How to find a pattern to match my super chunky yarn?

[YarnBall]

I have 9 skeins of super chunky Sirdar Big Softie yarn. I originally bought the yarn to make into mats for my front and back doors. After getting started, I started to realize that the yarn is so soft and cushy, I can't bear to use it for mats! I'd love to make myself a sweater or cardigan but there aren't very many patterns using super chunky yarn that look flattering. The next most wanted item I'd like to make is a throw. But, it seems that I need about double the amount of yarn that I have to make a decent sized one.

 

I'd prefer to use what I have and not buy more. I'm also trying to use up the 9 skeins and not have too much leftover. I've been spending hours searching for a pattern that will match the number of skeins I have. Am I being unrealistic? My head is spinning now and I haven't found any patterns that will fit with the number of skeins I have AND that I love.

 

Any suggestions?

 

 

[YarnBall]

So I couldn't give up on crocheting myself a sweater with this yarn! I'm sorry!! I found these cocoon shrug patterns with chunky yarns that look quite nice:

 

http://www.mamainastitch.com/easy-blanket-sweater-crochet-pattern/

 

http://www.allaboutami.com/easychunkycrochetsweater/

 

Since the construction of these "blanket sweaters" is super simple, I went ahead and improvised my own pattern. I started working up the "blanket" portion. I'm vertically-challenged and puny so, so far, it looks like the 9 skeins will be enough to make me a complete shrug. Yay!

 

I decided to do it up in V-stitch with the reasoning that it isn't as yarn-intensive as, say, DC. But I'm not liking how it looks with this yarn. It has a shine to it so all the bumps in the stitches really show. It looks a bit too busy to me.

 

Are there any other mesh-type stitches that won't look as busy?

[Granny Square]

It's tricky with that sort of open, loopy stitch, because the edge is sort of scalloped...you'd have to put fewer stitches into the edging than there are edge stitches, to get it to lie flat, by inserting some ratio of sc2tog for the first edging round.  But t looks fine without an edging  

[YarnBall]

Thanks redroses and GrannySquare! I've added a couple rows of SC to the edge and it's a bit wonky looking because the edge itself is so "wavy". So I decided to leave it without the edge. It's a surprisingly warm shrug despite all the holes.

 

Oh and redroses I've since learned about the diff between elongated stitches and the broomstick st. I can see how elongated stitches are REALLY tricky.

[Granny Square]

Your shrug came out great!  Just the right amount of openness.  I'm glad you had enough yarn, I was a bit worried about that.

 

Maybe just a round or 2 of solid SC for the edge should be enough of a finished look, I think, and a sturdiness to the edge since that's the part that gets grabbed when you pull it on and off.

[redrosesdz]

It turned out great! I don't think it needs a collar.

 

Broomstick lace is a bit different than elongated sc. They both create long stitches. That shrug you liked was probably broomstick, rather than elongated sc. With broomstick you make an entire row of loops, gathered on a rod/broomstick/thick knitting needle. The next row you crochet one or more loops off of the rod. Elongated sc is pulling up the first loop high, before finishing the stitch.

[YarnBall]

redroses and GrannySquare, thanks again for helping me to improvise my blanket shrug! And this sent me off on a Google search to learn about unplied yarn. I knew this yarn looked different but thought it was just the bulkiness of it or the type of wool used.

 

I wasn't quite ready to do loopy stitches yet for this one. I happened to spot this "broomstick lace" pattern on Mama in a Stitch's blog: http://www.mamainastitch.com/broomstick-lace-crochet-top/. Is that the same as or similar to the long SC that you mention?

 

Anyway... I just finished my shrug (see the photo below... sorry it flipped on its side after attaching). I ended up doing a DC, ch, DC pattern. The treble was also nice but I wanted the weave to be a bit tighter for more warmth. It drapes nicely and is very cozy! I'm very pleased with it but I'm thinking of adding a collar to it so the neck area looks more finished.

 

I tried just doing SCs along the edge but it looked messy (because the edge is so wavy) and it also made the collar quite stiff.

 

Can you suggest a stitch for the collar?

[Granny Square]

A shrug is just a rectangle, so as long as you get the proportions right you can use whatever stitch or mix of stitches you desire.

 

I'm with Redrosesdz, I don't like making loopy stitches either and usually sub a triple or some combo that would work in it's place.  Plus, I'd be leery of unstructured stitches with you unplied yarn.

 

The pattern in post 14 is there, she just riffed on a Lion Brand pattern.  But... it takes nearly twice as much yarn as you have.

 

Edited to add - the above is 38"x42".  You fold it in half across the 38", so folded it is 38x21.  Then sew up 14" from the each open end, leaving a 7" (in profile, so is 14" around) opening for the armhole.

[redrosesdz]

That's rows of tr and rows of elongated sc stitches.  I don't know how experienced you are in making any kind of loop stitch, but they are a pain to make.  You either have to eyeball the length of the loop or use some kind of measuring tool.  I'm currently working on a project that I'm using my thumb to measure and it's getting sore.  A very experienced crocheter, MagicCrochetFan, suggested cutting a piece of cardboard for measuring.  So, the choices are either have stitches of different sizes or use something to measure each stitch, which is tedious.

[YarnBall]

Thanks redrosesdz and GrannySquare! I did test swatches of all the stitches you suggested. I really like them all and I'm going to come back to them for future projects for sure. For this yarn, the more open the weave, the less busy it looks. The last pattern from GrannySquare got me searching for other patterns using the treble.

 

I found this great looking shrug: https://www.lazydaisyjones.com/2015/09/a-crochet-canyon-shrug.html but the pattern is no longer available (the link doesn't work and I had no luck Googling it or searching on Ravelry). She notes that the stitches used are chain, DC, treble, half treble and double treble. If I just improvise and alternate the rows of stitches as I want, will it turn out alright?

[Granny Square]

The up-down stitch is pretty and textural, but would use up more yarn than straight DC.  The dc, ch1 that Redrosesdz suggested would stretch the yarn farther.  A triple, ch would go even further (taller stitches cover more territory with less yarn).

 

Some patterns, just to show what some simple open stitch patterns look like (variations on dc or tr, chain 1 or 2)

More of a recipe than a pattern, and is written in a mix of Malay and English, but is dc, ch 1.  Most shrugs are just rectangles like this in their simplest form

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/diy--your-first-shrug

 

Here is a shrug with a dc, ch2 stitch pattern 

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/lacy-shrug-crochet

 

This uses treble, ch 1

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/treble-shrug

[redrosesdz]

What about something more simple?  DC, ch 1 (while skipping a chain) across for the first row.  DC in ch sp, ch 1 across for the rest of the rows.  Or the up and down stitch?  DC, SC across.  DC in SC and SC in DC back.

[YarnBall]

Hi everyone! Wow, thanks so much for all the replies! It's been very snowy where I am here in Canada so I've been really busy shovelling and not able to get on here to see your replies.

 

By the way, this single ply yarn wouldn't have worked well for a rug (wearability-wise).  You'd want something with many plies, and tightly plied together, and worked very densely (so, smaller gauge yarn than super bulky).

 

Ohh... thanks for sharing that info. I sensed that it was too delicate to handle that kind of rough wear and tear. I'm going to go out and shop for a yarn better suited for the mats.

 

I'm learning lots from all of you. This is helping me to get a better sense of how much yarn is needed for various projects. I've seen some adorable mermaid tails, redrosesdz! I just might try a "tail-less" one!

 

I also LOVE the chunky hats, cowls, infinity scarves, bags and storage baskets I've been seeing around. Only problem is, I've got plenty of those items already! I was really hoping to make something I actually need. But, seeing as I'm limiting myself to just this much yarn, maybe I will have to stick to making smaller items like these. Perhaps give them as gifts...

 

I'll definitely have a look through the patterns you've shared. Thanks everyone!

[Charis]

I highly recommend cowls. I use homespun for cowls and I love it. So cozy! I like to make a big cowl that wraps around at least twice. This is my fav. http://crochetincolor.blogspot.com/2011/11/effortless-cowl.html

I increase the number of chains by like 10. It's just a little smaller than I like. The nice thing about this pattern is, it doesn't matter how much yarn you have, it'll be a great scarf no matter the width!

[ReniC]

So 49 yards per skein x 9 = 441 yards.  Yeah, not nearly enough for a sweater or even a baby blanket.  By the way, this single ply yarn wouldn't have worked well for a rug (wearability-wise).  You'd want something with many plies, and tightly plied together, and worked very densely (so, smaller gauge yarn than super bulky).

 

Chunky hats and scarves/cowls seem to be popular.  In looking at a few patterns, it looks like you could (just barely) get a hat and a small cowl out of the yardage you have.  I don't think you have enough yarn for a garment that's going to cover much of you.

 

Hi Reni, we pushed the post button at the same time!  Great minds think alike I see

 

Hi Granny Square!  Great minds do always think alike. Hee hee hee-

[Granny Square]

This hat looks pretty chic, takes 2 skeins @80yds/skein so 160 yards

http://www.redheart.com/free-patterns/city-sophisticate-hat

 

I was looking for cowls, but I ran into this - I've made a couple of capelets that I like to wear indoors instead of a cardigan, it seems keeping my shoulders warm 'works' for the rest of me.  I haven't made this very pattern, but something to consider.  It takes 4-6 balls @ 86 yards per ball, so the smaller sizes could work for you

http://www.redheart.com/free-patterns/cowl-shoulder-cozy

 

These cowls only take 80-90 yards

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/cowl-5191

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/so-soft-cowl

 

Here's one (convertible cowl) that uses your exact yardage

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/convertible-cowl

[Granny Square]

So 49 yards per skein x 9 = 441 yards.  Yeah, not nearly enough for a sweater or even a baby blanket.  By the way, this single ply yarn wouldn't have worked well for a rug (wearability-wise).  You'd want something with many plies, and tightly plied together, and worked very densely (so, smaller gauge yarn than super bulky).

 

Chunky hats and scarves/cowls seem to be popular.  In looking at a few patterns, it looks like you could (just barely) get a hat and a small cowl out of the yardage you have.  I don't think you have enough yarn for a garment that's going to cover much of you.

 

Hi Reni, we pushed the post button at the same time!  Great minds think alike I see

[ReniC]

You are right, the yarn you have is just not enough for even a baby blanket. There are several patterns online, but, they call for at least 650 yds and up. How about a hat and scarf or cowl? Chunky accessories are very popular, even tote bags.

[redrosesdz]

Hmmm... when I read "cocoon" I thought about a mermaid tail blanket.  They don't use quite as much yarn as a throw, because of the decrease.  You wouldn't have to add the tail to the bottom.

[YarnBall]

Yep, I was on Ravelry for a few hours just before coming on here! I did clue in to searching by yarn weight but I didn't catch the search by yardage! Sweet! What an amazing search engine they have on there.

 

I'll give that a try and see what comes up. Likely not much. Argh. And, I just did a test swatch and the fabric does end up very thick. I'm exploring some patterns for coccoon shrugs that might work if I use a more "airy" stitch.

[magiccrochetfan]

Are you on Ravelry? There you can search for patterns by yardage and yarn weight.

 

Seems to me that super chunky yarn is going to make a very thick fabric, I'd be concerned about that for a garment. Then again oversized stitches seem to be in fashion now!