When is Exclusive Not Exclusive?

When is 'exclusive' not 'exclusive'?

When it is a classic pattern–that's when!

AKA Amigurumi Apparel: Harmony Day

Kwokkie Doll is ready
for Harmony Day

It's "Harmony Day" and Kwokkie Doll is ready to participate!

AKA Amigurumi Apparel: Sundress & Dotty Daywear

 

A report by Kwokkie Doll

Hello there!

Today I want to show you a selection of clothes that Jodiebodie made for me.

More Examples of Crochet Spider Stitch

Spider stitch features in this scarf.
(Made by Jodiebodie 2014.
Pattern: Diamond-Strike Scarf by Kristen Stolzfus)

Are you familiar with the phenomenon where you buy a new car and when you go driving, you suddenly start seeing lots of cars of the same model and make where previously you had never noticed them before?

I think that is what happened to me with spider stitches!

What Happened to All Those Poppies?

Did you guess the number of poppies
in this pile?
The answer is in June's blog entry
 "Poppies Shaping Up"
 


 

In June, I was busy making poppies for a special project.

Today, Remembrance Day, poppies come into prominence again.  These poppies were used in a commemorative project so today is an appropriate day to show you the results.

Better Than a Bought One

This is the penultimate post about my purple Belcarra Cardigan of 2014. 
(Pattern designed by Robyn Chachula.)  

During the life of this project, I've grappled with indecision and incorrect information,  'swatch sagas' and 'tension headaches', over-analysis and adjustments, and fussing and finishing. 

Now, the Belcarra Cardigan is done in spite of mathematical and motivational challenges, and I am pleased to model it for you today!

Re-Cycle: Bike Shorts!

Crochet projects weren't the only projects this week–
the sewing machine got a run to turn a shabby pair of leggings into some neat bike shorts.

Oh No!

The seam split at the wrist!

I put my arm into my sleeve and the seam split right open!

Dismay! 

Meditative or … boring?

The ribbing on the Belcarra Cardigan seems to be taking forever to complete.

It is simple crochet ribbing–working evenly, 14 stitches per row, the same row over and over–very meditative … or dare I say boring?

Belcarra Ribbing

The final stages of the Belcarra Cardigan: crocheting ribbing around the edges and on the cuffs.

I have lots of photos to share and a pattern idea for learning how to make crochet ribbing.

Belcarra Cardigan Seams Easy?

The Belcarra Cardigan is a great project if you don't enjoy sewing because there are only two main seams.

Blocking Belcarra Cardigan

Hooray!  All of the 'body work' has been crocheted, ready for seaming.

To get the best results it pays to block the garment piece(s) beforehand.

Back section on the blocking board.
The sleeves at the top of the photo are still unblocked and the difference is obvious.
(Right side)

Belcarra Cardigan: Neck & Neck

Counter up to Row 124

A quick photo update. 

Making swift progress. 

Avoiding 'Second Sleeve Syndrome' by working the neck and front shaping on both sides at once.

Avoid Second Sleeve Syndrome–Don't Work by Halves!

Counter up to the 78th row

Decisions, decisions!

What to do next for this cardigan!

Some patterns are organised as one single process. The rows begin at 1 and count up until the end at Row x; e.g. Rows 1, 2, 3 … Rows 99, 100, … x.

The Belcarra Cardigan pattern is organised into sections; e.g. Back, Sleeve Shaping, Neck, Front, Cuffs etc.  and the row numbering restarts in each section at Row 1.

This 'modular' approach has many benefits, but I know that duplicate row numbers within a pattern is guaranteed to confuse me and encourage mistakes, especially when under the influence of fatigue.

How will I work out which row I am up to without having to read right through the pattern each time?  

Should I work the cardigan sections in a different order?

This post discusses different approaches to working in sections, the pros and cons of each, and the management of row numbering.

From Swatches to Sleeves

Left: pattern gauge
Right: my gauge

The Belcarra Cardigan is worked from the bottom up, starting with the back panel which then widens to incorporate the sleeves.

The 'step' method of increasing is used to shape the sleeves.

This post shows the 'step' method and discusses the use of 'extended' stitches.

Design Characteristics of an Easy Pattern

I have worked 42 rows so far!

The back panel of my cardigan is done (hooray) up to the start of the sleeve shaping and I am loving its easiness.

The Belcarra Cardigan is straightforward to work due to clever design characteristics.

If that's not enough for simplicity, use available tools (or create your own) to make it even easier to work and navigate your project.

Belcarra Beginnings

Hooray!  I sorted out the yarn, the hook; time to get started on my version of Robyn Chachula's Belcarra Cardigan.

Starting with the back of the cardigan, this post explains how to adjust the pattern for a different gauge.

Tension Headaches

Here are bunch of tension squares*, made over recent months to determine the best hook for the Belcarra Cardigan: usually the one that matches the pattern’s recommended gauge*.

Simple, yes?  Well, not this time. When one is in a hurry, lacking concentration or wading through fatigue fog, watch out; for hidden traps reveal themselves and come out to play tricks on you.

Small details can make a big difference.  Assumptions are the enemy!  

Cardigan Swatches

In June, I began making tension squares* for a crocheted cardigan. You may recognise these swatches from Knitting & Crochet Blog Week (Conversations Between Workers) when they were living in my craft basket.

July is here—mid-winter—and the days are cold. I need to get started on that cardigan!

I tried some new ideas with these swatches and the results are documented in this post.

Three Degrees

This is a story about three degrees in temperature and three degrees of separation.