Reading chart patterns

[Siliana Chiliachka]

Right, so is there any way to do it my way without messing up the sides? I don't think there is, but I might be missing something. I really love the way loose feeling of the chainless foundation, so I really wanted to start this project with it. The first problem I see is the one I mentioned above (starting row 3 at the top of Ch 2, which is actually on the Other side:(..

[Siliana Chiliachka]

I suppose I could add one more sc row and in order to get it to the side of the pattern....

[magiccrochetfan]

You really don't have a problem. Your foundation row equals a beginning chain AND the first row, and it is the right side. Your next row is what is consided the wrong side.

 

I know the pattern talks about which side the yarn tail is on, but that is just one way to think of it. Once you have finished your foundation row, take a piece of yarn and tie a bow on it, on the side that was facing you as you worked the row. The side with the bow is the right side.

 

In most stitch patterns there is nothing magic about the right side, it is just a designation that is arbitrary. In this pattern as long as you have the bobble sts on different rows facing the same way it will be fine....and often you can push a dimensional stitch to the other side anyway.

[Siliana Chiliachka]

OK, so where it says to attah the new color to the top of Ch 2, i hould ignore this and just attach it to the top chain of the side i am on? It also does not specify whether or not i should count all those chains at the beginning of each row as croches...wht do you think? Thanks for all your advise and help! Isnt it a lovely blanket?

[magiccrochetfan]

No, don't change anything, just do what the pattern says.

 

Reread the first paragraphof the pattern, it has the answer to your second question.

[Siliana Chiliachka]

Alright, so does the first chain 2 (at the very beginning of my work) count as the first single crochet (it seems that it should as per instructions).,

[magiccrochetfan]

You are reading the instructions correctly.

[Siliana Chiliachka]

Perfect, off I go:)

[Siliana Chiliachka]

Hi there,

 

I am on row 6, which says, R6: (rs) w/B, join to top of beg ch 3, ch 3 (counts as sc, ch 1), sk next st, *sc in next st, ch 2, sk 2 sts*

rpt (* ) to last 2 sts, sc in last 2 sts, (35 sc), fasten off

 

I am not clear on what ch 3 (counts as sc, ch 1) means..do I ch 4?

[magiccrochetfan]

what it means is that you are to make a chain 3, which will "count as" or substitute for an sc and a chain 1.  It is the equivalent of the turning chain, which gets you up to height for the beginning of the row.  

 

the row is "R6: (rs) w/B, join to top of beg ch 3, ch 3 (counts as sc, ch 1), sk next st, *sc in next st, ch 2, sk 2 sts* rpt (* ) to last 2 sts, sc in last 2 sts, (35 sc), fasten off" so I beleive that this chain3 will coount as one of the 35 sc you should have when you complete this row.  

 

when something is in parentheses, you need to view everything in the parens as ONE action or one thing.  so it means that the chain 3 counts as an sc AND a chain 1.   if it said "ch 3 (counts as sc), ch 1"  then in that case you would actually chain 4.  Does that make sense?  let me know if not!  I might be over-explaining lol

[Siliana Chiliachka]

Hi everyone.

 

Does anyone think they can help with this pattern? Or does anyone know where I can find some details on how to read charts ( I know what the symbols mean, but that is about all i know).

 

Here is the pattern (free):

http://gosyo.co.jp/english/pattern/eHTML/ePDF/1012/3w/29-41_Baby_set.pdf

 

Thanks

[magiccrochetfan]

that is a rather complicated diagram because of the shaping.  I'd suggest doing some simpler ones to practice.

 

Annies has a nice short tutorial here http://www.anniescatalog.com/crochet/content.html?content_id=708&type_id=S&source=kcnow&utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=knitandcrochetnow

Can you work that pattern?  Give it a try for practice.  then see if the more complicated ones make more sense to you.  

 

There is also a multipart tutorial on the Dancing Barefoot blog http://dancingbarefoot.wordpress.com/japanese-pattern-tutorials/

 

Are you on Ravelry?  there is a group there for discussing Japanese patterns http://www.ravelry.com/groups/japanese-knitting-and-crochet  and one for Pierrot patterns http://www.ravelry.com/groups/pierrot-yarns   The baby set may have already been discussed in one of those.