Temperature Beach Wrap
A temperature project for warm climates
Temperature projects are a great way to remember a special year. By assigning a color to each temperature, you can see the weather of the year emerge in your project as you go. If, like me, you live somewhere warm and don’t have much use for the traditional temperature blanket, a temperature beach wrap or dress (see my temperature dress pattern) can be a great option.
Basic information
Hook size: 8 mm
Sizes: one size (with instructions for modification), finished bust size 50”, length 38”
Gauge: 10 ½ stitches x 2 ¼ rows = 4”
Yarn: Knit Picks Brava Mini
Other materials: stitch markers, tapestry needle, scissors
Note: ch 2 at beginning of rows does not count as stitch.
Choosing colors
You will want to first find the range of temperatures in the year of your choice for your location. You can use any historical weather site of your choice (there are quite a few!), I like Weather Underground (www.wunderground.com). I used the average temperature for each week, but you could also use the average high for each week, the average low, or even just the weather for 52 of your favorite days from that year. I would recommend beginning by putting the weather for each week into a table (this took me about an hour). Then subtract the minimum temperature from the table from the maximum temperature and divide this number by 2 if you want a larger variety of yarn colors, 3 for a smaller range, or 4 for a much more modest range of colors. Then the fun part- picking your yarn and colors!
As an example, the table on the right displays the shades of Knit Picks Brava I used and how I chose to correspond them to temperature ranges. I then followed the temperatures from the table I had already put together to pick my color for each row.
Modifying size
If the size above is too big or too small, try this simple modification:
Measure around your bust at the widest point.
Add 2 inches (or your desired amount of positive ease) to this number.
Divide this number by four.
If your bust is larger than the finished size for this pattern, add additional rows in a color of your choice to each panel until the width matches the number you got in step 3.
If your bust is smaller than the finished size for this pattern and you want a more fitted garment try either a) decreasing hook size, b) eliminating several rows, or c) using a smaller weight of yarn.
Stitches and Abbreviations
This pattern uses US terminology
St = stitch
Ch = chain
Hdc = half double crochet = yarn over and insert hook into next stitch. Pull up a loop. Yarn over and pull through all 3 loops on hook.
Sc = single crochet = insert hook into next stitch. Pull up a loop. Yarn over and pull through both loops.
Tips on changing colors
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At the end of the row where you want to change colors, snip the yarn leaving about a 2” tail.
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Tie the new yarn around the base of the yarn tail, making sure to pull the knot tight.
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Tie the yarn tail around the new yarn.
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Pull the yarn tail and new yarn so that the two knots touch. Make sure both knots are still tight. Snip the yarn ends. Continue crocheting your wrap with the new color.
Panels (make 2)
Foundation row: ch 202. turn
Row 1: ch2 (does not count as stitch). hdc in each ch across. Change color according to your chart. Turn. (200 hdc)
Row 2: ch2 (does not count as stitch). hdc in each st across, ending in last hdc. Change color. Turn. (200 hdc)
Row 3 - 26: repeat row 2.
Fasten off.
Make second panel following same instructions above.
Seaming and finishing
Fold both panels in half across lengthwise and line them up side by side. The end row of your first panel should be next to the first row of your second panel.
Measure 9” from the top of the gap between panels and place stitch marker here, connecting the two panels. This will be the neck hole (so feel free to measure an inch or two further down if you want a deeper v!). Sew the panels together from the bottom to the stitch marker, leaving the 9” at the top open.
To create the armholes, measure 7” inches from the top of the sides of each panel down (feel free to measure further down if you want roomier armholes) and add a stitch marker. Sew the panel together on its side until you reach the stitch marker, leaving the last 7” open. Repeat for the side of the second panel.
Turn the folded panels over and sew the two panels together from bottom to top to form the back.
See diagram to the left for visual representation of the instructions above.
Finishing
Sc evenly around the neckhole and armholes. Make sure sc are fairly loose so that the openings do not bunch up (you can go up a hook size for this part if this helps).
Fasten off.
Sew in all ends.
Enjoy!
P.S., one more tip: wind your leftovers into a beautiful rainbow cake to use for a future project.