The Not so Tangerine, Tangerine Top

I finished my top late last night. Here is what the original top looks like :

It is from the book Positively Cochet! by Mary Jane Hall. I fell in love with this top. I like the top on the front cover too but it's this top that inspired me to buy the book. I probably should of used the tangerine yarn but didn't. Instead, I used 2 skeins of the light pink Caron's Simply Soft and the hot pink, also SS for the edging and trim.

I made some modifications to the top, not too many. Here's the detail on making the top:

I didn't read the directions very well, because I wanted to make the small but instead was making the xs. When I was done w/ the front, it wasn't going to fit so I added 2 more rows to the front and back (total of 26 rows). The top was pretty easy to make (all back loop dc) and it worked up fast. The sleeve for me was a little more difficult for me only because I've never done a bobble before. I don't like crocheting bobbles. The first sleeve took about an hour to do. ( The sleeves I made was in a medium for a looser fit around the arms, instead of 15 chains I did 17 chains and also for the sleeve opening, I left 22 dc unworked instead of 20). IThe first bobble sleeve does not look perfect...but after that I knew what I was doing and the next day, the other sleeve came out better. I thought the color I used was too plain, so I changed the edging to a hot pink and added the trim, which was 4 chains around the bobble and 3 chains around the dc. I added extra trim to the bottom. I also decided not to use the ribbon I purchased and made my own ribbon using a sc chain. I decided to move the ribbon down 1 dc row on top and added a row of the sc chain ribbon on the bottom too.


Overall, this was a good pattern. No problems. A small would of fit fine really. I had to re-read some of the instructions a few times (only because of my inexperience as a crocheter) to figure out what I was doing. The diagram in the book helped alot. I had fun and I liked that it worked up fast.



Here's a photo of me wearing my new top :D

I've also started on the simple shrug (from the same book). Again, I'm using Caron's Simply Soft. I may put it on hold to accomplish my goal - 2 daisy squares done by the end of next week!

New Project Started!!!

I was feeling in a slump. I had finished a few projects that were lingering. I was so excited to get them done but then afterwards it was like "now what"? What do I make? I received new issues of crochet magazines and had several new crochet books I purchased not to mention patterns of skirts I purchased. Nothing jumped out at me that I really wanted to make.
I decided to try again on the charity daisy square (so cute) - yet again. The link to her website: http://krochetkrystal.blogspot.com/. I requested the help file so hopefully, I'll be able to figure out what I'm doing wrong. My goal is to have 2 squares in the mail by the end of September!

The new project I started is from the book, Positively Crochet. There are a lot of nice patterns in the book and I enjoy reading the positive notes in the book. I'm making the tangerine top, except it won't be tangerine. It's coming out fine so far. I'll write more about my journey when I'm finish with the top. Here's a link to the book in case anyone is interested. http://www.amazon.com/Positively-Crochet-Mary-Jane-Hall/dp/0896895173/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/102-4212762-3272948?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1190143688&sr=1-1

VS Skirt

FIRST OF ALL, I WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE WONDERFUL PERSON THAT HELPED ME WITH THIS SKIRT. WITHOUT YOU, THIS SKIRT WOULD NOT BE POSSIBLE. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALL YOUR HELP!




I decided to finish this skirt at where I was at. I ran into the same problem as my blissful top. I'm not able to find the "perfect" match on the thread color. The last 5 balls of thread are all a different shade of the bridal white. I made some modifications to the skirt, as usual. (It seems like everything I do, there's a modification).



This is my first garment using a diagram. It was not super difficult but not having used one before, it took some getting use to. I made some errors, such as starting the rows...and following the diagram, especially when there are 2 stitches in 1. So as you can see, the pattern is different from all the other VS skirts but that's okay. It gave it a unique look that's mine. Enough about the errors but on to more positive things...



I used approx. 3 balls of the Aunt Lydia size 3 fashion thread with a F hook. With the F hook it's definately more of a lacy look to it. The waist was big so I did some tc across it to string a ribbon on it. (Great suggestion from my husband). I love the ribbon I used.



I will probably make this skirt again next summer. Next time I'll know how to do the pattern better. It was a good experience. Overall, I still have a skirt that I'm happy with.



As usual, here's a photo:

Blissful Top COMPLETE!!!

I'm happy to say again, that my Blissful top is COMPLETE. I've had some up and down with this top. I love the pattern. It was a relatively easy top to do. I did not like the bra top - too small and not enough coverage so I frogged the whole bra top and redid it. I made it a lot bigger, longer (added a few more rows around the waist) and wider (for extra coverage) and made the straps into 1 to go around the neck instead of 2 straps. I also added edging around the bra top and the sides in a aqua color (also by J & P Coats). See below.


I love the color. It's aqua from J & P Coats LusterSheen. I had traded some matrix yarn for 3 balls of this yarn (thread actually...). The 3 balls were not enough to complete the top. I searched high and low for this yarn in the same exact color but I could not find it. A very nice member of Crochetville had sent me 3 more balls of this yarn (which I used for the trim and the side) but the color was different. After some research, I found that what I had was discontinued but the RH Lustersheen was the same . Excited, I order the RH LS in mint from JoAnn's. When the yarn arrived, the colors did not match. I'm glad that I had not frogged the edging that I had previously started. After a few days, I decided to finish it anyways and buy new ribbons.


I am happier w/ the new ribbons and the blocking which made the top look better.

Here it is at last~

Front and Back:

And here's another photo which included my beautiful daughter :D

Parenthood and VS Progress

Being a parent is not easy but it's so worth it.. I took my beautiful daughter for a follow up today. It was nerve wrecking! I waited almost 2 hours to see her doctor. It's longer than what I wanted to wait but it was worth it. She's worth it. I didn't want her to be just another "number". Her current doctor really cares and he takes the time to answer my questions and he even admits it when his office makes a mistake! The last doctor she had, I didn't really care for her or her staff. I felt I was "bothering" her when I asked her a question, and when I asked her to re-explain things, she would get annoyed. She only had a few minutes to talk to me before she was out the door. So, if I have to wait 2 hours to get good service for a doctor who I feel cares for my daughter, it's all worth it. After the doctor's appointment, it was off to the hospital to get some blood work done. That was the worse part. It was harder on me than it was on her. I have an awesome, brave and did I mention beautiful and smart - daughter.

My daugher fell a sleep early tonight. It's a long day for her. I took this free time to do some crocheting on my vs skirt. Here's the progress before the 2 rows I crocheted tonight. I really like the pattern. It's really cool! Here it is:

I ordered the book simply crochet last night. I can't wait to get it. There's some really nice patterns in there. I already have too many projects but I couldn't resist. I also like to get my ebay store up and running before the end of the month. At least that 's my goal. So many things to do and so little time! It's a great life and you gotta love it!

Out of Yarn and Progess on VS Skirt

My blissful top is still on hold - yet again. A very nice person had sent me 3 skeins of J & P Luster Sheen. I tried to finish the top yesturday but I didn't like it. The colors didn't match up and I thought I could make it work but I just wasn't happy with it. I discovered that the yarn (thread) I had was discontinued and the RH Lustersheen should be the same. So, I went on line and after some searching, found it and ordered it. I figure with the free shipping at JoAnn's, I order some of additional yarn/thread. I bought 4 skeins of the RH Lustersheen, (1 Mint, 2 brown and 2 red) and 3 balls of Aunt Lydia Thread (2 tan and 1 violet) and a booklet w/ 5 different skirt pattern. Cant' wait to get the package!



My Victoria Secret skirt is coming along fine. I don't have as much free time to crochet. My beautiful daughter is keeping me busy! Here's what I have so far....

I'm using Aunt Lydia size 3 fashion thread in Wedding White. The hook I'm using is a size F. Next time I'll use a smaller hoook to get a tighter stitch pattern.