Crochet Me

crochet me

e designs to fuelreth crochet volution

kim werker

table of contents An Open Letter (introduction) About this Book

leaves sweater

babydoll dress

Designer in Profile: Annette Petavy

by Amy O’Neill Houck

Designer in Profile: Amy O’Neill Houck

icelandic turtleneck

by Annette Petavy

essay: generations thigh highs by Cecily Keim

by Chloe Nightingale

Designer in Profile: Cecily Keim

Designer in Profile: Chloe Nightingale

comfy cardi

sidebar: crochet stitches convertible victorian shrug

by Robyn Chachula

by Robyn Chachula

sidebar: shaping five o’clock tank

Designer in Profile: Robyn Chachula

by Megan Granholm

essay: a different kind of post mini-wrap skirt

Designer in Profile: Megan Granholm

by Amy O’Neill Houck

messenger bag by Julie Armstrong Holetz

Designer in Profile: Julie Armstrong Holetz

convert sweater by Melissa Hills

Designer in Profile: Melissa Hills

sidebar: gauge style moderne crochet jewelry by Chloe Nightingale

mesmerize sweater by Kristin Omdahl

Designer in Profile: Kristin Omdahl

sidebar: block it. just block it. shades of plaid scarf

sidebar: tunisian crochet cocoon bag by Cecily Keim Variations Baskets by Carol Ventura

Designer in Profile: Carol Ventura

sidebar: tapestry crochet circle motif rug by Donna Hulka

Designer in Profile: Donna Hulka

essay: splitting hairs gordo and doug dolls by Kim Werker

For More Inspiration – Resources Glossary Supplies Index

by Julie Armstrong Holetz

sidebar: crochet sampler

crochet me



babydoll dress by Amy O’Neill Houck

amy’s inspiration When designing this dress, I was inspired by the great layered fashions I was seeing in magazines and stores—little dresses worn over jeans and long T-shirts and a mix of lacy and casual. A sleeveless tunic I found at a thrift store that’s worked in thread crochet inspired the stitch patterns used in the lace of this modular crochet babydoll dress.

concentration rating

techniques used in the pattern

hook

Sc, dc, sc-blo, seaming

bodice /ribbing: US G /6/4mm

measurements + sizing

Size XS [S, M, L, XL] For Bust Size 32 [34, 36, 38, 40] inches The dress is designed with negative ease in the bodice ribbing, if you’d like a looser fit, make a size larger. finished chest measurement: 30 [32, 34, 36, 38] inches

crochet hook

skirt: US H/8/5mm crochet hook and US I/9/5.5mm crochet hook

notions Yarn needle

yarn

gauge

Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece (80% cotton/20% merino wool, 215 yds/197 m per 3.5 oz/100 g), Putty # CW-105 6 [6, 7, 7, 8] skeins required

19 rows = 4 in/10 cm. skirt: see gauge swatch below

ribbing: in sc (bl): 20 sc (bl)= 4 in/10 cm,

substitution: Approximately 1,127 [1,200, 1,277, 1,352, 1,428] m dk-weight yarn.

crochet me



shells and chains skirt pattern (multiple of 6 sts)

GAUGE SWATCH: stitch note: To get the stacked “V” look of the

scs in the round, insert the hook into the center of the single crochet instead of just below the two top loops. Ch 23

BODICE HALVES (make 2) If you would like a custom fit, you can make any of the panels wider or narrower by adding or removing rows.

Front Panel Using size H/5.0mm hook, loosely ch 22 [25, 28, 31, 32]. Row 1: Using size G/4.0mm hook, sc across, ch 1, turn. 21 [24, 27, 30, 31] sts. Row 2: sc(bl) across.

Row 1: 2dc in 4th ch from hk, sk 2 ch, sc, sk 2 ch, 5 dc, sk 2 ch, sc, sk 2 ch, 5 dc, sk 2 ch, sc, sk 2 ch, 3dc. (2 complete shells, plus 2 half shells on each end). Ch 1, turn.

Rep row 2 until your work measures 2½ [3, 3, 3, 3½]"

Row 2: sc in 1st dc, ch2, *(sc in sc, ch 2, sc in 3rd dc of shell, ch 2) rep from * to end. Ch 1, turn.

At the end of the next row, switch back to size H/5.0mm hook and loosely ch 60 [63, 66, 69, 70].

Row 3: sc in 1st sc, *( sc in sc between shells, 5 dc in sc over shells) rep from * to end. Ch 1, turn.

Row 1: Using size G/4.0mm hook, sc across, ch 1, turn. 59 [62, 65, 68, 70] sts.

Rep rows 2 and three until swatch measures 6 inches long. Fasten off.

Row 2: sc(bl) across.

Shoulder Panel

Swatch should measure 5" in width. Adjust hook size if necessary to obtain gauge.

Rep row 2 until shoulder panel measures 3½ [3½, 4, 4, 4]" across (plus the width of the front panel where they’re connected.)

Special Stitch Pattern (if Applicable)

Back Panel

Bodice is worked in sc through the blo to create ribbing.

Join the yarn to the bottom edge of the shoulder panel (opposite the front panel.) You’ll be crocheting into the backside of the chain. Chain 1. Work 33 [36, 39, 42, 43] sc. Chain 1, turn.

Skirt: See gauge swatch above. There’s a subtle difference in the stitch used in the sleeves and in the skirt. In the skirt, the shells are stacked to give a distinctive vertical stripe, in the sleeves they’re staggered for a lacier look.

Row 1: sc(bl) across the row. 33 [36, 39, 42, 43] sts. Repeat Row 1 until the back panel measures 2½ [3, 3, 3, 3½]"

Pattern Notes: The fit of this dress is custom-

Underarm Panel

izable–you can adjust the length, the sleeves and more to your liking. You could even leave the sleeves off for a cute jumper to layer over a T-shirt. The bodice is made in two identical sections, each made of five panels. The sections are then crocheted together at the back, front and at the underarms before the sleeves and skirt are added. The chains in the bodice are always made with the larger (H/5.0mm) hook so the garment has adequate vertical stretch.

At the back of the work, join yarn to the other side of the shoulder panel from where you worked the back panel. Ch 1. Work 12 sts (all sizes). Ch 1, turn. Row 1: sc(bl) across the row. (12 sts). Rep Row 1 until underam panel measures 1½ [1½, 1½, 2, 2]" Repeat underarm panel on the other end of the shoulder panel (front side).

Assemble Bodice With right sides together, crochet back seam, crochet front seam, crochet underarm seam.

SKIRT Note: Skirt is worked in the round. Rounds are joined with a sl st. Do not turn work at the end of the round.

Foundation With size H/5.0mm hook, join yarn at center back seam of bodice. Sc around the row edges only in the “valleys” of the sc rib.

Eyelet Round Chain 4, *(sk 1 st, dc in next st.), rep from * around.

Begin Lace Round 1: Ch 3, work 4 dc in st directly below ch-3, *(sk 2 sts, sc, sk 2 sts, 5 dc), rep from * around. If the number of sts in your your skirt is not a multiple of 6, work a partial shell at the end of the round. End with sc. Sl st to join sc to ch-3. Sl st to center of shell. Ch 1. Round 2: *(sc in 3rd dc of 5-dc shell, ch 2, sc in sc, ch 2) rep from * around. End with ch 2, sl st to 1st sc. Ch 1. Round 3: *(5 dc in sc over each shell, sc in sc between each shell) rep from * around. Sl st last dc to 1st sc. Rep rows 2 and 3 until the dress falls to your hip bone when you try it on. Change to size I/5.5mm hook, continue in pattern until skirt falls just above your knee (or to your desired length). End with row 3. Fasten off.

Sleeves Sleeves are worked in a similar fashion to the skirt. Work each sleeve as described below. All sizes are worked in the same manner because the armhole sizing was created when you crocheted the bodice.

Foundation With size H/5.0mm hook, join yarn at underarm seam. Sc in valleys of row edges. Work 2 stitches at corner between underarm and beg of shoulder panel. Sc around shoulder panel, work 2 sc in back corner, sc in valleys of row edges. Join with sl st. Round 1: Ch 3, 4 dc in st directly below ch 3, *(sk 2 sts, sc, sk 2 sts, 5 dc ), rep from * around. If the number of sts in your your skirt is not a multiple of 6, work a partial shell at the end of the round. End with sc. Sl st to join sc to ch 3. Sl st to center of shell. Ch 1.

designer in profile:

amy o’neill houck

The vowel sound in Amy’s last name is the same as in ouch. Just in case you were wondering. I wondered until I met her in person and asked. I figured I’d save you the awkward question. Amy is a crochet and knitting designer and teacher, a writer, a technical editor, and a mom to two of the cutest kids I’ve ever met. She grew up a faculty brat in a college town in upstate New York. A lefty who learned to crochet right-handed, Amy insists the yarn hand has the more complicated job of tensioning the yarn–crocheting is necessarily a two-handed activity. She loves yarns of all sorts, and rarely blames the yarn for producing an undesirable fabric. This is a common idea expressed by many passionate crochet designers–producing a lovely product takes thought and skill; to say crochet is ugly is not only to throw the baby out with the bathwater, it’s also to tacitly admit you haven’t tried very hard. Amy approaches all aspects of crochet in terms a greater context, be it design, education, environmentalism, or consumerism. As she puts it, “I think crochet can be a vehicle for change in all sorts of ways: education–it helps young minds with math, concentration, fine motor skills; environmentalism—I think about my yarn purchases the same way I think about all my purchases: Who made this? How does its manufacture affect the earth and those involved in its production? Politics—I love working with yarn companies who make social entrepreneurship a big part of their mission by using organic raw materials, working with cooperative spinners, dyers, artisans, supporting the communities where they get their yarn.” A secondary skill Amy has developed is that of removing chocolate stains from fabrics of all sorts. A big, big fan of dark chocolate, specifically, she jokes (I think) that if you look closely you might find the mark of chocolate on the dress she designed. Having tried desperately myself to remove a chocolate stain from a belt I crocheted for a book once, this makes me smile. We all do it. Admit it. Amy started calling herself a designer after her first design was published. “I’m not too shy about titles,” she says. “I think if you want to be something, you should start thinking of yourself with that title; it helps you reach that goal.” Amy writes a blog at www.hookandi.blogspot.com and has a professional site at www.aohdesigns.com.

Round 2: *(sc in 3rd dc of 5-dc shell, ch 2, sc in sc,

crochet me



crochet me

the crochet book for the DIY generation! Young designers everywhere are “taking back” crochet and demonstrating it doesn’t have to be frumpy and uncool, but instead it can be hip, stylish, edgy and fun. That’s what the online magazine Crochet Me is all about. Kim Werker, editor of Interweave Crochet and the founder of crochetme.com, is leading a crochet revolution by reinterpreting crochet design and pushing the limits of what it can be. This book takes the attitude and community of the online magazine and brings it to a book filled with unique, original patterns.

inside you’ll find: • E ighteen fashion-forward patterns from sweaters, dresses, scarves and bags to home accessories and gifts • P rofiles of up-and-coming designers that give an entertaining and inspiring insight into the new generation of crocheters—what inspires them, how they find community with other crocheters, and creative ideas for breaking the rules and representing your own crochet style • E ssays that empower readers to think of crochet in a new way • B asic crochet techniques along with tutorials on sizing, design and special techniques This book will inspire everyone to start their own crochet revolution.



this is crochet for the people!

Kim Werker is the editor of Interweave Crochet magazine and the founder of the online magazine, Crochet Me, which receives over 110,000 visits each month. This keeps her in touch with up-and-coming designers and crochet enthusiasts from around the world. She is the coauthor of Teach Yourself VISUALLY Crocheting, and the author of Get Hooked: Simple Steps to Crochet Cool Stuff, a book for teens. She has appeared on Uncommon Threads on the DIY Network. Kim lives and crochets in Vancouver, Canada. Paperbound, 8½ x 9, 144 pages 100 Photographs; 30 charts $21.95 US/$27.95 Canada ISBN: 978-1-59668-044-9 october 2007

interweave.com Interweave Press LLC is distributed to the book trade in the U.S. and Canada by Independent Publishers Group, in the UK and Europe by Search Press, in New Zealand by David Batemman, Ltd, and in Austrailia by Keith Aninsworth Pty Ltd. Interweave Press LLC is also the publisher of 13 craft magazines including Interweave Knits, interweave crochet, Spin-Off, PieceWork and FiberArts.