Boho Granny Top - The Process

Last Friday was a big day for me.  Another That Yarn Girl pattern was released.  Why was that a big deal you ask?  Pattern writing is not something I have had much interest in.  In fact I have had every intention of staying well clear of pattern writing.  What happened?  For those who follow the blog, you know I have released one pattern already, so why would releasing another be such a big thing?  This one took quite a bit more to write and create!

Here is how it all began - I have been working through several free patterns for Crop Tops (see post
here) and have been posting them to my social media pages.  They have had great response and I have one friend who tagged me in a photo of a super cute crochet top from Forever 21.  She indicated the top is what she is looking for and I set out on a Google search to find the pattern for this top.  I came up with nothing!  I was kind of surprised as this top is made of Granny Squares and would not be that hard to make.  With that in mind, I decided it was time to write another pattern.

I studied that photo and all of the other photos of that top and came up with the Granny Squares very quickly.  But then I started to overthink. There are several partial squares on the photos and I did my best to recreate the partial squares. It was a little harder than I thought it would be.  In fact it became so difficult I took a break for about a week from pattern writing.

After the week break my mind was much more clear and inspiration struck!!  I was able to see how much I had been overthinking and used simple half squares (triangles) to create the needed look.  What a great moment of clarity and I was finally able to complete the written pattern, at least that portion.

Something else I have found helpful in pattern writing is making the item as I write.  By making as I am writing, I have found the pattern will make more sense.  As the squares and triangles came together, I was able to write the assembly portion with photos to add to the pattern (another good reason to make as you write).

At last the pattern was complete!  The formatting and photos were added and the pattern was released in my Etsy Shop and Ravelry Shop.

How do you find your best creative process?  What are your steps?

Let's talk technique

To start today I want to mention how exercise is great for my mental health!  I am six weeks postpartum with our third and last kiddo and I could exercise for the the first time in quite a while today.  I feel great!! For those who don't know - my day job is a social worker.  So mental health and self-care are important to me for myself and for my clients.  As it happens crochet is another venue I use to self-care.  Everyone has their own ways of taking care of themselves and it is important to do that!!

Now on to why you are really here - today's technique!  We are going to talk about weaving in ends.  I am not a fan of having to do this at all and will go to extreme measures to not have to weave ends in. In fact some might say I cut corners and break the rules of crochet to avoid weaving ends in.

I am an old school crocheter and was taught by my grandma when I was about 10.  She was very patient with me and I grew to love the art.  My first afghan was a 35 square granny square afghan, but there was a kicker - all 35 squares were different.  That afghan was the best way for me to learn all, and I mean all, the stitches I could.  My grandma was a great help and we learned some things together.

As I learned all of this wonderful information, somehow weaving in ends was not something I really officially learned.  I remember making the rookie mistake of having then ends too short and my squares unraveling from the middle.  It was frustrating because I wasn't sure what to do at the time.

Burying Ends

Burying Ends

Luckily over the past 25+ years I have learned some best practices on weaving in ends.  My go to will always be "burying" ends.  Essentially you are crocheting over the top of the end you need weave in.  The photo to the left shows the beginning step of this technique.  You hold the end in place and crochet as usual right over the top of it.  This works especially well in C2C crocheting and in solid stitch crocheting.

For those of you who have been doing this for a while you will know there times when "burying" your ends will not work well.  Usually in crochet items that may not be solid stitches like granny squares, shell stitches, etc.  The ends won't be buried very well with gaps.  Which begs the question - what do you do then?

You weave!!  This is time consuming, but oh so effective when done correctly.  Here are the basic steps:

• Leave a 6" tail if at all possible
• Using a yarn needle weave the yarn through already worked stitches.  I like to use the base of the stitches as there is usually more give there.
• Weave the end back and forth at least three times being careful not to pull too tight.  If you pull too tight your woven end will be obvious in your work.
• Cut the end at the base of the spot you end and you are done!

    

When you are working on a large project think about taking a break to weave in ends as you go.  It will help ease the overwhelming feeling you might have at the end of the project.

Those are the two techniques I use for weaving in ends.  Do you have other techniques?  If so leave a comment below and we can all learn something new!!

Crochet for Summer? Whaaa??

I'm fired!  I promise to post at least once per week and I failed to do it right off the bat!  I could list any number of excuses (internet trouble, newborn, not in the habit), but that would be lame.  Not posting last week bothered me because I am not usually the type of person to not do something.  Nonetheless, I am back today and ready to roll!!

Let me start the topic of crop tops by saying I have resisted them for at least two years now.  I couldn't really pin point a reason, but I have not been into the idea of making them.  Luckily I decided to give them a go this year and I have to say - they are fun!!  This post will take you to five patterns I have used so far this season and show you photos of my finished products from the patterns.  First up, Breezy Summer Crochet Halter Top.

Breezy Summer Crochet Halter

This pattern comes to you courtesy of Taylor Lynn Crochet and you can find the pattern her site by clicking here. The pattern is easy to follow and quick to make.  I was able to make this green one with scraps and it was a hit!  I had a request for a custom order within 24 hours.  The customer was a husband wanting to purchase this for his wife.  He gave me an idea on a main color and wanted to know what kinds of accent colors to use.  I created color pallets for him to choose from and he ultimately left the choice up to me after he sent me a photo of his wife.

Custom Order Breezy Summer Halter

 I have to be honest, it was fun to create the color pallets and have them ready to show a client on the fly.  That was new for me.  

You will notice the finished item from the custom order is a bit large on the mannequin, and that is because the order was for a size larger than the mannequin.  This pattern is very easy to make to any size.  I had to alter the original pattern to fit the mannequin and then use the written pattern for the custom order.  If you are looking for a place to start with crop tops or halter tops, this is the pattern to start with!!  

Lex Crop Top

This purple beauty is the Lex Crop Top from Wool and the Gang and you can download their pattern here.  Scroll to the second row of patterns and you will find it there.

The pattern for this is easy and comes in two sizes: S and M/L.  It is easy to follow and works up quickly.  This would be a fun project to make for a night out top or for a day on the town.

The top shown here is worked in Caron Simply Soft.

Coral Summer Halter Top

 Next up the Coral Summer Halter Top.  You can find this pattern as a free download from Ravelry.  You will be able to download a PDF of the pattern.

Side note: if you are not a member or have never heard of Revelry, now is the time to check it out!!

This one is another easy to work up pattern and is easily adjustable.  The beautiful detail on the bottom of this one it what caught my eye.  This would make a beautiful bikini top!  I would recommend lining the cups for obvious reasons.

My version of the halter has one strap a different color because I ran out of the green yarn.  That is what I get for working with scrap yarn!

Liberty Crop Top

Liberty Crop Top

 Number four on the list is the Liberty Crop Top by Yarn Hooks and Needles.  Check the pattern and the blog out here!

So here is the fun this about this pattern - you can work it in a single color, but it is AWESOME in cake yarn.  It is great because of the color blocking affect the yarn will have.  The colors are fun and it makes the top fun to show off!  There is no designated front and back to this top, so you can wear it either way and have two tops!!  This pattern is easy to manipulate to fit any size person and is a quick project!!

Some common sense words: be mindful of your gauge when making any kind of garment, also pay attention to the suggested yarn weight - it will impact your gauge even if you have the correct hook.

Happy summer crocheting!!

Baby Boots

To say I have been absent for a bit, is an understatement! My goal remains the same - to blog more often and to ensure a more timely way of doing it.  So starting today I have set up a reminder in my calendar on my phone (you know you all do something similar!) and have designated Wednesdays as the day to bring new content to the blog!  You are here to hold me accountable.

Mia Slouch

Now to the real reason you are all here - baby booties!!!  The request for these little cuties came at the request of one of my best clients!! She is the cutest lady and an adoring grandma!  She will find the cutest project ideas on Facebook and tag me in them.  Within minutes I have a request to make the item and then asking how much she will owe me.  I have to say it is a fun way to try new patterns and to stretch my skills.

Dakota

The two patterns for the booties shown are published by Two Girls Patterns and you can purchase them through their website. The two patterns shown here are the Mia Slouch and the Dakota.

A word to the makers out there - watch your gauge and read the pattern thoroughly!  I tend to find the rhythm of the pattern and take off doing my own thing.  Which usually works, but there have been times it has not worked and I have had to frog quite a bit a work and redo it.  That happened with me on the Mia slouch.  I thought I knew what was going on in the pattern without reading it.  That was a BAD choice!!  After I finished on of the boots and realized it was defiantly too big and went back to the patter and actually read it.  Thankfully I had enough yarn to make the boot over again and this time I did what the pattern said instead of what I assumed it said.  You guys never assume you know what is going on in a pattern!  It will cause extra work for you.

Now let's talk the patterns.  Two Girls Patterns has created a fantastic product in their patterns.  Multiple sizes are available in each pattern and they are truly fun to make.

I recommend using Caron Simply Soft for the Dakota boots so the details show through.   As you can see the Mia Slouch has been a fan favorite for me. The best thing about the Mia Slouch is they are a great way to scrap bust!  I have had left over yarn from other projects and have made some very cute boots out of those left overs!! If you are interested in the finished product, please visit my Etsy Shop.

Please watch for next week's post about crop tops!  I have found some fun patterns and will provide links to the patterns.

Happy Making!!

The Triangle Scarf Hunt

In the back of my mind has been this promise I made to a fellow small business owner about a year ago.  She is an interior designer and owns her own studio and retail space.  Last November she put out word she would be hosting a Small Business Saturday at the Loft.  She invited all of her small business friends to participate.  I thought about it and decided last year was not my year for something like that, but I asked her to hold me to coming this year.

This year has been a whirlwind of changes for our family. Building a new house, moving in with my in-laws, our oldest starting first grade, and finding out we are expecting our third (and final) baby.  Needless to say - there have been times already I have wanted to back out of Small Business Saturday.  Here's the thing - if not now, when?  That is something my husband has taught me.  If I don't do it now, when will I do it?  Will I do it at all?  Essentially I need to get over myself and just do it.

So I am!  I have been working to find projects to stock up on for the show in between orders from clients.  This has been a pretty steady hear for crochet clients for me, which is awesome and sometimes overwhelming.

Triangle scarves are on of the items I feel would be awesome at the show, so I have been on the pattern an yarn hunt for them.  I found a great pattern from Ginger Knots for a simple triangle scarf using linen stitch or seed stitch.  The basics of the linen stitch or seed stitch are these: sc 1ch sc.  Too easy, right?  While it sounds simple, it creates a beautiful work.

Here's a confession: you know the cake yarn everyone, and I mean everyone, has been loving?  Well I haven't really gotten on the cake train until recently.  I like how the cake works for color change - most of the time.  I am a bit of a perfectionist so the color changes in cake yarn can come at a time I don't find ideal.  If know the color change is supposed to be coming at a not ideal time, I can usually control my need to "fix" it.  All that being said LionBrand Mandala is wonderful for this project!!  It has great color options and it is soft.

Sometimes life gets in the way.

I seem to say this quite a bit, but it has been a while since I posted anything.  Let's chat for a second about how life and interfere with crochet - really anything - but in this case crochet.
Our chat begins at my day job.  One of my coworkers asked me to create a layette set.  I am going to pause here for a second.  I have heard of layette sets, but it has been quite some time.  I had a vague idea what they are comprised of, but I did not really know where this was headed.  Unpause and here we go.  My coworker asked if I would be willing to make a twin size afghan, a baby afghan, and booties.  I thought to myself, that won't be bad, sure let's do it!  She tells me her friend has a very specific set of colors, items and themes picked out for this baby.  Perfect!! Am I right?  I love people who know what they want.  The colors were green and yellow, the animal is butterflies, and the theme is punk/goth.  Woa!?  How in the world am I going to tie all of this together?

Luckily the butterfly part was easy! Tell me you follow Sarah at RepeatCrafterMe.com!  She has an excellent pattern for a graphghan using Bernat POP! and black and white.  This was going to be awesome.  I had been waiting for a a reason one: try out the pattern and two: try out the yarn.  Side note here, you should know I do my very best to only buy yarn when I need it for projects. Sometimes I fail, but hey it all gets used.  I was pumped for this project.  Twin afghan - check!

I am going to focus on this part of the project for this post because this was the most life impacted part of the project.  What is the first thing I do?  I go shopping for yarn, of course!  Here's is where it gets tricky, green and yellow were the preferred colors but pink and purple were to be avoided.  Since I had not yet been seriously shopping for Bernat POP! I thought this wouldn't be hard, and truthfully it wouldn't have been.  Here's the rub: I wanted to make something beautiful and balanced, so that meant all the colors would be used for this project.  Now, when I am faced with a dilemma like this I will always consult the client first.  She was okay with my decision and said to go for it.  Whew!!

The project starts with great enthusiasm and gusto.  I clip right along through the first butterfly square.  After all there are only six squares in the afghan, so this wouldn't be bad.  I am fairly quick at crochet and the color changes would not slow me down a ton.  Here is another tid bit about me - I like to bury my ends as I go so I don't have to weave them in at the end.  So I do that with the first butterfly and hated how it turned out.  I decided I will actually have to have ends to weave in on this because that is only way for it to be beautiful looking.  White yarn is pretty unforgiving when it comes to burying black yarn.

On to the second square!  Here's where life starts to happen.  Well, it happened prior to the first square when we moved in with my in-laws while we build our townhouse.  Which is great!  I am off the hook for cooking like three days a week and my housework moved to next to none.  Sweet!  But I notice I have significantly less crochet time. What? How did that happen?  Where did the time go?  I am still working on square number 2 and it is taking longer than I would like.

More life: my husband and youngest son are in a car accident.  It wasn't really bad, but it did total the car.  So that sort of put a hold on this project for a second. I have moved to the third square, but good grief it is taking forever!

Next I head out of town on a business trip.  Of course the project goes with me and I get a decent amount of work done on it then.  Here is what I start to notice: this project is getting hard for me to be excited about even though I started out over the moon about it.

Come home from the business trip to extra busy day job.  This post pones working on this afghan some more.  When I do get a chance to work on it, it is laborious and boring.  Let me take a moment here to say this is on me.  This has nothing to do with the pattern, the creator of the pattern, or any other external force.  This became hard because of me and my attitude about life.

So I finally get it finished.  It was time intensive and difficult.  It is also beautiful and perfect for the client.  I will most likely be taking a break form doing the pattern again for a bit, but I would recommend it if you don't have life coming at you at the speed of sound!

C2C Hearts

Hopefully you saw the C2C table runner from Repeat Crafter Me.  I loved it so much I made two of them!  They were a simple and fun project, if you like C2C. Prior to the table runner project I had never done C2C and was not sure about it.  Luckily the Crochet Crowd put together and awesome tutorial on how to C2C.  It is very comprehensive and explains very well all the technique and tricks you need as you C2C.

With all of this talk
of C2C, you have to know what happened while I was working on the table runner.  The project I had finished just prior to the table runner was an awesome special order Messy Bun Beanie from my Etsy Shop.  The colors requested were coral, white, and gray.  I loved the color combo and thought it would be an awesome baby afghan color scheme.  So that thought was rolling around in the back of my head while I was working on the table runner.  Then it hits me: use C2C and hearts to creat the baby afghan I had on the brain.  The table runner has four hearts and would be too long for a baby size afghan, so I had to experiment with the second table runner to test length.  That is the real reason I made the second table runner.  I loved the length and it was just right for a baby sized project.  

Here is the idea for the baby afghan:  three panels of hearts using the coral, white, and gray color scheme.  I am kind of old school when it comes to working with graphs, so graph paper it was.  I literally colored in boxes to create the graph for the C2C and then created the digital version.

Sadly I have not had the time to test the graph yet, so please feel free to give it a go and tell me what you think.  Watch for an edit to this post with the completed project.  It is on the list when I have other proje
cts completed.