Everyday Crochet Rah-boon-dee-ay!
Hi there everyone!
I have this bookf rom the library and I do think it is definitely one I am ready to purchase! It has beautiful sweaters in it.
I guess I have chosen a difficult one to start with, as I am unclear on the instructions and I was hoping that someone else would be able to steer me the right direction.
For the yoke, it says that it is the same as the Tall Latte V-neck Yoke....so...I moseyed on over to page 52 and was reading that. In attempting to decide which shell it used, I noticed it said under special stitches to use the Jewel shell. I am assuming you should use the Jewel's increase shell as well, HOWEVER, under the Jewel yoke increase pattern, it sayst aht the increase patterns are used only on teh Jewel neck ONLY. So, I was unsure...do I use the same increase shell, but not follow the directions? (which is what I would assume) Or, do I not use the Jewel as any kind of direction...
Anyone out there have any more brain power than my cold ridden sleep deprived brain? *smile* Thanks in advance! I am really excited about this.
Melanie
With a bit of luck, you'll have Doris Chan herself along shortly to help out! Sorry, but I don't have the book yet.
Pauline
Yeah, I ordered that book. I really liked the patterns, but absolutely despised the way you had to keep flipping back and forth from pattern to pattern to pattern. I returned it. =(
http://gaugebeforebeauty.blogspot.com/
I am not an expert by any means, but I can tell you what helped me a lot - make a photocopy of the Rah-Boon-Dee-Ay pattern and a copy of the Tall Latte pattern. Mark out everything that does not pertain to your size (for examples see the Jewel thread in the CAL forum). In Tall Latte on page 56 it say "Stop here for Rah-Boon-Dee-Ay" so don't copy anything after that. Staple your pages together in order and you should be good to go.
Teresa would probably be more help because she's actually made the Jewel, but my guess on the special stitches is that the page reference is only to direct you to the stitch charts. I would use the directions for increasing that pertain to my particular sweater.
The other thing I discovered in this book was that each sweater in each section builds on the previous one. For my 4-S Vest I had to go back to two patterns in my section to get the complete instructions. This feels a little strange at first but the things you learn about drape and garment construction are invaluable. So my point here is that the sweater you chose is the last one in the section so it probably will have the most detail. Not that it will be any more difficult, but maybe more time consuming.
If you haven't already done so, please read the Jewel thread as well as the No Sweat thread. Doris Chan gave some excellent comments on both of those. And while I'd like to say "me too", I have accomplished exactly zero on my vest as I'm working on Christmas right now and that has a higher priority than something for myself.
Last piece of advice - go slow and don't be afraid to rip out and start over. Hope this helps you. I'm really looking forward to seeing your progress!
- Joy B.
I agree; that's a very enticing pattern! It is based on the sweater called "Tall Latte" which is in the book, but was also published in a Canadian magazine as "Crocheted V-Neck" --
http://www.canadianliving.com/crafts/crochet/crocheted_v_neck_pullover.p... is the link, and maybe that gives the instructions a bit differently than in the book, because it stands alone, without reference to other projects in the book.
Here are the shells; the same ones are used for Jewel, No Sweat, and all the other pullover tops in that chapter:
Special stitches
SH: (2 dc, ch 1, 2 dc) in same st or sp
INC-SH: [Dc, (ch 1, dc) 3 times] in same st or sp
Sctbl: (single crochet through back loop only)
If the pattern says to use the same shell as Jewel, it's the set of 5 stitches (2 dc, ch 1, 2 dc) marked "shell" or "SH" -- in the instructions, the pattern tell you where to use the Increase Shell (INC-SH).
Rah Boon Deeay pattern says to follow the Tall Latte pattern for the V-Neck Yoke, up through BODY ROUND 2. The Tall Latte pattern starts you out with the Base Chain/SC foundation -- she explains the Base Chain/SC on p. 138 and and everybody I know who has take a bit of time to get the hang of it LOVES it, it is stretchy unlike the usual starting chain of chain stitches.
Then you select your size and follow the directions for that size. You have to read carefully; I did it with marking pen in hand!! It looks like you stay with Tall Latte all the way to page 55, where it says BODY in big type. This is where you will join up two corners on one side, and two corners on the other: what was a growing rectangle (due to the increases at the 4 marked corners) becomes a sweater yoke with separate openings for the body and the two sleeves. Then you work the rounds for the body only (you will join and complete the sleeves later).
So RahB'Deeay says to work the same as the TALL LATTE pattern up to "BODY ROUND 2" -- the round you make shortly after the joining. It's on the bottom of p. 55 (or top of p. 56 if you are doing size 48, 51, or 54, or if you are adding bust short rows, which she explains on p. 14).
Then you go back to RAHBOONDEEAY on p. 60 where it says BODY. Believe me, from here it just rocks! All the tricky bits are behind you and you'll have it nailed by then.
I found it VERY helpful to photocopy the pages I needed, and then read through the whole thing with a pen in my hand. You can cross out quite a few paragraphs because they are for a different size than the one you are making. That is how I dealt with flipping back and forth with "No Sweat," my second project, which started out using the first part of "Jewel." I drew arrows, crossed out, made notes, made an extra copy of one of the pages ... and I only had to lug around a few pieces of paper in my yarn bag, instead of the whole book.
I'm almost finished with my second sweater from this book. It's true that the first one had me scratching my head and re-doing some rows a few times! but once you get past the first few rows, it's pretty smooth sailing and very gratifying to see the sweater take shape.
What kind/color of yarn are you considering for your Rah Boon Deay?!
Hey Melanie,
I've been on a mini book-signing tour to Connecticut, ao have not seen this thread until tonight. If you have specific problems or questions that have not been addressed by brilliant Teresa and Joy, please feel free to PM me through this forum.
The reason the patterns bounce back to previous pages in the same chapter is the conservation of space. It would have been totally redundant to repeat all those instructions for each of the variations of the same basic garment. I hope you can bear with that convention and find your way.
Each chapter presents one shell stitch pattern, one garment type, many choices. The method of growing increases for each flavor of shell will remain constant through a chapter. The Jewel yoke is only briefly shaped at the front neck, then closed off. The Tall Latte and Rah-Boon-Dee-Ay feature a V-neck that requires a different plan of attack from the very top. But the shell stitch and the way the increases are made at the four raglan increase corners... those are the same for all the pullovers.
Best of luck.
Yours,
Doris
I did figure out the whole shell issue, however, I didn't see anywhere it said to use markers...maybe I wasn't paying attention?
So,now I need to know where the "corner" stitches are. Luckily, I am only in 6 rows and am willing to frog it. I frogged it down to the increase row (I think row 4?) but I wonder if I messed up...because they don't look very equal.
I also think that it may look as though I am a beginner crocheter, but I promise I am not...I just have to do my crocheting really late when my three littles that I homeschool are in bed. *smile* Also, I am recovering from my cold, so please be forgiving.
I do not mind flipping, but I *LOVED* the idea of zeroxing them for the ease of use. I don't feel right about doing that with a library copy though, as I know I don't own it.
Thanks for all of the help thus far and for all of the future help. I will be sure to show everyone my work (I hope). I am making it in a green sport weight yarn. It is kind of a bright green, but it's the green that looks good with my slightly yellow/green skin that makes people wonder if I am not feeling well. *grin*
I promise also to try and contribute later to other forums etc. I found this one when I was in search of help with these BEAUTIFUL patterns.
Melanie
I think you can feel just fine about photocopying a library copy. that would let you make notes on your copy so you can keep track of where you are. And it's not so hard on the book!
You should be using markers in the corners (where the increases are). You should leave them in place until you go back, after completing the body, to join new yarn and make the sleeves. Go to the front of the book and read the few pages of introduction. She talks about why she uses shells, about yarns and sizes, and gives guidance that applies to all of the sweaters. She says definitely use markers!
The "corners" start happening where the increase shells stack up. Take a look at the Crochetalong forum for Jewel; I posted some "work in progress" photos. Also "No Sweat." http://crochetme.com/forum/no-sweat-chan-everyday-crochet
Both of these designs start out more or less the same way as your sweater, except that yours joins up differently in front, because it's a vee-neck not a round neck.
Jewel -- scroll down on http://crochetme.com/forum/jewel-top-doris-chan-everyday-crochet and you will see a closeup that shows how the increases make a corner. Keep going and you'll see how the sweater takes shape. Note that since we were all so talkative, that forum runs on to a second page! There's a link for page 2 at the bottom. On p. 2 Twinkiesmom posted a photo of another sweater from the book (click on her little photo for a bigger one).
Please note that when you look at the first picture at the top of the No Sweat forum, you'll see what looks like 5 corners! That's because there's an extra increase in the middle of the back (the open part is the front). That's only because of the large size I was making; that particular size has ONE row with an increase shell in the back. Otherwise -- see the corners?
As you scroll down, you'll see two pictures labeled "Progress!" showing how it looks at about Body Round 2 (where you would leave your Tall Latte pattern and go to your RahBoonDeeAy details). Can you see the diagonal "raglan" lines that start at the neck and point to the underarm? Those are the increases.
Hope this helps! I had to re-do the first few rows of "Jewel" several times before I figured out what was supposed to be going on! But it really was worth it. I feel I have learned so much from making these two sweaters. I had never made a garment before, except a couple of baby sweaters (and babies don't complain about things being a little bit ... ummmm.... funny!).
Good luck! Keep posting with your progress!
I think you should make the photocopies also. It really is very helpful. And, nobody here cares what "level" of crocheter you are. If its any consolation, I ripped out my 4-S vest 4 times and the farthest I got was to Row 5. Every time I started over I figured it out just a little bit more. I haven't had that "Ah-ha" moment that was mentioned in the other forum, but I never got far enough to join anything up, either.
Please keep posting and share photos if you can.
Okay, so all of this was helpful. I didn't realize I needed to mark the corners as it only said to do it as directed and I never was directed within the patterns.
Now, I am on the 7th row and it says to sc across the shells all the way across, this makes it pretty small...and does NOT look right...any ideas of what I am supposed to be doing? Am I supposed to put single crochets in both the shells and the single crochets?
Oh, and since I had to frog it to mark the corners, I frogged my base chain, I didn't use the right base sc/ch and I LOVE that! It is so much stretchier to me and it looks so nice!
Anyway...here is to hoping *grin*
I don't think it is SC all the way across. None of the patterns in this book work that way; they are ALL SHELLS, except at edges (and corners/raglan lines, where they are increase shells). This must mean to work in the pattern (alternating shells and SC as usual).
For Tall Latte/Rah Boo Dee Ay Size 36, in my book it looks like there might be a few words missing in Row 7. It says: "Ch 3, 2DC in first DC, sc in next ch-sp of sh [...] across, end with 3 dc in top of tch, turn."
I think there's some language missing, where I put [...].
I think the missing words MUST BE "work in pattern". -- in other words, shells into SCs and SCs into the CH-SP of the shells, as usual. That's what it has to be! So it should say:
Size 36, Row 7:
Ch 3, 2DC in first DC, sc in next ch-sp of sh, work in pattern across, end with 3 dc in top of tch, turn."
This gives you a row without increases, except that you are adding half a shell at each end of the row (each side of the neckline).
This correction would also apply to lots of other rows and sizes, since this size says "Repeat Size 36 Rows 6-8 twice ..." and some of the other sizes say to "Work same as Size 36 Rows 6-8."
Hope this makes sense!
Oh and by the way, I think it would be entirely acceptable to pencil this correction into the book. EVEN into a library book! and I say this as a kid who was raised to treat all books, especially library books, as sacred.
As a professional book editor for decades, though, I say, mistakes do sometimes creep in, and it's better to make a note of the correction where you'll find it when you need it! If you can't bring yourself to make a mark in the book, at least put in a post-it note with the correction for the next person!
By the way, for anybody doing Size 39 of Talle Latte or Rah-Boon-Dee-Ay, Row 8 says "PATT ROW 1" -- this refers back to the page of Stitch Pattern Notes on p. 37 (opposite the first page of Jewel).
Row 8 = Patt Row 1 = Ch 1, sc in first dc, [SH in next sc, sc in next ch-sp of sh] across, placing last sc in top of tch, turn.
Ta Ra Ra! Boon Dee Ayy! Melanie, I still want to know what kind of yarn you are using and what color!!
Okay, so here is the deal. I have 7 rows done for the size 36. I am using a fairly bright green, but it's a "jewel" color and so it will look nice on me. Other colors of green make me LOOK green. It's a sportweight, I remember not the brand, but next time I get a skein out I will try an dpost that. I am going to try and post a picture (I took one), but honestly, not sure how to do it here. *smile*
I am trying to decide what to do for 8 as it says to sc in the 1st dc and then to follow the pattern, I wonder if I am actually supposed to do that, or if I should be putting a sc in the 3rd dc or something.....choices, choices...hey, I got 4 hours of sleep last night, does that count? *snicker*
Melanie
Hey, Melanie! Way to go!
I'm looking at the on-line version of Tall Latte. For Size 36, Row 8 says
Row 8 (inc): Ch 1, sc in first dc, *work in pattern to next corner sc, INC-SH in corner sc*; repeat from * to * 3 times, work in pattern to end, ending with sc in top of tch, turn.
So this is an increase row -- that's what (inc) means right after "Row 8" (but you knew that!).
Then where it says "work in pattern" this means: make a SH (shell) in the SC (single crochet) of the previous row, make a SC in the chain-space of the shells, keep going like that until you get to the marked SC in the first corner you come to. There, instead of a regular shell (2DC, ch1, 2DC), you do an INC-SH or increase shell, which is 4 DCs with a chain space between each one: (DC, ch1, DC, ch1, DC, ch 1, DC).
Then keep going with alternating shells and SC to the next corner, and the next corner, and the 4th and final corner.
Then regular shells and SCs until you get to the end, make a SC in the top of the turning chain.
Does this make sense?
Important note! Don't forget to turn after each row! I speak from (rip rip rip) experience...!
Yeah, I knew what in the pattern meant and I even know how to increase, it's just at the very beginning that I was struggling with, because from row 7 at the end (and the beginning) there are 3 dc and then a shell, with no sc inbetween and so I wasn't sure what to do with those two sets of stitches.
Oh, I don't have my pictures anywhere else, except in a JPEG file, so I can't really post them I guess. (frown)
Teresa, I really appreciate all of the extra effort you have gone to help me out and I really appreciate everyones encouragement and helps. THANK YOU!
Hmmm... there SHOULD be a SC there! "Row 7: Ch 3, 2 dc in first dc, sc in next ch-sp of sh work in pattern across, end with 3 dc in top of tch, turn."
So you start and end row 7 with half-shells (3 DC at the end, a 3-stitch turning chain and 2DC at the beginning). Then there should be a SC between the "half shell" and the first full shell and again between the last full shell and the "half shell" at the edge.
So when you get to Row 8, you would put a SC at the top of the outermost DC of the "half shell" and then make a shell into the SC that is next to it.
Is that not what your Row 7 looks like?
I'm trying to picture this sweater in GREEN!! Cool!
Hi Melanie -
How's it going? Do you have an update? I'd love to hear about your progress.
- jb
Hey there ladies!
My sweater is coming along. I haven't had much time to work on it. I have been trying to decide if I want to do the wider hips or not. It's pretty snug around my chest. I went up one size and I am glad I did, I don't think that the yarn I am using is as loose as the yarn used for the example. It will STILL be beautiful and I get a lot of great comments with how it looks so far, becuase I haul it around with me to kids' lessons etc.
I am hoping that I can wear it next Sunday, but I don't know what kind of time I will have with my mother coming to visit tomorrow and of course Thanksgiving. My mom will be here the next two weeks and I won't have much time outside of having fun with her!
Anyway...I will try and post more later.
Melanie
Hmm... if I had a sweater that was snug around my chest I would definitely be going for the hip shaping!
Although when the sweater is blocked -- you want to give yourself time to do this! it makes a big difference! -- you may find that it "grows" in length and width. While it's wet, you can pat it into the shape you want, to some degree -- on me, wider and longer are both good things!
What kind of yarn are you using? Wool, cotton, tencel, kryptonite....??