Archive for January 11, 2011
Country Car Coat Pattern Needs a Bit of TLC
I finished the back piece of the Country Car Coat pattern and, as others on Ravelry have pointed out, this pattern needs a fair bit of tender loving care. All in all, though, I am very pleased with the final results of the back piece in the yarn that I have chosen and with the sizing adjustments that I have made. The drape is turning out lovely and the color is so beautiful. I pinned the piece to Bessie, my dress form, to give you a look at how it is shaping up.
Also, I decided to share my interpretation of the garble printed on page 3 of pattern for the shaping of the raglan armholes in an attempt to help others who may be interested in making this gorgeous garment, especially those in the Crochet Divas group on Ravelry participating in the CAL. It is important to note that the schematic illustrated in the pattern does not appear to be 100% accurate with regards to the shaping described in the instructions. In fact, the shaping for the raglan armhole is slopped but begins with more of a pronounced indent (see photo of my example below).
I want to point out too that the directions below have been customized slightly. They are specific for my size (XL) and the bulky yarn that I have selected rather than the super bulky yarn for which the pattern originally calls. I found that following the directions for a size 2X using my yarn of choice results in a size XL, more or less. The finished dimensions of my fabric for the center back piece are 26.5 inches across the bottom, 18 inches from the bottom to the raglan armhole shaping, 9.5 inches in length for the raglan armhole shaping, and 3.75 inches across the top.
Shape Raglan Armhole
Row 1 [New Row (Dec Row)]: Sk first dc, 2 V-sts, and first dc of next V-st; join yarn in ch-1 space of 3rd V-st; ch 3, work V-st pattern in next 12 V-sts; dc in ch-1 space of next V-st, ch 3, turn. Leave remaining 2 V-sts and final dc unworked. [12 V-sts]
Row 2: Work V-st pattern in each V-st across, dc in final dc, ch 3, turn. [12 V-sts]
Row 3: Work V-st dec in first 2 V-sts, completing V-st pattern in second V-st from hook; work V-st pattern in next 9 V-sts; work V-st dec in final V-st and in top of ch-3 turning chain; ch 3, turn. [10 V-sts]
Row 4: Work V-st pattern in each V-st across, dc in final dc, ch 3, turn. [10 V-sts]
Row 5: Work V-st dec in first 2 V-sts, completing V-st pattern in second V-st from hook; work V-st pattern in next 7 V-sts; work V-st dec in final V-st and in top of ch-3 turning chain; ch 3, turn. [8 V-sts]
Row 6: Work V-st pattern in each V-st across, dc in final dc, ch 3, turn. [8 V-sts]
Row 7: Work V-st dec in first 2 V-sts, completing V-st pattern in second V-st from hook; work V-st pattern in next 5 V-sts; work V-st dec in final V-st and in top of ch-3 turning chain; ch 3, turn. [6 V-sts]
Row 8: Work V-st pattern in each V-st across, dc in final dc, ch 3, turn. [6 V-sts]
Row 9: Work V-st dec in first 2 V-sts, completing V-st pattern in second V-st from hook; work V-st pattern in next 3 V-sts; work V-st dec in final V-st and in top of ch-3 turning chain; ch 3, turn. [4 V-sts]
Row 10: Work V-st pattern in each V-st across, dc in final dc, ch 3, turn. [4 V-sts]
Row 11: Work V-st dec in first 2 V-sts, completing V-st pattern in second V-st from hook; work V-st pattern in next V-st; work V-st dec in final V-st and in top of ch-3 turning chain; ch 3, turn. [2 V-sts]
Row 12: Work V-st pattern in each V-st across, dc in final dc, fasten off. [2 V-sts]
Well, I am moving on to the left front piece now. If I make any more substantive clarifications to the pattern, I will be sure to include my notes for all to share.
Happy Stitching!
