Ecru Spring Jacket

Do not be afraid to try thread!  This jacket is worked holding 2 strands of size 10 thread together throughout. Imagine that you are using sport or fingering yarn.  Just be sure to pick up both threads with each stitch. Unlike crocheting with a single strand of thread, your work will progress quickly.

I used Woolworth 4 Cord Crochet Thread (polyester) that I found in a big bag at Goodwill.  This thread was wonderful to work with.  It was durable but a little springy and made a very nice fabric. It’s a shame that this thread has been discontinued because I like it so much better than cotton.

Difficulty: Intermediate

Size: 39″ Bust and 41″ Hips (Hips flare out slightly because of loosness of starting chain. There is no shaping in this jacket.)

Materials: About 2700 yards of size 10 thread, Ecru. Crochet hook size 3.50 E. Stitch markers, (6) 1/2″  buttons, yarn needle

Gauge: With 2 strands held together, 27 stitches and 22 rows = 4″ blocked

Note: You will hold 2 strands of thread together throughout this pattern.

Back

Ch 122. Sc in 2nd ch from hook, ch 2, sk 2 chs, sc in inext ch. *Ch 2, sk 2 chs, sc in next ch**.  Repeat from * to ** to end of chain. Mark as right side of fabric. Turn.

Rows 2-62: Ch 1. sc in 1st sc, ch 2, sk 2 chs. Sc in next sc, * ch2, sk 2 chs, sc in next sc **.  Repeat from * to ** to end of row. Turn.

Shape Armhole

Row 1: Sl st across 13 sts, placing a sl st into ea sc and into ea ch. End with a sl st in 13th sc. Ch 1, sc in same st, continue to work in pattern to last 13 sts. Sc in next sc. Leave remaining sts unworked. Turn.

Rows 2:  Work even in pattern to last sc.  Sc into last sc.  Leave remaining sl sts unworked. Turn.

Rows 3-43: Work even in pattern. Fasten off.

Right Front

Ch 62. Sc in 2nd ch from hook, ch 2, sk 2 chs, sc into next ch. *Ch 2, sk 2 chs, sc in next ch**.  Repeat from * to ** to end of chain. Mark as right side of fabric. Turn.

Rows 2-72: Work as for back, making armhole on right side the same way and continuing to work until you have completed 72 rows.

Shape Neck

You will be skipping the first stitch at the neck edge on every row. Your first stitch should always be a sc at the neck edge.  When you come back to the neck edge on the next row, your last stitch will always be a sc.

Row 1: Ch 1, sk 1st sc, sc into next ch, ch 1, sk next ch, sc into next sc. Continue in pattern stitch to end of row.  Turn.

Row 2: Work in pattern to last (sc, ch 1, sc) group. Sc in next sc, sc in next ch. Leave remaining sc unworked. Turn.

Row 3: Ch 1, Sk 1st sc, sc in next sc. Work in pattern to end of row. Turn.

Row 4: Work in pattern to last (sc, ch2, sc) group. Sc in next sc,ch 1, sk next ch, sc in next ch. Leave remaining sc unworked. Turn.

Rows 5-28: Repeat rows 1-4 consecutively.

Rows 29-end: Work even in pattern until front measures the same as back from hem and has the same number of rows. Fasten off.

Left Front

Work as for right front but reverse neck and armhole shaping.

Sleeves (Make 2)

You will be increasing 1 stitch at each end every other row.

Ch 68. Work in body pattern to end of ch. Mark as right side of fabric, turn.

Row 2: Ch 1, 2 sc in 1st sc, ch 2, sk 2 ch, sc in next sc. Work pattern to last sc. 2 sc in last sc. Turn

Row 3: Ch 1, sc into ea of 1st 2 sc. Work in pattern to last 2 sc. Sc into ea of last 2 sc. Turn.

Row 4: Ch 1, sc in 1st sc, ch 1, sc in next sc. Work in pattern to last 2 sc. Sc in next sc, ch 1, sc in next sc. Turn.

Row 5: Ch 1, sc in 1st sc, ch 1, sk next ch, sc in next sc. Work in pattern to last 3 sts. Sc in next sc, ch 1, sk next ch, sc in last sc. Turn.

Row 6: Ch 1, sc in 1st sc, ch 2, sk next ch, sc in next sc. Work in pattern to last 3 sts. Sc in next sc, ch 2, sk next ch, sc in last sc. Turn.

Row 7: Ch 1, sc in 1st sc, ch 2, sk 2 ch, sc in next sc. Work in pattern to last 4 sts. Sc in next sc, ch 2, sk 2 chs, sc in last sc. Turn.

Rows: 8-48: Repeat rows 2 through 7 consecutively, ending with row 5. Turn

Rows: 49-56: Work row 5 evenly until you have worked 56 rows total. Fasten off.

Joining

Block pieces lightly. Weave in all ends.  With right sides together, seam shoulder seams together with a whip stitch or crochet together using 1 strand of thread and a small hook. With right sides together, join sleeves to body sections, placing center of top of sleeve at shoulder seam and pivoting at underarm to attach to armhole extension. ( See photo ). With right sides together, sew or crochet sleeve underarm seams and side seams.

 

Bottom Trim

Attach yarn at outside corner of lower left front. Ch 1, sc in join. *Sc in next ch,sk next ch, sc in next sc** Repeat from * to ** along bottom of jacket.  You should end up with 163 sc.  If you do not, then go back and add or subtract stitches until you have the right number.

Row 2: Ch 1, sc in 1st sc, *sk 2 sc, 5 dc in next sc, sk 2 sc, sc in next sc** repeat from * to ** along bottom edge to end of row. Turn.

Row 3:  Ch 1, sc in 1st sc, *sc in ea of next 5 dc, sl st in next sc** Repeat from * to ** to last 6 sts. Sc in ea of last 5 dc, sc in last sc. Fasten off.

Front and Neck Edging

Attach yarn on outside bottom corner of right front. Ch 1, sc in join. Sc in next end-of-row (eor), sc in next eor, *sk 1 eor, sc in ea of next 2 eor**.  Repeat from * to ** until you have worked 50 sc. Work 2 sc in corner st at bottom of V-neck, work 106 sc around neck to st at bottom of V-neck on left front. 2 sc into corner st of  V-neck. Work 51 sc along left front as for right front. Turn.

Row 2: Ch 1, sc into ea sc along fronts and neck. Turn.

Row 3: Ch 1, Sc into 1st sc, ch 2, sk 2 sc, (sc into ea of next 8 sc, ch 2, sk 2 sc) 5 times more. 2 sc into next st, sc around neck, working 2sctog at shoulder seams and placing 2 sc into corner st at bottom of V-neck. Sc along left front edge. Turn.

Row 4:  Ch 1. Sc into ea sc along left front, neck edge, and right front, placing 2 sc into ea ch 2 sp on right front. Turn.

Row 5: Ch 1. Sc into ea st around neck and fronts. Fasten off.

Sleeve Trim

This will be worked in the same manner as the bottom trim with the exception that it will be worked in rounds.

Attach thread at underarm seam of sleeve at wrist on right side. Ch 1, sc in join. Work 48 sc around sleeve as you did for the bottom of the jacket. Join with a sl st to 1st sc. Turn.

Round 2: Ch 1, sc in join. *Sk 2 sc, 5 dc in next sc, sk 2 sc, sc in next sc** Repeat from * to ** around the sleeve edge to last 2 sc. Sk 2 sc, join with sl st to 1st sc. Turn.

Round 3:  Ch 1, sc in join. *Sc in ea of next 5 dc, sl st in next sc** Repeat from * to ** around sleeve to last 5 dc. Sc in ea of last 5 dc. Sl st to join with 1st sc. Fasten off.

Weave in all ends.  Block seams and edging. Sew buttons onto left front opposite buttonholes.

Copyright: Carol Wolf, March 2011

 

Bike Chain Car Coat Pattern

 

This coat is worked from side-to-side beginning with the left center front.  The shoulder seams are crocheted together, the collar and bottom bands are worked and then the sleeves are seamed and set in last. Although the stitch pattern and basic construction for this coat is easy, the blocking  and addition of a zipper makes it more difficult so I am assigning it an “intermediate” level of difficulty.

Size: 50″ at Bust and Hips

Materials: 17 sk Naturally Caron Country 185 yds, color 0017 Claret,  Crochet hooks sizes B and G, 25″ zipper (or length of your choice to conform to length of  center  front ),  (2) 17/16″ buttons, stitch markers, yarn needle, sewing needle, matching thread, stainless steel straight pins.

Gauge:  18 sts equal 4″ in bike chain pattern, 16 rows = 4″ in bike chain pattern

Stitches used: chain (ch), slip stitch (sl st), single crochet (sc), single crochet 2 tog (sc2tog), front post single crochet (fpsc), double crochet (dc)  

Bike Chain Pattern: 

Row 1:  Dc into ea st across, ch 1, turn.

Row 2:  Sc into top of 1st dc. *Sc around post of next dc (fpsc), sc into top of next dc*. Repeat from * to * to end, placing last sc into top of tc from previous row. Ch2, turn. Ch2  counts as a dc here and throughout the pattern.

These 2 rows make up the bike chain pattern henceforth called a “pair”.

Difficulty: Intermediate

Left front

With G hook, ch 94 ( not loosely).

Sc into the top 2 loops of 2nd ch from hook and ea ch across. (93 sc) Ch 2, turn.

Work bike chain pattern. Mark 1st dc row as right side of fabric. Work a total of 5 pairs.  You will have a sc row as your last row.  Fasten stitch with a stitch marker.

Increase for Shoulder

With another ball of yarn, attach yarn with a sl st at 1st sc of last row ( opposite end from your stitch marker). Ch 15. Fasten off.

Next row: Go back to the stitch marker and insert your hook into the last stitch you worked and continue in the bike chain pattern by working your next dc row. Dc into ea sc and into the top 2 loops of ea ch to end of row (increase made–107 sts total)

Continue to work the bike chain pattern until the front piece measures about 11″ wide or 21 pairs total rows.  Make sure you end with a sc row. Fasten off.

Decrease for Armhole

Turn. Sk 44 sts. Join yarn with a sl st at 45th st.  Dc into same place as joining.  Work a dc row. (63 sts)  Continue in bike chain pattern until piece measure 2″ from beginning of armhole ( your 1st dec. row).  End with a sc row. Do not fasten off, secure your last st with a st marker.

Increase for Back

With another ball of yarn, attach yarn with a sl st in first st of row just worked (opposite end from your st marker). Ch 45. Fasten off.  You will have 44 chs.

Go back to your secured st and work a dc row across all sts and all chs (107 sts).  Continue to work in bike chain pattern until the back measures 22″  between the back edges of the armholes or you have completed 42 pairs. Work one more dc row.

Decrease for Armhole

Continue to work in bike chain pattern, working the next sc row over 63 sts. Ch 2, turn. When armhole is the same width as left front, end with a sc row and secure your last stitch.

Increase for Shoulder

Attach another ball of yarn at  the 1st  st of the sc row just finished (opposite end from your secured st). Ch 45. Fasten off. You should have 44 chs.  Go back to your secured st and work a dc row across all sts and all chs. (107 sts).  Work in bike ch pattern until you have a total of 16 pairs. Work one more row of dc. Fasten off.

Shape Neck

 Turn. Sk 14 sts. Attach yarn at 15th st.  Work bike chain pattern until center front section measures the same as for left front.  Fasten off. Weave in all ends.

Sleeves (make 2)

With hook G, ch 54 ( not loosely) Sc top 2 loops of ea ch across. Ch 2, turn. (53 sts)

Work a sc row in bike chain pattern.

Work a dc row in bike chain pattern.

Work a sc row in bike chain pattern.

Inc. Row:  2 sc into top if 1st dc. Fpsc around post of next dc.  Work in pattern to last 2 dc.  Fpsc around post of next dc. 2 sc into top of last dc. ch2, turn.

Continue to work in bike chain pattern working an inc. row ever 4th row ( every other sc row).  I like to mark my inc. rows with a st marker so that I can see where my last increase was made.  Work 33 pairs or until sleeve is the length you desire.  End with a sc row.  Note: If you like your sleeves longer and want to work more rows, do not work any more increases.  Fasten off and weave in all ends.

Blocking

It is now time to block your work.  The blocking process is necessary because this pattern causes the fabric to skew to one side.  Please refer to this post  for more detail about how to block your coat.  DO NOT SKIP THIS STEP!

Once your coat has been blocked you can join the shoulders.  Place the body of your coat on a table, right sides together.  I like to take some scrap yarn and separate it into 2-ply strands.  I knot the ends together and wind it into a ball.  Now I will use this thread to crochet the shoulder seams together.  You will note from the photo that I have used little girls’  hair clips to keep the pattern pieces from shifting.  Attach your yarn at the end of one shoulder and with hook B, sc across shoulders making sure that you catch both pieces with your hook,  that your rows match and that your work lies flat.  Do the same with the other shoulder.  Weave in all ends.  You can also sew your shoulder seams together if you wish.

Bottom Band

1)   Attach yarn with a sl st on wrong side at bottom right front corner. With hook G, Sc in same place as joining. Sc across bottom of coat placing 1 sc into the end of ea sc row and 1 sc into the end of ea dc row. Work about 186 sts making sure that you end up with an even number. Do not fasten off. Ch 8, turn.

2)   Dc in 3rd ch from hook and into top 2 loops of ea ch and into ea st across (193 sts).  Make sure you have an odd number of stitches.  Ch 1, turn.

3)   Work a sc row of the bike chain pattern to last dc. 2 sc into last dc. Ch 2, turn.

 4)   2 Dc in next sc, dc in next 2 sc, ch 3, sk 3 sc, dc to end of row.

5)   Work  a sc row to  ch 3 sp, 3 sc into ch 3 sp, to last 2 sts. Sc2tog over last 2 dc.

6)   Work 2 more rows of the bike chain pattern ending with a sc row. Do not fasten off. Sc 10 sts around end of tab. Join with a sl st in corner where tab meets body of coat.  Fasten off.

Collar

1)   With G, ch 7. Join chain with a sl st to corner st on wrong side of  left front neck edge. Sc in same st as joining. Sc around neckline placing 1 st in the end of ea sc row and 1 st in the end of ea dc row. Sc 2tog at corners. Ch2, turn. (7 chs plus 68 sc)

2)   Work dc row of bike chain pattern across 68 sts and 7 chs. (75 dc) Ch 1, turn.

3)   2 sc in 1st  dc, fpsc around post of next dc, sc in next dc.  Continue in pattern to end of row. Ch2, turn.

4)   Dc across row to last 6 sc. Ch 3, sk 3 sc, dc in ea of next 2 sc, 2 dc in last sc. Ch 1, turn.

5)   Sc 2 tog over 1st two dc. Fpsc over next dc.  Continue in pattern to finish the row.

6)   Work a dc row. Fasten off.

7)   Turn. Attach yarn with a sl st on wrong side at bottom corner of buttonhole tab where the tab meets the body of the coat.  Sc in same place as joining.  Work 11 sc around tab to last row worked. Sc in top of 1st dc, fpsc around next dc, continue in bike chain pattern to end of row.  Fasten off.

Zipper and Joining Sleeves

With zipper closed, place bottom plastic end of zipper under center front edges having front edges meeting in center of zipper.  Make sure that plastic selvage at bottom is not visible  from the right side.  Pin in place.  Open zipper and hand-sew to coat with matching thread.  Turn upper edge of zipper under and stitch in place. 

With right sides together, center underarm sleeve seam in bottom of armhole.  Clip or pin in place.  Continue around sleeve, clipping it to the armhole  and making sure that it is lying flat.  Crochet through both thicknesses using the size B hook or sew sleeve seam being careful not to make seam too tight.  Repeat with the other sleeve.

Finishing

Sew buttons in place on front band and collar under buttonholes.

Note:  I  promised to include a diagram but am having trouble with my drawing program. Below is a small graphic of the body of the coat.  If you click on the drawing, you will be able to see the dimensions.

Copyright: Carol Wolf November 2010