Expert: Patricia - 9/18/2010

Question
QUESTION: I have a pattern for a dress 0-3 mos. where the bodice joins the skirt, the instructions read, sc last 14 stitches,join, in beg sc, turn (this much I got) then it has (2 [2] ch-5 sps and I am totally lost. The next rnd is working in back lps ch 3. I cannot figure out what to do here, can you help me?

ANSWER: Hi Diane,
I will need the exact instructions as written for those two rows. Is this a pattern online that I can go to?  Or maybe you can scan it in and attach it to your AllExperts request.

I just don't have enough info to visualize what you are saying.
I look forward to hearing from you.

-Patricia

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I can't see an attachment for files, so I am just typing the instructions. I can't copy and paste because it is a secure document from epatterns.com. Last row of bodice instructions are, Working in front loops, ch 1, sc in each of first of 8 sts, [2 sc in next st, sc in each of next 8
sts]across with 2 sc in last st, turn. (120 sc)Then the
bodice joins the skirt on the next row


Skirt all sizes   Rnd 11 Now working in rnds and in both lps, ch 1, sc in each of next 13 sts, ch 5 sk next 33 sts (armhole), sc in each of next 27 sts, ch 5 sk next 33 sts (armhole, sc in each of last 14 sts, join(see pattern notes-which are join with slip stitch))in beg sc, turn.
(2 [2] ch-5 sps, 54 [71] sc)
Rnd 12 Working in back lps, ch3 (see pattern notes, which are ch 3 at beginning of row counts as first dc unless otherwise noted), dc in same st, *ch 1, sk nest st, V-st in next st, ch 1 sk next st. 2 dc in next st**, rep from * around, ending in last repeat at **, sk last 0 [1] st, join in 3rd ch of beg ch-3.(16 v-sts, 32 dc)
I hope this is enough for you to be able to help me, let me know if you need more. I tried to get help from epatterns but they won't answer me.

ANSWER: Diane,
Thanks.  I am out of town until tomorrow evening. When I get home, I will need to actually crochet this so I can see it.

I will get back to you as soon as I can.
Patricia

Friday, Sept. 17th
Hi Diane,
I read and reread your e-mail with the instructions for those rows.  I just can't get it enough to crochet it without seeing the whole picture.  I tried going to the website but it doesn't open.

Maybe you can send me web address and the pattern name.  If I could print out the whole pattern, along with a picture, I might be able to figure it out.  It's kind of like the old story about the blind people trying to figure out what kind of animal the elephant was by each touching small areas.

I would love to help you with this because I now the frustration of being "stuck" in a pattern.

-Patricia

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: if you will give me your email address I am going to forward this to you in an email the password is dianemoore.

Answer
Diane,
I worked your pattern through Row 12.

When I finished Row 10, I had a long narrow strip that sort of curved like a rainbow.  You work in the front loops on one side, the back loops on the other.

What's confusing is that when you go down to the area marked SKIRT ALL SIZES, Rnd 11.  It says you are working in rnds (rounds) but you aren't quite yet and this is not the bodice attaching the skirt. What you're doing is making the armholes.

So I will write in {} brackets an explanation of their instructions for Rnds 11 &12. I've broken it down in steps.

RND 11
1) Now working in rnds and in both lps, ch 1, sc in each of next 13 sts...{After you've done row 10, turn, chain 2, then single crochet in the next 13 stitches on row 10.  You're picking up the whole stitch the way you usually do a single crochet, rather than just the front or back loop.}

2) ch 5, sk next 33 sts (armhole), sc in each of the next 27 sts...{Chain 5, skip the next 33 stitches from row 10 and single crochet in each of the next 27 stitches. You will have a loop, kind of a detour if you will.  This will form one armhole.  You'll be making another one in a little bit.}

3) ch 5, sk next 33 sts (armhole), sc in each of last 14 sts.....{chain 5, skip next 33 stiches as you did before and single crochet in the next 14 stitches.  That chain 5 loop is the other armhole.  so now you have a long rainbow like strip with two ch 5 loops that will be the basis for the armholes.}

4) Join in beg sc, turn (2[2] ch-5 sps, 54 sc).......
  {Take that strip and make a circle with it in order to slip stitch the end that you just finished, to the beginning.  It'll look like a collar.  All that stuff in ([]) they have is to give you a count of what you should have now, which is two chain 5 spaces and 54 single crochets. You will notice that in the first 10 rows you did, that they give you a count.  It's very important to take note of that and count, count, count because if the numbers aren't right, it'll soon multiply the error and you'll never get straight.  So now that you've slip stitched to join the ends, turn your work and you will begin working around and around that "collar", which will be rnd 12.}

RND 12
1)Working in the back lps, ch 3, dc in same st {Now you're going back to working in the back loops only.  First thing you do once you've turned from RND 11 is chain 3 which will count as a double}

2)dc in same st, *ch 1, sk next st, V-st in next st, ch 1, sk next st, 2 dc in next stitch* {Double crochet in the same stitch as the chain 3, chain 2, skip next stitch, V-st (ch 3, sc, ch3) in the next stitch, chain 2, skip next stich, then two double crochets in the next stitch.}

3)*, repeat from *around, ending last rep at **, sk last 0, join in 3rd ch of beg ch-3 (16 V-sts, 32 dc).... {Repeat that sequence of 2 doubles and V-stitches until you get to the end, then join in top of that very first chain 3 you did when you started the row.}

Note:  When you're working row 12 and you get to the chain 5 spaces, which are the little armholes, keep right on with the pattern of 2Dbls and V-Stitches.  Do this in the back loops of that chain 5.

So....I think this should get you started.  I hope it's not confusing to you.  Please let me know how this works for you, or whatever clarity you may need.

-Patricia