Ella Tied Cardigan Crochet-Along: Week 2

Let’s start crocheting the Ella Tied Cardigan!  It’s crocheted in 5 pieces (6 if you count the waist band).  If you haven’t crocheted in a while or just getting back into it, it might be nice to start with the waistband.  This will remind your fingers about posture and tension and you will really get a feel for the hook and cotton in your fingers.

Get Started

If you don’t want to start there, I agree with the pattern-let’s start with the back!

Whenever you start a project, I suggest paying very close attention to the details.  After 2 or 3 rows, count your V-stitches to make sure you have the correct number: 24, 28, 30, 24 or 36 depending on the size you are crocheting.  If you make a mistake early on but don’t catch it until much later, it can be very sad!

After you have crocheted about 5 or 6 inches on the back, re-check your gauge. Make sure that you are holding the same tension on this LARGE back piece, as you did for the much smaller gauge swatch.  Pull out that measuring tape and take a look and see if it is actually5 ½ v-stitches and 8 rows equaling 4 inches.  It’s better to catch big mistakes like this early.

Once you have crocheted those 36-40 rows in the V-stitch pattern, (which you already practiced on your gauge swatch), don’t forget to FASTEN OFF. I missed those 2 little words in the pattern and tried to carry my yarn over for the first ARMHOLE row. That was a mess!

Finish the Back

Alternately, if you do NOT want to fasten off, you can slip stitch over to the 2^nd double crochet of the [2^nd,3^rd, 4^th, 5^th or 6^th (depending on which size you are crocheting)] V-stitch and then pull up the loop.  This requires a little traveling, but less WEAVING IN ENDS at the end. Raise your hand if you hate weaving in ends! That’s what I thought.  The slip stitches will be concealed by the sleeve so it’s no big deal to do it this alternate way.

Wow! You’ve finished a big chunk of your Ella Tied Cardigan! Please visit the Ravelry thread if you have any specific questions about beginning the project. And let me know what yarn and color you’re using! Can’t wait to see the photos come through! Happy Crocheting!