Revisiting my First Pattern Isca
- pearledwing
- Jan 3
- 2 min read
Updated: Jan 27
In this world of fast fashion, fast everything, it’s easy to move on to the next thing and not think about where we started.
I started my crochet journey with knitting.
I found knitting exciting with endless possibilities, but I struggled a little with designing my own pieces. I managed to design a vest from scratch which I loved. I dreamt of being a knitwear designer, but I had chosen a big first project and soon life got in the way of taking it any further.
In 2021, I became obsessed with crochet. I had worked a little crochet over the years but that year it became my whole personality.
I started a bunch of different design ideas and eventually Isca emerged from the tangle of yarn.
Isca was constructed in a similar way to my original knitted vest, starting with the back panel.
My first iteration of Isca was made with cotton yarn I hand dyed with indigo. That’s another story but indigo dyeing is a magical experience which I highly recommend
.
I wasn’t completely confident about changing colour in crochet so instead of the colour block I chose to add texture in the form of waffle stitch. I had this dream of making little jewelled crochet pieces so, of course, I had to get the beads out and make a little chequerboard of the back of this piece.
The yarn overs were replaced with the squarer look of chain spaces and the raggedy edging was made with back loop stitches.
Isca ended up being a more fitted piece than my knitted vest so I chose to have the front closed.
As this was my first ever written pattern, I was so nervous about releasing it. I made 8 different samples. I also had a wonderful team of testers who made the most beautiful versions. I also met one of my dearest friends, Emma, who can be seen top middle in the image below.
I love the historical bodice feel to this top and decided it needed a historical name. I chose Isca, short for Isca Dumnoniorum, the Roman name for my local city. The name means “flowing water” or “river of fish”.
Isca is a made to measure pattern. Although I have graded some patterns, I am super passionate about made to measure patterns! Although some math is involved, made to measure patterns enable you to use whatever yarn you desire, perfect for stash busting, and to shape garments to your unique shape.
Isca is available as digital pattern on Ravelry. Isca is a 27 page pdf, full of photos to help visual learners. A walk-through Photo Guide is linked, as well as a printer friendly version.
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