Monday, July 05, 2010

Acorn Shrug

This is a free Lion Brand Yarn pattern (download here). The results look nothing like the pattern picture, which presents the shrug as a draped sweater. I'm very pleased with the results, however. It's a simple wide scarf, with the ends partially sewn together to form armholes. You can wear it as a scarf, as a "sweater" using the armholes, or - as shown - put one arm through both openings for a wrap.

I modified the pattern, which is sc only, to have sc borders on the top and bottom, dc rows in the center.

Sunday, July 04, 2010

Party Dress

I'm very pleased with the results of this dress. Pattern follows, but it's almost unnecessary to use it. The entire dress is worked in rows of sc or dc, with two increase rows to generate a fuller skirt just below the waistband.


Party Dress:

Materials Needed:
• J Hook (6 mm), H hook (5 mm) or size needed to obtain gage.
• 2 skeins (100 grams) Sport Weight: Lily Chin Gramercy, (color A)
• 1 skein (40 grams) Worsted Weight: Berroco Seduce (color B)

Dimensions: 10 inches total length (minus straps), 18 inches around chest

Fits 6-9 months

Body
Using color A and J hook, ch 65.

Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch around. Ss to first sc of row. Ch 1, do not turn.

Row 2-11: Sc in each st around. Ss to first sc of row. Ch 1, do not turn.

Fasten off color A. Using color B and H hook:
Row 12-15: Sc in each st around. Ss to first sc of row. Ch 1, do not turn.

Fasten off color B. Using color A and J hook:
Row 16: Dc in each st around. Ss to first dc of row. Ch 3, do not turn.

Row 17: *Dc in next 5 dc. Work 5 dc in next dc. Repeat from * to end. Ss to first dc of row. Ch 3, do not turn.

Row 18: Dc in each st around. Ss to first dc of row. Ch 3, do not turn.

Row 19: Repeat row 17, working 5 dc group directly below center st of previous 5 group.

Row 20-26: Dc in each st around. Ss to first dc of row. Ch 3, do not turn.

Fasten off color A. Using color B and H hook:
Row 27-35: Sc in each st around. Ss to first sc of row. Ch 1, do not turn.

Fasten off, weave in loose ends.

Neckline
Using color B and H hook:
Row 1: Working in unworked loop at top of dress (original chain row), attach yarn and sc in each ch around. Ss to first sc of row. Ch 1, do not turn.

Row 2-3: Sc in each st around. Ss to first sc of row. Ch 1, do not turn.

Row 4: Sc in each st around. Ss to first sc of row. Fasten off, weave in loose ends.

Straps
Using safety pins or stitch markers, mark desired placement of straps on front and back of dress. Using color B and H hook:
Row 1: Attach yarn with ss to desired location. Ch 23, ss to desired location on reverse side of the dress. Sc in next sc along edge of dress. Turn, sc in each chain of strap. SS to join to dress.

Row 2: Sc in next sc along edge of dress. Turn, sc in each st of strap. SS to join to dress.

Row 3: Sc in next sc along edge of dress. Turn, sc in each st of strap. SS to join to dress. Fasten off, weave in loose ends.


Repeat Rows 1-3 for second strap.