I recently finished another crochet project, シルクの半袖セーター, or 29-210-12 Silk Short-sleeve Sweater, by Pierrot (Gosyo Co., Ltd). I’ve never attempted a pattern written in Japanese. They say you don’t need to speak or read Japanese to attempt it, the patterns are mostly charted with standard crochet symbols. However, I’ve never even attempted a charted pattern. However, I figured this was a great chance to try given I’d have the help of a “crochet along” (CAL) group on Ravelry.
My “Japanese short-sleeve sweater” was not going to be silk but a lovely purple synthetic. I referred to books on charted crochet. I researched standard crochet symbols and Japanese words such as “sleeve”, “front”, “back”, “rows”, “stitches”, etc. I was determined and optimistic. I devoted an entire weekend to my yarn and my hook. The upper bodice stitch pattern is a difficult one involving a “puff” stitch. After several days of nearly non-stop crocheting, I had the upper bodice complete! I seamed the sides and shoulders, wove in the ends of my yarn, and admired my work. I then went to put it on and realized… it won’t fit over my head! The neckhole is simply too small for my head to fit through! Normally I could rectify this by pulling out a few rows of crochet, except in this case I had done such a great job of weaving in ends, I could not get them out. Try as I might, I could not get my seams unseamed. Argh!
Japanese short-sleeve sweater, attempt #1
The situation wasn’t impossible, but I thought it best to just start over with another yarn. I’m still fairly optimistic. I opted for a nice simple cotton. It’s rather splitty, but not “fuzzy” like the other yarn, and easier to work with. This time I’m not taking any chances. I’m pinning the front and back together often and measuring and remeasuring and trying it on every hour or so. Despite all my precautions, somehow I landed up with an upper bodice that, while it fit over my head, was ridiculously small. Argh!
Japanese short-sleeve sweater, attempt #2
I set the project aside for a few days, then I started over again. This time I’m calling it my “hara-kiri (suicide) sweater”. I’m less optimistic, but I’m still determined. I’m following the pattern closely. After nearly finishing the back for the third time, I realize I’m doing the puff stitches incorrectly! ARGH! Once again, I’m ripping out what I’ve done and starting over.
It’s now my “kamikaze (suicide mission) sweater” and I’m not optimistic in the least, but I’m still determined… or just stubborn. I carry it with me everywhere. I work on it while riding the train to and from work, on my lunch breaks, after work, while waiting in line. The puff stitches are difficult – using a small hook and crocheting loosely helps – having a splitty yarn does not.
One day a woman on the train compliments my work-in-progress and asks what I’m making. I share the long story of my frustration with this difficult pattern. She says she works for a Japanese trade association and offers to have a colleague translate the pattern for me. That can only help!
Now I realize I’m still not doing the puff stitches correctly, but at this point I do not care. I just want to be done with this stupid sweater. I finish the bodice. I get translation notes from a colleague of the kind lady from the train. Then I realize I don’t have enough yarn. I do not have enough yarn!
I am NOT giving up on this stupid sweater. I use a multi-colored yarn for the waistband and edging. I make the top shorter than the pattern specifies. I finish my sweater without killing myself or anyone else. It’s somewhat too big and too short. I don’t care. Mission accomplished.
Kamakazee sweater - attempt #4
Submitted for publication in the Greeley Citizen
