The Crystal Palace scarf was inspired by the characteristic glass and cast iron facade of the building designed for the Great Exhibition of 1851 in London, with the same name. The pattern instructions produce a scarf in the size as pictured. However, the width and length are easy to adjust for further customization, including those following the usage of weights of yarn other than fingering-weight.
The instructions are both charted and written out, also, this pattern uses American English crochet terminology.
Pay what you want: (minimum €6.50)
€
Difficulty level
Stitches used in the Crystal Palace scarf pattern: chain, double crochet, treble crochet, triple treble crochet and slip stitches. This pattern is, therefore, suitable for the adventurous beginner.
Sizes and finished measurements
One size – measurements after blocking: 31 cm (12.2 inches) wide and 190 cm (74.8 inches) long, excluding fringe.
Pattern details
Gauge for the sample scarf measured after blocking: 10 sts and 4 rows in lace pattern = 6.4 cm (2.5 inches) wide and 11.8 cm (4.7 inches) tall.
Pattern languages included: English and Dutch (Dit patroon omvat zowel een Nederlandse als een Engelse versie)
Digital PDF has 4 pages (letter size)
Materials
Yarn: 230 m (248 yds) / 80 g Garnstudio DROPS Delight (75% wool, 25% nylon; 175 m / 191 yds per 50 g skein); in color Blue 03. Substitute any gradient fingering weight yarn for a similar result.
Usually, when beginning a new row or round in a crochet project, we start with a chain 2 or chain 3 to replace the first double crochet (dc) stitch. However, a chain of stitches is much skinnier than regular double crochet, which makes it quite visible in the resulting piece. Also, it can be hard to tension the chain just so that it exactly matches the height of the dc stitches. This can make the edge of the piece (when worked flat) less neat than desired. Fortunately, there is a solution for this: the chainless starting double crochet stitch or csdc for short.
This is the perfect way to make a starting stitch that more closely resembles both the height and thickness of a regular dc stitch. Please note, though, that this method is best suited for continuing in the same color yarn. When changing the yarn color, using a standing double crochet stitch instead is advised. For this, I will also make a tutorial soon!
In this post, I will show you how to work the chainless starting double crochet stitch when worked flat. Notes on how to do this when working in the round can be found below the step-by-step instructions. Please note that American crochet terminology is used.
How to work a chainless starting double crochet stitch step by step
1. To start the csdc stitch, pull up the loop on your hook approx. to the height of a regular double crochet stitch.
2. Hold the elongated loop in place on your hook with your finger….
3. … and twist the hook counterclockwise down towards you, wrapping the lengthened loop around your hook. You now have the original loop around your hook as well as an extra double strand.
4. Now we will continue making a double crochet as we would normally do. First, yarn over…
5. …. and pull it through the double strand on your hook. Treat it as the first 2 loops on the hook as you would while working a regular double crochet stitch.
6. Again yarn over…
7. …. And pull it through the remaining 2 loops on the hook to complete the stitch.
And that’s it! Now you’re ready to continue your pattern in the other stitches of the row or round.
Working a chainless starting double crochet stitch in the round
Using a csdc stitch when working in the round is basically the same as when working flat. The main difference is, of course that in projects worked in the round, the last stitch has to be joined with the first one of the round by using a slip stitch (sl st).
This makes the process as follows: 1. Slip stitch in the top of the first stitch of the round. 2. Work the chainless starting double crochet stitch as described above. 3. Work the rest of the round. 4. Join in the round by working a slip stitch into the top of the csdc as you would with a regular dc stitch.
Other chainless starting stitches?
Not all projects are worked in double crochet, of course. Fortunately, it’s really easy to also use this technique to replace the starting chains for taller stitches like the treble crochet stitch, double treble crochet stitch, etc. The main thing to keep in mind is that you need 1. To pull up a loop in step 1 as described above to match the height of the intended stitch. 2. Adjust the number of wraps (step 3 as described in the csdc step-by-step instructions above) to match the number of “loops on the hook” with those from the intended stitch. Each wrap hereby represents 2 loops.
This technique lends itself less well for stitches shorter than the double crochet. But then, for those is the starting chain also less of a problem in looks.
Thanks to my Patreon supporters for bringing you this freebie! Creating quality patterns and tutorials is a lot of work and resource-intensive. However, I find it important to give you free content like this tutorial. Thanks to the generous support of my Patreon supporters, I can make it happen. Thank you, patrons! Click here to join, or click here to read more about La Visch Designs on Patreon.
The Heuvel en Dal lacy chevron wrap is designed to give both texture and color to your outfit. Make it in greens or your favorite color combination. Heuvel en Dal is written for the size as pictured, however, the width and length are easily adjusted for further customization. This design is suitable for any lace weight or fingering weight yarn.
The instructions are both fully charted and written out. This pattern is written using American English crochet terminology.
Pay what you want: (minimum €6.50)
€
Difficulty level
Techniques used consist of foundation single crochet, sc in back loop only and various sc and dc decreases. Stitches used in this pattern: ch, sc and dc. This pattern is suitable for the intermediate crocheter or the advanced beginner.
Size and finished measurements
One size (easily adjusted) – measurements after blocking: 50 cm (19 ¾ inches) wide and 143 cm (56 ¼ inches) long.
Pattern details
Gauge is not critical with this design, for the sample stole: 14.1 sts and 9.6 rows = 10 cm / 4 inches over pattern after blocking.
Pattern languages included: English and Dutch (Dit patroon omvat zowel een Nederlandse als een Engelse versie).
Digital PDF has 4 pages (letter size).
Materials
Ístex Einband [100% wool; 250 m (273 yds) / 50 g] in the following colors and amounts: C1: 250 m (273 yds) / 50 g in 1764 Vivid Green, C2: 250 m (273 yds) / 50 g in 1763 Green, C3: 250 m (273 yds) / 50 g in 9112 Dark Green.
The little two-tone Stip Baby Cardigan is a simple and elegant layering piece. Just the thing for when the weather is still cold and a little extra warmth is much appreciated. With its eye-catching dot yoke and soft A-line shape, it is bound to become a timeless favorite.
This cardigan is worked back and forth from the top down in one piece. Finish it with a reverse single crochet neck and hem finishing in a contrasting color.
I’m proud to tell you, that the Stip Baby Cardigan design has been published in issue 200 of Handwerken Zonder Grenzen. This is the special anniversary issue of the Dutch magazine Handwerken Zonder Grenzen! You can order this issue in Dutch here.
Bloemenmeiske is a sweet bonnet to keep your dearest little person warm and happy. This design not only has a lovely petal edging, but also a pretty flower detail at the back. It is available in 5 sizes, ranging from newborn to child. Using less than 100 g of DK-weight yarn for all sizes and less than 50 g for most sizes, this design is not only a great stash buster, but also the perfect last minute gift.
I’m proud to tell you, that this design has been published in issue 199 of the Dutch magazine Handwerken Zonder Grenzen! You can order this issue in Dutch here.
The Robijn lacy wrap is designed to give an extra bit of glamour to your outfit. Great for that special night out! Robijn can be made as a scarf or stole. The width and length are easily adjusted for further customization. This design is suitable for any drapey lace-weight or fingering-weight yarn.
I’m proud to tell you, that this design has been published in issue 198 of the Dutch magazine Handwerken Zonder Grenzen! You can order this issue in Dutch here.
It is finally Gift-A-Long time again! I’m very excited to announce that the Gift-A-Long 2016 (or GAL for short) has started. This year I’m of course also participating again as both a designer and knitter/crocheter. However, I’m still trying to decide what patterns to buy and make myself.
What is the Gift-A-Long 2016?
The Indie Design Gift-A-Long is a 6-week long international event hosted in the Indie Design Gift-A-Long Group on Ravelry. Thousands of knitters and crocheters come together in Knit-A-Longs (KAl’s) and Crochet-A-Longs (CAL’s). The goal is to get our holiday knitting/crocheting done using patterns designed by participating independent designers. In the statistics overview below you can see (besides are fun facts) that a whopping 335 designers participate!
From November 22, 2016, at 8:00 pm US EST to December 31, 2016, at midnight US EST there are fun games, contests, and 8 KAL/CAL’s. The KAL/CAL’s are a wonderful way to make your gifts, either for yourself or for others. Lot’s of chatting and cheering are also a big part of the GAL because enthusiastic company makes those needles and hooks really fly.
There are multiple categories for projects, and chat threads for each of these. Any design by a participating designer is eligible for joining in. Any paid (not free) pattern from these designers is eligible for winning prizes. Prizes are won through fun games, random draws, and trivia questions. And splendid prizes they are! In this thread, there is an overview of physical prizes donated.
The GAL sale
In addition to the KAL/CAL’s, there is of course also the GAL sale. The Gift-A-Long 2016 kicks off with the Giant Gift-A-Long Sale: From November 22nd, 8 pm EST to November 30th, 11:59 EST, participating Indie Designers are offering between 5 and 20 of their independently published patterns at 25% off. To take advantage of the sale, use the coupon code: giftalong2016.
A full list of participating designers can be found here. In the picture below you can see some of the participating designers by location. The complete map with all Gift-A-Long 2016 designers is here. A wonderful handy searchable bundle of all sale patterns is also available.
In conclusion: the Gift-A-Long is a wonderful event that you really can’t miss. Most of all because it is just soooo much fun.
This lacy wrap is designed to give an extra bit of glamour to your outfit on that special night out. Robijn can be made as a scarf or stole, the width and length are easily adjusted for further customization This design is suitable for any drapey lace-weight or fingering-weight yarn. Robijn has also been published in issue 198 of the Dutch magazine Handwerken Zonder Grenzen! You can order this issue in Dutch here.
The body of this shawl has an easy-to-remember two-row repeat which makes it a great traveling project. The instructions are both fully charted and written out. This pattern uses standard American English crochet terminology.
Pay what you want: (minimum €6.50)
€
Difficulty level
Stitches used within this pattern are of sc, dc, slst and ch st. This pattern is suitable for the intermediate crocheter.
Size and finished measurements
Size S (L) – measurements after blocking: 26 (52) cm [10 ¼ (20 ½) inches] wide and 153 cm (60 ¼ inches) long.
Pattern details
Gauge is not critical with this design, for the sample stole: 18.5 sts and 7.5 rows = 10 cm / 4 inches over lace pattern after blocking.
Pattern languages included: English and Dutch (Dit patroon omvat zowel een Nederlandse als een Engelse versie).
Digital PDF has 4 pages (letter size).
Materials
250 (505) m or 275 (552) yds lace-weight yarn. The sample is in Diversan Tencel [100% Tencel; 777 m (850 yds) / 100 g] in Rio Red. Substitute a smooth silk, cotton or viscose for a similar result.
For the sample Robijn Stole a 5 mm (US size G/8) hook was used.
The lovely Cherry Blossoms Stole features a dainty floral lace pattern, perfect to dress up any outfit. Wear it as a shoulder wrap to show off the full stunning flower pattern, or as a simple lacy scarf. Take advantage of a beautiful fingering weight yarn with long color runs, as pictured, for a truly spectacular look.
The instructions for the body pattern are provided both fully charted and written out. This pattern is written using American English crochet terminology.
Pay what you want: (minimum €6.50)
€
Difficulty level
Techniques used consist of foundation single crochet and puff stitches as well as picot. Stitches used in this pattern: ch, sc and dc st. This pattern is suitable for the intermediate crocheter.
Size and finished measurements
One size – easily adjusted: 177 cm (70 inches) x 39 cm (15 inches), measured after blocking.
Pattern details
Gauge is not critical in this design. For the sample stole: 1 repeat of the lace pattern = 6.3 cm (2.48 inches) wide and 4.4 cm (1.73 inches) high, measured after blocking.
Pattern language included: English.
Digital PDF has 4 pages (letter size).
Materials
Yarn: 799 m (874 yds) / 200 g Jawoll Magic by Lang Yarns (75% wool, 25% nylon; 400 m (437 yds) / 100 g) in color #1404 Pink. Substitute any fingering weight yarn with long color runs for a similar result.
For the sample Cherry Blossoms Stole a 4 mm (US size G/6) hook was used.
Bloemenmeiske is a sweet bonnet to keep your dearest little person warm and happy. This design not only has a lovely petal edging but also a pretty flower detail at the back. The pattern is available in 5 sizes, ranging from newborn to child. Using less than 100 g of DK-weight yarn for all sizes and even less than 50 g for most sizes, this design is not only a great stash buster but also the perfect last minute gift. In what color are you going to make yours?
This pattern is written using American English crochet terminology.
Pay what you want: (minimum €4.90)
€
Difficulty level
Techniques used consist of foundation single crochet, hdc tbl, hdc increases and hdc decreases. Stitches used in this pattern: sc, hdc, dc, slst and ch st. This pattern is therefor suitable for the intermediate crocheter.
Size and finished measurements
The Bloemenmeiske bonnet is available in the following 5 sizes: newborn (6M, 12M, toddler, child) to fit a head circumference of approx. 35.5 (40.5, 45.5, 48, 50.5) cm or 14 (16, 18, 19, 20) inches.
Pattern details
Gauge: 17 sts and 14 rows = 10 cm / 4 inches in hdc tbl after gentle blocking.
Pattern languages included: English and Dutch (Dit patroon omvat zowel een Nederlandse als een Engelse versie).
Digital PDF has 4 pages (letter size).
Materials
Yarn in DK weight in the following quantities: 93 (107, 128, 173, 182) m (101 (117, 140, 190, 199) yds) / 33 (38, 46, 62, 65) g. The sample bonnet was made in Ice Yarns Virgin Wool Deluxe (100% wool; 280 m (306 yds) / 100 g). Substitute for another wool yarn of comparable thickness for a similar result.
A size 3.5 mm (US E) crochet hook was used for the sample bonnet. However, use the size necessary to match gauge.
