AboutMarla Expertise I have crocheted many doilies, I enjoy working with crochet thread. I have crocheted numerous afghans. But I have little to no experience in hairpin lace, or the afghan stitch. If you have a question pertaining to a pattern in a magazine, book or leaflet, please include the name and # of it, and the page or pattern #. There is a slight possibility I may have that pattern, and can refer to it. Although I have crocheted sweaters and slippers,I don't feel I have done enough of them to really give good advice as to assembling the pieces, but can give advice on the type of stitches.
Experience I have been a crocheter for almost 30 years.
Question QUESTION: Hello Marla,
I am so interested to crochet a jacket but i have
problems in reading the pattern and i can't understand
their diagram so much. This is the pattern from
garnstudio.com,DROPS number 99-18. Maybe you are familiar
with this site because they offer a lot of free patterns. I
would be so happy to hear from you. Thank you very much!
ANSWER: Hi Althea!
Thanks for asking. I have never seen this website, and it looks really interesting. As for the pattern, having the instructions crammed together doesn’t make reading it easy. I have learned to copy the instructions down, and breaking up steps line by line in a way that is easy to follow and I won’t lose my place. That is one thing to do that will make it easier. I hope I can answer your questions. I’ve only crocheted a couple of sweaters, so I am not experienced in joining the sleeves to the sweater.
First of all, at the beginning, the instructions refer to the different measurements of the right front band based on size the size of the sweater.
When you make your foundation chain, you chain 189 for XS/S; 221 for M/L, and so on. And in the diagram those are what those numbers mean, also. So when you see those grouped numbers throughout the pattern, choose the number that corresponds to your size.
And M.1, I think refers to skipping a stitch or missing a stitch.
The bottom part of the sweater will be all in one piece from the bottom to the underarm. You start at the bottom and crochet until the piece measures 3 1/8”. This is when you start to do the misses or skips as the directions say. You do not do the skips on the band. Then you continue crocheting until your piece Measures the length of the size sweater you are making.
A tip: When making the front parts and the sleeves, I would suggest you crochet both of them at the same time to ensure that your gauge remains the same. By this I mean crochet a few rows on one piece, and then a few on the other, and compare the lengths as you go. Tension can vary with a person from day to day, or even hour to hour, and with clothing, gauge is important. Compare the pieces with each other when they have the same number of rows and make sure they are the same length and width. Then if one piece looks larger then you only have a few rows to unravel and correct.
When you have crocheted up to the underarm, you may want to fold the piece so that it looks like the bottom part of the diagram below the arm. You may want to take some pieces of yarn and mark where the bands and front pieces begin and end. This is just for your own reference, and just a suggestion. Then you crochet whatever number of stitches or rows the pattern calls for.
When you have finished the front pieces, you crochet the back piece. When you are finished you sew the shoulder seams.
Then you crochet the sleeves. And then you crochet the collar, pockets, and button covers.
Now as to the diagram, the numbers refer to the length and width of the sleeve and sweater, This is a guideline to help you see if your gauge is the same as theirs.
I hope this has helped. Please let me know it there is something I didn’t answer or explain well. Good luck on your sweater!
Marla
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QUESTION: Crochet back and forth from mid front – remember
buttonholes on right front band.
It just confuses me what is a specific term "Band"
means..thank you again..and sorry if i have to ask many
questions.thank you.
Answer Hi Althea!
I am glad to help. Feel free to ask me anytime. Now, if you look at the picture, you will see strips lengthwise on the sweater that the buttonholes and the buttons are on. Those are those first and last 7 stitches you make on the sweater. That is what they call a "band", to distinguish it from the rest of the sweater. I hope that helps! Again, feel free to ask me anytime!
