|
I started and finished the capelet at a craft retreat in Wisconsin the first weekend in May. The pattern went very fast especially when I had fun people to talk to and the perfect background music including:
About the pattern: The pattern is double crochets with v stitches placed at even intervals. It’s only 14 rows and the v stitches are where the increase happens. About the materials: The pattern called for 14 ounces of 4-ply worsted weight yarn and a size K crochet hook. I used Lion Brand Jeans in Stovepipe. Jeans is a soft yarn that may be lighter weight than the one they used even though it’s worsted weight yarn. How it went: I started out following the pattern as written. The pattern has in big bold letters, “TO SAVE TIME, TAKE TIME TO CHECK GAUGE” so after about 5 rows I did. The pattern lists the gauge as “1 dc row equals 1 inch” but my dc rows were 7/10 of an inch. At that rate, I’d end up with a 10 inch long capelet instead of a 14 inch one. That seemed a bit short, even for me. I had a few options; use a bigger hook, change the stitch or do more rows. I didn’t bring a bigger hook with me so that option was out. I thought if I did more rows it might get more ruffly than I wanted it to be so I went with changing the stitch. I pulled out the five rows and started over. After doing a few rows of triple crochets I confirmed that those worked perfectly with the pattern gauge. How it turned out: This will be perfect for work when it gets cold at my desk from the air-conditioning. I wondered why the one on the model was so much longer so I counted their rows in the photo. They had 16 rows instead. This would be pretty easy to adjust for different lengths. I skipped the tie at the neck. I toyed with the idea of adding two buttons with a chain but it sits across my shoulders pretty well so I don’t think it’s necessary. It would be a great way to dress up the pattern though!  What I learned: Check your gauge! I love the Lion Brand Jeans yarn – it’s so soft! Pictures are deceiving in vintage magazines, especially black and white ones. Let’s not let that hold us back from trying them especially in the newer yarns. Next week I'll get the choices for June up here and on Facebook and Instagram.
|