Part I: Basic Stuff

ThreadDough Shawl-Collared Sweater Pattern
©2008 ThreadDough

Technique: Thread Crochet

Description: Sleeveless sweater is crocheted with shaping for a more fitted look. The shawl collar can be worn up or down. Functioning buttonholes allow front closure of sweater.




Crochet Stitches Used:
Chain
Slip
Single Crochet
Double Crochet http://crochet.about.com/library/bldoublecrochet.htm
Half Double Crochet http://crochet.about.com/library/blhalfdouble.htm
For a tutorial of crochet stitches, one site you can refer to is:
http://crochet.about.com/od/learnbasics/a/beginners.htm


Techniques:
Shaping (Double Crochet Decrease discussed later)
Joining Crocheted Pieces

Crochet Needles Size: 7/1.65 mm
Crochet Thread Size: 10


Gauge:
12 Double Chain per 3.5 cm (horizontal)
5 rows Double Chain per 4 cm (vertical)





The Shaping Technique:
There are 3 separate pieces to crochet: the back and two front halves.

All three pieces use decreasing or increasing stitches at certain places to contract or expand the crocheted fabric. Doing this "shapes" the finished fabric to curve in or out, creating a nice fitting sweater without extra sweater bulkiness.


This pattern primarily uses Double Crochet (dc).


To INCREASE, we will crochet two dc stitches into the next chain to be worked. (We usually only make one dc in the next chain to be worked.


To DECREASE, we will DOUBLE CROCHET DECREASE (dcd).

At least that's what I call it:
You will already have one working loop on the crochet hook. (1 loop)
Yarn Over (YO) (now there are 2 loops on hook)
Put crochet hook into next chain
YO
Pull up yarn through the chain, creating a loop on the hook (3 loops now on hook)
Put crochet hook into next chain
YO
Pull up yarn through the chain, creating a loop on the hook (now 4 loops on hook)
YO and pull this yarn through the 3 loops closest to it (now 2 loops left on hook)
YO and pull this yarn through the remaining 2 loops on hook
now you should be left with 1 working loop to continue crocheting with.


Did it work? Yay! It takes more time to write the instructions that to do the stitch. Once you do a few dcd, it will seem easier. Basically, what it does is combine two dc from the previous row into one dc in the current row. Since one dc takes less space than 2 dc, this "shrinks" the fabric we are creating. Do enough of these dcd stitches together and that area of the fabric will go inward, creating the nice fitted area of the sweater's waistline.

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Please note:
This pattern is for personal use only.
Thanks.
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Ok! Ready to begin the back piece of the sweater? Let's go to... Part II: Making the Back of the Sweater

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