First of all, I’m using a Boye G, which is 4.25mm (not listed). I’m using yarn what is most often used for kitchen projects but oh well.

The pattern says that the stitch pattern repeats in 10 sts but I disagree. In order to figure out exactly how many stitches to chain at the beginning, you need to use a pattern repeat of 15 sts.

This instance, with the yarn I’m using, I got 4.5” to 1 pattern repeat for a row (the 15 sts).

Next is the height. To complete a pattern, you need 2 rows and 6 rows give me 3.5” in order to avoid leaving an orphaned row (what I call leaving only one half of a row)

For the blouse I’m making, I’m doing the 18” or 4 pattern rpts (60 sts) for the width and 17.5” for the height or 15 pattern repeats (30 rows).

I also realized that making a gauge swatch was really necessary. It not only helps to see how many stitches you need, or pattern repeats, but it helps you to decide WHERE you are going to put those stitches. It doesn’t tell you anywhere that you need to COUNT 3 stitches when on the 2nd row of the row pattern you do that sc into the slanted sq. Also when making the slanted sq, doing the first 2 dcs into the slanted dc after the ch3, you need to put them into the 4th bump underneath the ch3 you just did (you’ll see if you do the swatch). The 3rd dc goes into the anchor loop (where you started the slanted sq). You can choose to pick one strand or both. I did it on the one in front of me for less bulk.

One other note (there may be more so it’s not the final one): if using a yarn with very little give, like Lion Cotton, you need to let the yarn curl the loops on the hook. If that sounds confusing, I apologize, but I don’t know how else to explain it, but I’ll give it a go.

When you twist the yarn onto the hook (yarn over), usually you keep a finger on it so it doesn’t pull it too tight. However, in the case of the LC, you WANT it to pull tight otherwise you get these ugly gaps where you start the first dc after the slanted sq or when starting the slanted sq itself.

Another reason for the necessity to do a swatch: to find out how tight to do your stitches. I learned the hard way after having finished about 14 rows. I realized my 18” of chain had grown to 24” once the piece was started and that in some places I’d not placed the sc in the 3rd st of the slanted sq but in the 2nd which gave the sq in question a decidedly squashed look. I’d also placed the 2dcs of the slanted sq into the 3rd st of the ch3 making the sq, again, a squashed look.

Another couple of notes: Keep an eye on your 5 dcs of the pattern. It’s VERY easy to make only 4 or 6; the pattern looks funny but it works out to be that the rising ch3 end up NOT being a dc but a sort of loop on the sides of the piece. Don’t know why the pattern was made thus but I might figure it out once I start putting the 2 pieces together.

And a comment on my sanity: I’m not making this for anyone in particular, just need to use up a LOT of Lion Cotton, in not so awesome colors, and I liked the look of this blouse.

If you’re interested in getting it, lemme know. Will just charge mailing fees!

Live and learn!