Free Pattern - Crochet Ra Ra Skirt - 1 to 3 years old

Free Pattern - From Cyra Lewis

Ra Ra Skirt - age 1yr to 3yrs  - Crochet and Knitting.

This Pull-On skirt measures:
Length .... 10.5" (27cm)
Waist .... 14" - 23" (36cm - 58cm) 
the larger width is measured with the waistband stretched but still comfortable.

Swatch size: 4 inches = 15 tr (blo) x 9 rows

I work loosely. If you have a tight tension then your garment will end up slightly smaller. 

Variations to ths size can be made by altering the thickness of the yarn, and by changing the hook size.

The purple 'Ra Ra' bottom piece is an open lacy pattern.

The stretchy waistband is knitted ribbing with crocheted belt loops and a ruffle belt that has the unique ability to 'grow' with the child.

Materials

Yarn 'A' :          1 ball Windsor Acrylic Double Knit Opal in Purple

Yarn 'B' : 1 ball Windsor Acrylic Double Knit Variegated to match

Crochet hooks - 3.5mm & 4mm

Circular Knitting Needles - 4mm

Abbreviations  

(English Crochet Terminology)

sts..... stitches

sl st..... slip stitch

sp..... space

ch.....chain stitch

dc.....double crochet

tr.....treble

dtr.....double treble

pct.....picot

dec.....decrease

beg.....beginning

prev.....previous

blo.....back loop only

tr2tog....treble 2 together 

Instructions

Starting with the purple yarn and the 4mm hook we will make the 'Ra Ra' part of the skirt first.

Foundation Row : 

Ch.90. Sl st to the first ch (making sure not to twist the foundation chains) to make a circle. You will now be working in the Round. The outside is the right side. Keep the right side facing you. Do not turn.

R1. - 

Ch.3, 4 tr in same ch., ch.2, (skip next 2 ch.), dc in next ch., *ch.2, (skip next 2 ch.), 5 tr in next ch., ch.2, (skip next 2 ch.) dc in next ch., **    Repeat from * to **14 times. Ch.2, sl st to top of beg ch.3 stitch.

R2. - 

Ch.3, 1 tr in each of next 2 sts., ch.2, 1 tr in same place as prev tr, 1 tr in each of next 2 sts., * ch.3, (now, work into the next shell), 1 tr in each of the next 3 tr, ch.2, 1 tr in same st., 1 tr in each of next 2 sts. **   Repeat the shell pattern from * to **to the end of the round, sl.st to the top of the beg st of that round.

R3. - 

Sl st across the top of next 2 sts., (brings you to the tr just before the ch.2 sp.), ch.4, 3 dtr in the ch.2 sp., ch.2, 3 dtr in the same sp., 1 dtr in the next st., 1 dc in the ch.3 sp., * (skip 2 tr), 1 dtr in next st., 3 dtr in the ch.2 sp., ch.2, 3 dtr in the same sp., 1 dtr in the next st., 1 dc in the ch.3 sp., **  Repeat pattern from * to ** to end of round, sl st to 4th ch of starting st.

R4. - 

Sl st across next 2 sts., ch.4, 1 dtr in next st., 3 dtr in the ch.2 sp., ch.2, 3 dtr in same sp., 1 dtr in each of the next 2 sts., * 1 dtr in 3rd dtr of the next shell, 1 dtr in the next st., 3 dtr in the ch.2 sp., ch.2, 3 dtr in the same sp., 1 dtr in each of the next 2 sts., **   Repeat the pattern from * to ** to the end of the round, sl st to the 4th ch of starting st.

R5. - 

Sl st across next 2 sts., ch.4, 1 dtr in each of next 2 sts., 3 dtr in the ch.2 sp., ch.2, 3 dtr in the same sp., 1 dtr in each of next 3 sts., * (skip 4 dtr) 1 dtr in each of next 3 dtr.,  3 dtr in the ch.2 sp., ch.2, 3 dtr in same sp., 1 dtr in each of next 3 sts., **   Repeat pattern from * to ** to the end of the round, sl st to 4th ch of starting st.

R6. - 

Ch.6, * 2 dtr in next ch.2 sp., ch.5, 2 dtr in same sp., ch.2, 1 dtr in the diamond shaped sp between 2 shells of the prev round, ch.2, **   Repeat pattern from * to ** to end of the round, ending with 1 tr in 4th ch of beg ch.6 st.

R7. - 

Sl st back into last dtr made, dc in same st., * ch.5, dc in the next dtr., 1 pct [a picot consists of ch.3 and a sl st into 3rd ch from hook], 1 dc in next st., <1 dc., 1 pct., 2 dc., 1 pct., 2 dc., 1 pct., 1 dc.,>  (< to > are made in the same ch.5 sp.,), 1 dc in next st., 1 pct., 1 dc in next st., **   Repeat pattern from * to ** to the end of round.

Fasten off yarn.

Re-attach Yarn 'A' on any chain of the foundation row. You will now be working in the opposite direction on that foundation row (i.e. from the top of the purple Ra-Ra frill, upwards to the waist).

R8. - 

Ch.1, work one dc in every st to end, join with a sl st., change to Yarn 'B'.

R9. - 

Using Yarn 'B', ch.1, dc in every st around, join with a sl st.

R10. - 

(Work 'blo' for this entire round). 

Ch.3, 1 tr in into every st to end, join with a sl st to top of beg ch.3.

R11. - 

(Work 'blo' for this entire round). 

Ch.3, 1 tr in each of the next 13 sts., tr2tog., * 1 tr in each of the next 14 sts., tr2tog., **   Repeat from * to ** to end of round, join with sl st to beg.

R12. - 

(Work 'blo' for this entire round). 

Ch.3, * 1 tr in each of next 15 sts., tr2tog., **   Repeat from * to ** to end of round, join with a sl st to beg.

R13. - 

(Work 'blo' for this entire round). 

Ch.3, * 1 tr in each of next 8 sts., tr2tog., **   Repeat from * to ** to end of round, join with a sl st to beg.

R14. - 

(Work 'blo' for this entire round). 

Ch.3, * 1 tr in each of next 7 sts., tr2tog., **

Repeat from * to ** to end of round, join with a sl st to beg.

R15. - 

(Work 'blo' for this entire round). 

Ch.3, * 1 tr in each of next 12 sts., tr2tog., **

Repeat from * to ** to end of round, join with a sl st to beg. Fasten off yarn.

   [[[ Alternative instructions for R10 to R15  ]]]    

If you find it difficult (or just don't want to, haha) to follow the stitch counts in the above instructions, here is what is happening on those Rounds.

R10 - No decreasing. One tr made in every stitch around.

R11 - A total of five (5) decreases (tr2tog) are made evenly around. 1 tr in all other stitches around.

R12 - A total of five (5) decreases (tr2tog) are made evenly around. 1 tr in all other stitches around.

R13 - A total of eight (8) decreases (tr2tog) are made evenly around. 1 tr in all other stitches around.

R14 - A total of eight (8) decreases (tr2tog) are made evenly around. 1 tr in all other stitches around.

R15 - A total of five (5) decreases (tr2tog) are made evenly around. 1 tr in all other stitches around.

Knitted Ribbed Waistband: 

Using 4mm circular knitting needles and Yarn 'B', cast on 120 stitches.

R1. - * k2, p2 **   Repeat this rib pattern to end. Turn.

R2. to R16. - Repeat Row 1. Cast off and fasten yarn.

Belt Loop: (make 5)

Using 3.5mm hook, and Yarn 'B'. Leave long tails at least 6" at beg and end for sewing to waistband later.

Foundation row - Ch.4. Turn.

R1. - 3 dc across row, turn.

R2. - Ch.1, 3 dc across row, turn.

Repeat Row 2 until you have completed 10 rows (or the width of your waistband). Fasten off.

Belt:

Using Yarn 'A', and 3.5 hook.

Foundation row - Ch.107, turn.

R1. - 1 dc in each ch to end, turn.

R2. - Ch.4, *(skip 1 st.) 1 tr in next st., ch.1., **   Repeat to end, turn.

R3. - Ch.1,  1 dc in every tr & 'ch.1' sp of prev row.   Fasten off.

Belt Ties:

Using Yarn 'A', and 3.5 hook.

Make a foundation chain of about 180 ch.. Fasten off.

Making Up the Garment:

Sl st (or sew if you prefer) the waistband to the top of the skirt.

Pin, and then sew the 5 Belt Loops in place (see following photos for placement of Loops)

Three Belt Loops Across the Back of the Skirt

Two Belt Loops on the Front of the Skirt

Thread the Belt Tie through the spaces between the tr on the belt.

The Belt Tie should be longer than the Belt to allow for tying in a bow.

Pass the Belt through the Belt Loops on the skirt

Push the Belt up on the Belt Ties to make a 'ruffle'.

This adjusts the size to fit the child.

   If you would like to share this pattern on your blog   

   PLEASE LINK back to this page.   

DO NOT "copy & paste" the instructions.

   This is a FREE PATTERN    

   and may be printed out to create garment(s) for your own use, but the pattern may not    

   be sold in printed, digital, or any other form.    

You should be reading this pattern on my http://free-form-stitching.blogspot.com site.

...............................................................

Free Form Crochet Shawl update

Hi everyone. I have been crocheting up a shawl for quite a few weeks now.

Here are the latest photos of the work.

Some of the scrumbles you may have seen me posting about before, but here they are sewn, or crocheted, in place on the shawl.

And a little bit of Tunisian crochet thrown in on that last photo above. 

I do love variety in a piece.

The shawl is still not completed yet though. I can look forward to another fun week of scrumbles.

And now for something Completely Different.

Sometimes I like to swap projects that I work on during the day. It helps to keep me challenged and interested in the larger projects if I have a smaller item to work on occasionally.

So here is a lovely lilac purple fun item, and no!, it is not going to be a collar. I have something else in mind for this. 

Happy Stitching

Free Form Crochet Shawl

Hurray!!! I am back on my computer again.

I now have a huge (and I really mean HUGE) monitor, lent to me by DS#1, so happy that I don't have to go out and buy one just yet.

So.................. on to the photos of my free form shawl.

Not all done this week, but I'm losing track of what I have already shown you.

The thing is........ growing. 

I keep creating, and designing, and stitching. 

And 'the thing' keeps on growing.

I'm enjoying this freedom style so much.

 Lots of texture. Numerous stitches and combinations.

Hills, valleys, craters, flora and fauna.

It is very organic looking.

I still have some loose thread ends to sew in yet, so

please pretend that you didn't see them, haha.

And tomorrow I am going to add this creation to it, and fill in some more parts.

Happy Stitching

Testing Blogger app for Android

While my pc is out of action I am testing the Blogger app on my Android.

Hope this works ok.

I'll see if I can post a photo here....

Knitting Accomplished

This is what I made with my pale yellow knitting practice piece.

And here is my finished Baby Building Blocks Blanket.

Finished by candle-light last night as we have had power cuts with the gales from the tropical storm that swept North Island.

It's not as 'straight edged' as I'd like, but hey! I'm just happy that I can knit now, lol.

Happy Stitching

Digital Art for Inspiration

What do you do when you can't sleep at night?

Me?....... I have a PLAYTIME on my computer.

Last night I produced some weird and wonderful digital art which I will share with you here.

I would love to use them as inspiration for fibre arts. 

I can see quilts in them.

Patchwork - Crazy Quilting - Mosaic - Collage - Embroidery - Canvas Work - Colourwash

Embracing My Knitting

I am taking my new knitting skills and running with it, and having such fun.

Knitting along with the Tuesday Stitchers, here is my baby blanket.

A friend is about to give birth to a boy (any moment now), so this is for them.

I call it Baby Building Blocks, and I have 'built' up three blocks high so far.

It is eight blocks wide and should end up at least 10 - 12 blocks long.

Size in inches is roughly 24" wide. 

I'll keep going either until I run out of wool, or Hayley has her baby boy, whichever comes first.

Happy Stitching

Crochet White Wrap Progress & That "Eureka" Moment

The White Wrap/Shawl is progressing along nicely now.

I have a lot of scrumbles joined together and it is really starting to take shape.

Lots of lovely texture...... I love texture.

Some lacy delicate dainty parts.

Waves ruffles bobbles and fluffles.

Loose threads still to weave in, and more scrumbles to join up.

It's fun.

And now.................on to the other title of this blog.............

 THAT   EUREKA   MOMENT 

Yes, I have had a 'moment' of that description this week.

I have learnt to knit.

I am able to knit.

I CAN KNIT

All my life I have admired knitters but never been able to master it myself. My mother tried teaching me, my school teacher tried teaching me, various friends over the years have tried teaching me. I even had a 98 years young lady try to teach me.

I couldn't understand how to cast on, and even when someone else did the casting on for me, I still couldn't get the knitting bit right.

I could never get the hang of it and gave up trying in the end. 

I was Doomed to call myself a NON-KNITTER for ever.

Until last week that is.

I have been so inspired by the creative knitters on Tuesday Stitchers:

Debra

Deborah

Judy

and

Barbara

I spent two whole days watching youtube video's on how to knit.

I've lost count of how many video's I watched, but it was definitely A LOT.

And NOW, just look what I can do...... I CAN KNIT......

A tentative start after the cast-on.

Still a bit unsure at this early stage.

 The ribbing starts to appear.

I lost half a row of stitches about half way through this ribbing, and although I managed to recover the loops without dropping a stitch, I think I put the loops back onto the needle the wrong way around, hence the midway 'bumps' along that row.

Oh yes, I think I've got the hang of the ribbing now, so I tried a different stitch.

Hah! So that is how stocking stitch is made, lol. It's all becoming clear now.

More rows dropped, damn it's annoying when I do that.

More care needed, but at least I managed to pick up the loops the right way around this time.

WooHooo look at me go.

I CAN KNIT 

excuse me while I shout louder

I CAN KNIT

That was my eureka moment.

Can you tell I'm excited about being able to knit. 

I'm sure my mother is looking down on me at this moment with a big smile on her face.

Perseverance, see, that's all it needed.

____________________________________________

Lessons learnt this week

• You can teach an old dog new tricks
• If at first you don't succeed, try, try, try again
• It doesn't matter if I knit slow and clumsy, as Iong as I DO it somehow
• Slippery needles are, well....... slippery (duh!)
• If it doesn't work one way, try it another
• Check each row for mistakes before moving on
• Big Boobs and a deep cleavage make a great needle grabber in emergencies
• Knitting takes about 30% LESS wool than crochet does
• Relax and enjoy the ride

White Wrap Scrumbles & "Brock" Needle-felting

White Wrap Scrumbles & "Brock" Needle-felting

 The latest work on my needle felted Woodland character "Brock" has included a tunic change and a new hairstyle.

He is now 'Brock the Wayward Wannabe' and I can just imagine all the fun and mischievous tricks that he will be participating in.

He still needs more work in certain areas, but he's fun to work with and I keep dreaming up new characters to join him in his Woodland abode. 

Here he is now.

Progress on my White Wrap has been happening this week too.

Some scrumbles have been joined, and more scrumbles made to fit the gaps.

Not all joined together yet, but it's coming along nicely I think.

Gardening has taken up a fair amount of my time this week. 

It's Spring here in New Zealand, and everything is starting to bud and flower. 

The first lot of daffs have come and gone, the swallows have returned to the nest under the eaves on the deck (one egg so far), the rosella parakeets are busy chattering away to each other in the orchard, the ducks, pukeko's, plover's and pterodactyls (sorry, I mean herons)  are nesting around the woods and stream.

I love Spring.