Cozy coat
This aran-style coat looks much heavier than it is. It drapes beautifully to flatter the figure and give an air of elegance. The main instructions are for Size 1, and those in brackets are for the larger Size 2.
You will need
1500g aran weight yam, 75% acrylic/25% wool (1600g for Size 2)
5.00mm, 6.00mm and 7.00mm hooks
2-3 clasps (optional)
Size 1: to fit bust 81- 87cm (32-34in)
Size 2: to fit bust 91- 97cm (36-38in)
Back length: 105cm (41in)
Sleeve seam: 48cm (19in)
Tension: 6htr and 5 rows measure, 5cm (2in)
Note: when you work this garment, it is better to count the rows than to measure them.
Tip
Fashion crochet, including aran style garments, should not use more yam than similar knitted items. Knitted aran fabric is much heavier than stocking stitch fabric, and aran-style crochet can be heavier than other crochet fabrics.
Special Abbreviation: Cable (worked over 4 sts)
Work a tr until there are two loops on the hook, miss 1 st, work 1 RdtrF until there are three loops on the hook,yoh and draw through all three loops. Work 1 RdtrF in the next st, lRdtrF where the ‘unfinished’ tr was placed, 1 ‘unfinished’ RdtrF in st missed (2 loops on hook), 1 unfinished tr in top of last st of 4st gr (3 loops on hook) yoh, draw through all 3 loops.
Back
Using 6.00mm hook work 74 (78) ch.
Row 1: l htr in 4th ch from hook, l htr in each ch to end, 2ch, turn (72 [76] sts).
Row 2 (RS): 3 (5) htr, * IRtrF, lhtr, IRtrB, 1 Cable (see Special Abbreviation), IRtrB, lhtr, rep from * 6 times, IRtrF, 4 (6) htr, 2ch, turn.
Row 3: 3 (5) htr, IRtrB, *l htr, IRtrF, 4RtrB, IRtrF, lhtr, IRtrB, rep from * 6 times,4(6) htr, 2ch, turn.
Rows 2 and 3 form patt. Rep to length required. Place a marker 4 rows from top.
Left front
Using 6.00mm hook work 40 (42)ch
Row 1: lhtr in 4th ch from hook, lhtr in each ch to end, 2ch, turn (38[40]sts).
Row 2 (RS): 3 (5) htr, * IRtrF, lhtr, IRtrB, 1 Cable (see Special Abbreviation), IRtrB, lhtr, rep from * twice , IRtrF, 6htr, 2ch turn.
Row 3: 5htr, IRtrB, *lhtr, IRtrF, 4RtrB, IRtrF, lhtr, IRtrB, rep from * twice, 4(6) htr, 2ch, turn.
Rows 2 and 3 form patt. Rep them until length is the same as to the back marker.
Shape neck
Row 1: work in patt over first 31 sts, 2ch, turn.
Row 2: * IRtrF, 4RtrB, IRtrF, lhtr, IRtrB, lhtr, rep from * once, RtrF, 4RtrB, IRtrF, lhtr, IRtrB, 4htr, 2ch, turn.
Row 3: work in patt over first 27 sts, 2ch, turn.
Row 4 (keeping patt continuous): lhtr, IRtrF, lhtr, IRtrB, * lhtr, IRtrF, 4RtrB, IRtrF, lhtr, IRtrB, rep from * once, 4htr, 2ch, turn.
Row 5: work in patt over first 24 sts, lhtr, lch, turn.
Row 6: miss 1 st, work in patt to end. Fasten off.
Right front
With 6.00mm hook work 40 (42) ch.
Row 1: lhtr in 4th ch from hook, lhtr in each ch to end, 2ch, turn (38 [40] sts).
Row 2 (RS): work 5htr, * IRtrF, lhtr, IRtrB, 1 Cable, IRtrB, lhtr, rep from * twice, IRtrF, 4(6) htr, 2ch, turn. Row 3: work 3(5) htr, IRtrB, *lhtr, IRtrF, 4RtrB, IRtrF, lhtr, IRtrB, rep from * twice, 6htr, 2ch, turn.
Rows 2 and 3 form patt. Rep them until length is the same as to back marker.
Shape neck
Row 1: ss over 7 sts, lch, work in patt over rem 30 sts, 2ch, turn.
Row 2: work in patt over 29 sts, lch, turn.
Row 3: miss 2 sts, work next 2 sts as the last 2 sts of the cable, patt to end, 2ch, turn.
Row 4: work in patt over 27 sts, 2ch, turn.
Row 5: work IRtrB over next Rtr, patt to end, 2ch, turn. Row 6: work in patt over 24 sts, lhtr. Fasten off.
Sleeve
Note: the sleeve starts with a shoulder insertion, then chain is added to both sides of the top – see page 38. Before you begin each sleeve, wind off and set aside about 1.3m (50in) of yam for sleeve heading.
Make 2 alike.
Using the 6.00mm hook, make 14ch.
Row 1: lhtr in 4th ch from hook, lhtr in each ch to end, 2ch, turn (12 sts).
Row 2 (RS): IRtrF, lhtr, lRt*B, ICable, IRtrB, lhtr, IRtrF, lhtr, 2ch, turn.
Row 3: IRtrB, lhtr, IRtrF, 4RtrB, IRtrF, lhtr, IRtrB, lhtr, 2ch, turn.
Rows 2 and 3 form patt. Rep them 7 times or until the length, without stretching, is the same as to the unshaped last row of the front.
Sleeve heading
Make 32ch, leave last ch on a safety pin. With length of yam set aside, work 30ch. Link this chain to the top of the turning ch on the last row of shoulder insertion using a ss. Fasten off. There are now two sleeve extensions. Return to loop in safety pin to continue sleeve.
Row 18: lhtr in 4th ch from hook, 29htr over chain extension, lhtr to reach patt section, IRtrF, lhtr, IRtrB, ICable, IRtrB, lhtr, IRtrF, 31htr, 2ch, turn (74 sts). Rows 19-21: keeping central panel in patt and all other stitches in htr, work 3 rows.
Row 22: dec 1 st at each end of row (72sts).
Row 23: work as normal.
Rep these 2 rows 16 times (44 sts).
Work without dec until sleeve measures 35cm (16in) from chain extensions, ending with RS facing.
Next row (WS): 2ch, 13htr, IRtrB, 8htr, IRtrB, 14htr, 2ch, turn.
Dec row: (IRtrF, IRtrB) 8 times, IRtrF, IRtrB around 2 sts, (IRtrF, IRtrB) 9 times.
Work 2 rows Rtr rib. Change to 5.00mm hook and work 4 rows Rtr rib. Fasten off.
Inserting the sleeves
Do not join side or sleeve seams. Insert shoulder pieces between fronts and back of coat either by sewing or by working dc through both layers. Check that the back and the fronts match, and that both sides are the same.
Collar
Join in yam. With 5.00mm hook and RS facing, work 2ch, 9htr across front, (lhtr dec) 44 times to same point on opposite side, l0htr (64 sts), 2ch, turn.
Work 4 rows Rtr rib .
Note: the row facing should be the wrong side as you look at the coat, but will be the right side of the turned-over collar. Change to the 6.00mm hook. Work 2tr in same place as turning ch, * continue in Rtr rib to the sts that lie over the centre st of the shoulder insertion, inc 2 sts by working ltr in top of the Rtr before the next st, IRtr, ltr in top of Rtr after st just worked, rep from * once, work in Rtr rib to end, work 2 further tr in last st, 2ch, turn. Work 3 rows Rtr rib.
Change to the 7.00mm hook and work 4 rows Rtr rib. Fasten off.
To complete
Join the tops of the sleeves to the fronts and back of coat either by sewing or by working dc through both layers. Place side markers 30cm (12in) from the hem on the fronts and back. With WS of coat facing, join the underarm sleeve seams either by sewing or by working dc through both pieces of work. Start at the cuff and work down the side seam to the markers. Fasten off. Add clasps to the front of the coat if desired.
Lace crochet
Lace is usually worked with a small hook and fine cotton thread, rather than the type of yam that is favoured by knitters. Working with thread is a little different because it is not quite as ‘user-friendly’ as yam made from wool, acrylic and soft spun cotton. These tips should help you to make a start.
Choosing your hook
Cotton thread is defined by numbers: the lower the number, the thicker the thread. Thickness can range from a very fine No. 100 to the very thick No. 3. The most popular are No. 20 and No. 10, which is sometimes known as bedspread weight. For household items in No. 20 cotton, try a 1.50mm hook, or a 1.75mm hook for No. 10. For fashion items in No. 20 cotton try a 2.00mm hook, or a 2.50mm hook for No. 10. The suggested hook sizes should be regarded as a starting point. You will need to experiment with your chosen thread before deciding whether you need to change your hook for a larger or smaller size.
Working with fine cotton
Thread does not have the elasticity of yam so every tiny difference in the tension will be noticeable. If you are relaxed one day but more stressed the next, the look of your work may change, and unfortunately this is just a little more obvious with cotton! If you move your finger up or down the hook, the size of the stitches will vary and your work will look irregular and ugly. The best way to avoid this is to place a finger on the hook and use it as a ‘stop’. If you always keep your ‘stopping’ finger in the same place, all the loops you work will be to the same tension and will end up in the same place.
lace crochet holding technique,using the finger as a stop