I picked up a copy of FamilyCircle Easy Crochet while standing in the grocery store check-out a few weeks ago. “Impulse Buyer” is what the grocery industry people would call me and it’s precisely why they line the check-out isles with magazines, candy, batteries, and little oddities.

It doesn’t bother me that I’m a target. On the contrary, I look forward to browsing the new magazine editions so I can take mental notes for what to toss onto the conveyor belt next time. If I buy more than one magazine at a time my hubby will give me the squinty-eyed look.

I like to avoid the squinty-eyed look so I’ve started scrutinizing the patterns in the magazines before I buy. If nothing gives me that “I have to make that!” feeling, I stop and slowly put down the magazine. I don’t usually have long to make the decision.

So when I picked up FamilyCircle Easy Crochet and flipped through it I saw the awesome Bernat Home patterns and I was sold. Had I known they were free and not part of the magazine content, I may not have purchased the magazine.

Their plus-sized patterns only get an ‘eh’ out of me. I might be tempted to make the puff-sleeve jacket. I already have enough soft boucle in my stash. I’m not so sure how the others would look on a busty gal such as myself.

Plus-Size Patterns in Family Circle Easy Crochet

There are 3 true plus-size patterns in the magazine, which is $5.99 and will be on newsstands, according to the label, until April 17th. Here they are:

Boxy Cardigan

Sizes: S (M, L, 1X, 2X/3X, 4X/5X)
Finished Measurements: Bust (buttoned) = 37 (40 1/4, 45, 48 1/4, 56 1/4, 64 1/4)”
Length18 (18, 20, 20, 22 1/2, 23 1/2)”
Yarn: Masala from Bernat, 3 (3, 4, 4, 5, 5) balls

Puff-Sleeve Jacket

Sizes: S (M, L, 1X, 2X)
Finished Measurements: Bust (buttoned) = 36 (40, 44, 48, 51)”
Length24 1/2 (24 1/2, 25 1/2, 25 1/2, 26 1/2)”
Yarn: Soft Boucle from Bernat, 4 (4, 5, 5, 6) balls

Dressy Spring Jacket

Sizes: XS (S, M, L, 1X, 2X, 3X)
Finished Measurements: Bust (buttoned) = 32 (36, 40, 44, 48, 52, 56)”
Length22 (22 1/2, 23 1/2, 24, 24 1/2, 25, 25 1/2)”
Upper Arm: 12 1/2 (13 1/2, 14 1/2, 15 1/2, 15 1/2, 16 1/2, 16 1/2)”
Yarns: (whew, this is a lot of yarn!)

• Glittallic from Patons, 12 (13, 14, 15, 16, 17) balls in White Twinkle
• Brilliant from Patons, 4 (5, 5, 6, 6, 7) balls in White Twinkle

There are a few other patterns that say they go up to 1X but the bust measurements are 42″, 44″ and 46″ for the finished project. Sounds a little skin-tight!

There was also an ad with the web address of a free pattern from Bernat that goes up to 5X: Cool Crochet Princess Shrug. With that, the links to the free Bernat Home patterns and a few A.C. Moore 50% off a ball of yarn coupons, it wasn’t a complete waste. The magazine does make for fun browsing. I’m just surprised that a Better Homes and Garden company magazine doesn’t have more plus-size patterns. They’re usually good about that.

See you tomorrow! Here’s to hoping I get more sleep tonight than I have the past two nights. Ben, my 16 month-old, has had a fever of 102 both nights, the highest fever he’s ever had. What a little hot potato!

If you have a blog or web site, don’t forget to leave a link to your blog for my blog roll!

Share This