Help please, edging instructions

[IslandTime]

Hi - I'm starting knitting again after a loooong absence - now I'm wanting to make clothes for my very old dolls and a teddy bear. Hard to find patterns but I found a couple for American Girl dolls that I think I could use as a guide for my biggest doll. Maybe. One is a sweater with a crochet edging - problem is, I can't figure out what they mean.

I don't want to start the sweater then get to the neck and arm openings and get stuck. Here's the link to the pattern.. oops it won't let me post the link because I don't have enough posts...?...ok - it's triple w dot abc-knitting-patterns.com That takes you to the main page, then on the left side under Patterns (knit) choose doll clothes. It's the pink sweater.

If anyone can interpret the crochet part, I'd sure appreciate it.

I guess I don't have to tell you I only know the very basics of crochet. Don't know much more about knitting, for that matter. I'm new to this site, and so glad I found it!

Thanks!

[DogCatMom]

I hope I've picked up the correct crochet instructions from the correct pattern. If not, then apply what appears here to the correct pattern:

Crochet 1 row of sc along the back opening and the neckline
translation: sc = single crochet

Crochet 2 nd row of dc.
translation: dc = double crochet

Row 3: *3 dc in 1 dc from the row 3, skip 1 dc, 1 sc, skip 1 dc*
translation: a) just as in knitting, repeat the steps between the * * as many times as indicated or until the end of the row.
b) *3 double crochet stitches in 1 double crochet from row 3, skip 1 double crochet, make 1 single crochet, skip 1 double crochet*--this makes the lace-like pattern that you can see on the edge

repeat along the neckline.
translation: Do the same thing along the neckline.

Crochet sc along the right back, crochet sc along the left back making 8 button loop crochet ch 3 evenly.
translation: I think you have the picture now, but be sure and allow for 8 evenly spaced button loops (maybe mark the locations ahead of time with stitch markers). Make the loops between consecutive single crochet stitches by creating 3 chain stitches and leaving the 3 ch sts when you crochet into the next single crochet.

Crochet 1 row of sc arond the arm openings.
translation: Except for the misspelling of "around," this should be clearer now.

Row 2: *3 dc in 1 dc from the row 3, skip 1 dc, 1 sc, skip 1 dc* repeat along the arm opening.
translation: This is like Row 3 along the back and neck opening.

Please know that the pattern instructions are poorly organized and not well written. The row numbers aren't all that clear, esp. if you're not experienced in crochet. But you'll be OK, since you *are* an experienced knitter and the concept of "rows" is strong!

DCM

[IslandTime]

I hope I'm doing this reply thing right - it's my first and there were a few choices...can you tell I've never belonged to a forum...lol.

First, thanks a million for the time you took to do such a great job of writing such clear instructions!

Unfortunately, I'm sorry but I still don't understand one part - it's on both the neckline and the arm opening -

I understand your translation on Row 3, about 3 dc in 1 dc - but it's the next 3 words I don't get - "from row 3" - ? Aren't we ON row 3 at that point?

And when that same pattern is repeated as Row 2 of the arm opening, all we've done to the arm opening before that as far as I can see is 1 row of single crochet - so how could we do anything to a double c "from the row 3"?

No doubt I'm missing something -

I'm relieved to hear it's badly done - hate to think I'm getting even more dense as time goes by

Thanks again
p.s. timing is everything - we're finally getting summer - lol the house is 83F, and I'm trying to come up with a pattern plan for a Christmas dress for my doll - got the most beautiful Christmas yarn last week!

I hope I've picked up the correct crochet instructions from the correct pattern. If not, then apply what appears here to the correct pattern:

Crochet 1 row of sc along the back opening and the neckline
translation: sc = single crochet

Crochet 2 nd row of dc.
translation: dc = double crochet

Row 3: *3 dc in 1 dc from the row 3, skip 1 dc, 1 sc, skip 1 dc*
translation: a) just as in knitting, repeat the steps between the * * as many times as indicated or until the end of the row.
b) *3 double crochet stitches in 1 double crochet from row 3, skip 1 double crochet, make 1 single crochet, skip 1 double crochet*--this makes the lace-like pattern that you can see on the edge

repeat along the neckline.
translation: Do the same thing along the neckline.

Crochet sc along the right back, crochet sc along the left back making 8 button loop crochet ch 3 evenly.
translation: I think you have the picture now, but be sure and allow for 8 evenly spaced button loops (maybe mark the locations ahead of time with stitch markers). Make the loops between consecutive single crochet stitches by creating 3 chain stitches and leaving the 3 ch sts when you crochet into the next single crochet.

Crochet 1 row of sc arond the arm openings.
translation: Except for the misspelling of "around," this should be clearer now.

Row 2: *3 dc in 1 dc from the row 3, skip 1 dc, 1 sc, skip 1 dc* repeat along the arm opening.
translation: This is like Row 3 along the back and neck opening.

Please know that the pattern instructions are poorly organized and not well written. The row numbers aren't all that clear, esp. if you're not experienced in crochet. But you'll be OK, since you *are* an experienced knitter and the concept of "rows" is strong!

DCM

[DogCatMom]

Looks like you selected the orange "Reply to This Thread." Yes, that's the way to do it; the other "Reply" doesn't seem to work. At least, it hasn't ever worked for me.

The mention of "Row 3" in the instructions you mention is only one of the reasons I described this pattern as "poorly organized and not well written." One of my functions in life is technical editing, and this pattern offends both my editing and yarnwork sensibilities. It's--yes--that bad.

If there's a website url printed on the pattern, check to see whether any Errata (errors/corrections) have been posted, or simply email the address. It's also possible (although I've been wrong on this several times with regard to crochet patterns) that Ravelry has a record of it, with photos and information by other yarnworkers, and that one or more others have found errors, too. Go to http://ravelry.com to join up (free, and I've absolutely NOT EVER received email, much less spam, from joining) and investigate.

Let me know how it goes!

DCM

[IslandTime]

The only url to this pattern was the one I initially gave you, to the website. There is a "contact us" on there and I wrote, but didn't get a reply. Went back there just now and noticed a funny little symbol which I hadn't seen before, beside the pattern - and - guess what - it turned out to be a link to ravelry - where, it says I'll be able to see other uses of this same wonderful pattern

Anyway, based on your advice, I'll join ravelry

But - back to my problem - your translation of that row was:

b) *3 double crochet stitches in 1 double crochet from row 3, skip 1 double crochet, make 1 single crochet, skip 1 double crochet*--this makes the lace-like pattern that you can see on the edge

If I'm understanding you right from your last post, I think it should say from the "previous" row, not "from the row 3" - - so I'd do 3 double crochets in a double crochet from the previous row (or on the arm openings in a single crochet on the previous row), then skip one dc (or sc), do a single crochet in the next double crochet, skip one. So - *3dc in a dc, sk1, 1sc, sk1* repeat. Have I got it?

You're a great translator - I've done some editing too (volunteer, for fiction-writing friends) - and I hear you about being "offended' - happens everywhere - tv, ads, newspapers - drives me nuts

Thanks again.