Monday 25 August 2014

BEAUTIFULLY SIMPLE SHELLED SKIRT

Sweet Nothings Crochet free crochet pattern blog, photo of the Beautifully Simple Shelled Skirt

BEAUTIFULLY SIMPLE SHELLED SKIRT

Following my absolutely brilliant try (at writing out and making at top speed) a pattern I’d gleaned from the net.. here’s my next one.. and hopefully this one too will thrill you as much as it’s making me smile.. and I’ve not even begun.  
This one appears really easy- peasy.. there are only two pattern bits.. one for the top waist portion and one for the lower shelled bit.. so.. yaay .. let’s get on with it.

Thank you for joining me.

In case you have just joined me, know that you can access all of my earlier creations by checking under ‘categories’ on the right hand side of this blog under “Labels”.  Then, for your convenience, follow me here or on Facebook, You Tube, Pinterest, Twitter or Instagram.

Check out all my social media handles at the bottom of this blog

Oh, and may I add that the fastest way to find any of my blogs is via Pinterest.


All my blogs can be printed.  Find the printer friendly (green) link at the bottom of this blog.  You can also hit Control P (or Command P for Mac) on your keyboard, and the blog will go directly to the connected printer.

Remember that you only print if absolutely essential.  Save paper – Save Our Earth. 


Do remember to add my blog URL when you make and show off your creation. 

Just copy the link on the search bar above - that's the blog URL.


To purchase this or similar yarn online, click here to buy your yarns online via Amazon.  While you will still pay the same, I may get paid by Amazon as well. 

This is a free blog - so do pay it forward for me.  Cheers.


Materials used : Anchor Cotton knitting yarn #00089 ; (used about 3.5 balls total), with a 3.5 mm crochet hook
For Indians : Our lovely Indian White rose knitting cotton and Red rose knitting cotton yarns are a good substitute.  I’d also suggest Alize cotton yarn 

International yarns :  Among the international yarns I have used in this thickness, I’d suggest Aunt Lydia Cotton 10, Aunt Lydia Bamboo-Viscose 10, DMC Petra, Sullivans knitting cotton (Australia), Milford Soft, Hilaza Rustica Eclat , Alize cotton yarn and Alize bamboo yarn.

Size :  To fit UK size 10-12 / US size 6-8
You can make this to any size.  I have given this only so you can estimate yarn usage.


Stitches used :
Starting slip knot : Here’s how you start with a slip knot.  https://youtu.be/lJcqsVcs8cw 

Starting slip knot 1 or the Sloppy Slip knot : This is a neat new way to start your work without a slip knot.  https://youtu.be/YfC7KmGpifs 

How to hold your yarn in crochet : https://youtu.be/FwOlCbGdbqY

What is a chain stitch ? Here is an easy video tutorial https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pXx5ukBjKkY

How to seamlessly crochet in rounds : When working with head wear, this is a really neat way to seamlessly end each round.  Here’s an easy video tutorial to show you how to this at https://youtu.be/ISBZK7Du7yE  


Abbreviations used :  Using U.S terminology
dc : Double crochet              
ch : Chain                      sk : skip
st : Stitch                       sl-st : Slip Stitch
rep : Repeat
trc : triple/treble crochet
fdc : Foundation Double Crochet 


Instructions (Using U.S terminology)
Please note that I start all my rows with a ch 1, turning chain for ease.
Please check the top of this blog (as well as through the blog) for easy video tutorials on all stitches used in today's pattern.
Please read through all my notes before you pick up your hook, so you know just where we're heading in our pattern.
In my patterns I work with the principle of stitch count and body measurement.  This means that you need to work the stitch count in pattern, till you get the measurement (length and/or width) that you need for your project. 

This pattern is worked in rounds from the first round, with a small loop hole in which you can thread either a cord made from the same material as skirt, or a slender belt. As this is worked in rounds, you need to ensure that the skirt goes around the hips of the person you're making it for, and then the corded belt on top will give you a lovely ruffled skirt.
You could also decide to fit in a zipper around the back of your skirt.  
In this case, you will start with half your round waist measure,  work in rows back and forth for a few rows till your project will slip around hip, then join project and work in rounds again.

I have given instructions below, assuming that you too, like designer will be working in rounds from the start.

Our stitch count is in 
multiples of 10

Foundation double crochet (fdc) : This is a unique way of starting a project directly with a row of double crochet stitches.  Here is an easy video tutorial https://youtu.be/hjNUYVvyU9k

Start with fdc to go around hips, in multiples of 10
Keeping this chain flat, join ends.  
We will work in rounds throughout for this pattern.

Note : If you decide to start with a regular chain (and I urge you again to try fdc), then work in multiples of 10  ; 
join and work dc all around.  
IF adding a zipper and working first few rows then start with multiples of 10 + 2, and work your 1st dc in the 3rd ch from hk.  
Work dc all the way to the end and then count to see that you have multiples of 10.

Check out this video on how to keep your chain flat without twisting when working with a longer chain length  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kwoGTvFbxbg

Triple Crochet : trc : wrap yarn twice around hook, insert hk into st ; yo (4 lps on hk); [yo, draw through 2 lps] three times.  One trc made. 
Check out the video at https://youtu.be/A0y4BbgDTbs

Chainless start for Triple / Treble Crochet : I dislike the ch-2 / ch – 3 start, and this is what I do to start my row of trc.
Check out the video at https://youtu.be/f42MO0cGYC0  

What is a slip stitch : Here is a neat video tutorial at https://youtu.be/weB3QNbA8Iw

Round 1 : trc in 1st 2 fdc ; 
ch 2, sk 2 fdc, trc in next 2 fdc ;
*trc in next 2 fdc ; 
ch 2, sk 2 fdc, trc in next 2 fdc* ;  
rep from *to* till end.  
Join with sl-st to 1st st.

Double Crochet : dc : yo, insert hk into st ; yo (3 lps on hk); [yo, draw through 2 lps] twice.  One dc made.  Check out the video at https://youtu.be/xdnjB27zpYo

Chainless start for Double Crochet : I dislike the ch-2 / ch – 3 start, and this is what I do to start my row of dc.
Check out the video at https://youtu.be/wskv3iTjRx0

Round 2 : dc in the 1st 2 trc ; 
2 dc in the next ch-2 sp ; 
*dc in the next 2 trc ; 2 dc in the next ch-2 sp* ; 
rep from *to* till end.  
Join with sl-st to 1st st.

Round 3 : trc in 1st 2 dc ; 
ch 2, sk 2 dc, trc in next 2 dc ;
*trc in next 2 dc ; 
ch 2, sk 2 dc, trc in next 2 dc* ;  
rep from *to* till end.  
Join with sl-st to 1st st.

Round 4 : Rep Round 2

Here is a video tutorial for these first few rounds of the belt.  In case this video does not come on, please go to https://youtu.be/1kfyKesObWQ



and here's the chart for this section

Sweet Nothings Crochet free crochet pattern blog, chart for the top of skirt,

Sweet Nothings Crochet free crochet pattern blog, chart for the top of skirt,

CHART WITHOUT NOTATION 

Sweet Nothings Crochet free crochet pattern blog, chart for the top of skirt,
WAIST BAND ROW

Large shell : (4 dc, ch 2, 4 dc) all in the same st or ch-sp

Round 5 : large shell in 1st dc ; 
*ch 3, sk 4 dc, sc in next dc ; 
ch 3, sk 4 dc, large shell in next dc ; 
ch 3, sk 4 dc, sc in next dc* ; 
rep from *to* till end.  
Join with sl-st to 1st st.

Small shell : (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) all in the same st or ch-sp

Round 6 : sk 1st 2 dc (of large shell), dc in next 2 dc ; 
small shell in the next ch-sp ; 
dc in next 2 dc ; sk last 2 dc ; 
*ch 2, sc in 1st ch-3 sp ;  
ch 4, sc in next ch-3 sp ; 
ch 2, sk 1st 2 dc, dc in next 2 dc ;  
small shell in ch-2 sp ; dc in next 2 dc ; 
ch 2, sk next 2 dc, sc in next ch-3 sp ; 
ch 4, sc in next ch-3 sp* ; 
rep from *to* till end.  
Join with sl-st to 1st st.

Round 7 :  sk 1st 2 dc , dc in next 2 ; 
small shell in ch-2 sp ; 
dc in next 2 dc ; sk last 2 dc ; 
*ch 3, sk ch-2 sp, sc in ch-4 sp ; 
ch 3, sk ch-2 sp, sk 1st 2 dc, dc in next 2 dc ; 
small shell in ch-2 sp ; dc in next 2 dc* ; 
rep from *to* till end.  
Join with sl-st to 1st st.

Here is a video tutorial for the skirt pattern.  In case this video does not come on, please visit me at https://youtu.be/B1n6V9hHZsg



Rep Rounds 6 & 7 till you have a skirt of the length you are happy with... and that's it... our pattern is done.  

A simple two row / round repeat.  Cool, huh?

Sweet Nothings Crochet free crochet pattern blog, chart for the body of skirt,

Sweet Nothings Crochet free crochet pattern blog, chart for the top of skirt,
Chart without notation 

Sweet Nothings Crochet free crochet pattern blog, photo of the top of skirt,
 First round of shells complete 

Sweet Nothings Crochet free crochet pattern blog, photo for the top of skirt,
And on completion of a few more shell rows 

Finishing :
Make two cords to go through the holes you’ve made on your waist band.  
Your cord should be about one and a half times the width/circumference of waist made. 
To make cord, make a chain about 1.5 times the width of waist, and dc in each ch back to the 1st st.  Rep this for the second cord as well.
Loop into the holes / loops made on your waist band.

Easiest I-cord : In case this video for a really easy I-cord does not come on, go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e_AQ9m0QeZI


How to make a rounded cord : View the video link below for a really simple way to make a rounded cord handle for your handbag.  http://vimeo.com/88972371
OR
How to make an I-cord : A neat way to make an I-cord in this video by June at http://www.planetjune.com/blog/how-to-crochet-an-i-cord/

Of course, you could also, (like I have) take the easier option and just loop in a convenient thin belt you have at home. 

Weave in all ends and wear with pride. 

I’ve enjoyed writing this up and sharing it with you.  Hope you’ve had as much fun making the project too.   

Enjoyed this ?? I sure did.. Come back right here for more freebie patterns

Remember to share this blog post when you share your photos with me on Facebook.  I’d love to feature your photos on my FB page.  Cheers.

If you're visiting me here for the first time, and have liked the experience, do add me to your mailing list (for your convenience) , and all my future free patterns will come straight to your mail box.  

I’d appreciate if you could credit my blog (and link the original pattern link) when you make your own creation.  Thanks.

Check out my awesome pins on Pinterest at https://in.pinterest.com/shyamanivas/


Join me on YouTube at http://youtube.com/shyamanivas

And on my Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/Sweet-Nothings-Crochet/ for more patterns.

Do follow me on Twitter https://twitter.com/ShyamaNivas



Have a great day and see you soon.