Sweet Nothings Crochet: SHELLED TAPE LACE

SHELLED TAPE LACE

This is a great pattern for when you want to add just a little individuality to your creation. I have sewn the top as well.

So first I designed & stitched the top and then added on the little bit of crochet - so my friend has the most individual and exclusive piece of work, that is one-of-it's kind in the world!

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Materials used : Today I’ve used ~ 50 gms of 4-Seasons Flinders 8-ply knitting cotton with a 3.5 mm crochet hook ; embroidery needle ; fabric glue to seal ends ; crochet stitch markers

For Indians : The yarn I’ve used is similar in thickness to our Laura knitting cotton.

You could use Anchor , Red rose , 4-ply knitting cotton , or unbranded knitting cotton or White Rose or bamboo knitting cotton , Milk cotton ; Silk yarns as well as Oswal & Vardhaman acrylic yarns ; Baby soft acrylic yarn , Ganga Spectrum as well

General yarn info : The yarn used today is not specific to this pattern.

You can use any yarn with a suitable hook to make this project to any size.

I'd say you choose a yarn that will have a good fall - and will fall well with the material you are attaching the tape lace onto. So if the material of your top is really light, it follows that you should choose a light yarn.

Note also that the yarn I used is thick - so you may not need as much when you are using a lighter yarn.

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 , Lily Sugar n' Cream cotton yarn, Caron Simply Soft , Bernat Softee chunky.

Difficulty level : Intermediate Skill level.

Stitches used :

Starting slip knot : https://youtu.be/lJcqsVcs8cw

Starting slip knot 1 or the Sloppy Slip knot : https://youtu.be/YfC7KmGpifs

How to hold your yarn in crochet : https://youtu.be/FwOlCbGdbqY

What is a chain stitch ? https://youtu.be/pXx5ukBjKkY

Magic circle : https://youtu.be/ISC39yOqWro

Foundation Single Crochet : fsc : https://youtu.be/mcT85fwh4mA

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

Here is a sizing chart for general sizing https://in.pinterest.com/pin/470063279837597366/

and https://in.pinterest.com/pin/470063279837560772/

Whipstitch to join : https://youtu.be/wZ-9LNzftMA

Invisible join : https://youtu.be/a6XZQ6VzJFM

Single crochet to join : https://youtu.be/6FXoW_47_dI

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

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 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.

In my patterns, I make you think a bit.. and I know you will love it - 'cos what you now make will be a totally unique.

Before we head off to the project, let’s get an idea of what we’re creating here today.

I've used the pattern from this chart to make a small tape lace for the back base of the top. I worked the tape lace for the length of my top (but this is from one side to the other along the base of the top) and then attached it on.

I wanted a slightly dense or packed pattern, so I've tweaked the chart a little bit.

The 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

Start Row 1 : with fdc in multiples of 8 + 1 for the length you need for your tape.

Keep a count (write it down) of the number of stitches you start with.

You will need to finish with these same number of stitches on your last row of tape lace.

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
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

Row 2 : sc in the 1st fdc ;

(sk next 3 fdc, 5 dc in the next fdc ;

sk next 3 fdc ; sc in the next fdc) ;

rep (to) till the last fdc. Turn.

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

Row 3 : 3 dc in the 1st st ;

(sk next 2 dc, sc in the next dc ;

sk next 2 dc, 5 dc in the next sc) ;

rep (to) till the last sc ;

3 dc in that last sc. Turn

Row 4 : sc in the 1st dc ;

(sk next 2 dc, 5 dc in the next sc ;

sk next 2 dc ; sc in the next dc) ;

rep (to) till the end. Turn.

Rep Rows 3 and 4 till you get the tape width you want.

Once you are done, finish with a Row 4 and then work on the last row.

As we’re making tape lace, we need to finish the top end of our lace just like we started that first row.

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

Last Row : dc in the 1st sc ;

(hdc in the next dc ; 2 hdc in the next dc ;

sc in the next dc ; 2 hdc in the next dc ;

hdc in the next dc ; dc in the next sc) ;

rep (to) till end.

Ensure that you have the same number of stitches that you started with.

Before you use this lace, if you decide to block it, please block as per your yarn instructions.

For regular cotton, a light starch will work best.

Part 2 : Finishing and Putting it all together

I have decided to use my tape lace in the middle of my top.

So first I pinned the lace down where I wanted it to be, and then neatly sew it in.

I could have used my sewing machine, but think that small hand stitches would not just be neater, but also easier to work in.

Once done, take out the pins, and see that it falls well.

Then I cut away the material from under the lace, folded it back and sew it all neatly away for a great finish.

Please use the photograph as a guide.

This is a beautiful project , isn’t it?

Oh you could decide to finish the top and bottom ends with either a row of picot or crab stitch / reverse single crochet.

If you decide that, then once you finish that last row, work a row of picot.. I'd say you work it every 3rd st, but you could always count the number of stitches on that row and decide on the frequency of the picot

How to picot : Traditionally for a ch-3 picot, you work (ch 3, sl-st in 3^rd ch from hook). For a ch-5 picot, you will do (ch 5, sl-st in 5^th ch from hook).

If the video does not come on, go to https://youtu.be/8s3zVaBcn4s

Or you could choose the simpler option of a crab stitch where you get a neat rounded finish without counting.

How to work the Crab Stitch or Reverse Single Crochet stitch : In case the video tutorial does not come on, go to https://youtu.be/cG3crwyHPnk

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Here are some of my other top creations. Have fun with these free patterns too

https://shyamanivas.blogspot.com/2022/03/all-diamonds-top.html

https://shyamanivas.blogspot.com/2022/03/snazzy-chevron-top.html

https://shyamanivas.blogspot.com/2022/02/choco-strawberry-ripple-crop-top.html