Working on Sweater Pattern

I've been working on writing up the pattern to Nessa's Preemie Sweater over the past week and a half. Today, I got curious and decided to see how many sizes I could do without changing any of the stitch counts. These are the eight that I'm working on. The third smallest (lavender) is the original size. And I'm hoping that the largest one will be a 6 month size. But, we'll see. 

I'm starting with the smallest and it's looking like it'll be a micro preemie size. I'm hopeful that I'll be able to complete these within the next few days, but my kids just got out on Spring Break.

Journey Girl Simple Top

This top is a cross between the Basic DC Short Sleeved Top and the Basic SC Short Sleeved Top It has alternating sc and dc rows. Also looks very cute when striped.

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Journey Girl Simple Top

Written pattern copyright Kimberly Saunders 2014

Please do not reprint or repost this pattern, but please do link to this page to share with others.

Do not sell or reproduce this written pattern. If you sell anything made from this pattern, please give credit to me for the design 

and include a link to either the free pattern or my blog. Thank you!

Supplies:

Worsted Weight Yarn 

Crochet hook size H (5mm)

3/8 -5/8" button for back closure

Gauge:  Working in pattern 9 sts = 2" and 6 rows = 2"

Special Stitches:

Starting Double Crochet: SDC = Pull chain to almost as high as a dc, yo and pull up a loop in the first stitch, yo and pull through one loop, yo and pull through 2 loops. Click HERE for a photo tutorial.

Notes:

*The top is worked from the top down, turning after every row.

*Work all sc in row 1 in the back ridge of the loop for a more finished look at the neck edge.

*I do not chain 1 at the beginnings of the sc rows. If you would like to, you can.

*Start the dc rows with the SDC. If you would rather do a ch 3, or other method, at the beginning of rows 2, 4, and 6 you can.

*Either side can be the right side, depending on your preference. For a striped shirt, I prefer the dc rows to be right side.

Top

Chain 41 + 4 for the button loop.

Row 1: Working in the back ridge of beginning chain, sc in the 5th ch from hook and in the next 40 chs. Turn. (41 sc)

Row 2: Dc in next 5 sts, *3 dc in next ch, dc in next 9 sts,* repeat 3 times, 3 dc in next ch, dc in next 5. Turn. (49 dc)

Row 3: Sc in next 6 sts, *3 sc in next st, sc in next 11 sts,* repeat 3 times, 3 sc in next st, sc in next 6 sts. Turn. (57 sc)

Row 4: Dc in next 7 sts, *3 dc in next st, dc in next 13 sts,* repeat 3 times, 3 dc in next st, dc in next 7 sts. Turn. (65 dc)

Row 5: Sc in each st across. (65sc)

This next row will form the armholes. 

Row 6: Dc in next 10 sts, skip 13 sts, dc in next 19 sts, skip 13 sts, dc in next 10 sts, Join with a sl st to first dc. Turn. (39 dc)   

Row 7: Sc in each st across. Join with a sl st to first sc. Turn. (39sc)

Row 8: Dc in each st across. Join with a sl st to the first dc. Turn. (39dc)

Row 9-13: Repeat rows 7 and 8. End on a sc row. (39 sts)

Finishing:  Weave in ends. Attach button to top left corner of the back of top.

Journey Girl Basic SC Short Sleeved Top

This cute top is made using sc. It has a tighter look than the JG Basic DC Short Sleeve Top. The sleeves and bottom are edged with a lacy stitch, which can be substituted with plain sc if desired.

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Journey Girl Basic SC Short Sleeved Top

Written pattern copyright Kimberly Saunders 2014

Please do not reprint or repost this pattern, but please do link to this page to share with others.

Do not sell or reproduce this written pattern. If you sell anything made from this pattern, please give credit to me for the design 

and include a link to either the free pattern or my blog. Thank you!

Supplies:

Worsted Weight Yarn 

Crochet hook size H (5mm)

3/8 -5/8" button for back closure

Gauge:  8.5 sc = 2" and 12 rows = 2"

Notes:

*The top is worked from the top down, turning after every row.

*Work all sc in row 1 in the back ridge of the loop for a more finished look at the neck edge.

*The first row is the right side.

*I do not chain 1 at the beginnings of the rows. If you would like to, you can.

Top

Chain 41 + 4 for the button loop.

Row 1: Working in the back ridge of beginning chain, sc in the 5th ch from hook and in the next 40 chs. Turn. (41 sc)

Row 2: Sc in next 5 sts, *3 sc in next st, sc in next 9 sts,* repeat 3 times, 3 sc in next st, sc in next 5 sts. Turn. (49 sc)

Row 3: Sc across row. Turn. (49 sc)

Row 4: Sc in next 6 sts, *3 sc in next st, sc in next 11 sts,* repeat 3 times, 3 sc in next st, sc in next 6 sts. Turn. (57 sc)

Row 5: Sc across row. Turn. (57 sc)

Row 6: Sc in next 7 sts, *3 sc in next st, sc in next 13 sts,* repeat 3 times, 3 sc in next st, sc in next 7 sts. Turn. (65 sc)

Row 7: Sc in next 9 sts, *(sc, ch 1, dc) in next st, skip 1 st* 7 times, sc in next 18 sts, *(sc, ch 1, dc) in next st, skip 1 st* 7 times, sc in next 10 sts. Turn.

Alternate Row 7: Sc across row. (65 sc)

This next row will form the armholes. If you are using the Alternate Row 7 skip 13 stitches as instructed in the ().

Row 8: Sc in next 10 sts, ch 3, skip 7 ch-1 spaces (or 13 sts), sc in next 19 sts, ch 3, skip 7 ch-1 spaces (or 13 sts), sc in next 10 sts, Turn. (39 sc)   

Row 9: Sc in each st and ch across. Turn. (45 sc)

Row10: Sc in each st across. Join with a sl st to the first sc. Turn. (45 sc)

Row 11-20 : Sc in each st across, join with a sl st to first sc. Turn. (45 sc)

Row 21: With right side facing (sc, ch 1, dc) in every other st. There will be an extra stitch at the end, just skip it. Join with a sl st to first sc. Finish off.

Alternate Row 21: Sc across row. Join with a sl st to first sc. Finish off.

Finishing:  Weave in ends. Attach button to top left corner of the back of top.

Journey Girl Basic DC Short Sleeve Top

I love 18" dolls! My collection now contains 15 dolls. There are lots of patterns for American Girl dolls and those with similar body types. But the Journey Girl has a slimmer body, narrower shoulders, and her backside doesn't stick out as far. I've searched but there seem to be few resources for instructions and patterns for making clothes for the Journey Girl. A few weeks ago I started to design some clothes specifically for the JG. Here is one of the first ones. It's a very simple dc top done in worsted weight yarn. 

If you make this I would love to know how you liked it and I would love to see pictures!  

Please add to your Ravelry Queue and Favorites

Journey Girl Basic DC Short Sleeved Top

Written pattern copyright Kimberly Saunders 2014

Please do not reprint or repost this pattern, but please do link to this page to share with others.

Do not sell or reproduce this written pattern. If you sell anything made from this pattern, please give credit to me for the design 

and include a link to either the free pattern or my blog. Thank you!

Supplies:

Worsted Weight Yarn 

Crochet hook size H (5mm)

3/8 -5/8" button for back closure

Gauge: 9dc = 2" and 5 rows = 2"

Special Stitches:

Starting Double Crochet: SDC = Pull chain to almost as high as a dc, yo and pull up a loop in the first stitch, yo and pull through one loop,  yo and pull through 2 loops.  

Click HERE for a photo tutorial.

Notes:

*The top is worked from the top down, turning after every row.

*Work all dc in row 1 in the back ridge of the loop for a more finished look at the neck edge.

*The first row is the right side.

*If you would rather do a chain 3, or other method, at the beginning of rows 1-4 you can.

*In rows 5-9 the ch 2 at the beginning is to fill in and avoid holes. Ignore it once made.

Top

Chain 41 + 4 for the button loop.

Row 1: Working in the back ridge of chain, dc in the 5th ch from hook and in next 4 chs, *3 dc in next ch, dc in next 9 chs,* repeat 3 times, 3 dc in next ch, dc in next 5. Turn. (49 dc)

Row 2: SDC, dc in next 5 sts, *3 dc in next st, dc in next 11 sts,* repeat 3 times, 3 dc in next st, dc in next 6 sts. Turn. (57 dc)

Row 3: SDC, dc in next 6 sts, *3dc in next st, dc in next 13 sts,* repeat 3 times, 3 dc in next st, dc in next 7 sts. Turn. (65 dc)

This next row will form the armholes.

Row 4: SDC, dc in next 9 sts, skip 13 sts, dc in next 19 sts, skip 13 sts, dc in next 10 sts, join with a sl st to the SDC. Turn. (39 dc)

Row 5-9: ch 2, dc in each st across, join with a sl st to first dc. Turn. (39 dc)

At this point you can finish off or add a bit of a lacy trim to the bottom.

Row 10: With right side facing (sc, ch 1, dc) in every other st. There will be an extra stitch at the end, just skip it. Join with a sl st to first sc. Finish off.

Finishing:  Weave in ends. Attach button to the second to last dc on row 1.

Starting Double Crochet- My Version

I've been playing around with ways to start a dc row. And unless it was a standing dc when starting a new row with a new color, I couldn't seem to find anything that worked the way I wanted it to. There was still a space no matter which method I used. A few days ago I discovered this technique. I've tried to see if anyone has done this, but I haven't been able to find it yet.

My version does not leave a hole. If anything it fills in a little. And it uses that first st, instead of leaving it unworked.

Starting Double Crochet or SDC: Pull chain at beginning of row to almost as high as a dc and secure it on your hook with your thumb to keep the size of the loop, yo and pull up a loop in the first stitch, yo and pull through one loop, yo and pull through 2 loops.

Newest Finished Project

Discovered this free pattern on Ravelry this morning.  It's called the Celtic Knot Bracelet by Jennifer E. Ryan.

It calls for DK weight yarn, but I just have that in pastels so I used Red Heart Super Saver in a bright green, perfect for St. Patrick's Day. Since I used a thicker yarn, I needed to shorten the length of the cords by 6 sc each.

The crochet part is simple, but making the knot might take a bit of time. The pattern provides a link to her website where she has a picture tutorial to help.

I'm planning on making a few more for my daughter's to wear for St. Patrick's Day and any other time they want to. 

Monday Again

Well, it's Monday again. Got the kids off to school, the baby down for a nap and spending time with my almost 3 year old son.  He's exploring my mom cave while I try to do some crocheting.  Not sure how much I"ll be able to accomplish on the crochet, but spending time with my little boy is way more important!