Elli's Dress English Translation

Hello all!

Recently I made a little dress for my niece using this pattern (Elli's Kleidchen) by Kathleen Engler on Ravelry. It's an adorable dress, and fun to make if you like crocheting in Crocodile Stitch (which I really do; the technique is a big yarn hog, but it's lots of fun). The only problems I encountered were the lack of skirt instructions (which I had to improvise), and the fact that it's only in German. But, thanks to my crochet knowledge, prior basic German knowledge from high school (about 10 years ago now, wow) and Google Translate, I was able to figure out the pattern for this.

After a bit of effort deciphering my own note-taking scribble handwriting, I have typed up my translation of this pattern, along with the instructions for how I made the skirt!

If you want to check out my project page on Ravelry, you can find it by clicking here.

Elli's Dress--Translated

DK weight yarn

Gauge: 22 sts x 28 rows

Crochet Hook: 3.5 mm-4mm (US E-G; I used a G everywhere except for joining the skirt to the bodice, and the bodice opening edging, then I used an E)

Stitch translation (into US terms)

~~hStb/halbe Stäbchen = hdc

~~Stb/Stäbchen = dc

~~Lm/Luftmasche = ch

~~Vd/Verdoppelung = literally means "doubling" (essentially a double increase though: 2 hdc in each of the next 2 sts—2 sts increased, I’ve used this same abbreviation when this stitch comes up)

Bodice

Using US G (4mm) hook, Chain 44

Row 1: Dc in each ch across, beginning with 4^th ch from hook—42 sts (beg ch counts as st)

Row 2: Ch 2, hdc 5, 2 hdc in each of the next 2 sts (“Vd” in German instructions), hdc 6, Vd, hdc 12, Vd, hdc 6, Vd, hdc 5, turn—50 sts

Row 3: Ch 2, hdc 6, Vd, hdc 8, Vd, hdc 14, Vd, hdc 8, Vd, hdc 6, turn—58 sts

Rows 4-10 follow the same increase pattern, increasing 8 sts each row, row 10 ends with 114 sts

Row 11: Ch 2, hdc across

Row 12: Ch 2, hdc 15, sk next 26 sts, hdc 32, sk next 26 sts, hdc 15, turn—62 sts

Row 13-14: Ch 2, hdc across

Row 15: Ch 2, hdc 14, Vd, hdc 30, Vd, hdc 14, turn—66 sts

Row 16: Ch 2, hdc 15, Vd, hdc 32, Vd, hdc 15, turn—70 sts

Rows 17-18: Ch 2, hdc across

Row 19: Ch 2, hdc 16, Vd, hdc 34, Vd, hdc 16—74 sts

Row 20: Ch 2, hdc across

Fasten off.

Skirt

There are no written instructions for skirt, but what follows is what I did:

Still using size G (4mm) hook, Ch 96, join.

Rnd 1: ch 3, dc around—95 dc+beg ch 3 = 96 sts

Rnd 2: ch 4, dc in same s as join (counts as 1^st V-st), sk 2 dc, *(dc, ch 1, dc) in next st, sk 2 dc* repeat from * to * around, join to 3^rd ch of beg ch 4—32 V sts

Rnd 3: ch 3, 4 dc down 1^st leg of V st, ch 2, 5 dc up 2^nd leg of same V st, sk next V, *5 dc down 1^st leg of V st, ch 2, 5 dc up 2^nd leg of V st, sk next V* repeat from * to * around, join with sl st to top of beg ch 3 together with ch 1 sp of last skipped V st—16 scales

Rnd 4: ch 4, dc in same sp as join, make V st in each ch 1 sp of each V around, join to 3^rd ch of beg ch 4—32 V sts

Rep rnds 3 and 4 until you have 12 rounds of scales, ending with Rnd 3 (scale round)

Next rnd (rnd 26): ch 3, *dc in next 2 dc (2^nd and 1^st legs of V sts, respectively), dc in next sp* repeat from * to * around, join—96 dc

Rnd 26: ch 2, (hdc 2, hdc2tog) 24 times, join, turn—72 sts

Bodice join, ties, and edging

Change to hook size E

With RS tog, join skirt to bodice with sl st, sl st sides of bodic together, about halfway up. Turn work such that RS is now facing out, towards you. Sc 22 sts up left side of bodice opening, ch 45, sl st in each ch back, join to top of bodice, FO.

Join to top of other side of bodice opening, ch 45, sl st in each chain back. Make sure RS of work is facing you, sc 22 down right side of bodice opening, join to base of opening, fasten off.

Weave in all ends.

Hope this helps any and all who want to make this dress!

Back to School

Well, time for a life update . . . sorta. :P

I have officially gone back to school to get an AAS degree from PCC in Computer Applications and Office Systems, focusing on the Office Professional track. Winter 2012 is my first term, and I am taking 3 classes. Business 101, College Algebra, and Western Civilization: Medieval to Modern. I could probably test out of math completely, but there are parts of College Algebra that I never learned in high school (why I did not learn them is beyond me). So that's why I'm taking that class. And the fun thing about the History class, it has gotten me wanting to play Age of Empires II. Yes, I am a gamer, and proud of it! Some of the things I find really cool about the history is how some of the people mentioned in my textbook have campaigns in Age II! For example, Frederick Barbarossa and Saladin, both on opposite sides of the same Crusade (the 3rd one). So see? Computer games can be educational! :D Introduction to Business. Pretty self explanatory. Learning about business, and later we'll be getting into more detailed and complicated aspects of business [It's the American way! *whispering* Oh, it is the British way! . . . Muppet Christmas Carol for those of you who are wondering. lol]

Non-school updates: Still knitting like a mad woman, no surprise there. I'm designing more patterns, and one pattern I'm particularly excited about is a mystery sock I'm designing for a KAL in April and May for a group on Ravelry. The pattern will be inspired by a book character, Cheery Littlebottom, from Terry Pratchett's Discworld. Another exciting pattern update, a different pattern I designed, a sock called Hood River, has been chosen to be published in a book called "American Gift Knitting" published by/through Planet Purl. :D

I have new jobs (the orthodontic one only lasted a few months), although one I will be resigning from really soon, that one is at Banana Republic at the Woodburn Outlet Mall. But it's a 1/2 hour drive one direction and for only 2-3 hours of work. Not worth it, IMHO. But I will be holding onto and getting more hours at my other job, McDonald's in my hometown. And believe it or not, I actually enjoy my job at McDonald's quite a bit.

Let's see, I've actually opened my Etsy shop, Wyvern Wool, so that's exciting. Haven't sold anything yet though; less exciting.

I think that's about it. :) Thanks for reading!

Boucle Slouch Hat

Bouclé Slouch Hat

Materials:
1 ball Bernat Soft Bouclé (98% acrylic/2% polyester; 5 oz./ 140 g)
size I crochet hook
notions (yarn needle, scissors)

Gauge
10 dc x 8 rows = approx 4”

Hat
Make a chain approx. 36” long. Do NOT weave in the ends of the chain.

Leaving a long tail for sewing, ch 66
Row 1: dc in 3rd ch from hook, dc in each ch across—64 dc
Rows 2-29 (or until you run out of yarn): ch 2 (counts as dc), turn, sk 1st dc, dc in ea dc across, incl turning ch—64 dc
Fasten off (if working to end of ball of yarn, make sure you end on a complete row).

Using tail from beginning chain, sew up sides, sewing the ends of the rows together. Weave in ends.

Weave chain, starting at center opposite seam, in row 28 (go under a stitch, then over its neighbor, under its neighbor, etc.). Pull chain tight, closing end of hat. Tie in a bow.

You Bought How Much Kool-Aid???

A lot. Like, if I was to make one pack's worth of Kool-aid a week, and consume it within that week, more than enough to last a year. But no, that's not why I have so much. In addition to the large amount of knitting I do, I have started dying my own yarn--wait for it-- with Kool-aid!! I've gotten some awesome colors and plan on making many more Kool-aid skeins.

I have some professional dyes as well, for colors I won't be able to obtain with Kool-aid, but I will still use Kool-aid because of some of the color combinations I've gotten--I don't know how I would get them with "regular" dyes.

Now you may be wondering what I will be doing with all this hand-dyed yarn? Well that's for me to know and you to . . . nah, just kidding. I will, in the near future be opening an Etsy shop where I will sell my hand-dyed yarns in addition to some sewn project bags, and beaded (courtesy of my sister) and tatted stitch markers. So stay tuned!



Top row (left to right): Cherry Dr. Pepper (lace), Shen-Lung (sock), and Pink Tourmaline (sock)
Bottom row (left to right): Koi (sock), Cherry Dr. Pepper (sock), Dragonfire (sock), and Ruby (lace).

Info for Swaps

This is a list of my various likes and dislikes, wants, and wish lists etc. for swaps (for Ravelry in particular)

Likes

TV shows

• Dr. Who
• Battlestar Galactica
• Big Bang Theory
• Firefly
• The Vampire Diaries (Damon Salvatore!!)
• Star Trek (currently watching Next Generation, will watch the original series next)
• Corner Gas
• Warehouse 13
• Castle
• Say Yes to the Dress
• MLP: FiM (yes, I truly enjoy it)
• New Girl
• Veronica Mars

Movies

• X-men (all of them)
• How to Train Your Dragon (1 and 2)
• Princess Bride
• Star Wars
• Most Disney movies (absolute favorites includes: Lilo & Stitch, Lion King, Mulan)
• Most other action/sci-fi/fantasy/superhero movies (e.g. LOTR, the Hobbit, Avengers, Star Trek, etc.)
• Twilight (all of them)

Music

• Most 80s (favorites include Journey, Queen, Billy Idol, various others)
• Certain modern Pop songs (but I'm really picky about those)
• Soundtrack music

Book Types

• vampire/werewolf stories (I do have the first 4 Vampire Diaries books)
• dragon-related (I have many of Anne McCaffrey's Dragonriders of Pern books)
• other sci-fi and fantasy
• thriller (mild thrillers. haven't read too many)

Noms

• Gummies
• White and milk chocolate
• gum (but please no cinnamon)
• Mountain Dew
• Bacon (real bacon, not the fake stuff)

Other Favorites

• Sock Yarn (but please no "clown barf" yarns. :)
• Lace Yarn
• Computer Games (especially Minecraft, Portal, Portal 2, Left 4 Dead, Left 4 Dead 2, Medal of Honor, Sims 2, I'm getting interested in Sims 3, Age of Empires II)
• Various themed merchandise: Dr. Who (David Tennant is my favorite Doctor), X-men (Wolverine, Nightcrawer, Gambit), Vampire Diaries (Team Damon), Twilight (Team Cullen), etc.
• Corsets/corset-type things
• Cartoons: Garfield, The Far Side, Calvin and Hobbes
• Fun candy tins (e.g. some I have are pac-man ghost shaped, wii-mote shaped, hello kitty head shaped)
• Color: orange, blue, green, purple, red

Dislikes

• Food: Coconut, most nuts (but I do like peanuts, pistachios, and cashews), most fruits
• Yarn: acrylic, Noro yarn, cotton (unless it is a small percentage of content, then it's ok)
• Books: Romance (romance in moderation is alright, but if something is predominantly romantic, then I don't really care for it)

Specific wants

• Patterns: see Ravelry wishlist
• Project bags (you can never have too many)
• Gift cards: iTunes, online yarn stores (e.g. Jimmy Beans Wool, Knit Picks, etc.)
• Amazon wishlist: click here
• Knit Picks wishlist: click here
• Etsy favorites: click here

Wii Mote Tote

I designed this for a Ravelry swap partner this past March. It is designed to hold 4 wii motes, however, due to the nature of knitted fabric, this tote can hold more than 4.

Materials
~ 1 cone Peaches & Creme cotton yarn (100% cotton, 14oz/396g, approx 690 yds) in color 213 Sour Green Apple
~ size US 7 set of 5 DPNs (or set of 4 and a short circular needle to act as a 5th DPN)
~ size G crochet hook
~ scrap yarn in a contrasting color, yarn needle

BASE
CO 28
Row 1: (K1, sl1 pwise wyif) across, turn. Note: If you are a knitter who usually slips the first st in each row DO NOT DO SO HERE! The first K st is necessary to the formation of the base

Rep row 1 for about 4"

Next row: Work from here on out proceeds in rounds. Needle 1 ssk across, DO NOT TURN, Needle 2 PU 22 sts (or an even # of sts, one from each V) along side of base, Needle 3 PU 14 sts from beg CO, Needle 4 PU 22 sts (or same # of sts picked up on needle 2) along last side of base. Turn so that the ridge on the WS of pick up round is now on the RS.

Work even in St st (K every round) rounds for 9"

Next round (eyelet round): (yo, k2tog) around.

Work even in St st for another 1", BO.

Using size G crochet hook, crochet a chain 100 chs long (thereabouts, doesn't have to be exact), Fasten off leaving a tail about the same length as the beginning tail. Weave chain in and out of eyelet round, tie end tails together. Trim tails to approx 2 1/4" if they aren't that length already.

Using contrasting yarn and yarn needle, embroider "Wii Motes" on bag (but without quotation marks)

Weave in all ends except chain tails.

Cunning Socks

This is more of a tutorial than an actual pattern, since I am not going to be providing specific instructions for heels, toes, COs, BOs, etc. But you can easily find instructions for a myriad of ways to do all these in books and on the internet. And I have not knitted these myself (hence the lack of a picture of the actual sock, but I have the yarn so a picture of the actual sock will be coming) but here ya go anyways:

Cunning Socks

Cascade Heritage (100g, 437 yds, 75% superwash merino, 25% nylon)

5646 Pumpkin 1 skein (CA)
5645 Tangerine 1 skein (CB)
5644 Lemon 1 skein (CC)

Size 2 needles, or whatever size you normally use for a 64 st sock (whatever type you prefer, personally, I would recommend a 40" circ, so you can do 2 at a time, so you don't get second sock syndrome)

Using either a short-row toe, (with a provisional CO of 32 sts) or a more standard toe up beginning (using a magic 8 CO or any other similar CO), make toes with CA, ending with 64 sts, ready to work foot.

Work in St st with CA until 4 1/2" from end of toe. Change to CB and work until about 2" less than desired length.

Work short-row heel in whatever fashion you desire, or make provision for an afterthought heel. Your choice. However you do it, make sure you end up with 64 sts again, when you're done.

Work even in St st until CB section measures 4 1/2" Change to CC and work in 2x2 ribbing for 4 1/2". BO in patt.

If you set up for an afterthought heel, work it in CB.

Fold ribbing over to outside. Make 8x 1 1/2" pompoms (4 for each sock) out of all three colors and attach evenly spaced around BO edge of cuff. And since Jayne Cobb's hat had some fringe too, in between each pompom, knot 2-4 strands measuring 4 1/2" of CA for fringe, trim fringes to 2"

Weave in ends.