This is a little matinee jacket created for a great niece. It is a loose fitting . 3/4 sleeve jacket. The garment chest measures 22 inches and the armhole circumference is 8-inches. The ribbons are tied on over a sc and then secured on the wrong side of the jacket with needle and sewing thread.
I thought some of you might appreciate my sharing the process of crocheting from scratch.
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Baby Girls' Crocheted Matinee Jacket
H, K and G Hooks
DK wt baby yarn
SINGLE CROCHET SQUARE YOKE:
(This is the basic method for making a square, raglan type single crochet yoke)
With G hook chain 41 (sc yoke is worked with size G hook)
Row One: sc in 7; 3 sc increase, sc in 4; 3sc increase; sc in 14; 3 sc increase; sc in 4; 3sc increase; sc in last 7; turn and chain one
Rows 2 to 12: sc in each sc and work a 3 sc increase in the center sc of each 3 sc increase group.
FORM ARMHOLES/SLEEVE OPENINGS:
Single Crochet up to the center sc of the increase group; miss the shoulder/sleeve stitches; sc in center sc of next increase group; sc across back placing last sc in center of increase group; miss shoulder stitches; again sc in center stitch of increase group; sc in remaining sc.
Count the sc stitches you now have to work the body of the garment on.
BODY OF GARMENT:
This is where you decide what stitch pattern you wish to use. Next you need determine if your chosen stitch pattern is based on an odd or an even number of stitches.
Let's say you have an even number and need an odd number - in this case you can rip out (frog) the last sc row (where you formed the armholes) to the center of the back and work an increase there.
Another choice is to place increases, evenly spaced that will adjust the stitch count. This will at the same time add some fullness. This can be done by working a sc increase row or by going back and re-doing the previous ( arm hole forming) row.
You might also decide to work a "beading row" to thread ribbon through at some point; perhaps below the arm hole forming row. To create a beading row you work either sc or dc ; chain one and miss one stitch; and then make another sc or dc in the next across the row ending with a chain one, miss one, sc or dc in last.
After 7th DC cluster row on body do not cut yarn; sc across hem and up side of front ( with right side of garment facing); change to SMALLER SIZE G hook when sc yoke is reached; sc around neck; down other side of yoke; changing back to LARGER SIZE H hook when DC Cluster rows are reached, join in first sc and fasten off.)
I have chosen to use alternate DC with 3DC cluster stitches in the little jacket I am making. (need odd number of stitches - 83)
SLEEVES: These are worked in the round right on the garment; the same as in the crochet Baby Boys' Matinee Jacket. (30 sc around sleeve on right side and then change to H hook and then turn and work same stitch pattern as body; Chain 3 for first DC ; alternate 3 DC cluster and DC; end with a 3 DC cluster and join with slip stitch in top of beginning chain 3; turn and chain one. After 4th DC cluster round work one more sc row; CHANGE TO SMALLER SIZE G HOOK; work one more cluster round; change to SIZE F HOOK; sc crochet around ( 30 sc); join in first sc; do not turn; work sc decrease over first 2 sc; sc around; work another sc decrease over last two sc; join in first sc and fasten off.)
WORKING NOTES:
After working the first pattern stitch row I decided it would look better if a larger, size H, hook was used at this point. Also to make the stitch pattern come out right I needed to skip on stitch at the end of the first row ( the cluster stitches are thick and the missed stitch does not show).
Also because this stitch pattern shows up best on the "wrong side" I am working one more sc row with the G hook before starting the fancy stitches and will work a row of sc in between each fancy row.
When working the sleeves it helps to count the stitches as they are worked on each sc round.
FINISHING: Weave in loose ends. Add ribbon or crocheted ties at neck and at last sc row before body of garment. Button loops and buttons can be used in place of ties.
