Sunday, September 23, 2012

Crochet Cardigan



I always liked knitting and crocheting---but have never made a garment that way. I also didn't like baggy and square-ish designs of many knitting/crocheting books.

When I came across the book "The Crochet Closet" by Lisa Gentry, her beautiful and modern designs finally convinced me to try to crochet a whole garment. I used her "Classical Jacket" design.

After a week of intense crocheting and some muscle pain in my right palm, I finally have a new cardigan!!

 

 

I used 8 balls of 100% worsted wool, so it came out a bit heavy (but surely warm!) :P

There are a couple of mistakes and some adjustments I wish I had made, but over all, I'm pretty happy with it. (after all, it's my FIRST crochet garment!)


 

Now I want to knit a sweater... I have been eyeing this beautiful design in the book called "Modern Top-down Knitting" by Kristina McGowan. Her method is that you knit a whole garment from top to bottom, using a circular needle. That way, you can try the garment on and make adjustments as you go. Being a sweater-knitting beginner, I don't know if that's a common approach but it seems to make a lot of sense to me. I'm particular about garment fit, so it'll be nice to be able to try it on mid-knitting. We'll see how that goes!

15 comments:

  1. Replies
    1. Yes I have seen books like that, where you can make adjustments. I would prefer that otherwise all garments would look square me, being large busted.

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    2. Thank you, Sassy T!!

      I know, considering how much effort you put in knitting a whole garment---if it doesn't fit well in the end, it will be my sad day...

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  2. you,Japanese people, are the most beautiful creatures on earth, pure perfection in everything you do. Great work, and so inspiring.I hope God will help me gain some of the skills you have :).
    I would wear skinny white jeans pants with this beautiful cardigan.
    regards ***

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    Replies
    1. Thank you! You are too kind...

      Skinny jeans would be cute to pair with this cardigan!! (though I probably couldn't pull off a white pair...)

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  3. Beautiful job! Love the peplum!

    Did you have to go down a size or was it on point (I have this sweater in my queue for the winter but am scared to do all the work and it's too big/small). :)

    Thanks!

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    Replies
    1. I usually knit/crochet very loosely, so I crocheted size small pattern with a hook one size smaller than indicated in the book. Then it turned out to be a bit smaller than I thought it would be. I'm a beginner at making sweaters, but I guess making the gauge is really crucial. I actually added two rows of dc at the center front making new rows of button holes because I thought the placement for the button holes were a bit too set back from the edge ( I could have read the direction wrong...)

      Good luck with your crocheting! :)

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    2. Thanks so much! I'm going to go with a size bigger than my normal size. I sew so fixing it after won't be a problem! :)

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  4. I followed you over from Burdastyle! I am now your 4th GFC follower.
    You have amazing projects! I will enjoy getting news from you ;)

    Feel free to check out my blog at seelovemake.blogspot.com

    Love, Rita

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    Replies
    1. Thanks for following my blog, Rita!! I'm new to the blogging world...it's very exciting to meet people who share similar interests!

      Thank you for leaving address to your blog! I will certainly check it out :)

      xxx
      Sachi

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  5. It's so beautiful and well done, I can't believe it's your first crochet project! Also I love the retro vibe of the pattern.

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  6. What mistakes? It`s perfect and veryyyy cute cardigan! Wear it!

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    Replies
    1. Thanks!! it's just a little tight on my shoulders... despite of that, I do wear it often!!

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  7. Great work! The fit looks excellent from here. One week?! Only a little pain? That is amazing.

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