Another Xmas gift.

I will need to look through my beads. I like the idea of the beaded fringe.

Gauge
The foundation is interesting. Actually quite easy and pretty. Neckline should be 30 in. Using a 1.5 mm hook, I have 22 in. Too small.

Next up - US Size 3 (Boye 2.1 mm) = 24 in neckline.

Next up - US Size 0 (3.25 mm)= 29 in. Too big. It doesn’t allow for stretching during blocking.

Next up - US Size C (2.75 mm) = 30 in. Hmm… I am going to try the US Steel hooks again. The aluminum hooks have longer handles but the hook size should be the same.

Next up - US Size 2 (2.25 mm) = 26.5 in.

I am going with the Size 2 hook. Now that I am 5 rows in, the neckline measures 30 in. That surprised me. I do not know if the measurements in this pattern are pre or post block. IF they are pre-block, then I am dead on for the measurements in the charts and such. If they are post block, then my poncho (cape) is going to be huge.

According to the pattern, the increases are on the sides of the poncho - the long diagonal points are where the increases have been made.

Edited (again) - I have figured out that in the photo where the poncho is turned so that there is a long flat side on the front - the “seam” is the join that you do for each row. I figured the seam for the back. Now, I think that this is the front and the join seam in the back is made to look like the front. I am frogging out 5 rows to see if I can figure out where I misread the instructions (yet again). So confusing.

Readability and Printing
The pattern is printed with columns. It’s difficult to follow because the instructions are scrunched up. The dark backgrounds in some areas make the print hard to read. Plus it’s expensive to print.

The first page of the pattern is a full size color photo. It’s expensive to print. If you can, skip printing the 1st page. There is no help for printing the rest - you just have to work through trying to find your place in the columns. I am using a post it note with an arrow, I still get lost.

Despite struggling to read the pattern, it is a nice pattern. The foundation row is different and much easier than I anticipated. Because it’s a #10 thread, the stitch pattern doesn’t show up so well while you are crocheting. I assume it will show up better after blocking or ironing. This is a pattern that I will probably iron.

Row 17 - I have re-read this row so many times. I keep re-counting stitches. I keep trying to figure out where the heck I am at. I feel like a kid learning to read. One finger in the instructions to keep my place, one trying to count stitches (one handed). Geesh. 30 minutes for just the one row and trying to figure it out.

Seems like every row that has the “dotted” shell stitches in it is going to be this way. You work the repeat 4 times with different things going on in between the repeat. It makes my head spin trying to track it in the condensed instructions. If it was spread out, it would be easier for me to see.

The pattern itself is not hard at all. But because I am struggling with keeping my place in the instructions and reading them, it makes the pattern difficult.

Frogging back to see if I can figure out where I missed the instructions to put a shell in the center of the long side. It’s so hard for me to read this pattern.

Nov 3, 2024
I have reworked this poncho to Row 30. I don’t like it because you just cannot see the stitch pattern - made by the “shells”. No matter how much I stretch my work out or lay it over white paper or whatever - the stitch pattern is obscure.

Why would I finish something I cannot see? I think this might work with lace weight yarn instead of thread. It’s not working with the soft thread that I am using.

Frogging it and using the thread for something else.