Thursday, 23 October 2014

GYPSY SHELLED SKIRT

Sweet Nothings Crochet free crochet pattern blog, photo of the Gypsy shelled skirt ; free crochet skirt pattern

GYPSY SHELLED SKIRT

How can anyone go wrong with shells – several of my original designs have been inspired by this lovely pattern from nature. 

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Materials used : ICE Baby Batik  ~ 150 gms , with a 4 mm crochet hook
About this lovely yarn : ICE Batik is a really nice yarn – soft and smooth, sport 5-ply yarn (12 wpi) , and a US 4 / 3.5mm crochet hook has been recommended. 
This yarn is not specific for this pattern.  Use any yarn with a suitable hook to make this Gypsy skirt to any size.

For Indians : This is a little thicker than our Indian Vardhman baby soft - probably a little like our Vardhaman Millenium.  I  would probably equate it with our Indian Laura knitting cotton yarn. 
For this pattern though, a lighter yarn would also work perfectly – so our Indian AnchoRed rose or Red heart yarns would probably show the stitch detail perfectly – and as they are lighter yarns, you’d get a lot more ‘shells’ in which also means a lot more fall n spin in your skirt – always a good thing with skirts, methinks 

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 made : Waist : 28-30” : Length : 22”
Gauge : 3 dc (across) x 1 dc row (high) = ½”
Gauge is not important.  You can make this skirt to/for any size, using any yarn with a suitable  hook


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

Abbreviations used :
lp(s) : Loop(s)                          sc : Single crochet
dc : Double crochet                 sp : Space                                           
sl-st : Slip stitch                       ch : Chain                             
st(s) : Stitch(es)                       hk : Hook
yo : Yarn Over                             
hdc : Half Double Crochet


General Instructions : 
Please note that I start all my rows with a ch 1, turning chain for ease.
Please check the top of this blog for easy video tutorials on all stitches used in today's pattern.  For your convenience there video tutorials through the blog too.
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 is not my original pattern  and it’s just one of those wonderful free floating freebies over the net.  I am, as usual, writing down my notes, and am sharing them with you. 
I take a lot of effort and time into explanation and providing links as applicable.    

This skirt starts off with a tiny little shell, and as we proceed through the skirt, the shell grows in size.  It is , therefore, easily adaptable, with regard to length – and of course the width will be easily adaptable once you figure out the pattern repeat.  

Original pattern link probably one of these two and the photograph below is the inspiration that got me started on this lovely project.  http://www.liveinternet.ru/users/4632770/post334069685/  or http://www.stranamam.ru/post/7893485/

This skirt starts waist down (so top down).  
The pattern sheet shows a line of chain stitches for the start.  
I am, however, going to start with a row of fdc, and for the first few rows.   

Before we head off to the pattern, here are a few thoughts
a)  I am going to work in rows, so as to add a zipper at the back.   
I am therefore, going to work a few rows of dc before starting the pattern

b)  You could, however, make the waist a little larger than needed (maybe just a bit smaller than needed for hips), and then after the first 2 or 3 rows, work in rounds, and then instead of a zipper, use a button to close that opening.

c)  As I do not know how each of you will be working the closure bits, I will write this generally, like we’re all working in rounds, which is why you will join with a slip stitch at the end of each row.

d)  In case you are leaving the 1st few rows for the zipper or buttons, remember that you will TURN at the end of each row.  
The pattern is constant, whether you’re working in rows or rounds.

e)  This “A”-lined skirt can easily be a lot longer than the 20 odd rounds I’ve written – so in case you want a longer skirt, please repeat till you have the desired length.

My project measures W : 28-30” ; L : 18” (before border); and I have written the pattern (almost) as charted all the way till Round 29.

I said "almost"because in the chart below, there are 2 dc’s on each end of the pattern – which seems off-sync.  
The 1st row pattern has a set of 3 dc and one set of hdc,ch 3, hdc – and if we have 2 dc’s each end, we’ll have this one lot of 4 dc’s running along the back.  
So I’ve changed the pattern here – but as I always say.. if you want to go per pattern.. go for it 

f)  This is a lovely “A”-lined skirt and the shells open the pattern out nicely. so here’s a thought (especially if making this for a younger child), rather than calculating start stitches by waist, go with the hip measure – so you avoid the zipper and buttons on the waist band, and then add an elastic along with a belt on top so you get a lovely finished frilly effect as well.
You would, of course, have to do one line of (dc in dc ; ch 1, sk next dc, dc in next 3 dc) – so you get a set of ‘holes’ in the waist in which you can thread in a thin cord-like belt.

f)  I’ve yet one final observation.   I have started my project with fdc (foundation double crochet).  I strongly urge you to try this stitch but in case you just can't, please do start with chain in multiples of 8 + 3 and then work the 1st dc in the 3rd ch from hook, and work 1 dc in each ch till end.  At the end of the row, please check that you have dc in multiples of 8 + 1(our stitch count)

Ok.. we can finally start with our skirt now 

Instructions : (Using U.S terminology)

Our stitch count is in multiples of 8 + 1. 

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

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

Start with fdc in multiples of 8 + 1.  
Join with a sl-st to the 1st fdc. 
(Please read note above before joining)

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

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

Half Double Crochet : Hdc :  yo, insert hk into st ; yo (3 lps on hk) ; 
yo, draw through all 3 lps.  One hdc made.  
Check out the video at https://youtu.be/sDiELJdB2Dg

Round 1 : 2 dc in 1st fdc ; 
ch 2, sk next 3 fdc, (hdc in next fdc ; 
ch 3, hdc in same fdc) ; 
ch 2, sk next 3 fdc, 3 dc in next fdc ; 
*ch 2, sk next 3 fdc, rep (to) once ; 
ch 2, sk next 3 fdc, 3 dc in next fdc* ; 
rep *to* till last 8 sts ; 
ch 2, sk next 3 fdc, rep (to) once ; 
ch 2,  dc in last fdc. 
Join with a sl-st to the 1st fdc.

Round 2 : ch 3, hdc in next dc ; 
ch 2, 3 dc in next ch-3 sp ; 
ch 2, sk next dc, (hdc in next dc ; ch 3, hdc in same dc) ; 
ch 2, sk next dc, 3 dc in next ch-3 sp ; 
*ch 2, sk next dc, (hdc in next dc ; 
ch 3, hdc in same dc) ; 
ch 2, sk next dc, 3 dc in next ch-3 sp* ; 
rep *to* till last ch-3 sp ; 
ch 2,  hdc in last dc.  
Join with a sl-st to the 1st dc. 

Sweet Nothings Crochet free crochet pattern blog, chart 1 for skirt pattern
Round 3 : 3 dc in 1st ch-3 sp ; 
ch 2, sk next dc, (hdc in next dc ; 
ch 3, hdc in same dc) ; 
ch 2, sk next dc, 3 dc in next ch-3 sp ; 
*ch 2, sk next dc, (hdc in next dc ; 
ch 3, hdc in same dc) ; 
ch 2, sk next dc, 3 dc in next ch-3 sp* ; 
rep *to* till last ch-3 sp ; 
rep (to) once ; 
ch 2 , join with a sl-st to the 1st dc.

Chainless start for Half Double Crochet : I dislike the ch-2 start, and this is what I do to start my row of hdc. Check out the video at https://youtu.be/lWXpl1KdbZ8

Round 4 : (Increase row) : 
sk 1st dc, hdc, 2nd dc ; 
ch 3, hdc in same 2nd dc ; 
ch 2, sk next dc, 4 dc in next ch-3 sp ; 
*ch 2, sk next dc, (hdc in next dc ; 
ch 3, hdc in same dc) ; 
ch 2, sk next dc, 4 dc in next ch-3 sp* ; 
rep *to* till last ch-3 sp ; 
join with a sl-st to the 1st hdc.

Round 5 : 4 dc in 1st ch-3 sp ; 
ch 2, sk next dc, (hdc in next dc ; 
ch 3, hdc in same dc) ; 
ch 2, sk next 2 dc, 4 dc in next ch-3 sp ; 
*ch 2, sk next dc, (hdc in next dc ; 
ch 3, hdc in same dc) ; 
ch 2, sk next 2 dc, 4 dc in next ch-3 sp* ; 
rep *to* till last ch-3 sp ; 
rep (to) once ; 
ch 2 , join with a sl-st to the 1st dc.

Round 6 : (Increase row) : 
sk 1st dc, hdc 2nd dc ; 
ch 3, hdc in same 2nd dc ; 
ch 2, sk next 2 dc, 5 dc in next ch-3 sp ; 
*ch 2, sk next dc, (hdc in next dc ; 
ch 3, hdc in same dc) ; 
ch 2, sk next 2 dc, 5 dc in next ch-3 sp* ; 
rep *to* till last ch-3 sp ; 
join with a sl-st to the 1st hdc.

Round 7 : 5 dc in 1st ch-3 sp ; 
ch 2, sk next 2 dc, (hdc in next dc ; 
ch 3, hdc in same dc) ; 
ch 2, sk next 2 dc, 5 dc in next ch-3 sp ; 
*ch 2, sk next 2 dc, (hdc in next dc ; 
ch 3, hdc in same dc) ; 
ch 2, sk next 2 dc, 5 dc in next ch-3 sp* ; 
rep *to* till last ch-3 sp ; 
rep (to) once ; 
ch 2 , join with a sl-st to the 1st dc.

Round 8 :  sl-st into next 3 dc, 
(hdc in next dc ; ch 3, hdc in same dc) ; 
ch 2, sk next 2 dc, 5 dc in next ch-3 sp ; 
*ch 2, sk next 2 dc, (hdc in next dc ; 
ch 3, hdc in same dc) ; 
ch 2, sk next 2 dc, 5 dc in next ch-3 sp* ; 
rep *to* till last ch-3 sp ; 
rep (to) once ; 
ch 2 , join with a sl-st to the 1st dc.

Rounds 9 – 10 : Rep Rounds 7 & 8 once

Round 11 :  Rep Round 7 once. 

Sweet Nothings Crochet free crochet pattern blog, chart 2 for skirt pattern

Round 12 : (Increase row) : 
sl-st into 1st 3 dc, 
(hdc in next dc ; ch 3, hdc in same dc) ; 
ch 2, sk next 2 dc, 6 dc in next ch-3 sp ; 
*ch 2, sk next 2 dc, (hdc in next dc ; 
ch 3, hdc in same dc) ; 
ch 2, sk next 2 dc, 6 dc in next ch-3 sp* ; 
rep *to* till last ch-3 sp ; 
rep (to) once ; 
ch 2 , join with a sl-st to the 1st hdc.

Round 13 :  6 dc in the 1st ch-3 sp ; 
ch 2, sk next 2 dc,  (hdc in next dc ; 
ch 3, hdc in same dc) ; 
ch 2, sk next 3 dc, 6 dc in next ch-3 sp ; 
*ch 2, sk next 2 dc, (hdc in next dc ; 
ch 3, hdc in same dc) ; 
ch 2, sk next 3 dc, 6 dc in next ch-3 sp* ; 
rep *to* till last ch-3 sp ; 
rep (to) once ; 
ch 2 , join with a sl-st to the 1st hdc.

Round 14 :  sl-st into 1st 3 dc, 
(hdc in next dc ; ch 3, hdc in same dc) ; 
ch 2, sk next 2 dc, 6 dc in next ch-3 sp ; 
*ch 2, sk next 2 dc, (hdc in next dc ; 
ch 3, hdc in same dc) ; 
ch 2, sk next 2 dc, 6 dc in next ch-3 sp* ; 
rep *to* till last ch-3 sp ; 
rep (to) once ; 
ch 2 , join with a sl-st to the 1st hdc.

Round 15 :  (Increase row) : 
7 dc in the 1st ch-3 sp ; 
ch 2, sk next 2 dc,  (hdc in next dc ; 
ch 3, hdc in same dc) ; 
ch 2, sk next 3 dc, 7 dc in next ch-3 sp ; 
*ch 2, sk next 2 dc, (hdc in next dc ; 
ch 3, hdc in same dc) ; 
ch 2, sk next 3 dc, 7 dc in next ch-3 sp* ; 
rep *to* till last ch-3 sp ; 
rep (to) once ; 
ch 2 , join with a sl-st to the 1st dc.

Round 16 :  sl-st into 1st 3 dc, 
(hdc in next dc ; ch 3, hdc in same dc) ; 
ch 2, sk next 3 dc, 7 dc in next ch-3 sp ; 
*ch 2, sk next 3 dc, (hdc in next dc ; 
ch 3, hdc in same dc) ; 
ch 2, sk next 3 dc, 7 dc in next ch-3 sp* ; 
rep *to* till last ch-3 sp ; 
ch 2 , join with a sl-st to the 1st hdc.

Round 17 :  7 dc in the 1st ch-3 sp ; 
ch 2, sk next 3 dc,  (hdc in next dc ; 
ch 3, hdc in same dc) ; 
ch 2, sk next 3 dc, 7 dc in next ch-3 sp ; 
*ch 2, sk next 3 dc, (hdc in next dc ; 
ch 3, hdc in same dc) ; 
ch 2, sk next 3 dc, 7 dc in next ch-3 sp* ; 
rep *to* till last ch-3 sp ; 
rep (to) once ; 
ch 2 , join with a sl-st to the 1st dc.

Rounds 18 & 19 : Rep Rounds 16 & 17 once. 

Sweet Nothings Crochet free crochet pattern blog, chart 3 for skirt pattern
Round 20 :  (Increase row) : 
sl-st into 1st 3 dc, 
(hdc in next dc ; ch 3, hdc in same dc) ; 
ch 2, sk next 3 dc, 8 dc in next ch-3 sp ; 
*ch 2, sk next 3 dc, (hdc in next dc ; 
ch 3, hdc in same dc) ; 
ch 2, sk next 3 dc, 8 dc in next ch-3 sp* ; 
rep *to* till last ch-3 sp ; 
ch 2 , join with a sl-st to the 1st hdc.

Round 21 :  8 dc in the 1st ch-3 sp ; 
ch 2, sk next 4 dc,  (hdc in next dc ; 
ch 3, hdc in same dc) ; 
ch 2, sk next 3 dc, 8 dc in next ch-3 sp ; 
*ch 2, sk next 3 dc, (hdc in next dc ; 
ch 3, hdc in same dc) ; 
ch 2, sk next 4 dc, 8 dc in next ch-3 sp* ; 
rep *to* till last ch-3 sp ; 
rep (to) once ; 
ch 2 , join with a sl-st to the 1st dc.

Round 22 :  (Increase row) : 
sl-st into 1st 4 dc, 
(hdc in next dc ; ch 3, hdc in same dc) ; 
ch 2, sk next 4 dc, 9 dc in next ch-3 sp ; 
*ch 2, sk next 4 dc, (hdc in next dc ; 
ch 3, hdc in same dc) ; 
ch 2, sk next 3 dc, 9 dc in next ch-3 sp* ; 
rep *to* till last ch-3 sp ; 
ch 2 , join with a sl-st to the 1st hdc.

Round 23 :  9 dc in the 1st ch-3 sp ; 
ch 2, sk next 4 dc,  (hdc in next dc ; 
ch 3, hdc in same dc) ; 
ch 2, sk next 3 dc, 9 dc in next ch-3 sp ; 
*ch 2, sk next 3 dc, (hdc in next dc ; 
ch 3, hdc in same dc) ; 
ch 2, sk next 4 dc, 9 dc in next ch-3 sp* ; 
rep *to* till last ch-3 sp ; 
rep (to) once ; 
ch 2 , join with a sl-st to the 1st dc.

Round 24 :  sl-st into 1st 4 dc, 
(hdc in next dc ; ch 3, hdc in same dc) ; 
ch 2, sk next 4 dc, 9 dc in next ch-3 sp ; 
*ch 2, sk next 4 dc, (hdc in next dc ; 
ch 3, hdc in same dc) ; 
ch 2, sk next 3 dc, 9 dc in next ch-3 sp* ; 
rep *to* till last ch-3 sp ; 
ch 2 , join with a sl-st to the 1st hdc.

Round 25 :  9 dc in the 1st ch-3 sp ; 
ch 2, sk next 4 dc,  (hdc in next dc ; 
ch 3, hdc in same dc) ; 
ch 2, sk next 3 dc, 9 dc in next ch-3 sp ; 
*ch 2, sk next 3 dc, (hdc in next dc ; 
ch 3, hdc in same dc) ; 
ch 2, sk next 4 dc, 9 dc in next ch-3 sp* ; 
rep *to* till last ch-3 sp ; 
rep (to) once ; 
ch 2 , join with a sl-st to the 1st dc.

Sweet Nothings Crochet free crochet pattern blog, chart 4 for skirt pattern

Rounds 26 – 27 :  Rep Rounds 24 & 25

Now do a quick length check and see if you’re ok – else one more increase .. 
I’ll just take you through one more.. though I’m sure you’ve figured it out by now 

Round 28 :  (Increase row) : 
sl-st into 1st 4 dc, 
(hdc in next dc ; ch 3, hdc in same dc) ; 
ch 2, sk next 4 dc, 10 dc in next ch-3 sp ; 
*ch 2, sk next 4 dc, (hdc in next dc ; 
ch 3, hdc in same dc) ; 
ch 2, sk next 3 dc, 10 dc in next ch-3 sp* ;
rep *to* till last ch-3 sp ; 
ch 2 , join with a sl-st to the 1st hdc.

Round 29 :  10 dc in the 1st ch-3 sp ; 
ch 2, sk next 4 dc,  (hdc in next dc ; 
ch 3, hdc in same dc) ; 
ch 2, sk next 5 dc, 10 dc in next ch-3 sp ; 
*ch 2, sk next 4 dc, (hdc in next dc ; 
ch 3, hdc in same dc) ; 
ch 2, sk next 5 dc, 10 dc in next ch-3 sp* ; 
rep *to* till last ch-3 sp ; 
rep (to) once ; 
ch 2 , join with a sl-st to the 1st dc.

Right in case you’re length is good.. stop here.. else you do 2 more rows of non increase and then one increase again. 

When you’re happy with the length, we’ve got a small border to finish it all off  neatly.

Sweet Nothings Crochet free crochet pattern blog, full chart  for skirt pattern

Border Shell  :
Depending on which round you’ve ended on, the border start may differ – so before I write out that pattern line, here’s what we’re going to remember.  

(1)  We’re all going to work our (hdc ; ch 3, hdc in same st) in the large shell st ; 

(2)  and this border shell will be worked in the (to) of the previous row.


Border row stitch detail "how to" : 
(sl-st to the centre of whichever st you are in – so if you are in a dc-shell st, sl-st to the centre, and if you’re in a ch-3 sp, come into that ch-3 sp) ; 
sc in the same st ; 
ch 6, sc in the centre of the next st set, and go around the full skirt with a ch-6 and sc in centre of the sts.  
Join with a sl st to the 1st sc.

Border Row  : 3 dc in sc ; 4 dc in next ch-6 sp ; 
ch 2, (hdc in next sc, ch 3, hdc in same sc) ; 
*ch 2, [4 dc in next ch-6 sp ; 3 dc in next sc ; 4 dc in next ch-6 sp] ; 
ch 2, rep (to) once* ; 
rep *to* till end ; 
4 dc in last ch-6 sp.  
Join with a sl-st to the next dc.


Sweet Nothings Crochet free crochet pattern blog, border chart  for skirt pattern


Fasten off then and weave in the ends.. and go ahead, show off your lovely gypsy shelled .. you deserve to 

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