Benat Galaxy Shawl

[Gardenhumor]

I have been making some capelets using Bernat's Galaxy, double strand with something else and would like to make a loose and fluffy stole. Long and rectangular in shape. I want to use ONLY Galaxy for this stole. The local Big Lots has plenty for almost nothing, so I can actually afford to do this project. I need some idea how many skeins to buy, too.

 

I have a pattern book or two, that give you instructions for chain so many stitches plus whatever to repeat the pattern. My problem is that Galaxy is such a heavily textured yarn. What would some of you suggest for a style. Simply double or single is too boring. One Single followed by one Double does give a nice texture when you are using a plain yarn, but that's too close for what I have in mind. I'm thinking a random looking V stitch, or a small shell with lots of open work, possibly.

 

The capelets I've been making are a variation on the capelet that uses 3 different yarns on the Lion Brand site. I reduce the starting chain to something that will fit closer on the throat; make the collar (rectangle) the length I want, leaving it open until I'm happy with the length; then close it up so it becomes a circle, that will fit easily over the head. Once you finish the collar, follow the Lion Brand pattern for increases and close the circle. Experiment. The result is a short collar, a small slit, and a length that goes just past the shoulders. I'm going to sew a button and probably elastic thread to close the neck up more. I wear mine under my coat, but with 2 skeins of Galaxy it just barely comes to the edge of my shoulders. I used Lion Boucle with the first capelet, Lion Jiffy with the second (3 skeins Galaxy) and now I'm using Simply Soft because it was the only violet color I could find that would go with the more purple Galaxy.

 

I know that crocheting Galaxy by itsself will have me coming out with language unbecoming of a lady. It is very easy to work with if you use a second yarn.

 

Sorry I haven't been around for a while. I changed jobs in late Summer from a 2nd Shift Help Desk position to 1st shift entry-level programmer. FINALLY!

[Molly]

Have you seen Bernat's "Galaxy Shawl" pattern? It's available online at http://www.bernat.com/pattern.php?PID=1080 (free with registration), and I've also seen tear-offs at AC Moore.

[Sahahne]

I'm not quite sure what the galaxy yarn looks like, so don't know how much help these suggestions will be. But for what they're worth...

 

What about a couple of rows of dc or tr, then a row of X-stitch (or whatever other name it goes by! ) I've used that on a bag for my niece and the end result was really quiet nice. I found a link for the X-stitch to explain it, in case you know it by a different name!

http://www.crochetcabana.com/stitches/stitches-x-stitch.htm

 

The other suggestion I would have is to try the pattern in this shawl. I'm doing one currently as a Christmas gift, very simple pattern but looks quite effective. (Although I've changed the pattern to add my own touches as I think most of us crocheters do!)

 

http://www.berroco.com/exclusives/paris/paris.html

 

Hope that helps. And congratulations on your new job!

[FancyFingers]

Urghh! I was gonna say, I got several skeins of that stuff last month at Big Lots and aside from making the chain, I couldn't do a thing with it by itself. I'm gonna have to find some other yarn that matches to work in two strands, just so I can see the stitches!

[classic crochet]

Is it like fun fur? I can only knit that stuff...it was to frustrating to try and crochet with. I made a scarf. I love the scarf but wouldn't want to make anything else with that stuff!

[Gardenhumor]

Fun fur is not easy to use crochet with unless you're doing something like trimming an item, such as magic gloves. (Use a size 0 steel hook and put the hook through the glove, then fluff it out when finished.) Galaxy has the added chore of not being not consistent in thickness.

 

I uploaded a few photos so you can see the capelets I've made and a sample of the yarn on the project I'm working on. The collar doesn't show very well and I haven't sewn the buttons on yet. I need to return to the original pattern and work on shaping a bit more.

 

http://gardenhumor.50megs.com/

[hooked2]

I love the look of that yarn ( )! My sister is going to send me some and I plan to make an afghan with it (). Your "insider" info on using a second, smooth yarn with it will save me lots of aggravation ( )! My thanks to all of you for that ()!!

 

PS: Is the Galaxy still available at any of the Big Lots near any of you? (None near me.)

[classic crochet]

Your caplets look great!

[FancyFingers]

I was at Big Lots tonight and found some fun fur/eyelash -type stuff made by Phentex (forgot what it was called) for $1 per skein, but no more Galaxy.

[Tiga]

I'm making a shawl with it in a trellis stitch - just a chain, then a sc, then more chain. Very easy and it really shows the yarn off. I'll take a picture of my progress tomorrow.