Expert: Marla - 1/19/2011

Question
QUESTION: Hello,
I'm basically new at crocheting. I've been doing it now for about nine months, made hats, scarfs, and a few afghans. I'm attempting a sweater/opera jacket and have crochet eight inches of double crochet as the pattern states but am at the sides now and the armholes. The pattern states..

Now working in rnds, ch3, dc in each st across, ch42(armhole) sk ends of rows, working in starting ch on opposite side of row 1, dc in each of first 2ch, (sk next dc, dc in each of next 3ch) across ending with dc in each of last 2ch, ch42(armhole) join in 3rd ch of beg ch3.

I'm confused from the point of sk ends of rows, working in starting ch on opposite side of row and the rest of the pattern. I don't know how I have a chain of 42 and start on opposite side of row.

THis pattern is in Crochet magazine page 29 of the March 2011 issue. It's called Opera Jacket. I would appreciate any help you can give me.

ANSWER: Hi JoAnne!
Thanks for asking! Welcome to crochet! It is my favorite hobby. It sounds like you have gone full blast on crocheting! Good going! I used to get Crochet magazine, and really enjoyed it. I don’t get craft magazines anymore because I have just accumulated too much, and most cost too much but I do buy them occasionally if I see something I really want to make in them.
I went on the internet for Crochet magazine, and I think I am looking at the right sweater. I think the instructions were worded in sort of a confusing way. It looks like what it means is that at the end of the row, after you chain 42, you then start to dc in the unused loop on the foundation chain. You skip those rows you have crocheted, and start on the very first row that you crocheted. It will be like you are working “upside down" compared with the first row. Then you dc along the unused loops to the end of that row. Then again, you ch 42, and join with the ch 3, which is the turning chain on that last row you did before that first ch 42. One thing that may have not been said in the instructions, and I usually see it in instructions that involve chains is that be careful not to twist your chain. After you do those two ch 42, it may look funny, but I think it is right.

I hope this is what you needed, and haven't confused you more. Let me know if it isn’t what you need or if I can help you with anything else. Good luck! I think it will turn out nice.

Marla


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

QUESTION: Maria,

Thank you so much for answering me:

I think I've pretty much figured out this pattern except for the part that challenges me most. After chaining 42 it states to work in starting chain of first row. Sooo...I take my chain to the first row where I start to dc in each of the first to chains,then it says to sk next dc, dc in each of the next 3ch across, ending with dc in each of the last 2ch. My problem is, that I'm on my beginning row and the stitches they ask me to do don't match up with the first row where I dc 3, ch1, dc 3. I understand that I should stitch across that row, ch 42 again and go to the other row with my chain and attach.
I think the problem is that It looks like I'm on the wrong row when going across after the first 42 chains. Rnd three goes on to say dc in dc and in ch1 space which is on my beginning row, not the row I end up on with the second chain.
I hope I'm explaining myself correctly....if you can maybe explain it a little more in detail I would so appreciate it. I'm up for the challenge, but am stuck on rnd two and three. I think once I can get past this point I will be able to finish it. Looking at the picture and figuring out the pattern just don't make sense to me.
HELP!!!!
Thank you so much....I think I'm just having a brain fade or something. I know once we figure it out I'm going to feel stupid, but for now I'm confused.
JoAnne

Answer
Hi JoAnne!
Thanks for getting back to me. I tried to find the Magazine, but the March issue wasn’t out yet in the stores I went to. But I went online and at least found a picture. It should have included a picture of the back, also. This pattern is a little confusing to me, too. It doesn't seem to be worded clearly. What would help me a little more is if you gave me the instructions for the first row, and how many rows you crocheted. Since it looks like it is tapering, did the instructions say when you began that you were working from the top down? I think I understand what you are saying. For example, when you single crochet both ends pretty much look alike. But not so with dc. At the end of the dc row. You have a dc. But at the beginning of the row, you have a ch 3 which counts as a dc. So one row would look something like this: 8IIIII, where “8” is the turning chain and “I” is the dc. And the next row would look something like this IIIII8. So, depending on which end you were at when you made the first ch 42 would be a factor as to what you attached the ch 42 to. It may be at the opposite end as the instructions. Now, I hope I have made myself clear. We’ll get our heads together somehow.
Anyway, please let me know about those rows. Meanwhile, I’ll see if I can find a store that may have that issue in yet. I’ll be looking forward to hearing from you.

Marla