N DesigningVashti Brochet Brgject
Questions, comments? vashtibraha@gmail.com http://designingvashti.com
Eva's Ribs:
Simple SlipStitch Scarf Pattern #4-N122110S Click hereforexclusiveaccesstoa growing mage bank forthis design. This is pure slip stitch crochet, done in the back loop. With a larger-than usual crochet hook, it crochets up faster than you'd think. It's such an easy pattern that it's almost not a pattern at all. It is also the first step in creating my Eva Shrug, and when I was making the shrug, I was
very tempted to stop right here and leave it as a scarf! If you decide to turn your scarf into the Eva Shrug, you'll have Step One already completed. Eva's Ribs resemble knitted stockinette or 1X1 knitted rib to many people. It does for me too, to a point. This is a luxuriantly stretchy and plush ribbing, more so than any other crocheted or knitted ribbing I've experienced. Most of my other slip stitch projects have been done in the front loop. The kind of fabric it produces also resembles knitting, but reminds me more of garter stitch, or of Tunisian Purl stitch. My total yarn cost for just the scarf: \$13, with most of the second skein left over. This means I'd use all of three skeins if I made two scarves for a total of \$19.50 :-) I devoted Luoue #9 of my Crochet Inspirations Newsletter to this inspiring ribbing. including the instructions to make your own. I've put those instructions in this official single pattern PDF format, which you can conveniently store in your Ravelry library. I hope you enjoy this scarf as much as I do! -- Vashti Skill Level: Easy-Intermediate. I'd sure like to call this an "Advanced Beginner" pattern, because the slip stitch is an elementary stitch, and this is a simple scarf pattern. However, the stitch gauge is much looser than most crocheters are taught to use when they learn how to do the slip stitch. The more you can let your crochet hook size determine how loose you make your slip stitches, the more you'll like your scarf. Your stitches will even out and get soft and stretchy. I call it a "hook-led" gauge. I'm discovering it's an Intermediate skill that is necessary for crocheting some kinds of slip stitch fabrics and Tunisian lace. (Click bere for my online article about this important skill.) Pattern is written with a limited amount of abbreviations. International English equivalents to American measurements, yarn weights, and stitch terms are provided in brackets.
Finished Dimensions
6" wide by 50" long (15 cm X 127 cm} It's easy to make your scarf wider or longer. If you do, you may need more yarn. Also, you might not be able to use it as Step One of the Eva Shrug.
Supplies Needed
Crochet Hook: Size US J-10/6.00mm or size required for gauge. Optional for a looser foundation chain: US K-10.5/6.50mm or one size larger than the one required for gauge. Yarn Shown: Berroco VintagerM (50% acrylic, 40% wool, 10% nylon; 217yds/ 200m per 3.5oz/100g), color #5175, 1.25 skeins. Substituting a yarn: The best fibers for this project add bounce and plump stretchiness because of their wool or acrylic content. (Cotton yarn is just not the same for this!) Choose a #3 light- to #4 medium-weight yarn that recommends a crochet hook size range somewhere between US G/7/4.5mm-I/9/5.5mm. These yarns may also be referred to as DK (Double Knitting), Light Worsted, or Worsted weight.
Stitches & Abbreviations Used
BLOslst = Slip stitch in the back loop only ch = Chain sl st = Slip Stitch
Special Stitches
Slip stitch in the back loop only (BLOslst):
Insert crochet hook in the top back loop (the loop that is furthest from you) of designated stitch, yarn over and pull loop through stitch and loop on hook. Like many crocheters, you might be accustomed to making your slip stitches tighter than your taller crochet stitches, even when using a larger crochet hook. It's important for this Eva pattern that you avoid this habit. Practice keeping your stitch loops loose enough to match the size of the crochet hook--neither too tight nor too loose. Gauge measured flat and at rest (not stretched): Stitch Gauge: 24 BLOslst (slip stitches worked in the back loop) = 6" (15 cm) Row Gauge: 16 ribs (row pairs) = 6" (15 cm)
Chippy's Tip: Rows of slip stitches have so little height that it's easier tc count them in pairs: one "rib" equals two rows. Exact gauge helps if you want the option of using your scarf as the ribbing for the Eva Shrug. It also gives you a sense of how the fabric should feel. It's not important for the finished dimensions of a scarf.
Begin Eva's Ribs Scarf
Make a slip knot and place on larger (US K-10.5/6.50mm or one size larger than the one required for gauge) crochet hook. Ch 25. Switch to smaller (US J-10/6.00mm or size required for gauge) crochet hook for all remaining rows and pattern steps, except seaming. Row 1: Skip ch nearest the hook, sl st in one loop only of each remaining ch: 24 sl sts. Ch 1 tightly, turn. Tip: the best kind of "tightly" is tight enough so that you don't see open space in the ch, but not so tight that you make a hard knot or strain the yarn. Row 2: BLOslst in each sl st: 24 BLOslsts. Ch 1 tightly, turn. Rows 3 - 250: Repeat Row 2. Tip: For easy row counting, count the ribs (the raised ridges of the fabric). Each rib equals two rows, so 250 rows will yield 125 ribs. There is no right side or wrong side of this fabric. If you wish to use this as a scarf, add more rows if you like, and then just fasten off and weave in ends. If you'd rather see how to turn it into a shrug sweater, the Eva Shrug pattern is available for purchase in two sizes: from Small-to-Medium, and from Large-to-XLarge:
EvaShrug attheDesigningVashtiwebsite Eva Shrug in the Ravelry Store I would love to hear from you and see your projects! Email me anytime: VashtiBraha@gmail.com. If you upload pictures of your project, I can find them easily if you create a project page in Ravelry. To find out about my new crochet patterns and other happenings at DesigningVashti.com, please subscribe to my Crochet Inspirations newsletter. It's free, is emailed every other Thursday, and your email address is never given out or sold to third parties.
