Got the Blues

 

And just like that - a cozy cardigan. I’m always amazed at how much faster a crocheted project is compared to knitting — especially an openwork one like this. 

I deviated from the pattern (Hexaparty by Berroco) just a bit. The pattern is designed with a front gap (6” in the size I made - even bigger in larger sizes) which I thought I’d be fine with — until I tried it on. Personal taste, but I felt it looked out of proportion, so I added two additional rows to each front. This brought the gap in line with the 4.5” of the smaller sizes and looked better to me. Perhaps I’m wrong, but it seemed to me that a larger gap on a well-endowed bust just looked like a too small size had been made. I also added a single button at the waist to pull things in when worn. I gradually changed hook size at the bottom of the sleeve to bring things in a bit also. 

Now that this project is done I think it’s time to get back to sewing — just as soon as I tidy up the workroom!

A little color

 

As the days draw in, and darkness falls so early, I like to work with a little more color. This (so far) small hexagon will eventually be folded and formed into one side of an upper front/back plus sleeve. Hard to imagine, isn’t it? 

The pattern is Hexaparty by Berroco, crocheted in Berroco Wizard yarn. While not as bright as the colors in the modeled sweater, these pretty blues give me a lift in these darkening days. 

I’ve done the first front/back piece, and this second side is progressing nicely. I hope to speed things up a bit now that I have a better idea just what I’m doing. I always say crochet isn’t my first language, so it takes me a while to get comfortable with written crochet patterns.  Which is why I totally love working from charted Japanese crochet patterns — you can clearly see where each stitch is meant to be. 

I haven’t managed much sewing since recovering from a nasty bout with Covid, but I’ve finally gotten around to pre-washing that lovely cut of cotton fleece, so hope to have a Sew House Seven Toaster sweater cut and sewn soon. It’s certainly needed — our extended warm season has ended, and winter temps are here!