I created this belted, crochet lace cape while preparing for the taping of Crochet Corner on Knitting Daily TV, season 400. I wanted to wear a new piece that would be flattering on me. My theory was that the belted cape offers the illusion of shaping due to the placement of the belt. If you cinch your waist with the minimum amount of fabric required and leave the bulk to the “sleeves” the ratio of more sleeve to waist suggests a thin waist.
You can see me wearing the cape on episode 407 and in the show’s introduction.

The pattern is written for a hip length cape that is approximately 24” long. If you want a longer cape, you can either work another repeat of the increases (12 rows), or you could work the regular pattern in a thicker yarn and larger hook (perhaps a dk weight yarn and H/8 hook).

For a more relaxed look, the cape is equally as pretty without belting.

The pattern included line by line instructions, charts and lots of detailed photos. The pattern is available as a downloadable PDF file that you will receive via email after transaction is completed. Usually within a few hours.

Pattern requirements:

1200 yards of laceweight yarn. I used Wagtail Yarn's 100% Kid Mohair 4ply in medium blue (3 skeins)
G/6 (4mm) crochet hookGauge: 5 sts/3 rows = 1" in blocked double crochet

Finished size: 24" long

Stitches used: chain, single crochet, double crochet, treble crochet

For a complete description of these stitches, please check out my Crochet Stitch Glossary

Click here for more photos and how to purchase the pattern for only $3.99!

Click on the thumbnails below for other views of the cape (with and without the belt):

I'm often asked which craft is my favorite, knit or crochet? I have been in love with both since learning both within a month of each other. I love to knit and crochet interchangeably and enjoy both every day. Even though we are celebrating National Crochet Month, I didn't want to exclude knitting in the celebration. ALL of my patterns (knit and crochet) are reduced for the celebratory sale.

Please click here to browse through the dozens of knit and crochet patterns available as pdf download patterns for only $3.99 each.

KRISTIN PATTERN SALE

Here are some photos of the patterns.

I was thrilled to receive the first samples of Cotton Classic lite because I think it is a terrific weight and feel for crochet lace. The first piece I designed in this yarn will be featured in Crochet So Fine, available July 2010. It is a floral skinny scarf that requires only one skein of the yarn. I crocheted the sample in a very short period of time - between 1 and 2 hours!

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The second and third pieces I deisgned in Cotton Classic Lite were the Barcelona Shawl and Buenos Aires Tunic for Tahki Stacy Charles City Crochet Collection. Cotton Classic Lite complements crochet so well and City Crochet is the perfect design collection to introduce the new yarn. You'll find 9 fashion forward styles, including tops and tunics, a jacket, shawl, dress and skirt. Each garment is named after a different excotic world city:
Amsterdam Tee, Barcelona Shawl, Buenos Aires Tunic, Cairo Jacket, Copenhagen Tank, Istanbul Dress, Nairobi Skirt, Paris Tunic and Tokyo Vest.

The Barcelona Shawl combines pretty crochet motifs with complementary crochet lace panels. In the seams, generous belt loop holes are strategically placed at the natural waist if you choose to wear the shawl as a belted cape for a second, stunning look with the same garment.

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The Buenos Aires Tunic is light and airy and would make a great layering piece. It has generous ease in the hips to accomodate the extra length for lots of movement. The motifs begin as bright and cheerful flowers and are joined to the tunic in a final round of the motifs that join together as a tube. The tunic is picked up and worked towards the neck. The mesh stitch pattern is updated with post stitches for extra texture and interest.

The bright, bold colors are fun and refreshing and really hot this spring! For a more sophisticated look, try choosing a softer palette for the flower motifs.

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The DVD of the entire season is now available: all 5 hours and 48 minutes packed neatly into a 4-disc package. Why should you buy the discs when the show airs on PBS? Here are five good reasons why you want Knitting Daily TV on DVD:

1. With DVD instruction you can pick the time when learning occurs best for you! Whether you prefer to knit in the evenings or first-thing in the morning, Eunny and guests are at your beck and call for teaching you new knitting techniques and bringing you inspiring projects.

2. Knitting Daily TV can be played wherever there is a DVD player! Whether you want to watch Knitting Daily TV in your studio, while travelling, or even by taking your laptop to the park, Eunny and guests come to you, wherever you are!

3. You can control the speed at which you learn! It's up to you whether you want to watch all 13 episodes in one day or space them out over a month. Plus, you can pause the action, rewind to review instructions, or even fast-forward over techniques you may already know.

4. One-on-one instruction is priceless! Knitting Daily TV is a PBS show produced with the viewer in mind. Eunny, Kristin, Shay, and all the welcomed guests teach directly to the camera as if they're really in your home showing you step-by-step fiber instruction.  

5. You can revisit Knitting Daily TV with just a click of a button! Can't remember a technique you've seen on Knitting Daily TV? Just pop in the DVD for a quick reminder. Knitting Daily TV DVDs can be revisited, reviewed, and re-loved throughout the years.

After moving to Florida last year, I was inspired my my new surroundings to create this collection of crochet designs, reflecting the beach, seashells, orchids and other beautiful, natural views.

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Crochet so fine

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• How to crochet round, medallion, square, and hexagon-shaped motifs
• How to read crochet charts and their symbols
• How to work crochet motifs in the round
  How to expand motifs as design elements
• And more!

If you want to increase your crochet expertise and begin designing with motifs, Innovative Crochet: Motifs with Kristin Omdahl is the DVD for you.

PLUS! Included with the purchase of this DVD is a link to a FREE crochet pattern for Omdahl's Farrah Wrap from her book Wrapped in Crochet.

I have been a fan of "Charlie's Angels" the TV show since I was a kid. I definitely had my favorites, but loved the show unconditionally nonetheless. When Hollywood decided to make the movie, "Charlie's Angels" I was elated. There is a scene in the first movie when the angels are walking the red carpet for a movie premiere, and Cameron Diaz's character is wearing a strapless black dress, dramatic earrings and a red, silk lace shawl with fringe. I saw this movie before I began crocheting but yearned to make and wear this shawl.

Several years later, forgetting the details of the shawl, only the emotion I felt when I saw it, I decided to make a silky, lace shawl with fringe for "Wrapped In Crochet". When choosing the yarn, I found a thin, silky bamboo tape yarn that was perfect for the shawl, because it didn't fray when cut for fringe. However, it didn't come in an amazing red, so I chose black. Anyone can use a great black shawl for evening wear!

I designed the motif to be quick and easy (it's only 4 rounds, but measures 6" square after blocking)! And, based on the joining technique (which is join-as-you-go), there is a geometric shape within the center of the joining as well as a geometric shape within the center of the motifs. I love that!

I named the shawl Farrah, which is a beautiful name that derives from arabic meaning joy. And, you guessed it, my favorite angel was Farrah Fawcett (Jill!)

This week, I am running a contest for a free yarn kit to create your own Farrah Shawl! Leave a comment here, or on the Styled By Kristin Facebook Page or on Kristin Omdahl's Twitter page. I will choose a random winner on Friday.

With the holidays approaching, don't forget the crocheters on your list! Click here to purchase a signed copy of "Wrapped In Crochet"!

Regarding the chapter on scarves, she says, "The scarf design in the book I found most appealing is called “Labyrinth,” done in single crochet in squares and bands worked in multicolors."

Here is the Labyrinth description from the book: "I love lots of color, but I don't especially love weaving in all the loose ends! Playing around with different directions and shapes with self-striping yarn, I inadvertently crocheted a log-cabin style motif. Using two different sizes of motifs (one is half the size of the other), I found that they fit together perfectly (and easily) when sewn together. Visually, the combination of colors, stripes, and different directios that come together in this cozy scarf are mesmerizing."

This project uses 8 balls of Trendsetter's Tonalita yarn and a sice H/8 (5mm) crochet hook. The finished size is a generous 70" x 9-1/2"

Regarding the chapter on shawls, Ardeana Hamlin says, "The outstanding design in the Shawls section is “Stella,” a cobwebby circular garment that resembles a very overgrown pinwheel-pattern doily done in black yarn."

Here is the Stella description from "Wrapped In Crochet": "This intricate circular lace shawl showcases a beautiful, swirling star motif with a picot edging reminiscent of flower petals. It can be worn folded in half for a warm daytime shawl, or it can be worn more dramatically with one-third folded over for a shawl collar, allowing the star motif to drape across the back. You can even wear it long (as shown, right), so that the length hangs allt he way down your back to create some drama for a night out. FInish it by securing the fronts with a favorite shawl pin or brooch."

Ardeana Hamlin writes about the wraps section, "An especially lovely design in the Wraps section of the book is called “Gali,” an infinity motif done in merino yarn in shades of blue and green."

The Gali description from Wrapped In Crochet states: "I lived on the Mediterranean Sea for several years and had the distinct pleasure of viewing sapphire and emerald seas every day. The infinity motifs in this wrap remind me of the swirling tides of the water, while the color of the yarn brings back wonderful memories of the sea. This versatile piece can be worn as a scarf, wrapped around your neck several times. It is also wide enough to drape across your back as a wrap. Try wrapping it around from back to front, cross the ends over your chest, and tie them in the back for a pretty capelet look."

Ardeana Hamlin also states generally about the book, "Wrapped in Crochet” will appeal to those who have crochet experience, though the instructions for the designs are clear and detailed.

Thank you for a wonderful review! Click here for the full review: Need to Knit? Crave Crochet? Borrow A Page From These by Ardeana Hamlin

I also designed a skirt that is featured in this issue. It's called the Painted Desert Skirt. It is crocheted in Coats & Clarks' new Red Heart Eco-Ways yarn. Have you tried this yarn? It's really cool: 70% acrylic and 30% recycled polyester - recycled from plastic soda and water bottles! How cool is that? It is machine washable, too. The yarn is worsted weight and works up easily with an H/8 (5mm) crochet hook. 

I love to create geometric shapes within my designs. For this skirt, I made a modification to an infinity motif, and removed a "pie slice" shape from each side of the curves. Removing this "slice" created a negative space that the adjacent motif could fill - like puzzle pieces. The motifs are easier to crochet than you may think: they are just worked back and forth in rows, but through the front and back loops only (when specified). Once you complete the correct number of motifs for your size, you sew them together. To make the design more cohesive, I chose to keep a free loop on each stitch so a piping round in the MC (main color) could be worked around the ring of motifs, to help bring the colors together.The skirt is also worked in the round, begun by picking up stitches around the top edge of the motifs. If you were to just pick up every stitch and work even, you would have too many stitches because the length of a curved line is so much greater than the length of a straight line. Decreases are strategically placed to help create a straight line for the skirt.

Extra width is used in the hem of the skirt for volume and to allow extra width for creating small pleats in the yoke. A smaller crochet hook is used for the waistband, for a sturdier fabric and more structure for the buttonband, too. 

Are you on Twitter? I am having a contest that will run from today through Friday. Join me on Twitter to re-tweet this design process and you could win a copy of the magazine and the full yarn kit to make this skirt! One random re-tweeter will be announced on Friday! Thank you!!