Lyla Summer Wrap Tutorial
The Crossover Shawl I designed for the winter 2017 issue of Crochet! magazine features a looping technique to create the look of broomstick lace. For this design, I wanted to experiment even more to see how I could expand on this new technique. I began changing the height of the loops, crisscrossing the loops and gathering the loops. These 3 variations became the Lyla Summer Wrap. These stitches create texture while keeping the wrap open and light. Since moving to Florida from a colder climate, I’ve learned to accessorize more with shawls, wraps and scarves. These do become practical pieces when going in and out of chilly air-conditioned places and cool nights on the beach or patio. I strongly recommend making a swatch as indicated in the pattern to get a feel for the way the yarn moves, control the height of loops and, most importantly, achieve the gauge. Follow these photos to see how each step is done, remembering that pulling up a loop is not the same as lifting a loop. After working single crochet in the back bar of each chain (row 1), turn, chain-1 and lift the loop on the hook to the indicated height in row 2 (see Photo 1). Chain-1 and lift the loop on the hook to the same height (see Photo 3). Hold 5–8 loops (or any number that is comfortable) on the hook with your thumb. Insert the hook in the next stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop (see Photo 2). Remove the loops from the hook. Insert the hook in the last loop and continue across (see Photo 4).
With the last loop on the hook, yarn over and pull the strand through the loop. Insert the hook in the space between the last loop and the strand and make a single crochet (see Photo 5). Turn the piece and work a single crochet in the first loop (see Photo 6). Chain-1 and lift the loop to the indicated height. In row 6, we work back and forth in loops to create a cross-stitch appearance. Skip a loop, slip stitch in the next loop, chain-1, then slip stitch in the skipped loop (see photo 9). Insert the hook in the next stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop (see Photo 7). To form the 5-loop groups in row 12, insert the hook in 5 consecutive loops, yarn over and pull up a loop, gathering the loops together. Chain-1 and complete a single crochet (see photos 10 and 11). Row 5 sets up the loops for the crossed stitches in row 6. Insert the hook in the first stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop (do not lift to an indicated height); insert the hook in the next stitch, yarn over and draw through the loop on the hook to complete a slip stitch (see Photo 8). I love this wrap and the yarn used—Plymouth Yarn Pendenza, a stunning mercerized cotton. It’s an ideal yarn for year-round use here in Florida.