Red, white and blue skirt

And here is the skirt that goes with the top.  I am working on some red shorts that will go with the bikini top and the red and white top, and a beach towel and tote that will go with the shorts or bikini, but those patterns will not be posted until next weekend. 



Gauge

10 sc = 1 inch, 10 sc rows = 1 inch

Materials

Size 10 thread in red
Size 10 thread in white
Size 10 thread in blue
Size 6 (1.8 mm) steel hook
1 sew on snap
2 or 3 mm rhinestones, approximately 125
Jewel glue

Notes:

 1.  The first 3 or 4 rows of this skirt are a little confusing at first and a little difficult to execute, but it get much easier after that.  I recommend using different colored st markers to mark row 2a and 2b so you can tell which is which.  Rows 1-3 are making pleats and each pleat makes an S shape by turning your work back and forth.  Row 4 is a little hard to sc around all the S shapes but it gets easier by row 5.

2.   For rows 8-12 I fasten each row off, but you can carry threads if you like.

Directions


Row 1:  Starting at waist with white, ch 45, sc in back ridge of 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across, turn.  (44 sts)

Row 2a:  Working in FRONT LOOPS, ch 1, sc in each st across, turn.  (44 sts)

Row 2b:  Working in BACK LOOPS of row 1, sc in each st across, turn.  (44 sts)

Row 3:  Ch 1, sc in first st of row 2a and 2b at the same time, sc in next st of row 2a and 2b at the same time, *sc in front lp of each of next 4 sts on row 2a, TURN, working in unworked lps of 2a and back lps of 2b at same time, sc in each of next 4 sts, TURN, working rem lps of row 2b, sc in each of next 4 sts, [sc in next st of row 2a and 2b at same time] twice, rep from * across, turn. (I do not know how many sts this is at this time and I didn't care to count)

Row 4:  Ch 1, sc in first st, [sc in front lp of next st, sc in back lp of next st] across to last st, sc in both lps of last st, turn.

Rows 5-7:  Ch 2 (counts as first hdc), [hdc in front lp of next st, hdc in back lp of next st] across, turn.  Fasten off at end of row 7.

Round 8:  Join red with sl st, ch 2 (counts as first dc now and thru row 12), [dc in front lp of next st, dc in back lp of next st] around, join to top of beg ch 2.  Fasten off.

Round 9:  Join white with sl st, ch 2, [dc in front lp of next st, dc in back lp of next st] around, join to top of beg ch 2.  Fasten off.

Rounds 10-12:  Repeat rows 8 and 9 and then row 8 once more. 

Round 13:  Join blue with sl st, ch 2 (counts as first hdc now and for the rest of skirt), [hdc in front lp of next st, hdc in back lp of next st] around, join to top of beg ch 2.

Rounds 14-17:  Ch 2, [hdc in front lp of next st, hdc in back lp of next st] around, join to top of beg ch 2.  Fasten off at the end of round 17.

Finishing

1.  Sew snap to back opening of skirt.

2.  Glue rhinestone in desired pattern on blue part of skirt.

Red and white top

And here is the top as promised.  I will post the skirt tomorrow. 

Gauge

10 sc = 1 inch, 10 sc rows = 1 inch

Materials

Size 10 thread in white
Size 10 thread in red
Size 6 (1.8 mm) steel hook
3 sew on snaps
small length of 1/4th" red ribbon
fabric glue

Notes:

1.  The easiest way I found to sc evenly along a piece is to fold it in half and mark with a stitch marker, then fold the half in half again and mark the quarter sections with a stitch marker. Take the amount of stitches needed and divide by 4. Then make sure to crochet that amount in between each stitch marker.

2.  Anytime I say RS facing, I mean whichever side you like (or looks) best.

3.  I am using a new technique of the regular sc, hdc, and dc in this set.  You alternate working in the back loops and front loops.  It keeps a plain piece of sc's from looking too plain.  Also, I wasn't strict when writing out the pattern to keep to the FL/BL pattern.  If the pattern calls to work the BL in the final st of the row, but it turns out you work it in the FL it's no big deal.  Sometimes, I think I got off because I lost track, but I just kept going and it still looked fine.


4.  HDC next 2 sts tog = (yo, insert hook in st indicated, yo, pull up loop) 2 times, yo, pull through all 3 loops on hook

Directions

Row 1:  Starting at bust with white, ch 8, sc in back ridge of 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across, turn.  (7 sts)

Row 2:  Ch 1, sc in BACK LOOPS of each st across, turn.  (7 sts)

Rows 3-?:  Repeat row 2 until piece measures 5" long.  DO NOT fasten off.

Edging

Ch 1, 44 sc evenly spaced across first long edge, ch 1, sc in 7 sts across first short edge, ch 1, 44 sc evenly spaced along 2nd long edge, ch 1, sc in 7 sts across 2nd short edge, join.  Fasten off.

Red edging

Holding piece with RS facing, join red with sc in first st of either short edge, sc in next 6 sts, ch 1, sl st in first st of long edge, [ch 2, sl st in next st] across to last st, ch 1, sc in 7 sts across 2nd short edge, ch 1, sc in FRONT LOOP of first st of 2nd long edge, sc in BACK LOOP of next st, [sc in FL of next st, sc in BL of next st] across, join to beg st, turn.

Row 1:  Ch 1, [sc in FL of next st, sc in BL of next st] across, turn.  (44 sts)

Row 2:  Repeat row 2.  Fasten off.

Row 3:  With RS facing, join white with sl st in first st of row 2, ch 2 (counts as first hdc now and throughout), [hdc in FL of next st, hdc in BL of next st] across, turn.  (44 sts)

Row 4:  Ch 2, hdc in FL of next st, [hdc in BL of next st, hdc in FL of next st] twice, hdc next 2 sts tog, [(hdc in BL of next st, hdc in FL of next st) 3 times, hdc next 2 sts tog] 4 times, [hdc in BL of next st, hdc in FL of next st] 2 times, turn.  (39 sts). 

Rows 5-6:  Ch 2, [hdc in FL of next st, hdc in BL of next st] across, turn.  (39 sts)

Row 7:  Ch 2, [(hdc in FL of next st, hdc in BL of next st) 4 times, 2 hdc in FL of next st, 2 hdc in BL of next st] 3 times, [hdc in FL of next st, hdc in BL of next st] 4 times.  Fasten off.  (45 sts)

Bottom red edging

With RS facing, join red with sl st in first st of row 7, [ch 2, sl st in next st] across.  Fasten off.

Finishing

1.  Sew 3 snaps evenly spaced down back opening of top.

2.  For straps, glue red ribbon in place.

4th of July Bikini

As promised, here is the pattern for the binkini.  Tomorrow I will post the pattern to the red and white top.

Gauge

10 sc = 1 inch, 10 sc rows = 1 inch

Materials

Size 10 thread in Blue
Size 10 thread in Red
Size 10 thread in White
Size 6 (1.8 mm) steel hook
Approximately 65 rhinestones (2 or 3 mm)
Jewel glue
3 sew on snaps


Note:  Do not fasten off red or white unless specified.  Carry thread along side of work and cover these threads later as you work the edging.

Note:  I always like to crochet in the back ridge of the starting ch as it prevents the holey look.

Note:  Anytime I say RS facing, that means whichever side you like best.

Note:  Rhinestones are optional.  I liked the look, but it was a lot of work.

Directions for Bikini Top

Row 1:  With blue, ch 9, sc in back ridge of 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across, turn.  (8 sts)

Work rest of rows in BACK LOOPS only.

Rows 2-19:  Ch 1, sc in each st across, turn.  (8 sts)

Row 20:  Ch 1, [sc dec over next 2 sts] 4 times, turn.  (4 sts)

Row 21:  Ch 1, [sc dec over next 2 sts] 2 times, changing to red in last st, turn.  (2 sts)

Row 22:  Ch 1, sc in each st across, turn.  (2 sts)

Row 23:  Ch 1,  2 sc in each st across, changing to white in last st, turn.  (4 sts)

Row 24:  Ch 1, 2 sc in each st across, turn.  (8 sts)

Row 25:  Ch 1, sc in each st across, changing to red in last st, turn.  (8 sts)

Rows 26-27:  Ch 1, sc in each st across, changing to white in last st, turn.  (8 sts)

Rows 28-29:  Ch 1, sc in each st across, changing to red in last st, turn.  Fasten off white. (8 sts)

Rows 30-41:  Repeat rows 26-29 three more times.

Row 42:   Ch 1, work one more of red.  DO NOT fasten off red yet.

Edging

Ch 1, work a sc in end of each row across 1st long edge, ch 1, sc in each st across 1st short edge, ch 1, sc in end of each row across 2nd long edge, ch 1, sc in each st across 2nd short edge, join.  Fasten off.

Tie

Ch 150 tightly.  Wrap tie around center of top and pull tightly to cinch.  Double knot. 

Finishing

1.  Sew 1 or 2 snaps to back opening.

2.  Glue rhinestones in desired pattern on blue section of top.



Directions for Bikini Bottom

Waistband

Row 1:  With blue, ch 5, sc in back ridge of 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across, turn.  (4 sts)

Row 2:  Ch 1, sc in BACK LOOPS only of each st across, turn.  (4 sts)

Rows 3-?:  Repeat row 2 until piece measures 5 inches. 

Edging:  Ch 1,  40 sc evenly spaced along 1st long edge, ch 1, sc in each st across 1st short edge, ch 1, 48 sc evenly spaced along 2nd long edge, ch 1, sc in ea st across 2nd short edge.  Fasten off.

Rest of bikini bottom

Row 1:  With right side facing, count over 18 sts on side of waistband with 48 st, join red with sc in next (19th) st, sc in next 11 sts, turn.  (12 sts)

Row 2:  Ch 1, sc dec over first 2 sts, sc in next 8 sts, sc dec over last 2 sts, changing to white in last st, turn.  (10 sts)

Row 3:  Ch 1, sc dec over first 2 sts, sc in next 6 sts, sc dec over last 2 sts, turn.  (8 sts)

Row 4:  Ch 1, sc dec over first 2 sts, sc in next 4 sts, sc dec over last 2 sts, changing to red in last st, turn.  (6 sts)

Rows 5-12: Keeping to color pattern, ch 1, sc in each st across, turn.  (6 sts)

Row 13:  Ch 1, 2 sc in first st, sc in next 4 sts, 2 sc in last st, turn.  (8 sts)

Row 14:  Ch 1, 2 sc in first st, sc in next 6 sts, 2 sc in last st, changing to white in last st, turn.  (10 sts)

Row 15:  Ch 1, 2 sc in first st, sc in next 8 sts, 2 sc in last st, turn.  (12 sts)

Row 16:  Ch 1, sc in each st across, changing to red in last st, turn.  (12 sts)

Rows 17-18:  Ch 1, sc in each st across, changing to white in last st, turn.  (12 sts)

Row 19:  Ch 1, 2 sc in first st, sc in next 10 sts, 2 sc in last st, turn.  (14 sts)

Row 20:  Ch 1, sc in each st across, changing to red in last st, turn.  Fasten off white.  (14 sts)

Row 21:  Ch 1, 2 sc in first st, sc in next 12 sts, 2 sc in last st, turn.  (16 sts)

Row 22:  Ch 1, sc in each st across, leaving a long tail for sewing back to waistband.  Fasten off.  (16 sts)

Sew left 8 stitches of panty to left 8 stitches of waistband and sew right 8 stitches of panty to left 8 stitches of waistband.

Leg opening 

With RS facing, join blue with sc in any st, work 30 sc evenly spaced around leg opening, making sure to cover carried threads, join to beg sc. 

Finishing

1.  Sew snap to back opening.

2.  Glue rhinestones to waistband in desired manner.

Hi all, 
Sorry it has been so long since I have posted.  A few people are wondering when I will be posting new patterns.  I am working on it right now (I swear...lol).  Here are some pics to prove it!  I will be posting the actual patterns probably starting on Friday night.  I have finished a bikini set, a skirt and a top.  I am working on some shorts right now and I will be finishing with a matching tote bag and beach towel.  Thanks for visiting.

Striped Sherbet Sundress

I almost called this piece "Easy Peezy Lemon Squeezy" sundress;  partly because of it's lemony yellow color, but mostly because it is an easy design that works up pretty quickly.  This dress is mostly worked in one piece (with the ruffle added on) and it has very little shaping.  I was able to use three colors pretty simply by carrying thread along sides of piece and then working over the thread when working the edging.  I think it turned out really pretty for being such a simple design :-)

Materials

Size 10 thread pink (Color A)

Size 10 thread in green (Color B)

Size 10 thread in yellow (Color C)

Size 6 (1.8 mm) steel hook

2 sew on snaps

Gauge

10 sc = one inch, 10 sc rows = one inch

Directions

NOTE:  Carry thread along sides until specified to cut or fasten off.

SKIRT PART OF DRESS:

Row 1:  With pink (color A), ch 35, sc in back ridge of 2nd ch from hook and in back ridge of each ch across, changing to green (color B) in last st, turn.  (34 sts)

Row 2:  Ch 1, sc in BACK LOOPS ONLY of each st across, changing to yellow (color C) in last st, turn.  (34 sts)

Rows 3-20:  Ch 1, sc in BACK LOOPS ONLY of each st across, changing color to follow color sequence in last st, turn.  (34 sts)

Row 21:  Ch 1, working in BACK LOOPS ONLY, 2 sc in first st, sc in remaining sts across, turn.  (35 sts)

Row 22:  Ch 1, sc in BACK LOOPS ONLY of each st across, turn.  (35 sts)

Rows 23-26:  Repeat rows 21 & 22 twice more.  (37 sts at end of last row)

Row 27:  Ch 1, working in BACK LOOPS ONLY, sc dec over first 2 sts, sc in remaining sts across, turn. (36 sts)

Row 28:  Ch 1, sc in BACK LOOPS ONLY of each st across, turn.  (36 sts)

Rows 29-32:  Repeat rows 27 & 28 twice more, turn.   (34 sts at end of last row)

Row 33:  Ch 1, sc in BACK LOOPS ONLY of each st across, turn.  (34 sts)

Rows 34-51:  Repeat row 33.  Row 51 should end at bottom (non-pointed side) of skirt with yellow (color C).   FASTEN OFF PINK AND GREEN. 

EDGING: 

Note:  Remember to cover (work over) carried thread while working the edging.

Still working with yellow, ch 1, sc in end of each row of non-pointed edge of skirt, now holding wrong sides of skirt tog, carefully matching sts, sc first 25 sts of back seam tog, now working only in row 1 (pink side of back opening), sl st in next 9 sts (back opening).  Do not fasten off.

TOP PART OF DRESS:

Row 1:  Ch 1, sc in end of each row along top of dress, working 3 sc in center point in front (row 26), turn.  (53 sts)

Row 2:  Ch 1, sc in first 2 sts, [sc dec over next 2 sts, sc in next 2 sts] 6 times, 3 sc in next st, sc in next 2 sts, [sc dec over next 2 sts, sc in next 2 sts] across, turn.  (43 sts)

Rows 3-8:  Ch 1, sc in next 21 (22,23,24,25,26) sts, 3 sc in next st, sc in last 21 (22,23,24,25,26) sts, turn.  (45,47,49,51,53 sts)

Row 9.  Ch 1, sc in first 20 sts, (sc dec over next 2 sts) 3 times, sc in next st, ch 21, sc in back ridge of 2nd ch from hook and in back ridge of next 19 chs, sl st in next st (first tie  made), ch 21, sc in back ridge of 2nd ch from hook and in back ridge of next 19 chs, sc in next st (second tie made), (sc dec over next 2 sts) 3 times, sc in last 20 sts.  Fasten off.

RUFFLE:

Join yellow with sl st in any st at bottom of dress, ch 3 (counts as tr), tr in same st as ch 3, 2 tr in each st around, join to top of beg ch 3.  Fasten off.

FINISHING:

Sew 2 snaps evenly spaced down back opening of dress.  I had to overlap the snap quite a bit at the waist to make a more fitted look.

Daughter's new Etsy Shop

Ok, I am going to shamelessly promote the Etsy shop my daughter just started.  She is an avid crocheter and knitter and wants to make some spending money since she is only 16 and is having a hard time finding a job that will hire a 16 year old.  She has some items she made, but there is also a few crochet books that she is getting rid of.  Please check it out!  Here are some sample pictures of what she has. 

http://www.etsy.com/shop/AmbersCrochetCottage

"Beautiful in Burgundy" dress

I saw this design on a pretty little box that I have and decided to try to mimic it in crochet for Barbie.  My original goal was to make this dress in a short and long version.  I have the short version done, but I need to still work on making it longer.  Maybe it will be done by next week.

Materials

Size 10 thread in burgundy
Size 10 thread in french rose
Size 6 (1.8 mm) steel hook
3 sew on snaps

Gauge

10 sc = 1 inch, 10 sc rows = 1 inch

Directions

This dress is worked from the waist down and then from the waist up.

Row 1:  Starting at waist, with burgundy, ch 31, sc in 2nd ch from hook, dc in next ch, [sc in next ch, dc in next ch] across, turn.  (30 sts)

Row 2:  Ch 1, [sc in first (next) dc, dc in next sc] across, turn.  (30 sts)

Row 3:  Ch 1, sc in first dc, dc in next sc, (sc and dc in next st) twice, (sc in next dc, dc in next sc) 5 times, (sc and dc in next st) twice, (sc in next dc, dc in next sc) 5 times, (sc and dc in next st) twice, sc in next dc, dc in last sc, turn.  (36 sts)

Row 4:  Ch 1, [ sc in first (next) dc, dc in next sc] across, turn.  (36 sts)

Row 5:  Ch 1, sc in first dc, dc in next sc, (sc and dc in next st) twice, (sc in next dc, dc in next sc) 4 times, (sc and dc in next st) twice, (sc in next dc, dc in next sc) 4 times, (sc and dc in next st) twice,  (sc in next dc, dc in next sc) 4 times, (sc and dc in next st) twice, sc in next dc, dc in last sc, turn.  (44
sts)

Row 6:  Ch 1, [ sc in first (next) dc, dc in next sc] across, turn.  (44 sts)

Rows 7-8:  Repeat row 6.

Rounds 9-15:  Repeat row 6, joining with sl st to beg st, TURN to keep to pattern st. Fasten off at end of last round.  (44 sts)

Row 16:  Holding skirt upside down and with back facing you, count 11 sts to your right, join burgundy with sc in 11th st which should be a dc, dc in next sc, [sc in next dc, dc in next sc] across, DO NOT JOIN, turn.   (44 sts)

Row 17:  Ch 1, sc dec over first 2 sts, [sc in next dc, dc in next sc] across to last 2 sts, sc dec over last 2 sts, turn.  (42 sts)

Row 18:  Ch 1, sc dec over first 2 sts, [dc in next sc, sc in next dc] across to last 2 sts, sc dec over last 2 sts, turn.  (40 sts)

Rows 19-36:   Repeat rows 17 and 18 alternately.  There should be 4 sts at end of row 36.

Row 37:  Ch 1, (sc dec over next 2 sts) twice.  Fasten off.  (2 sts)

Row 1:  Starting at left back on opposite side of row 1, join burgundy with sc in first dc, dc in next sc, [sc in next dc, dc in next sc] across, turn.  (30 sts)

Row 2:  Ch 1, sc in first dc, dc in next sc, (sc and dc in next st) twice, (sc in next dc, dc in next sc) 5 times, (sc and dc in next st) twice, (sc in next dc, dc in next sc) 5 times, (sc and dc in next st) twice, sc in next dc, dc in last sc, turn.  (36 sts)

Rows 3-5:  Repeat rows 4-6 of skirt.

Row 6:  Ch 1, (sc in first (next) dc, dc in next sc) 9 times, (sc and dc in next st) twice, (sc in next dc, dc in next sc) twice, (sc and dc in next st) twice, (sc in next dc, dc in next sc) 9 times, turn.  (48 sts)

Row 7:  Ch 1, [sc in first (next) dc, dc in next sc] across, turn.  (48 sts)

Row 8:  Sl st in first 16 sts, (sc in next dc, dc in next sc) 8 times, sl st in next st, leave rem sts unworked, turn.  (16 sts, 17 sl sts)

Row 9:  Ch 1, [sc in first (next) dc, dc in next sc] 6 times, (sc dec over next 2 sts) twice, turn.  (14 sts)

Row 10:  Ch 1, (sc dec over first (next) 2 sts) twice, (sc in next dc, dc in next sc) 5 times, turn.  (12 sts)

Row 11:  Ch 1, (sc in first (next) dc, dc in next sc) 4 times, (sc dec over next 2 sts) twice, turn.  (10 sts)

Row 12:  Ch 1, (sc dec over first (next) 2 sts) twice, (sc in next dc, dc in next sc) 3 times, turn.  (8 sts)

Row 13:  Ch 1, (sc in next dc, dc in next sc) twice, (sc dec over next 2 sts) twice, turn.  (6 sts)

Row 14:  Ch 1, (sc dec over first (next) 2 sts) twice, sc in next dc, (dc, sc, dc) in last dc, turn.  (6 sts)

Rows 15-20:  Ch 1, sc in first dc, dc in next sc, turn.  Fasten off at end of last row leaving a tail to sew end of strap to back.  (2 sts)

Edging around top of dress

Don't forget to sew end of strap to back first.

Row 1:  Join pink with sc in first st, work 50 sc evenly spaced around top edge of dress, turn.  (50 sts)

Row 2:  Ch 1, sc in first st, (ch 1, sk next st, sc in next st) across.   Fasten off. 

Armhole edging

Round 1:  Join pink with sc in any st, work 25 sc evenly spaced around, join to first sc, turn.  (25 sts)

Round 2:  Ch 1, sc in first st, ch 1, sk next st, (sc in next st, ch 1, sk next st) around, join to first st.  Fasten off.

Bottom Ruffle

Row 1:  Join pink with sc in inverted point on left side of dress, work 32 sc evenly spaced down to point at knee, 3 sc in st at point, work 33 sc evenly spaced back up to inverted point, join to first st, DO NOT TURN.  (69 sc)

Row 2:  Ch 3,  (dc, ch 2, sc) in first st, sk next 2 sts, [(2 dc, ch 2 sc) in next st, sk next 2 sts] around, join to beg ch 3.  Fasten off.

Finishing

Sew 3 snaps evenly spaced down back opening.