Blueprint Crochet Sweaters: Techniques for Custom Construction

Books on sweater design for knitters abound, but up to now there has been nothing on the basics of sweater/garment design for crocheters. Robyn Chachula fills that gap with an approachable introduction to the topic, giving readers a deeper understanding of crochet design, and helping them to make better-fitting garments in the process. In a collection of xx patterns, Robyn focuses on four basic garment types and their variations—sewn-together panels (including raglan, drop-sleeve, and side-saddle sleeve construction); one-piece, where garments are constructed either side-to-side or from the bottom up, around the shoulder, and back down); motif construction (where garments are created entirely from granny squares or other motifs); and top-down (both round and raglan types). In each chapter she focuses on one key garment element—sleeves, collars, shaping, or fit. Throughout the book, sidebars and tip boxes will offer additional information, including ways to give garments a polished and sophisticated look through various tricks and finishing techniques.

Robyns purpose is to show the reader the various ways that garments come together, giving her tools to better understand crochet patterns and make changes and customizations based on her style and fit preferences. The book does not purport to be an encyclopedic technical primer, but a basic introduction to the building blocks of crochet garment design. As more people have begun crocheting in recent years, they will soon be looking for books and information that go beyond collections of accessories and simple projects, and want a deeper knowledge of their craft. Robyn gives a friendly tutorial, breaking down something as intimidating as ‘garment design into easily digestible parts, and offering her readers a deeper appreciation and understanding of crochet.

Learn the must-have basics of sweater construction and ways to achieve better-fitting garments!

Best-selling author of Blueprint Crochet, Robyn Chachula presents an approachable resource on the basics of crochet design. This friendly introduction to sweater and garment construction will give you a deeper understanding of working with crochet and help you make better-fitting garments in the process.

In this collection of 16 patterns, Robyn focuses on four basic garment types and their variations-"classic" construction (including raglan, drop-sleeve, and side-saddle sleeve); unique construction (side-to-side or from the bottom up, around the shoulder, and back down); motif construction; and top-down (both round and raglan types).

The perfect introduction to the building blocks of crochet sweater construction, Blueprint Crochet Sweaters breaks down intimidating garment design into easily digestible parts, offering a deeper appreciation and understanding of how to create projects that reflect your own personal style.

Robyn Chachula is the author of Baby Blueprint Crochet, best-selling Blueprint Crochet, Simply Crochet, and Unexpected Aghans, as well as a contributor to Crochet Me and Crocheted Gifts. She has been published in a number of magazines, including Interweave Crochet and Crochet Today! Robyn has been a guest on Knit and Crochet Today and on Knitting Daily TV. Her winding path to a crochet career began as a structural engineer with a specialty in historic preservation and renovation, which uses her ability to take big projects and break them into little items anyone can understand.

Tentative outline

Intro

Basic information: swatches, gauge, reading schematics, and understanding crochet symbols.

Common styles of sweaters; such as cardigans, shrugs, tunics, vests, pullovers. Discussion of sleeve and body length; sleeve types (cap, drop, etc)

Fit standards and ease—what they really mean

Gauge and math—the importance of stitch and row counts.

Using crochet symbols in shaping

Chapter 1: Panel Construction

Front, back, and sleeve panels are the most basic of parts of garment construction.

Focus: different sleeve shaping including drop, cap, side-saddle, and raglan. The chapter will include 4 patterns; each pattern will include a tip on how to customize the pattern for the readers fit.

Possible guest designer: Simona Mechant-Dest or Julia Vaconsin

Chapter 2: One Piece Construction

This section will discuss constructing a sweater in one piece either from the bottom up and over the shoulders, or side-to side.

Focus: different neck shaping including scoop, mock turtleneck, and v-neck. The chapter will include 4 patterns: one v-neck vest, one long sleeve cardigan, one mock turtleneck tunic, and one scooped pullover.

Possible guest designer: Kristin Omdahl or Annie Modesitt.

Chapter 3: Motif Construction

This section will discuss constructing a sweater entirely in motifs or granny squares, and different ways to join motifs seamlessly.

Focus: Detailed instructions on how to make triangle and rectangle motifs from your granny square for shaping at necklines and arms. 4 patterns, including customizing tips.

Possible guest designer: Marlaina Bird or Ellen Gormley.

Chapter 4: Top Down Construction

This section will discuss constructing a sweater from the top down. We will discuss the difference between round (equally spaced increase) and raglan yokes (increases clustered at the arm).

Focus: How to increase some classic stitch patterns, such as shells, to get Possible guest designer: Doris Chan or Amy ONeill Houck,

Chapter 5: Finishing Tips

This reference section will include lots of tips on finishing items such as: woven vs. single crochet seams, buttonholes, inserting zippers, reinforcing necklines with grosgrain ribbon, and different types of crochet ribbing. This section can be sprinkled throughout the book as sidebars as well.

Designer Bios

Resources and Glossary