Tuesday 22 March 2016

THE ULTIMATE ONE-PIECE WRAP AROUND SHRUG n COWL



THE ULTIMATE ONE-PIECE WRAP AROUND SHRUG n COWL

I am hoping that the name for this particular project was self-explanatory and that’s why you’ve joined me here.  So what I wanted to do was make an infinity scarf or cowl that had sleeves and was fitted, well in a way.  Now I find that there are several patterns for this already available, but I made mine with a small difference. 

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Right.. so what's this ultimate one-piece wrap around shrug n cowl ?

Check the video live on how to wear this beauty

Here are a few free links for this pattern, but as I said before, there is a difference in the one I’ve made.


Materials used : Today I’ve used a superb Moda Vera Collette yarn as well as our Indian Vardhaman Millennium acrylic yarn with a 4.5 mm crochet hook   
Optional : a marker.

Abbreviations :
sc : Single crochet                   yo : Yarn Over                          
st(s) : Stitch(es)                        hk : hook
lp(s) : Loop(s)                          dc : Double crochet
sl-st : Slip Stitch
sc-blo : Single Crochet Back Loop Only   
fsc : Foundation single crochet
hdc : Half Double crochet     
                              

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

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

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

Single Crochet : Sc : yo, insert hk into st ; yo (2 lps on hk); yo, draw through both lps.  One sc made.  Check out the video at https://youtu.be/ghACqBpA-3k

First stitch for Single Crochet : This is how I like to start my row of sc. 
Check out the video at https://youtu.be/6pVYRfsf4_M

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

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 

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


Pattern 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.

Quick analysis of what we’re going to do here today.  
We start with a row of fsc and then work our way side to side to make a large rectangle. Now here’s where your creativity comes in.  
There are several ways you can decide to wrap this around your body – so the two sides of your wrap will be the length of your arms from shoulder(s) to wrist(s), and the centre part is what will go around your chest. 

So calculations : One and a half times your round chest plus two arm lengths.  Measure arm length from shoulder all the way to the length you want your 'sleeves' for this creation.
This is the length of the rectangle we’ll make.

Width : We will work up and down the fsc we’re making which is the width of our chest piece, but if you make this part too wide, then you’re actually increasing the round arm as well – so remember this when you’re working your calculations.

Now here’s our tweak : I’m going to add a tightening set of rows around the end of our ‘sleeve’ ends – so you could actually work whatever width you want (i.e the red arrow) , as the sleeves are going to fit eventually.

So, enough talking.. hooks in hand.. and let’s go.

Using the two links above as an idea, I’m going to suggest that we start with between 40 – 45 fsc.

We’re also going to work in back loops only all through, so it doesn’t matter which stitch you prefer and I’m just going to write sc, but you choose the stitch of your choice.

I’d however suggest you work only in sc or hdc, so that it does not stretch too much – so this means we’re working in only sc blo or hdc blo (ie Single crochet back loop only or Half double crochet back loops only)

Foundation Single Crochet : fsc : To refresh your skill on the fsc, please view this video https://youtu.be/mcT85fwh4mA  

Start : with 40 – 45 fsc.  Turn.
This determines the width of your wrap/shrug/cowl.

Single crochet back loop only (sc-blo) : Here is an easy video tutorial 

Row 1 : sc-blo in the 1st fsc and in each fsc till end.  Turn.

Row 2 : sc-blo in the 1st sc and in each sc till end.  Turn.


Now for the original pattern, you will rep Row 2 till you have a rectangle for the calculated length you have just made. 

However, as I’m doing something different here, here’s the tweak.

I repeated Row 2 till I had 1.5 times the Round chest and then (just for yet another oh wow! moment), I’ve decided to change the yarn and add a lovely contrasting black for the ‘sleeves’.
I will then work sleeves on one side, fasten off and work the second sleeve from the other end of this rectangular piece.


So for the first round of black, here’s what I’ve done.  
Just so that there is no confusion, I’m going to re-number the rounds from here on.


SLEEVES :
For this portion there are several options offered , so major decision time.

Round 1 : sc-blo in the 1st sc and in each sc till end.  
Join with a sl-st to the 1st sc.

Half double crochet back loop only (hdc-blo) : Here is an easy video tutorial https://youtu.be/mMZhS37JP2k

Note : I have done a hdc-blo in each st mainly because for the first section I’ve used the DK weight Moda Vera yarn, where as our Indian Vardhaman Millenium yarn is not of the same thickness, and the sc-blo did not match up.
That said, if you are using the same yarn for all of your work, then I’d suggest you work in sc-blo here as well.

Optional : Place a marker in the sl-st if  you decide to reduce and scale the shape down a bit, as I have.

From here on I worked an sc in each sc all around, but did not join at the end of each row, so that we work in continuous rounds without the little join at the end. 
Now it does not really matter if you want to join with a sl-st at the end of each round – I just preferred not to.

If you do decide to work in rounds without joining, please place a marker in that 1st sc as we will need that 1st sc a little later in our pattern.

Note for decrease if working in a round without joining : 
At the end of each round one st before the marker, I have done a hdc 2-tog in back-loop (just to keep the pattern) over the next 2 sts. This works if you are not joining and are working in continuous rounds. Do remember though to move your marker each round so that you will keep the decreases neatly in a row under the armhole.

Note for decrease if not working in a round and joining with sl-st at each round : 
At the end of each round two sts before the marker, I have done a hdc 2-tog in back-loop (just to keep the pattern) over the next 2 sts. 
Do remember though to move your marker each round so that you will keep the decreases neatly in a row under the armhole.

Yet again, just continue till you have the shape just right for the arm you are working this project for.

Finally, I worked this repeat till I had a length about 4” shorter than needed from the shoulder to wrist.  I have decided to work the last 6” in post stitches in such a way that if needed the recipient could pull it over the palms and have fingerless gloves (of sorts).
The 2” ‘extra’ therefore will not be an issue (i.e I started this paragraph saying I would repeat till I was 4” short, and then worked 6” in post stitches, so these 2” will be part of the fingerless gloves)

So if you feel  like doing this then, work till you are about 3-4” short of the length needed from shoulder to wrist.

Next Round : sc in the 1st sc and each sc all around, and join with a sl-st to the 1st sc.

From the following round on we will work in post stitches.


Front Post Double Crochet : fpdc : Post stitches are stitches worked around the post of a stitch of the row below.  
How to work the fpdc :  yo, hk into sp between posts of st from row below – going from back of stitch, around st and into the front of the st ; yo, pull yarn through the sps (3 lps on hk), (yo & pull through 2 lps) twice.  One fpdc complete 

Next Round : fpdc in the 1st sc ; dc in the next sc ; 
(fpdc in the next sc ; dc in the next sc) ; 
rep (to) all around, 
and join with a sl-st to the 1st sc.

Next Round : fpdc in the 1st dc ; dc in the next dc ; 
(fpdc in the next dc ; dc in the next dc) ; 
rep (to) all around, 
and join with a sl-st to the 1st dc.

Rep the above round for the final few inches, till your sleeves are of the length you need (i.e either till wrist or till the end of your thumb - for the finger-less gloves).

Fasten off and weave in ends.  We’ve completed one side of our sleeves.

Re-attach your yarn on the other side of the shoulder bit (i.e in my case the end of the grey rectangle) for the second sleeve.
Work all the rounds of pattern for the second sleeve as well.

Fasten off and weave in ends.


Finishing :
I’m thrilled at what we’ve made here today.  
This is a really oft-repeated pattern, but with a simple twist and tweak, we’ve created something different.
Give yourself a big pat on the back as this one has really been yet another great project .. and so different from the others we’ve worked on together.. and once again, totally worth it, I’m sure you’ll agree.

I just love that this creation can be worn in  several different ways ; can be rolled up like a neat Swiss roll, and/or will neatly pack up flat for travel.  
Isn't that way too cool ?


In the Antonia wrap around shrug pattern, the designer has added a few images, which were not clear (well, not on my pc), and I was fortunate to find a loving model to show this off for us all... in that video above . 
I love the explanation that the Antonia wrap shrug has for the images, which is how I figured (or so I hope) how to drape this thing around oneself. 

If you have other ideas on how we can use this, do let me know.. and we’ll add to this treasure.. this absolutely lovely wrap around cowl shrug pattern.

And that’s done.. yet another project brilliantly executed ! 

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Have a great day and see you soon. 

Here are some of my earlier neckwear creations.  



















































































































AND for our four legged pals.. some fancy neckwear at



Here are some of my older  bolero / jacket / vest creations.  Have fun with these free patterns too








































and here are some tops.. that a bolero would look swell over..



















































































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