Translation of Una Copertina Velocissima (“A Really Quick Cover”)

Materials:

Hook

Yarn, at least 2 different colors

Darning Needle

Stitches:

ch(s) = chain(s)

lsc = long single crochet (‘long’ because the first loop that you pull up is pulled from a place farther away than the typical stitch below; therefore, its appearance will be elongated or extended. For this stitch you will find it necessary to pull up the loop loosely so as not to crumble the fabric.)

dc = double crochet

st(s) = stitches

sp(s) = spaces

tch = turning chain

slst = slip stitch

hk = hook

nx = next

patt = pattern stitch of (2 dc + 1ch + 2 dc)

[ ] = repeat the instructions within the brackets across row, until otherwise instructed.

Pictures demonstrating instructions, additional picture of first swatch, and accompanying amateur diagram are below text.

With Color A:

Chain a multiple of 5 + 1.

Row 1:         2dc in the 4th ch from the hk (tch counts as stitch here and throughout). [ch 1. 2dc in the nx ch. skip 3 chs. 2dc in the nx ch.] In the last remaining ch, 1dc.

Row 2:        ch 3. Work patt in each ch-1 sp created in row below. Complete row with 1dc in the last st (i.e., top of tch in row below).*

*You may fasten off the color upon completing this stitch and change to the new color with a slst, or you may change colors by pulling up the new color with the last yarn over/pull through of the dc st.

With Color B:

Row 3:        ch 3. [Work 1 patt in the nx ch-1 sp in row below. 1lsc in the ch-1 sp below the ch-1 sp into which just previously stitched.] Complete row with 1dc in the last st.

Row 4:        Repeat row 2.

Repeat rows 3 and 2, alternating colors. End with a row-2 pattern sequence.

The border pattern was submitted via the designer’s blog by Erica:

        3 rounds (more or less) of sc. Finish with 1 round of [5dc in the same st of the last sc row. skip 1 st. 1sc in the nx st. skip 1 st.]

I would add that for each round of border sc row, be sure to make 3 sts at the corners, marking the middle of the 3 sts for ease in finding the corner stitch in the subsequent round. For the grey/pink swatch (below), I wanted shells in the corners, so I took that into consideration when beginning the stitch sequence.

Method:

First, I complete a literal translation accompanied by a swatch that I’m stitching while translating. Second, I begin the editing process to create a translation that represents not only the target language appropriately, but also the specific target-language jargon of the art (in this case, English and crochet, respectively). Any shortcomings and/or errors are my own.

Resources:

Matthews, Anne. 1989. Vogue Dictionary of Crochet Stitches. David & Charles, UK.

Unknown Italian-English Dictionary.

Supplemental Material: Photos (Based on a base chain of N=15+1=16):

A: Red/Blue mini-swatch

B: Grey/Pink full swatch

C: Diagram

Note: The ‘esc’ in the diagram above should read ‘lsc’.