Wednesday 23 November 2016

AMAIRA’s SHELLED PONCHO

AMAIRA’s SHELLED PONCHO - a free crochet pattern from Sweet Nothings Crochet
AMAIRA’s SHELLED PONCHO
I love it when I get a request to make a new design and all I’m given is a colour – and then told “go ahead and make something new and beautiful”.  Here’s what’s new and beautiful with this creation that I’m making for a 18 – 24 m baby girl.  Thank you for joining me on this new journey of creation.

Please remember that as usual, I have lots of ideas and tweaks thrown in, so do read through all my wordsy explanations.  After all, I am taking the trouble of thinking all this through :)

And as we’re making requests, may I request you to link my blog when you make your project.  I feel horrid saying this, but there are many who have used the patterns freely given here, and not given any credit to the blog that has given them this pattern.  Come on guys.. it ain’t that much work to give credit and link the blog now, is it?
It’s worse when someone says “taken this from …(where ever they’ve taken the pattern from.. not just my blog I mean)” and not taking the trouble of giving the proper link(s).

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Thanks for joining me once again as we work on and discover this new pattern together. 

Inspired by this photo with its attached graph / chart , here are my pattern notes.

Materials usedToday I have used about 2 skeins of our lovely Indian Oswal Cashmilon 4-ply acrylic yarn with a 3.5 mm crochet hook 
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 : For a 18 - 24 month old
Difficulty level : Intermediate to Advanced Skill level.
The stitches used in this pattern are simple and the pattern is repetitive.  However, there is calculation involved, and there are decisions and judgments that you will need to take/make. 

Stitches used : Using U.S terminology
Starting slip knot : https://youtu.be/lJcqsVcs8cw
Starting slip knot 1 or the Sloppy Slip knot :   https://youtu.be/YfC7KmGpifs
Whipstitch to join : https://youtu.be/wZ-9LNzftMA
Invisible join : Here’s a quick tutorial on how to join using the embroidery needle and whipstitch to get an invisible join at https://youtu.be/a6XZQ6VzJFM
Single crochet to join :  https://youtu.be/6FXoW_47_dI

Here is a sizing chart for general neck sizing
Here is a sizing chart for general body sizing

Abbreviations used :
ch : Chain                           sp(s) : Space(s)
dc : Double crochet            hk : Hook                                                     
st(s) : Stitch(es)                  sl-st : slip stitch
sk : Skip                              sp : space
rep : repeat
fsc : Foundation single crochet  

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.
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.  

So before we set off on our new creative journey, let’s take a quick look at what we’re creating here today.

There was this lovely photograph that inspired me to start on this creation, and I was lucky to find some charts, which I am using as a baseline for my work here.
The inspiration
Now there is a link for a set of sizing / measurement charts depending on age of child and I’d suggest we use that as a reference.  I always suggest that if you’re making this specifically for someone you know, try and get a well-fitted dress / outfit of that child. 

The pattern for this cape has a chart, but I am making a few changes in the end product.  I am going to make it a one-piece poncho without a front opening. 

Please note that the first few rows are worked back and forth and I have then joined and worked in a round.  
IF you decide to work in rounds from the start, please join with a sl-st at the end from the start.
Chart for AMAIRA’s SHELLED PONCHO

pattern detail
Foundation Single Crochet : fsc :  https://youtu.be/mcT85fwh4mA 
Start Row 1 :  with fsc in multiples of 10 for the round neck of the child you are making this for.  Turn

And straight off the bat, here are two ideas :
You could decide to make this is a slip on , with no opening for a button ;
OR you could make an opening for one / two buttons
If you decide to work it in rounds without buttons, then ensure that the first round will slip in neatly around the head of the child.

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 ?   https://youtu.be/pXx5ukBjKkY
Row 2 :  dc in the 1st fsc ; ch 2, sc in the next fsc ;
*ch 5, sk next 2 fsc, sc in the next fsc* ;
rep *to* till last 2 fsc ; 
ch 2, sk next fsc, dc in the last fsc.  Turn.

Note : IF you’re working in the round, please start with a sc and the *to* pattern from the start.  At the end of the round, join with a sl-st to the 1st sc.  In the following round for you then, you will start with a sc in that 1st dc, and continue with the same pattern.

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
Row 3 :  sc in the 1st dc ; 
*(ch 5, sc in the next ch-5 sp) ; 
5 dc in the next ch-5 sp ; 
sc in the next ch-5 sp ; 
rep (to) once* ; 
rep *to* till end.  Turn.

Row 4 :  dc in the 1st sc ; ch 2, sc in the 1st ch-5 sp ; 
*dc in the next dc ; 
(ch 1, dc in the next dc) ; 
rep (to) 3 times ; 
sc in the next ch-5 sp ; ch 5, sc in the next ch-5 sp* ; 
rep*to* till end ; 
ch 2, dc in the last sc. Turn.

In the following row, we’ll use our dc 3-tog (double crochet 3-together). 
In case this video does not come on, please visit  https://youtu.be/qlnqXDB3OUM 

At the end of this following row, we will join with a sl-st and start working in rounds thereafter.
detail of the dc 3-tog and pattern
What is a slip stitch :  https://youtu.be/weB3QNbA8Iw
Row 5 :  sc in the 1st dc ; 
*ch 2, sk dc, dc 3-tog in the 1st ch-1 sp ; 
(ch 3, sk dc, dc 3-tog in the next ch-1 sp) ; 
rep (to) 2 times ; ch 2, sc in the next ch-5 sp* ; 
rep*to* till end ; 
ch 2, sc in the last dc. Join with a sl-st to the 1st st.

Now if you’ve been working in rows, you have a ch-2 sp at the start and end of Row 5.  So you will sl-st into that 1st ch-2 sp to start, and you will end with the last ch-2 sp, ignoring or skipping the dc in between.

Round 6 :  sl-st past the 1st ch-2 sp and sc on top of the 1st dc 3-tog ; 
*(ch 5, sc on top of the next dc 3-tog) ; 
rep (to) 2 times ; 
ch 5, sk next sc, sc on top of the next dc 3-tog* ; 
rep*to* till end ; 
ch 2, dc and join to the last sc.
You are now in the centre of that last ch-5 sp, just where you need to be.

Now from this round on, we will usually be ending in a ch-5 sp.  
You have two options. 
You can work that last ch-sp and then join with a sl-st to the 1st st OR you can join as we have before with a ch 2, dc and join to the 1st st.

As I usually like to keep things simple, and I *think* that working a repeat till the end is the simplest, this is how I am going to write this out.  You choose whatever ends suits you.

Round 7 :  sc in the 1st ch-sp ; 
*(ch 5, sc in the next ch-5 sp) ; 6 dc in the next ch-5 sp ; 
sc in the next ch-5 sp ; 
rep (to) once* ; 
rep *to* till end and join with a sl-st to the 1st st.

Row 8 :  sl-st and sc in the 1st ch-5 sp ; 
*dc in the next dc ; 
(ch 1, dc in the next dc) ; 
rep (to) 4 times ; 
sc in the next ch-5 sp ; 
ch 5, sc in the next ch-5 sp* ; 
rep*to* till end and join with a sl-st to the 1st st.

Row 9 :  sl-st in the 1st ch-1 sp ; dc 3-tog in the same 1st ch-1 sp ; 
*(ch 3, sk dc, dc 3-tog in the next ch-1 sp) ; 
rep (to) 3 times ; 
[ch 2, sc in the next ch-5 sp] ; 
ch 2, sk next dc, dc 3-tog in the next ch-1 sp* ; 
rep*to* till end ; 
ch 2, sc in the last dc. 
Join with a sl-st to the 1st st.

Round 10 :  sl-st and sc in the 1st ch-3 sp ;
*(ch 5, sc in the next ch-3 sp) ; 
rep (to) 2 times ; 
ch 5, sk next sc, sc in the next ch-3 sp* ; 
rep*to* till end ; 
ch 5, and join to the last sc.

I am sure you have understood what we’re doing here, and we’ve just completed one full pattern repeat.  So there’s just a small tweak to increase, and after I take you through one more pattern repeat, we’ll discuss our pattern.

Round 11 :  sl-st and sc in the 1st ch-sp ; 
*7 dc in the next ch-5 sp ; sc in the next ch-5 sp ; 
(ch 5, sc in the next ch-5 sp) ; 
rep (to) once* ; 
rep *to* till end and join with a sl-st to the 1st st.

Round 12 :  *dc in the next dc ; 
(ch 1, dc in the next dc) ; 
rep (to) 5 times ; 
sc in the next ch-5 sp ; 
ch 5, sc in the next ch-5 sp* ; 
rep*to* till end and join with a sl-st to the 1st st.

Round 13 :  sl-st in the 1st ch-1 sp ; dc 3-tog in the same 1st ch-1 sp ; 
*(ch 3, sk dc, dc 3-tog in the next ch-1 sp) ; 
rep (to) 4 times ; 
[ch 2, sc in the next ch-5 sp] ; 
ch 2, sk next dc, dc 3-tog in the next ch-1 sp* ; 
rep*to* till end ; 
ch 2, sc in the last dc. 
Join with a sl-st to the 1st st.

Round 14 :  sc on top of the 1st dc 3-tog ; 
*(ch 5, sc on top of the next dc 3-tog) ; 
rep (to) 4 times ; 
ch 5, sk next sc, sc on top of the next dc 3-tog* ; 
rep*to* till end ; 
ch 5, and join to the last sc.

Good job.  Put your work down and check the circumference or size of the lower part of your poncho.  IF you think this is good enough, then continue without further increase and rep Rounds 11 – 14 till you reach about 2” less than the child’s arm length

IF you want a frillier or a wider circumference, Rep Rounds 7 – 10 first adding one more dc in Round 7 (i.e working 8 dc in the ch-5 sp, which will also mean that each of your re (to) in the following rounds will increase by 1).

At the end of the increase (Round 10), check circumference again, and then IF needed, increase again, by rep Rounds 11 – 14, once again  adding one more dc in Round 11 (i.e working 9 dc in the ch-5 sp, which will also mean that each of your re (to) in the following rounds will increase by 1).  This will all depend on how wide you want it. 

Once you are happy with how wide the base of your work is stop increases and work with the repeats of the last set of four rounds you have worked.  
So say you are happy with the width/circumference you have after working 9 dc in each ch-5 sp and that 4-round repeat, then you will continue working this pattern of 4-rounds all the way till your project is about 2” less than the child’s arm length, or the length you need for the poncho.

Collar idea :
For the collar, I've worked the same pattern, but from the fsc around the neck.  All you do is re-attach your yarn back at the front placket and then work all around with the pattern.  
The only differences are that you start with a dc and you work side to side, and in just doing that you get a neat collar.  Work with the pattern for as many rows as you wish for the collar length desired. 

To keep the collar neat and work steadily, I checked at the end of every few rows to see if I was comfortable with the length and shaping.

I have put in a small button at the top of the cape, and have also threaded in a satin ribbon around the neckline. 

Have a fun creative time.
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Have a great day and see you soon. 
  
I have a few girls dresses already made, and just in case you want a dekho at those free patterns … here you go