of stitches in a shape with four 90-degree-angle corners. Your only decision will be choosing whether to work widthwise or lengthwise.
Creating a Scarf Design
Begin by determining the size scarf you'd like to make. With that in mind, jot down your plan: the design you've chosen, the size scarf you want to make, and any style details.
SCARF WIDTH. Will your scarf be skinny or wide? Some scarves become so wide they can be considered stoles or shawls, but most are between 6 and 10 inches wide. If you want to be sure your scarf will keep out cold drafts, make it at least as wide as the measurement at the back of your neck from your hairline to the spinous process of your seventh vertebra (that bony bump at the bottom of your neck).
SCARF LENGTH. Will this be a scarf that hangs around your neck as decoration, or will it wrap several times around your neck for warmth? Most scarves are between 40 and 60 inches long â long enough to wrap once around your neck and still have enough to tuck the tails inside your coat, but not so lengthy that they seem overlong if your coat is left open, unless you're designing a replica of Doctor Who's scarf (the Fourth Doctor, that is). Determine the ideal length by looping a tape measure around the back of your neck, or wrapping it around your neck as many times as you'd like. If your tape measure is too short for the length you want, you can use a scrap length of yarn and then measure that piece flat afterward. Keep in mind that you usually want a scarf length that is close to a person's height. This is a particularly useful rule of thumb if you're making a scarf for a child.
What's Your Favorite ...?
You can use a scarf you already love as a template for width or length.
The Magic of the Swatch
With your design in mind, it's time to find a stitch/yarn/hook combination that you like. Working with the yarn you intend to use for your scarf, begin by making your swatch. When you're satisfied that the yarn, hook, and pattern stitch are working together, block and then measure (see Introduction from here to here) and weigh your swatch. Jot down these results in The Basics information (worksheet below).
A simple kitchen scale works well for weighing your swatch, though I like to use my antique postal scale. This is an important step in figuring out how much yarn you will need for a project, which we will get to shortly. Consider adding a half skein to the number of skeins your calculations indicate you need, so that you're covered if there are any defects in the yarn, like knots or frayed spots, or last-minute additions and adjustments to your pattern.
STANDARD SCARF SIZES AND YARDAGE REQUIREMENTS
This table shows three standard scarf measurements and their approximate yardage requirements based on a pattern consisting of a single stitch (sc, hdc, dc, and so on).
THE BASICS FOR SCARVES
Use the following data provided by your swatch to fill in the formula for calculating the amount of yarn you'll need for your scarf (see Calculating Yardage for a Scarf, below). Be sure to use the same unit of measurement (ounces or grams) for both the swatch weight and the skein weight.
SWATCH
Stitch pattern
Stitch multiple
Beginning stitch count for swatch
A Swatch width
B Swatch height
C Swatch weight
D Stitches per inch
E Rows per inch
F Pattern repeats per inch
G Stitches per pattern repeat
H Rows per vertical pattern repeat
YARN
I Weight of one skein of project yarn
MEASUREMENTS
J Desired width
K Desired length
Visit storey.com/crochet-calculator to create your customized pattern online.
CALCULATING YARDAGE FOR A SCARF
A Ã B = L Swatch area
J Ã K = M Area of finished scarf
M ÷ L = N Number of swatches to equal area of scarf
C Ã N = O Weight of yarn needed
O ÷ I = P Number of skeins needed
Note: Remember to give yourself some extra yardage as insurance.
Follow a Formula to Create the Pattern
It's always best to work from a written pattern. Even if you have no plans to make another scarf just like the one you're beginning here, it's useful to write out your pattern before you begin. You can certainly make changes as you go along. In fact, that's part of the creative process, but having a written plan is just a good habit. If you do decide to make another scarf like this one, you'll have all the information you need to do so, rather than trying to remember what you did and reverse engineer the pattern. The Scarf Pattern Formula (see below) is perfect if you're using a simple, single stitch throughout the whole scarf. If you are planning to use a more complicated stitch pattern with multiple stitches and rows to the pattern, however, you will want to use all or part of the Scarf Pattern Expanded Formula (see below).
To begin, complete The Basics worksheet. This is where you store all the detailed information about your design, gauge, the yarn and hook size used â the important things you'll need to know to recreate your pattern! Once you have all of this vital information, plug the right numbers into the pattern formula: just look for the corresponding letters to know what to fill in where.
SCARF PATTERN FORMULA
D Ã J = Q Beginning stitch count for scarf
E Ã K = R Rows to work
SCARF PATTERN EXPANDED FORMULA
You need to make a few more calculations when you are developing a pattern with specific stitch multiple requirements.
F Ã G Ã J = S Beginning stitch count
(E à K) ÷ H = T Total number of vertical pattern repeats
Fill in the Scarf Pattern Template
You can now fill out the Scarf Pattern Template (see below or download the printable PDF at bit.ly/crochet-scarf-template). Include a description of the project, your inspiration for it, and how yummy the yarn is. Be sure to give some information about the item and how it's worn. List all the abbreviations included in the pattern, and give directions for any special stitches in the places provided. Include a note if you have any additional information about your pattern that doesn't fall under the headings in the basic template. (Note that you may not need or want to include some of the items in the template for every scarf you make â for instance, the border stitch information.)
Scarf Pattern Template
DESIGN PLAN
Pattern name
Width
Length
Design details
SWATCH WORKSHEET
Width
Height
YARN
Manufacturer
Yarn name
Fiber content
Yardage/Weight per skein
Color(s)
HOOK
Size
MAIN STITCH PATTERN
Name
Source
Stitch multiple
GAUGE IN MAIN STITCH PATTERN (AFTER BLOCKING)
Stitches over 4"
Rows over 4"
BORDER STITCH PATTERN
Name
Source
Stitch multiple
GAUGE IN BORDER STITCH PATTERN (AFTER BLOCKING)
Stitches over 4"
Rows over 4"
Abbreviations Special Stitches
Notes
AT-A-GLANCE SCARF PATTERN
Use the numbers from the formulas you've completed to create your pattern. Here's a sample of the steps to include. Be sure to end each row of instructions with the stitch count you should be getting. If a row is repeated, it is not necessary to repeat the stitch count, but any time your instructions change or your stitch count changes, it should be noted.
* SETUP Chain a number equal to Q or S (depending on whether you are using the basic or expanded formula), plus however many stitches you need for your turning chain.
* ROW 1 Work your stitch pattern into the foundation chain. Be specific about where to place your first stitch.
ROW 2 Give full instructions for what needs to be done in this row.
CONTINUE Repeat these rows R times or for T pattern repeats or until the scarf measures K.
FASTEN OFF.
ADD-ONS Give specific row-by-row directions for any edge, border, or fringe desired.
FINISHING Weave in ends and block.
On the following pages you'll find patterns for two sample scarves to experiment with. For each, I've included the formulas I used to calculate yardage needs. You may want to crochet one or both of these, with or without your own variations, or you may want to jump right in and design your own scarf from scratch, using the formulas and template starting here for guidance.
PROJECT
Hitchcock Scarf
The clean lines and lengthwise construction of this scarf give it visual interest without loads of extra work. The simple, yet textural half double crochet stitches will fly off your hook. Worked in a solid color, this scarf is great for the man in your life or the friend with minimalist taste. You can easily spice it up by adding stripes or by using a variegated yarn. Note that I used the basic formula for this simple scarf, so I didn't need to fill in any information about repeats. This scarf is worked lengthwise.
THE BASICS FOR THE HITCHCOCK SCARF
SWATCH
Half double crochet Stitch pattern
any Stitch multiple
24 Beginning stitch count for swatch
6.5"A Swatch width
6"B Swatch height
28.35 gC Swatch weight
4D Stitches per inch
3E Rows per inch
n/aF Pattern repeats per inch
n/aG Stitches per pattern repeat
n/aH Rows per vertical pattern repeat
YARN
100 gI Weight of one skein of project yarn
MEASUREMENTS
60"J Desired width
7"K Desired length
CALCULATING YARDAGE FOR HITCHCOCK SCARF
6.5" Ã 6" = 39 sq. in.
A Ã B = L Swatch area
60" Ã 7" = 420 sq. in.
J Ã K = M Area of finished scarf
420 ÷ 39 = 10.77
M ÷ L = N Number of swatches to equal area of scarf
28.35 g à 10.77 = 305.33 g
C Ã N = O Weight of yarn needed
305.33 g ÷ 100 g = 3.05
O ÷ I = P Number of skeins needed
Note: This formula puts the weight at just over three skeins, but three was enough for this scarf. You often may have to use your judgment when the weight is a bit over or under the amount calculated by the formula. I tend to err on the side of caution and would gather four skeins if this formula came up with anything over three, because I don't mind having orphan skeins in my stash. These can inspire new projects or become part of stash-busting projects like granny square blankets or chunky, single-crochet rugs.
HITCHCOCK SCARF PATTERN FORMULA
Note: This scarf is worked lengthwise.
4 Ã 60" = 240
D Ã J = Q Beginning stitch count for scarf
3 Ã 7" = 21
E Ã K = R Rows to work
HITCHCOCK SCARF PATTERN TEMPLATE
DESIGN PLAN
Hitchcock Scarf Pattern name
7" Width
60" Length
SWATCH WORKSHEET
6.5" Width
6" Height
YARN
Valley Yarns Manufacturer
Northampton Yarn name
100% wool Fiber content
247 yds/"100 g Yardage/Weight per skein
3 skeins #40 Ocean Heather Color
HOOK
H/8 (5 mm), or size needed to obtain correct gauge Size
MAIN STITCH PATTERN
Half double crochet Name
any Stitch multiple
GAUGE IN MAIN STITCH PATTERN (AFTER BLOCKING)
16 Stitches over 4"
12 Rows over 4"
ABBREVIATIONS
CH chain
EA each
HDC half double crochet
St(S) stitch(es)
CROCHETING THE HITCHCOCK SCARF
* SETUP Ch 242 (this includes 2 extra chains for the turning chain).
ROW 1 Hdc 1 in third ch from hook, 1 hdc in ea ch across. (240 hdc)
* ROW 2 Ch 2, turn, 1 hdc in ea st across. (240 hdc)
* Repeat Row 2 nineteen times more or until your piece measures 7" wide. Fasten off.
* FINISHING Weave in ends and block.
PROJECT
Shepherd's Hollow Scarf
This second sample scarf has a slightly more complex stitch pattern. I've provided all the calculations needed to work up my design, using the expanded formula for developing stitch and row counts. The undulating rows of the Parquet Stitch presented in soft stripes of color are reminiscent of the rolling hills and rivulets of the village of Leeds in Western Massachusetts. The soft gray of the main color and the yarn texture remind me of that most plentiful of New England crops: fieldstones!
THE BASICS FOR THE Shepherd's Hollow Scarf
SWATCH
Parquet Stitch Stitch pattern
4 Stitch multiple
24 Beginning stitch count for swatch
6"A Swatch width
6.5"B Swatch height
9 gC Swatch weight
n/aD Stitches per inch
3.25E Rows per inch
1.38F Pattern repeats per inch
4G Stitches per pattern repeat
2H Rows per vertical pattern repeat
YARN
50 gI Weight of one skein of project yarn
MEASUREMENTS
8"J Desired width
70"K Desired length
CALCULATING YARDAGE FOR SHEPHERD'S HOLLOW SCARF
6" Ã 6.5" = 39 sq. in.A Ã B = L Swatch area
8" Ã 70" = 560 sq. in.J Ã K = M Area of finished scarf
560 ÷ 39 = 14.36M ÷ L = N Number of swatches to equal area of scarf
9 g à 14.36 = 129.24 gC à N = O Weight of yarn needed
129.24 g ÷ 50 g = 2.59O ÷ I = P Number of skeins needed
SHEPHERD'S HOLLOW SCARF PATTERN FORMULA (EXPANDED VERSION)
1.38 Ã 4 Ã 8" = 44.16F Ã G Ã J = S Beginning stitch count for scarf
(3.25 à 70")÷2 = 113.75(E à K ) ÷ H = T Total number of vertical pattern repeats
SHEPHERD'S HOLLOW SCARF PATTERN TEMPLATE
DESIGN PLAN
8" Width
70" Length
Stripes of two contrasting colors in increasing widths to the halfway point of the scarf (see Color Order below) Design details
SWATCH WORKSHEET
6" Width
6.5" Height
YARN
Elsebeth Lavold Manufacturer
Silky Wool Yarn name
45% wool, 35% silk, 20% nylon Fiber content
191 yds/50 g Yardage/Weight per skein
MC #86 Dark Oak, 2 skeins CC1 #59 Hazy Blue, 1 skein CC2 #126 Spring Grass, 1 skein Colors
HOOK
G/6 (4 mm), or size needed to obtain correct gauge Size
MAIN STITCH PATTERN
Parquet Stitch Name
4 Stitch multiple
GAUGE IN MAIN STITCH PATTERN (AFTER BLOCKING)
5.5 parquet loops (sc, ch 3, dc) Stitches over 4"
13 Rows over 4"
ABBREVIATIONS
CH chain
DC double crochet
REP repeat
SC single crochet
SK skip
SP(S) space (s)
ST(S) stitch (es)
CROCHETING THE SHEPHERD'S HOLLOW SCARF
Follow the color order shown below as you work the pattern instructions row by row.
* SETUP Ch 44 (this includes the turning ch).
* ROW 1 (1 sc, ch 3, 1 dc) in second ch from hook (1 Parquet loop made), sk 3 chs, * (1 sc, ch 3, 1 dc) in next ch, sk 3 chs; rep from * across until 3 chs remain, 1 sc in last ch. (10 Parquet loops)
* ROW 2 Ch 3, turn, 1 dc in first st, * (1 sc, ch 3, 1 dc) in next ch-3 sp; rep from * across to last ch-3 sp, 1 sc in last ch-3 sp, ch 2, 1 dc in first sc of last row.
* ROW 3 Ch 1, turn, 1 sc in first st, ch 3, 1 dc in ch-2 sp of row below, * (1 sc, ch 3, 1 dc) in next ch-3 sp; rep from * across, 1 sc in first dc of row below.
* Repeat rows two and three 113 times more, or until piece measures 70".
* FINISHING Weave in ends and gently block to settle stitches.
Color Order
Foundation ch + 2 rows MC
1 row CC1
1 row CC2
4 rows MC
2 rows CC1
2 rows CC2
8 rows MC
4 rows CC1
4 rows CC2
16 rows MC
8 rows CC1
8 rows CC2
All remaining rows MC
CHAPTER 2Cowls
Cowls are the must-have accessory in everyone's wardrobe. They are also the easiest introduction to a shape you'll need for the rest of the accessories in this book: the tube. Cowls can be short and fat to fit snugly under the chin, or long and thin to be worn as a decorative piece in a single loop, or looped multiple times about the neck for warmth. Between these two extremes, you can play with many variations. This accessory is a great way to experiment with working patterns in the round, as well as pairing main and border stitch patterns.
Developing a Cowl Design
Just as with a scarf, you need to decide on two key measurements for your cowl: circumference and width.
(Continues...)
Excerpted from Design Your Own Crochet Projects by Sara Delaney, Ilona Sherratt, Gwen Steege. Copyright © 2017 Sara H. Delaney. Excerpted by permission of Storey Publishing.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
Excerpts are provided by Dial-A-Book Inc. solely for the personal use of visitors to this web site.