Have to make this quick because I am seriously behind on my last dissertation chapter–and then onto the Intro that has been the bane of my existence for 3 years. But I’ve been happy to have quick-crocheting garments to work on. What they have in common is that they’re not bulky and stiff, like crochet garments can often be.One is a lacy design with sport weight yarn. Even with a relatively lifeless acrylic, it’s turning out to be very wearable. The other is a sideways construction vest using a worsted acrylic blend. Simple back loop single crochet not only gives it a ribbed effect, it creates a supple fabric.
1. “Smoky Quartz Tunic” from the Fall 2006 issue of Interweave Knits. Happened to have a ball of Lion Baby Soft (sportweight) that I’d rejected for another project, and it’s working up quite nicely with this pattern. (Only complaint: the yarn splits and is kind of uneven.) I’m calling it “Black Quartz.” This acrylic yarn doesn’t drape well–any ease tends to puff out–so a tighter fit made more sense.
The lace yoke was challenging and fun. Then the rest of the pattern moves fast:
2. Remember that overdyed Woolease? I’m designing a sideways construction, cap sleeve vest inspired by a Blue Sky Alpacas ad. This is one half of it, with several more rows to go on the outside edge. Back loop single crochet throughout.
Needed more yarn, so I over-dyed the rest of the Woolease, again with one each Black Cherry and Grape Kool-Aid per ball. This time, instead of nearly boiling it the whole time, I brought the temperature until steam rose off the water, but not to boiling; shut the heat off; and let it sit covered. So the texture stayed the same.
The color is more accurate in this shot. Sorry for the horrifically bland pics; I’ve gotta get better at backgrounds and composition.
Yes, I’m knitting too–the Hourglass Sweater from Last Minute Knitted Gifts–but it’s going so slowly! Hopefull will have enough progress for a pic by the end of the week.
Off the hooks: I got tagged by Craftybits for Six Weird Things. It looks like a lot of fun, and this will be the theme of my next blog entry, coming in several days.
