Plus size patterns?

[hookjunky]

Hi there! I spend a ton of time crocheting things for everyone else but have yet to do something for myself. I am about a 2x but I don't want to make some huge shapeless tent like sweater. I want something funky and young! Any suggestions?

[jessc031778]

Unfortunately, there just aren't many attractive patterns for us plus sized gals...there have been a few ladies on here that have worked up their own patterns that look great, you could probably find the links to their patterns in the show & tell area...I also know that Etaria was planning on working on some plus sizes top patterns in the future...

Myself, I have picked up my knitting needles again in order to make some cute clothing pieces for myself, as there are many many more knit patterns for plus sizes (and for men!) than there are in crochet...if you also knit, there is a terrific book that I've just picked up called Big Girl Knits...and I LOVE IT!! There are items that actually compliment the curvy form, as well as explinations as to why this look will work for you but this one wouldn't...and they're all things that I can actually see myself loving to wear!! Definately worth the price of the book (which was NOT expensive at all!)!!

Jessie

[hookjunky]

I think I saw that book. I can knit but I find it rather trying with a toddler. If he gets into my crochet only a few stitches get pulled out but if I drop a stitch knitting it is over :(

[Daisy]

I don't know if anything in this link will be appealing to you, but it's worth a look see.
http://home.inreach.com/marthac/plus.html

look at this one too:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/search-handle-url/index=stripbooks&field-keywords=plus%20size%20crochet&results-process=default&dispatch=search/ref=pd_sl_aw_tops-1_stripbooks_13843818_1&results-process=default?tag2=amd-google-20

[jessc031778]

I first started knitting when my now-approaching 6 yrs old DD was about 20 months old...it only took one close call with her spontaniously jumping into my lap for a hug while I was knitting and nearly impaling her :eek to get me to put the needles down for a while LOL!! That's when I got into crochet...I've just picked up the needles again starting about 2 months ago...and I JUST got my MIL to sit and show me how to fix it when I drop a stitch..cause before if I dropped a stitch, I had to frog the entire thing and start over again...

That being said, there are quite alot of great knit patterns in larger sizes, so you might find it worth your while to pick a project to work on while the wee one is asleep..might take you a while to get it done, but it would be something you could wear, right?:D

Jessie

[Shell]

if you can alter patterns you could do any number of the shrugs and cardigans that are written for smaller sizes. not always easy I know. i almost cry when I go shopping for clothes (well I say almost, but it has happened!) And the thought of making anything for myself in crochet seems way too hard. But I am coming up with my own sewing ideas. Best of luck in your hunt, it really is an undervalued area (the average Aussie woman is a size 14, and yet when you go the "plus size" section in a store and even on eBay, much of it lists 14's and 16's. go figure..)

[jessc031778]

Shell...I'm so with you!! I have had to stop shopping a few times because I could barely hold the tears in...any time I have to get jeans I have trouble cause I can find several in sizes too small or too big, but find it difficult to find my size...my DH points out to me that means that my size is purchased more than the others, so I shouldn't feel bad...doesn't help though coming from a guy who actually does fit exactly into that darned BMI thing :lol

Jessie

[EugeneClarence]

This thread about a new Bernat booklet with Plus size patterns may be of interest.
http://www.crochetville.org/forum/showthread.php?t=32121

EugeneClarence

[hookjunky]

I refuse to cry! There are many of us out there, and ther is nothing wrong with us. We should not be relegated to tents, enormous flower patterns or cheap fabrics! I am really going to try to make some decent patterns for bigger girls. I think there is a real market out there.

[Sylviaf]

I really don't know how I would dress myself if I didn't sew. I haven't found much to crochet in plus sizes and I'm kind of scared of wearable anyway.

[darski]

I find that one of the easiest things to do is to design your own sweaters in crochet.

You pick a pattern stitch you like or whatever and make sure what you make is wide enough to go around you. I always work them in the round up to the armpits, split for front and back etc and put in some sleeves.

A technique I really like for a ribbing effect on the bottom is where you crochet about 12 stitches Tbl then turn without a chain one. Make this band as long as you need for width and for pattern needs and then join and pick up the stitches along the 'side' to start your sweater. (It is explained in the pattern link I've added)

I did a sweater that I always thought of as a tribute to Bill Cosby. It was red/wht/blue with 3 shades of blue and tons of colour changes for squares, bars, circles and whatever struck my fancy at the time. Granted, getting or keeping all the yarns straight was interesting :)

I made this Men's "Fisherman" sweater very feminine by changing a few things and adding a trellis/picot edging to sleeves and bottom.

http://craftyarncouncil.com/projects/jan_crochproj.html
I made this in peach and it is still one of my favourite things to wear.

So try this technique for a little one and see how easy it can be then just move on up to the good sizes. ...oh, I wear a 2X top usually