Design Story

Just because we are currently facing a global credit crunch crisis does not mean we have to face a fashion cast on crisis. All it means is that we need to be more creative and inventive with our wardrobe, opting for ways to breathe new life into old garments we already own. Scanning the catwalk shows this season I spied one trend that can easily lend itself to our hooks and needles, the over embellished neckline trends as seen at Giambatista Valli, Kenzo, Emmanuel Ungaro and Julien McDonald.

I have opted to design a slightly more understated and wearable crochet version of Giambatista Valli's scarlet ruffled number making it the one must have piece in your wardrobe this season due to its incredible versatility. It can be worn on its own as a scarf or neck ruffle, attach it to the top of the Gaby Boob tube as a ruffle detail, or pin it with brooches to the top as a 50's style halter neck (issue 5 pattern), tack it to a plunging v-neck top or dress with a similar asymmetrical look to Valli's. For a more flamboyant version on par with the overt catwalk styles why not make 3 Recession Ruffles and layer them on top of each other.

Materials

Biggan Design 100% First Cross Merino DK (Machine washable),
105 metres (115 yards) per 50 gm ball
1 ball, shade Cerise #975 (Mc)

Biggan Design 100% First Cross Merino DK (Machine washable),
105 metres (115 yards) per 50 gm ball
1 ball, shade Purple #915 (Cc)

3 mm (E) crochet hook
Tapestry Needle

Tension

Not critical, this pattern makes a firm scarf with an approximate length of 76 cm (30 inches) measured along the chain stitch (cast on) edge. The standard tension for this yarn is 22 sts to 10 cm (4 inches) using 4 mm (US #6) needles.

Abbreviations

(US crochet terms are shown in brackets, in red)

ch - chain
dc (sc) - double crochet (single crochet)
htr (hdc) - half treble (half double crochet)

Pattern

Chain 120 sts in Mc.
Row 1: Work 2 dc (sc) in each ch starting with third ch from hook [=2 dc (sc)]. Finish off row with 3 ch [=1 dc (sc)].

Row 2: Turn and starting with third ch from hook, work 2 dc (sc) in each ch until end of row. Finish off row with 3 ch.

Row 3: Turn and starting with third ch from hook, work 2 dc (sc) in each ch until end of row. Bind off yarn.

Row 4: Change to Cc and starting from initial chain row work your way up the side of the 3 rows of dc with 2 htr (hdc) in each ch and then work along top of 3rd row with 2 htr (hdc) in each dc (sc) until the end of the row. Then work 2 htr (hdc) in each ch down the side of the 3 dc (sc) rows.

Bind off.

Fasten all loose threads.

This pattern is not to be used commercially or to be resold.  Copyright © Biggan Design 2009