Pattern Instructions Help

#1

Hello:

I’m new to the forum and to crocheting. I found a pattern I would like to do but I don’t understand how to read the pattern. There are some parts I’m ok with but a few I’m not so sure about. I hope someone can help me out.

Here are the pattern instructions:

Panel: (make 8). Ch 66 loosely (I understand this part).

1st row: (RS). 1 sc in 2nd ch from hook. 1 sc in each ch to end of ch. Turn. 65 sc. ( I believe this states: 1 single crochet in 2nd chain from hook. 1 single crochet in each chain all the way to the end of the chain. Turn your work. I should have 65 single crochets).

2nd row: Ch 1. 1 sc in each sc across. Turn. (I believe this states, 1 single crochet in each single crochet already made to the end. Turn your work).

3rd row: Ch 1. [I]Draw up a loop in each of next 2 sc. Yoh and draw through all 3 loops on hook [/I]- sc2tog made. 1 sc in each sc to last 2 sc. Sc2tog over last 2 sc. Turn. (I do not understand this row at all).

4th row and 5th rows: Ch 1. 1 sc in each st across. Turn. Rep last 3 rows to 55 sts. Dec 1 st each end of next and every following 4th row to 13 sts. Fasten off. (I do not understand this).

Can someone help me?

Thank you.:slight_smile:

#2

Row 3 is decreasing by 1 stitch on each end. A sc2tog is “single crochet 2 together,” and it decreases by 1 stitch each time it’s performed. There should be 63 sts at the end of this row.

Row 4 and 5 are poorly written. At least (I hope) you have a picture of what you’re going for…when you’ve posted maybe one more message, you’ll be able to post an url of the pattern, if there is an url.

The idea of Rows 4 and 5 (and maybe 6 through 13; that’s the “poorly written” part) is that you keep crocheting the set-up established in Rows 1, 2, and 3. Row 3 decreases by 2 sts, at the beginning and the end, so to decrease from 65 to 55 sts means 5 repetitions of the 3-row cycle, or 15 more. However, that’s 15 rows, not 13.

If you repeat Rows 2 and 3 only, you’ll still decrease those 2 sts, but will need only 10 additional rows.

If the pattern designer has a website, check to see whether there are any “errata” or take a good look at the picture/photo to see whether it appears to have a total of 3+15 = 18 rows or 3+10 = 13 rows.

“Fasten off” is how you end a piece of crochet. Cut the yarn about 6 inches beyond the last stitch. Pull the tail back through the last stitch, forming a small knot. Weave the end back through the sts with a yarn needle. Done!

Learning crochet and knitting at the same time…that’s a lot of work! :slight_smile:

DCM

#3

Hi,

Thank you for the help. Unfortunately I do not have a full picture of the pattern. The pattern is a Christmas tree skirt that my daughter found on the yarn wrapper.

Yes, the rows 4 and 5 are confusing. I’ll try to decipher some more. Otherwise, I may just try to wing it and who knows I may create my own unique pattern.

I wasn’t sure whether I would like knitting or crocheting. So, I’m trying both. The knitting I’m finding right now a little tougher. I can’t seem to pick up dropped stitches. I find myself unraveling a lot.

#4

What brand of yarn? If it’s Lion Brand, they have TONS of their patterns on their website. The Christmas Tree skirt might be on the yarn-company website. At least it explains the 8 trapezoidal panels (how I envision them from your instructions).

The knitting videos at this site are very good; b/c I’ve crocheted for so long, the Continental style of knitting is easier for me to deal with: the yarn is controlled by my left hand for both crochet and Continental knitting. :slight_smile:

DCM

#5

Hi,

The yarn brand is Bernat. I already looked at their site and they don’t seem to have the pattern.

#6

I think where it says “[COLOR=“Red”]repeat last 3 rows[/COLOR]” it means to repeat Rows 3, 4 and 5 until you have 55 stitches since those are the most recent three rows worked. So this instruction tells you to work two rows even and then decrease every third row.

Then it says to [COLOR=“Blue”]decrease one stitch at each end of the next row and every following 4th row[/COLOR] until you have 13 stitches, so now you will be working three rows even and decreasing on the 4th row.

To help keep track of your rows, you might find this post helpful: http://www.hookedonneedles.com/2009/08/how-to-keep-track-of-decrease-rows-in.html It refers to knitting, but the idea would be the same for crocheting as well.

Hope this helps!

MGM

#7

Hi,

Thank you for the explanation. I think I will make a go of it.:slight_smile: