Just to say that I have got the swatch just about right. 5.5mm hook, doesn't sag when I hang it up (6mm hook too loose) but now I have to do arithmetic - 16 stitches for every 14 in the pattern! But length is right.

I'm now actually putting it away - probably for most of the summer - I have a blanket to finish for Loving Hands, and have agreed to contribute to the huge poppy display planned in our village - I am a little dubious - but will show willing by contributing poppies, and leave the 'display' to those with the vision!

At least when that is done, I can pick it up and begin - many thanks all.

Hello all, I'm quite experienced at crochet, and have done  lot - but always the forgiving sort of shawls, blankets, scarves etc. I've taken the plunge and bought a book of clothes patterns, liking the look of a cardigan. It's a US book.
I have done my test pieces - I should be using a 4mm hook with double knitting wool, and a piece 14 st x 8 rows of double crochet (US) should be 10cms. square. I am now up to a 5.5 hook - 8 rows are 10cms but 14sts only 9cms.
I don't have a 6mm hook - happy to get one, but am feeling that I must be getting something wrong.
And yes, I am dojng the US double crochet stitch, not the British one!
I'd be very grateful for any pointers, otherwise I'll be doing extra stitches and/ or fewer rows. I would say however, tht with a 5.5mm hook the spacing does look about right.
Thanks!

Hello all. A young family member asked me to help with curtains - but she is in a 'conversion' where the windows are literally, completely, floor to ceiling (about 2.4 metres I think) No wonder the previous owners didn't put curtains up (maybe the fuel bills and blank space made them move!)
I haven't measured yet, but the width must be about 5 metres. so for decent curtains there will be a lot of weight and we will be needing 2 extra brackets I think in addition to the 2 side, and the central.
I am wondering if I could get 'passing rings' that will work 'upwards' - or could we think about fixing a pelmet to the ceiling and hanging the curtains from that. I'll get advice about hanging such a weight from the , but just thought I'd seek ideas and advice.

Thanks!

Interesting & challenging, as I always find Michelle's courses, and always meet nice interesting people as well.

We made up a shell /toile beforehand, then spent 2 days fitting it, transferring the measurements to paper patterns, cutting and fitting again, until we had the correct pattern pieces..
We spent the 3rd day learning how to adapt those pieces, to make tops, dresses, skirts, with various design features, like princess line and cowl neck. The 'extreme' bit is Michelle showing how to cut a 'basket weave style' or 'mock twist drape' features.
Spent this afternoon sorting it all out, cutting more pattern pieces and thinking about my first 'piece'

Thank you all very much indeed.
I used a mix of these - apart from downloading the sleeve -and found it very useful. Toile finished and seems fine. Yes, Style Arc mark seam line.
I may well use the downloaded sleeve pattern in the future as they are a frequent bug bear of mine!
So, thank you all again, I keep hoping that I can be as helpful to someone else, but probably not on this forum!

Hello all!
I am making the Sadie tunic by Style Arc:
http://www.stylearc.com.au/stylearc/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=1005&category_id=8&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=45

I liked the look of the tunic but am not fussed about the twist detail on the sleeve.  The sleeve itself is cut very oddly, almost 2 'petal' shapes that create the twist detail. As I have had to alter the shoulder seams quite a lot for fitting, I think that trying to get this complicated sleeve to fit in will be disastrous!
So, I just want to set in a plain sleeve. My thought is to cut open the side seams (I am making a 'toile' with the lining fabric), spread the sleeve arc out and draw around it, then using an ordinary sleeve pattern, add in the top shape. But I am unsure how much ease to include - the armholes on the toile are quite roomy.

Can I ask for your thoughts? Many thanks in advance