Teesdale scarf

Another little crochet project -- this one made in Sundara Yarn Sport Merino that's been marinating in the stash for a good bit.

The pattern is by Rebecca Velasquez and was a quick and easy project.  Once I had the pattern memorized it went quickly and could be done while conversing or watching TV. Just the thing to take the sting out of my previously mentioned failed knitting project.

It's scarf sized, rather than a full on shawl, which was just what I needed for the two skeins of Sport Merino (100 g, 225 yards each) that I had.  I think the yarn I used was just a bit heavier than called for in the pattern, and I went up in hook size to account for that.  I ended with a few yards to spare, so that was a relief.

Here's another closeup look: 

Lovely yarn in a scrumptious color (Reaching Out) and a fun to make pattern -- just what the fiber doctor ordered!

Wearin' O' the Green

OK, it's not March, but green has jumped to the forefront here at Mingling Yarn.  First up:  a crochet summer cardigan.  This is one of my own 'designs' -- which basically means I plugged a couple of simple stitch patterns into a very basic shape.  The yarn is an oldie from the stash - Italy Baby by Plymouth Yarn.  It's 100% cotton in a fingering weight.  The sleeves are 3/4 length and done in a simple mesh stitch.  The body of the cardigan is another simple stitch from a Japanese stitch compendium - Crochet Patterns Book 300.

 

 

 

 

Then we have a jaunty green beret.  This one is from ancient stash.  Koigu KPPPM (Painter's Palette Premium Merino) plus some coordinating KPM (Koigu Premium Merino).  The top is done in the KPPPM, the underside in the solid(ish) color.  This is a pattern from Interweave Crochet, Winter 2008 - Pinwheel Beret.  The only modification I made was to make the 'plate' portion a bit bigger than the pattern called for - in other words I increased more than called for.  Dead easy pattern that gives a nice result.  It was a bit of a bore, doing all that sc, but I worked on it during the move, so boring fit the bill.

Here's a view of the underside -

 

 

Primavera

A lacy little spring-time coverup made from Rowan Handknit Cotton. This is a 100% cotton yarn, listed by Rowan as a DK weight, with 85m/50 g. ball -- color, aqua. It was soft and very pleasant to work with; hopefully it will be pleasant to wear also.

It was worked in one piece from the hem to the armhole openings. From there the back and each front piece were worked separately. The pattern stitch used for the body was from a Japanese stitch dictionary -- "Crochet Patterns Book 300", pattern #139. I've mentioned this book before, and it is turning out to be a real treasure trove of attractive stitch patterns. It was purchased from YesAsia, although I don't know if they still carry it.

The short sleeves are worked in a simple mesh stitch, and edged with picot.

The front border pattern is from "Complete Book of Crochet Border Designs" by Linda Schapper. This is an older book in my collection (copyright 1987), so I'm not sure if it is still generally available. It is also a book I go to time and again when I want a nice border. It has 342 different designs, with stitch patterns arranged by the (predominate) type of stitch used, and patterns are both charted and written, and range from simple to quite complex. Production values are fairly primitive (seemingly hand drawn charts, black and white photos) but I wouldn't part with it for the world. If you enjoy putting together your own designs it is well worth snapping up if you ever run across it anywhere!

Back Street WIP

Still in progress, but this is the little hussy that has been stealing time from Plissé. The specs are, Pattern: Sera Lace Top from current issue of Interweave Crochet. Designed by Doris Chan. Yarn: ONline linie 199 - metallic. Since I'm using a slightly heavier yarn I'll probably be doing fewer repeats on the body. I'll be attempting to make the sleeves three-quarter length instead of the full length of the pattern.

Not to worry, I'm still working on Plissé every day, but when it's just a couple of rows -- well, it's difficult to even notice any progress. Still, every stitch completed is just that much closer to the finish line.

Twice As Cozy

I liked the way my prototype neck cozy turned out, so I decided to see how it would look in another yarn choice. I had some Berroco Foliage on hand, so went with that.

This particular yarn has long runs of color, and I like the way that the 'woven' stitch works with the color variegation. I departed from the previously published instructions by working more rows (17) and placing the buttonholes on rows 5 and 13 -- the pattern is worked with one strand of Foliage. Instead of working sc along the short (outermost) end, I did some simple picots. Here's a shot that may show the stitch pattern a bit better:

The thick and thin nature of the yarn gives the longer edges a somewhat scalloped effect, which also works to the cozy's advantage, I think. I used just a bit more than one ball for the cozy, and will have enough of the second ball left to do the brim of a hat. Although I didn't find any olive wood buttons (like the $297 retail scarf this pattern is designed to mimic), and the Berroco Foliage is certainly not bulky cashmere, it's a fun little accessory. I could see this being a nice, quick gift for those to whom you'd like to give a little something during the holiday season.

I LOVE a quick project!

I wanted to try a new (to me) yarn from Elann, Luxury Merino Superwash, so I went with a quick crocheted hat. The hat pattern is from Crochet Hats! by Candi Jensen, and is meant to be a child's size. I fussed about with the gauge/stitches/rows to get something to fit me.

It was a pleasure to work with the yarn -- it's soft, and feels delightful. I noticed a few pills as I was working with it, so I'm not sure I would want to use it for something subjected to heavy abrasion, but then that's kind of the nature of merino. Each skein has 122 yards (112 metres) per 50 grams, which I think puts it in the range of a DK/light worsted weight yarn. Label lists it as 'superwash', and the care is stated as machine wash - cold, lay flat to dry. Worth checking out if you're in the market for a reasonably priced merino, but do keep in mind that you may get pills with wear. For me, the softness is worth it -- this is a definite 'wear next to the skin' yarn, but your needs/wants may vary.

Also in progress is a pair of socks made in the August selection of The Yarn Yard's sock club yarn. Pattern is Waving Lace by Evelyn Clark from the Interweave book - Favorite Socks. I think it's turning out quite nice.

Progress continues on the Falkenberg Plissé, but it photographs as an orange-y blob, so we'll wait until it has a more recognizable shape. At any rate, one ball of yarn down -- many more to go!

Happy FO dance

I just love it when things work out!

Specs:
• Araucania Nature Wool (body) and Classic Elite Poet (collar)
• Pattern from Sept. 2007 Crochet! magazine
• Modifications: none
• Ease above actual body measurements: 0

Since I had issues with the overall largeness of the Sandy cardigan I just finished, I decided to try going with a lot less ease for this cardigan. It is meant to be a close-fitting style, and I made it to have a finished measurement equaling my bust measurement. Although I rarely button cardigans, this one does close without pulling or straining. If I were to crochet another cardigan of this type I would probably tweak the shoulder width just a bit more (I have narrow shoulders), but they're not bad.

I think this is the first pattern that I've actually managed to follow when making something crocheted(other than a scarf). So, I'd have to say it's an easy pattern - although I think there may be an error in the size hook that the pattern calls for when doing the front/neck edging. As printed it's calling for the same size used for the body - I ended up using one two sizes smaller for a non-ruffly edging. Of course, your mileage may vary.

All in all a pleasant project - I look forward to cooler weather so I can wear it! How do models manage to wear woolly garments when it's blazing hot outside?

Five Easy Pieces...

...waiting for front bands and a collar.

I don't often follow patterns for crocheted garments. Truth be told I often have trouble deciphering written crochet pattern directions. In my continuing effort to expand my crochet skills, I decided to try again, this time with a pattern from the Sept. '07 issue of Crochet! -- Dressed for Success, designed by Margret Willson. The yarns called for, Caron Simply Soft Tweed and Simply Soft Boucle, were unfamiliar to me, but I thought I could find a reasonable substitution in the stash. I settled on some Araucania nature Wool for the sweater body, and I'm hoping that I can use Online Lunetta doubled for the contrasting collar -- haven't swatched that yet, so if it doesn't look right I'll be scrambling to find something more appropriate.

The design itself is classically simple -- a fairly close-fitting cardigan, vee-necked with a contrasting collar. For those who pay attention to such things, the magazine rates it as 'easy'. Since I was able to follow the pattern with no problems I would agree with that assessment. Pattern stitch used (for garment body) is a simple sc, ch 1. I've used that stitch before (for the yoke of the toddler's pullover) and it's becoming a favorite. Simple to do, but with an extra hint of texture, it also works up less dense than some other stitches. I am particularly happy with how it shows off the gentle kettle-dyed color variations in the Araucania wool.

I'm looking forward to seeing how this will all come together -- and especially how (or if!) it fits, since this is a sleeker silhouette than I usually go for. If I like the look, I may try another fitted cardigan from the same issue -- Island Dreams, designed by Margaret Hubert. I'm thinking some Schaefer Yarns Amanda, also from the stash, might work for that one. Time, and some swatching, will tell. Also in this issue is an article dealing with enlarging patterns, which many crocheters might find useful. At any rate, if these sweaters turn out well, it will have been money well spent for me!

Procrastination: Take 1

For your viewing pleasure -- a work in progress -- Boteh Scarf by Kathy Merrick, from the Spring 2007 issue of Interweave Crochet. This uniquely shaped scarf is a joy to crochet. The design calls for a slightly lighter weight yarn (Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock)than I am using (Elann's Peruvian Alpaca) but I think it works in this weight too. I've done just over half of the motifs, then there's a simple hdc border around the entire thing. It's going quickly, and is an easily memorized pattern. Highly recommend it, and I'm anxious to see how it works up in some Koigu I have.

Since I was using stash yarn for the scarf, and a major portion of the Sandy cardigan is also stash, I thought it would be interesting to start a little tally of skeins/balls used from stash. Not in a limiting "I'm only using stash, not buying" kind of way, but just to see how much I can use in a set amount of time -- maybe six months? Or until I get tired of doing it, or (more likely) start forgetting to keep track. Of course, to be actually useful I would probably need to keep a log of all the skeins/balls coming into the house also. We won't go there though -- too scary.

And speaking of scary -- perhaps I planted a few too many cherry tomatoes? It may be time to haul out the juicer!

The Sandy saga continues. We're getting very close to the end, but since I can not stay focused (see above procrastination) who knows when a finished photo will show up? Stay tuned.

And done...

Always happy to finish up a project, and even though this is a small one, it's good to be done.

And here's a closer look at the placket-ed yoke --

Still slogging away on the Sandy cardigan, but I can see the finish line way off in the distance. Just finishing up the second sleeve cap, then it's one sleeve length to go and miles (and miles) of I-cord edging. Will I make it without too many more distractions? I wouldn't be placing bets on it!

A little change of pace --

For those times when I don't feel like slogging away on the Sandy cardigan (oddly enough, occurring more and more frequently), I'm trying out an idea for a toddler boy's sweater.

I went with a drop-shoulder style - for ease in shaping - and a placket yoke, for ease in dressing said toddler boy. Sleeves and lower body are done in a simple hdc through the back loop on every row, and the yoke is sc, chain 1. Both very simple stitches, but I think they combine nicely.

It's working up fairly quickly in a sport weight washable wool blend. In fact, it's going so quickly that I'll need another 'Sandy procrastination" project soon. Maybe one of the shawl patterns that I just ordered from Heirloom Knitting (Sharon Miller), hmmmm?

A little sewing, a little crochet...

I have previously mentioned wanting to do a variation on the Galaxy Top by Katy Westcott. Not quite done yet, but here's what I have so far.

Instead of working with a purchased tee-shirt, I used some cotton interlock I had on hand and a simple sleeveless tee-shirt pattern to sew the body. The bodice yoke is some leftover cotton/microfiber yarn that I used for a lacy bolero. I had originally thought to use motifs from the latest Japanese crochet pattern book I got, but the yarn didn't really lend itself to that (too soft). So I went with an allover stitch pattern -

I decided to make the yoke as a separate piece and just sew it to the edge of the front and back pieces instead of picking up stitches from the fabric. It seemed to work fine, but I have a feeling that Katy's method is a bit easier.

I haven't hemmed it yet, as I'm still trying to decide if I want to have a plain hem, or add a crochet border. We'll see.

Despite the fact that I procrastinated quite a bit with the sewing, it's a quick little technique that gives fairly good results, I think.

300 Crochet Patterns book

If you enjoy creating with crochet motifs, then this is the book for you. As with all Japanese stitch pattern books this one is all charts, along with a few diagrams -- mostly illustrating how to join as you go (as in -- no sewing motifs together) along with a panel showing a looped center starting ring. These diagrams have Japanese writing (no English) but frankly the diagrams are clear enough that most crocheters shouldn't have trouble following them.

There is a dizzying array of different motifs -- squares, six-pointed, circles, octagons, triangles and tri-lobed, and one I'm not even sure of -- rhomboid perhaps? They range in size (somewhat) from small 2-round flowers to larger 10 round (doily like) circles. The photos show them worked -- some in thread and some in yarn. Depending on your intended use I would think most of them would be successful either way. Many are shown worked in more than one color, but you could certainly work most of them either solidly or multi-colored -- crocheter's choice. In addition to charts for each individual motif, they all show one possible arrangement of modules, and, what is especially nice, the motifs that fit together leaving large spaces also have a chart for a small "filler" pattern.

While motifs make up 221 of the 300 patterns, the rest are edgings. Some are just straight edgings, but a few (19) of them are shown worked at right angles (in other words, around a corner) thus taking all the guesswork out of edging a cardigan. Take them around all four corners and you'd have a pretty square frame -- for a pillow, or perhaps to trim a fabric photo frame. My first thought on seeing the right angle trims though was "would this work to trim a vee-neck top"?

I used some perle cotton to try out a few -- they're all done with the same size hook too, so you can see that there is a difference in motif sizes.

I think my first project will be a crochet/sewn fabric combo top -- along the lines of Crochet me Magazine's Galaxy Top by Katy Westcott. Just as soon as I finish those STR socks. And, for those of you who were wondering: yup, the second one is patterning just like the first. What fun, my own Children of the Corn socks!

Note: As with all my other Japanese pattern books, this one was purchased online through yesasia.com. It is probably available from other sources too, I have simply found YesAsia to be easier to order from.

And here it is --

Sleeve re-done, washed, blocked and ready to roll. I decided to go with no fastener -- that can change depending on the intended recipient (assuming, of course, that it actually fits -- yikes!)

Specs:

• yarn -- Cotton Fine by Brown Sheep
• amount -- just a bit more than one cone (1/2 lb.)
• hook -- size E

And here's a close up of the edging --

I enjoyed working with the Cotton Fine (which is a fingering weight cotton/wool blend), however there was excess dye released when I washed it. I rinsed until the water ran clear, hopefully there won't be any crocking problems (that is, dye coming off on anything worn underneath the cardigan).

I'm pleased with how this turned out -- I didn't use any particular pattern, but combined different stitch patterns in what (I thought) was a pleasing combination. Now, let's just hope it fits!

Another opening, another show...

Looks like this will most definitely be the Spring/Summer of Crochet around here. I'm sure I'll knit again, but right now I think I'll concentrate on developing the crochet skills.

And here's the latest project:

And a closeup of the bottom portion:

I'm "winging it" somewhat with this particular garment -- we'll see how that works out for me! It will be an openwork cardigan with mesh sleeves. Haven't decided how to edge/fasten the fronts -- right now I'm thinking a simple tie at the lower edge of the vee neck, but I have some nice vintage buttons and I may just use one of those. I would be repeating myself with a one button closure again, but that seems like a good idea for a cover up meant for warmer weather. The yarn is Brown Sheep Cotton Fine, the hook I'm using is a US size E (3.5mm). The lower stitch pattern is from a Japanese stitch guide -- I turned it upside down so that I could have a scalloped bottom edge. The top portion is a simple shell stitch, and the three-quarter length sleeves will be mesh stitch edged with a flared version of the bottom pattern.

If the fronts seem a little lopsided in the photo -- they are. Haven't done the back yet, so had to resort to tape to keep them on the form and they're a little wonky. I didn't want to risk running afoul of Blogger by displaying only one front -- that would have exposed some white plastic boobage. Think I'm being silly? Well, I once had a photo tossed off of Webshots -- that one was a tank top "worn" by DressForm Model. Now you or I might not think that her grey fabric shell was displaying too much cleavage, but the folks at Webshots were taking no chances. In fairness, I guess she is a bit of a hussy!

At any rate, it's moving right along and I can't wait to see how it ends up. That's part of the fun of 'designing' my own stuff -- I never quite know how it's all going to work together until I'm done. I hope for the best, but I'm always ready to rip!

Looks innocent enough, doesn't it?

A simple little allover floral pattern. And here's how much I got done before running screaming from the room --

In all fairness, the screaming may have had something to do with the fingering weight, splitty, black yarn (Brown Sheep Cotton Fine), but really, I thought I was better than that. I would like to use the pattern at some point, so I'll try again later on -- right now a cool, refreshing drink is calling my name.

Just a few yards left...

Of course, you'll notice the full cone of yarn right behind the one I was using. I had a little panic attack after finishing the first piece, so I ordered another cone to be sure I would have enough yarn to complete the cardigan. Hopefully as I become more experienced at crochet I will be better able to estimate my yarn needs -- but as for now, looks like there'll be another little something made from this yarn.

And here's the "finished project on a dress form" shot --

And a closeup of the neckline --

---

Project Details:

• Yarn -- Silk City Bounce, cotton/nylon blend
• Hook size - 3.5mm, Am.F
• Style -- one button cardigan, vee-necked with 3/4 length sleeves
• Stitches used -- sleeves alternate fan stitch panels with square mesh panels Body is a combination of double crochet with a lace stitch pattern from a Japanese stitch compendium Neck trim is an adaptation of a large shell edging

This design is one of my own, inspired by a crocheted shawl-collared cardigan available this season from J.Jill. Because I thought the shawl collar would be too warm for a spring/summer sweater, I tried to give the illusion of that detail by the shaped neckline trim. The body of the J.Jill sweater was solid double crochet, and there too I tried to lighten (and ventilate) by using a lace pattern on the bottom of the body pieces. I liked the insets of square mesh stitch on the sleeves, so I kept that, but used a simple fan stitch for the rest of the sleeve to make it easier (for me) to work my sleeve increases. The sweater was worked in separate pieces, from the bottom up. At this point I feel more confident working separate pieces (less to rip back when I mess up!), but later on I plan to try some "in the round" designs.

With each new piece that I complete I learn a little bit more. I was happy with the outcome of this design -- everything worked together the way that I originally envisioned it would. I was especially pleased with the lightness and drape of it -- although working with fingering weight yarn may seem to take longer to work, the reality is that it gives me much better fabric than using heavier yarns. I just wish that there were more choices available for that weight on cones in natural fibers, but somehow I seem to find quite a few anyway.

Next up? Well, you'll just have to wait and see!

The little swatch that grew

I had an idea for a summer crocheted cardigan, so pulled out my yarn and hooks and started swatching.

Now lately I've become a big fan of the "photocopy a large swatch as an aid in shaping intricate stitch patterns" method (described previously -- it's a technique from Lily Chin's Couture Crochet book) so I try to make a fairly big swatch. My first attempt at matching yarn, hook size and pattern was pleasing to me (and don't you just LOVE when that happens?) so I stitched merrily away at my large swatch. And then the penny dropped.

This particular design that I'm imagining will have no shaping in the lace part. As in -- I won't need to photocopy it. As in -- I don't need quite as large a swatch. Now, swatching is a valuable thing, and never is a waste of time, but still...I could have been working on the actual sweater instead of (such) a large swatch.

Dame Fortune was smiling on me that day though -- lo and behold when I blocked then started measuring my hefty swatch I was pleased to discover that it was just the right size to be a front piece. So that's just what it became --

Aren't happy endings wonderful? And here's a close up of the lace pattern --

This time I'm using the Knitware sweater design program from Great Knit Designs to give me basic stitch and row counts. In the past I've been a fan of Sweater Wizard, but it doesn't accept typical crochet gauges (in other words, rows taller than stitches are wide) and it isn't always easy to use "work arounds" to fool the program when you're using intricate stitch patterns or shapings. So, we'll see how this other program works out for what I need.

Other pattern specifics: I'm using Silk City Bounce yarn -- it's a fingering weight cotton/nylon blend that has a crepe texture. It's not the easiest yarn to hook (due mostly to that very texture, I think), but I like how it's working up. I'm working with a size F hook (4.0mm), which may be a bit larger than usual for such light weight yarn, but I want a nice drapey effect, and it seems to work. As always, time will tell.

It just might work...

...but then again, it might not. I wanted to crochet a lacy swimsuit wrap, but couldn't find a pattern that I thought might work. What I really liked was the Salsa Scarf from the Anna Kosturova collection. I didn't want to spend forever crocheting such a seasonal item, so I needed to find something at a larger gauge.

What I found that might work was a shoulder shawl pattern from Moda Dea. It's the Crochet Scallop Wrap by Gayle Bunn (LM0258)-- available in the free patterns section (www.modadea.com).

My version will need to be lengthened, but I think I can handle that. I'll also be adding a narrow waistband, and a little extra width on either side edge. I had some ribbon-y yarn in the stash -- OnLine Linie 15 "Orlando" that seems to be working up OK --

The photo shows only about 9 rows, so time will tell - fingers crossed!

This has been a test...

...there will be no actual wearing -- by this writer, at any rate!

In my continuing quest to attain crochet shaping skills I decided to try this pattern. I already had one of the recommended yarns on hand, so off we go!

In the past I've had difficulties with following written crochet instructions, but this pattern is very clearly written and has numerous photos. I especially appreciated the inclusion of a stitch count for every row -- no getting lost when you know exactly how many stitches you should end up with. Sizing for this model is determined by cup size -- since my dress form is well endowed I went with a C cup sample. Although for purposes of this exercise I only made the top, looking through the directions for the bikini bottom it would appear to be equally well written.

The yarn used was Elann's Esprit -- a cotton/elastic blend that has 186 yards (stretched) or 100 yards unstretched. When using yarns of this type I always try not to add additional stretch when working with them. It molded over curves very nicely, but I did notice quite a lot of waviness in the ties. I think this was due to the nature of the yarn, rather than how I worked with it.

If I had been making this to wear myself I think I might have tried replacing the neck ties with a one-piece halter strap. The ties are quite long, and I would expect that they could be a bit annoying when lying down while sunbathing. Could you swim in it? Well, just how brave are you? In any event, for those who are looking for a well-written bikini pattern, this could be the pattern for you.