Adrienne Models Her Crocheted Sierra Skirt
I finally finished the Sierra Skirt that I was crocheting for my daughter, Adrienne. Doesn’t she look cool in it!?! The “mostly” in the title represents the fact that she didn’t want the full fringe that the pattern calls for, primarily because she didn’t want it to be dragging on the ground. So I stopped after a few rows of fringe.
Adrienne wore the skirt the night of a party that she and her roommate hosted at their house. I had to speed crochet to finish the skirt that day and wound up working on it as the party began. The “mostly” also signifies the fact that I only wove in the ends at the top and bottom of the skirt so they wouldn’t show. I didn’t have time to weave them all in and still need to do that.
Problems With Cotton Yarn
I have to say that the 100% mercerized cotton wasn’t the ideal yarn for this project. As the night wore on, the stitches in the middle back of the skirt started to stretch … and stay stretched … in contrast to the stitches that didn’t stretch at the very top and bottom of the back.
The pattern called for a cotton/synthetic blend, the synthetic being something called “viscose.” It may give the yarn more back-and-forth stretch potential than the mercerized cotton has.
Lessons the Crocheted Sierra Skirt Taught Me
So what has this project taught me about substituting yarn and gauge?? That there are several factors I need to account for, including:
- Always do a swatch or several swatches with the substitute yarn to come as close as possible to the gauge stated in the pattern if you want your garment to fit properly. You can always use those swatches later to make a “swatchghan,” like I did.
- You can shift hook size up or down from what the pattern calls for to get the pattern gauge. I tend to be a “tight” crocheter and often have to go up a size or two to crochet comfortably. But sometimes I’ll crochet loosely (for me) to create the proper gauge. When I do this, I have to contantly check my tension to make sure I’m not getting tighter as I go along.
- Some natural fibers like cotton shrink when washed (thanks, Sahara!!), so fiber content will affect the final fit of the garment. You may need to go up a size if shrinking is a factor. You can test this by drawing an outline around your swatch on a piece of paper and then hand wash and dry the swatch. if the swatch is smaller than the outline, then there will be some shrinkage. I didn’t get to block the skirt (that’s a post in itself), so that might have helped the skirt keep it’s shape.
- There is a difference between body measurement and “final” measurement .. it’s called “ease” and represents the spac e between your body and the garment. If the pattern doesn’t state a “final” measurement like this one didn’t, then assume the garment will fit like a glove.
I’m sure there are other lessons I haven’t mentioned. Please feel free to add any via comments.
This skirt was pretty easy to make, consisting of a long tube in the pattern stitch and the fringe. I may continue to search for a yarn that matches the fiber content of the pattern yarn (couldn’t find it anywhere) and try the skirt again.
Spider Web Cardigan WIP
In the meantime, I’m working on Marty Miller’s “Spider Web Cardigan” that’s featured in the Spring 2007 edition of Interweave Crochet magazine. More later …
11 comments On Crocheted Sierra Skirt Completed!! (… well, mostly)
The skirt is beautiful and Adrienne is a great canvas. You should test your new knowledge by trying another skirt right away. 😉
Well, stretchy or not – it’s GORGEOUS! And she looks lovely in it. I’ll have to go look at that cardign at the bookstore too!
That skirt is hot! Unfortunately, I don’t think the viscose would have helped with the pulling. It’s also a fiber that doesn’t have much memory, and I’ve crocheted with cotton/viscose blends myself that start to sag. If it’s cotton, at least throwing it in the machine and dryer should tighten it back up (but check washing instructions). Otherwise, I’d say go for one of those elasticized cottons like Cascade Fixation or Nashua Cilantro or whatever Elann’s house brand is called. Or a blend of cotton and wool that’s machine washable, if there is such a thing.
Anyway, the skirt is really cute, and I love how it’s longer in the back. I had been thinking of making something similar for myself.
Hi Nikki! I usually answer my commenters via email, but just had to acknowledge you here for the very useful information on the best yarns for this skirt. Thanks so much!
I left a comment at your blog wishing you a HAPPY B-DAY!!
I like this pattern. Do you sell the instructions? I would be interested.
Thanks for your consideration.
Hi Aminah! Glad you like the finished product and thanks so much for visiting.
The skirt can be purchased through the Crochet Guild of America at http://crochet.org/pdfs/cgoa_catalog.pdf. Look on page 7 of the catalogue. It’s the Sierra Skirt by Angela Best. You’ll have to print out an order form and buy it via snail mail. It would be great if they could provide their patterns as a download, but it’s snail mail for now.
Let me know if you have any questions if you decide to make it.
Girlfriend looks good in the skirt.
You also did a fantastic job with my pattern. Angela ‘La Vonne’ Best
Yeah Aminah, you did a good job, and learned some vital lessons! I’m with Nik on the elasticized yarn. Crochet loosely though, the fabric can feel like a board, if crocheted too tight, especially using single crochet. Don’t worry about the stretching. Wash the skirt in hot water, then put it in the dryer and CHECK IT, every ten minutes or so, until it’s back to normal. That is the gift of cotton.
Hey Sahara! Thanks for the washing tip! We’ll give it a try.
Angela! Glad you liked how the skirt turned out. I really like that pattern and Girlfried does do the skirt justice! I’d like to make one with the entire fringe included. We’ll see,
Patrice
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