Vickie: Welcome back, for someone who’s always wanted to crochet, this darling shrug is
the answer. And by adding a crochet edge, it takes on a whole new look. And
showing us how to make this lovely shrug is designer Candi Jensen.
Candi, do you have any advice for the knitters who are maybe just for the first
time delving into crochet?
Candi: Just know that it’s just easier than knitting. You only have to use one hook
instead of two needles. Just enjoy it. Relax and enjoy.
Vickie: Enjoy the ride. Okay, so let's see what supplies we need for this particular project.
For this shrug you’ll need four skeins of classic elite Provence in Portland teal.
And one skein in herbal sage or any other washed away cotton. You need one set
of US size 9 knitting needles, and one US size G crochet hook.
Okay, this is the sweater or the shrug that we're going to be making. Absolutely
beautiful. Got a crochet edging. Lovely knitted pieces. Why don’t you start us off.
Candi: Let me start you off by showing you the pattern stitch. And we're going to work
on the front first. What you're going to do is cast on the required number of
stitches for the size that you want to make. And then the pattern stitches are very
easy, you cast on the stitches, then you knit one row. And then the next row,
you're going to knit one stitch and then purl one stitch. And you do that all the
way across. And then the next row, you're just going to knit the row across. It’s
called the mock rib stitch. So it gives a ribbed look, but it’s much, much easier.
Vickie: Excellent.
Candi: And then what you're going to do is start to increase for the shaping on the front
of the sweater.
Vickie: Okay, I would love just to show them where we are. So we started up this edge,
and then we're working the in creases now. Go for it.
Candi: The only trick to doing the in creases, you're going to be in creasing on every row
to give the shaping. The only trick to remember is you have to count when you're
in the knit purl row that you're doing either a knit or a purl. So you're going to knit
your first stitch, and then when you do the next stitch, you're going to purl into it
and then move the yarn back and knit into the same stitch. That will be your in
crease, and that also keeps you in the rib stitch. So you just have to keep track of
it as you work up. You're only going to be doing it on one side, that’s the shaping
for the front.
Vickie: Okay.
Candi: Once you’ve done all the shaping of the in creasing, then we're going to be
decreasing. In order to decrease, it’s pretty much the same thing. Here's the in
creases all the way up here. And then with the decreasing, you just stay in the
pattern stitch. But with this one, you're only doing every other rows. So my tip to
you is to just do it on the knit side. So you're going to knit one, and then knit two
together and that’s your decrease. And you do that every other row.
Vickie: Okay, and just to show them what we're doing right now is the neck shaping, all
in decreases.
Okay, excellent, so you're going to follow that.
Candi: Once you're done doing that, then you end up with a piece that looks like this. So
this is all the in creases, these are all the decreases, and this is the front of the
sweater.
Vickie: Okay, excellent. We should also mention that the pattern for this sweater in
several different sizes is on the website, diynetwork.com.
Alright, so you're just going to apply this exact same stitch to make the sleeves.
Candi: Correct.
Vickie: And then the back. And the cool thing about the back, no shaping. Just a
rectangle. Could not be easier. So beautiful. The thing that I love most about the
stitch is it got kind of this really cool textured chain mill feel to it. Really nice and
drapes beautifully.
Alright, let's start on this great edging.
Candi: The first thing you're going to do is you need to pick up the stitches again. So you
need to take the contrasting yarn, you bring it through. Yarn over, bring it through
again. And that attaches it. Then you're going to work a row of single crochet
along the whole edge of the sweater. All the way around the sweater.
Vickie: Okay, we should just mention that. We're using just the small swash so it’s easier
for you to see at home.
Candi: So once you finished, you work your single crochet all the way around. Then
you're going to be, it will look something like this. And once again it is this
smaller version of it. So then you’ll have a single crochet all the way around your
sweater.
Vickie: Okay.
Candi: When you're done with the single crochet, what you need to do is make some
loops for your shell stitch. On the back side, what you would do is chain three.
Oops, I made a little mistake. Chain three.
Vickie: That happens with this yarn, it tends to split sometimes, that’s just to make sure
the cotton in.
Candi: Then you're going to skip one stitch and do a single crochet in to the next one.
Then you chain three, and then skip a stitch and single crochet into the next one.
And you do that all the way around the sweater.
Vickie: Okay, let's do it one more time.
Candi: So the chain three.
Vickie: Because just I like making you work.
Candi: I know you do. Skip a stitch, and then do a single crochet.
Vickie: Okay, then you get this great edging that looks like this.
Candi: Yes, so then you end up with this edging that has these little loops here. And
you're going to be working your shells in to the loops. And now you're going to be
working on front side of your sweater. And what you're going to do with each
little loop, just get my yarn adjusted here. Are you work a single crochet to half
double crochets and a single crochet. And that makes the little shell, so that
creates the shell for you.
Vickie: Right, that’s all there is to it.
Candi: And you work that all the way around.
Vickie: Okay, and so what that does is creates this great shell action.
Okay, so the next thing, really quickly, I would love for them to see how to make
the cute little button.
Candi: The button is great. Let me just take that one there. Here’s the button. What you're
going to do first is you just chain three, and then you're going to join it and make
a little circle. And in that circle, you're going to work 10 half double crochet. And
you work right in to this center of it. Once you’ve work your 10 half double
crochet into the center, you’ll end up with a piece that looks something like this.
And then you just, to make the button shape, you're going to then work two
stitches together. So you pull up a loop, pull up a loop, and work them together.
And that will pull the back in. so that you will have a piece that looks like this.
And this is the little button.
Vickie: Excellent. It’s so cute. So then, all you have to do is sew it on, any way you chose
to. And then just to, actually you don’t need to do an extra loop because you
already created that with that little shell. And it just easily attaches.
That’s all there is to it, and now you have a great shrug that so perfect addition to
any wardrobe