There are just so many cute crochet projects for children and babies that I really can't help myself. I have a little stash of patterns and whenever friends announce that they are expecting, I get a bit excited about impending crochet fun. That being said, they usually wind up with a blanket of my own devising. I cannot follow a commercial crochet pattern. I just can't.
I realise this is a silly state of affairs for someone who's been able to crochet for about 25 years. How, in all that time, have I not used a pattern? Simple: my mother can't use one either and she taught me. We both make things by eye (although interestingly, we can both follow dressmaking patterns no problem). Anyway, I have decided that enough is enough. It is time to put this gremlin to bed once and for all and conquer a crochet pattern. As I have a friend due to hatch a the end of June, I also have a perfect opportunity, so I have decided to have a crack at this:
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| King Cole pattern #3476. I'm making the hooded jacket in size 0-3 mths |
I should come clean and admit that I am not using the recommended yarn. It calls for a DK yarn, I'm using aran. In my defence, the colours are nicer. So far, I've done the back and the two front panels:
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| Aren't babies surprisingly square? |
I'm not convinced it's going too well. According to the pattern photo, the front pieces meet without an overlap. They are also edged in DC. The pieces I have already overlap without the edging. I'm pretty sure my gauge hasn't changed though. I'm intending to go back and redo the back panel as I want the green border at the bottom all the way round. The best thing about baby clothes is that they are small, so I can always frog it and start again without wasting too much work. I am intending to block it before I start putting all the bits together, but at the moment, that back panel measures 9" x 9.5". What do people think? Does it look unfeasibly square/unbaby-shaped/just plain wrong?
On the plus side, the stitch used is really quite a nice one - crossed trebles - easy to do and very effective. It gives the fabric a wonderfully squidgey, nobbley texture.
If there are any seasoned baby clothes-makers among my readers, I'd really appreciate any comments/instructions/suggestions!
I have many years less experience than you, but it took me so long to get into crochet because I was trying to follow these patterns and I couldn't understand why everything I made was so boxy!! I eventually taught myself through making granny squares, and am looking to learn pattern making myself so that I can design some cute baby garments. Thanks for this article, I feel more confident after reading it!
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