How To Start To Crochet Wearables

[Antdan]

Hi Everyone,

I absolutely love coming to this site, and I have a question.....I've been crocheting for over 30 years and have made all sorts of projects. I would like to start crocheting wearables (I've never made any). What type of project would you suggest I start with??? I can't crochet with thread even though I LOVE all the beautiful dresses and tops that I have seen on this site! Thank you for any suggestions!

[Granny Square]

Well, a shaw/stole/poncho/scarf would be the easiest, since there's no fit involved.

 

Next might be a cloche type hat (I refuse to call them beanies-that's the thing with the propeller at the top! ), they are fairly easy to fit (stop increasing when the circumference of the circle = your head diameter)

 

As far as sweaters, although I have made more advanced and fitted ones in my younger days, I, er, have a less fitted figure now and end up making boxier ones that are basically 2 rectangles (front/back) for the body, and 2 trapezoids for the sleeves-couldn't be simpler--basically the cut of a t-shirt or sweatshirt. You can change them up in infinite ways by changing the stitch pattern, even adding cable stitches for a aran-style.

 

For the fit - Lay a nicely fitting sweater flat, sleeves stretched to the side. The critical measurements are across the body, length from shoulder to hem, armhole depth, and sleeve length--since it's a dropped shoulder, measure from wrist to wrist, subtract the measurement across the body, and divide by 2 (example, if the wrist to wrist measurement is 54", and measurement across the body is 20", the difference is 34", divide 34" by 2=each sleeve is 17").

 

The critical thing for a wearable is to get your gauge right, so you can 'hit' the measurements you need. The width gauge is more important, you always can add or subtract rows to get the height right.

 

I will go scout a couple of patterns that would be good to start with...

[Granny Square]

Short sleeved 'T' shirt style, I've made this and it's a pretty stitch

http://www.coatsandclark.com/Crafts/Crochet/Projects/Apparel/LW1387+Tee+Top.htm

 

Long sleeve turtleneck, I would suggest NOT using Homespun (stretches MUCH to badly for a wearable)

http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/chs-bigez.html

 

I like this one - I've made a couple of these - although it looks really nice with 3 alternating colors, you might try making it in one color for your first wearable (fewer ends to weave!) Or 2 colors, and carry the unused one up the side

http://www.coatsandclark.com/cgi-bin/MsmGo.exe?grab_id=434&page_id=5310464&query=denim+shells+pullover&hiword=PULLOVERS+SHELL+denim+pullover+shells+

 

Crummy pic on this one, but it looks easy and same drop-shoulder idea

http://www.womansday.com/article.asp?article_id=12723

 

There are more on CPC, this is just a sample...

[Knit Happens]

an openwork 1970s style vest is an easy enough first wearable...search the internet for a pattern. ....sorry to read what happened to the site ... honestly tho, I've never seen porn there....eeeeks

[Empress Busy Bee]

You can't post links to that site as it is banned from this board due to copyright issues. You can read the rules here, especially nine:

 

http://www.crochetville.org/forum/showthread.php?t=73204

 

What type of project would you suggest I start with???

Depends on who you want to make it for.

There are a few easy baby sweaters if you want to try that.

If for yourself, you might try a simple shrug or something.

Have a look at CPC and see what might interest you.

 

http://www.crochetpatterncentral.com/directory.php

 

[ErinLindsey]

an easy vest is on the groovy crochet site, but that site hasn't been updated in years and has been abandoned ...however ...here is a link to the groovy vest -- http://*****************/web/20020203064451/www.cei.net/~vchisam/groovy/7502.html

 

also, the reason why that site seems abandoned is because it's actually no longer in existence. It exists only in the memory of the internet archive. It's no longer accessible to the original site owner.

 

The original site was hacked in 2000. The hackers posted porn on a lot of the pages, and the owner lost a lot of patterns. She was never able to recover a good number of the pages and that's why she abandoned it. It was up for as long as the site was paid for. Once her account was closed with the hosting company, they deactivated the site.

[LondonLaura]

Good luck with your crochet

 

I just made my first adult wearable a few months ago. A shawl/cardigan type thing, where the size isn't vital - this really took the pressure off me It might be a good idea to start with something like that, or baby clothing for a non-specific baby so that whatever size it is it will fit someone.

 

I can't share the cardigan pattern because it's not a free one, but there's lots of them around if you google. Have fun!

[Antdan]

Thank you so much everyone! Your suggestions truly helped. I'm going to do some investigating and decide! Thank you also for the links! They are really helpful.