Recently in Wearables Projects (crochet) Category

• Size: followed pattern for 18 1/2 inch head circumference
• Colors: Autumn (Lion Brand Wool-Ease) (note: this is heavier than what the pattern calls for)
• Pattern: Stone Path Hat - Design by Lisa Naskrent
• Book: Interweave Crochet (magazine) - Winter 2007 - Copyright 2007 - Interweave Press
• Hook: E (just like the pattern says)
• Date: start December 3; finish December 11

The day the Winter 2007 Interweave Crochet magazine arrived in the mail, I looked through it, saw the Stone Path Hat, and immediately started working on it as the project to break me out of the 2-plus months of crochet burnout. Since I (almost) never use the yarn called for by the pattern (because I don't usually have it), I decided on Wool-Ease yarn in the color Autumn from my stash. And, wow!, the hat is warm!

I used an E hook even though Wool-Ease recommends a J hook, which produced a tight weave (the photo of the finished hat in the magazine looks loose) - and a thick fabric! A very warm hat!

• Size: XL
• Colors: Violet (Lion Brand Cotton-Ease)
• Pattern: Delicate Summer Jacket
• Book: Crochet with Style: Fun to Make Sweaters for All Seasons - ISBN 1-56158-339-1 - Designs by Melissa Leapman - Copyright 2000 - The Taunton Press
• Hook: ? (guestimate: G)
• Date: start May 10; finish May 28

I was excited to start the Delicate Summer Jacket (cardigan), but not excited when I finished it. That just may be why it is now December and I've finally taken a photo of it for posting!

The yarn I used is too heavy (medium/4 weight) to be "delicate" and the popcorns are larger then I'd like them to be. I love the buttons I was able to find at Joann Fabrics, however! I'm a chunky person and this cardigan makes me look chunkier. I thought about pulling it out and re-using the yarn, but haven't made that decision yet.

The photos were taken on our lovely Pergo Dolce Mahagony laminate flooring that we installed last fall. It's lovely!

• Size: 1.5 inches x 22 inches plus 9 for each tie strand
• Colors: Midnight Magic (Sugar 'n Cream Cotton Ombre) [Purple, Green, Blue]
• Pattern: Tie-on Cotton Headband - Design by Cheryl Lambert
• Hook: G
• Date: start/finish March 8

• Size: 1.75 inches x 21.5 inches plus 12 inches for each tie strand
• Colors: Violet Veil (Sugar 'n Cream Cotton Ombre) [White, Purple, Green, Blue]
• Pattern: Tie-on Cotton Headband - Design by Cheryl Lambert
• Hook: G
• Date: start March 8; finish March 9

I made these last week - they're getting a lot of wear in the warm weather! They're cute! I made them for when I do my walking to absorb random drops of sweat, but I wear them a lot around the house too.

• Size: 7 inches x 80 inches (88 with end borders)
• Colors: Burgundy (Red Heart Super Saver)
• Scarf Pattern: Shells Scarf (5 shell patterns from 280 Crochet Shell Patterns, each block of shells is separated by rows of sc-ch 1-sk 1-repeat) - Design by Cheryl Lambert
• Book: 280 Crochet Shell Patterns - ISBN 1-60140-206-6 - Designs by Darla Sims - Copyright 2006 - Leisure Arts
• Border: pattern #26 from 50 Crocheted Afghan Borders
• Hook: I
• Date: start February 25; finish March 3; border added March 16

I wanted to do some patterns from 280 Crochet Shell Patterns so I decided to make this scarf.

[Update March 17, 2007] I decided the scarf needed something more, so last night I added border #26 from 50 Crocheted Afghan Borders on each end. Much better!

• Size: 9 inches x 80 inches
• Colors: Black, Earth Shades (brown, black), Misty Shades (brown, tan), Slate Shades (very light blue, tan, cream), Westport Shades (blue-purple, tan-brown) (Bernat Soft Boucle)
• Pattern: Long Soft Warm Scarf - Design by Cheryl Lambert
• Hook: K
• Date: start/finish February 25; ooops! too long: shortened February 28

After another false start with the scarf, I finally settled on a series of crocheted rows and a crochet hook size that worked for this scarf - not too tight so the yarn is cuddly soft, not too many holes, no detailed stitches that disappear in the nobby yarn. The idea was to surround a row of dc or hdc with sc and to not follow a dc-sc series with another dc row (this prevented too many holes that occur with a K hook and a dc stitch). The short pieces of yarn pulled out of the Jazzy Beach Wrap were used for the behind-the-neck area; longer pieces were used for the blocked sections.

For my about 5-foot 3-inch body, the scarf was much much too long the first day I wore it - and it stretched as the day went on! Hanging 2-3 inches below my knees when not wrapped around my neck) made me feel like I was going to trip on the ends! So, I shortened the scarf by about by about 10-12 inches. 80 inches long is much better!

Size: 10 inches x 66 inches
Colors: Earth Brown (Red Heart Symphony)
Pattern: My Own (basically just sc, sk 1, ch 1)
Hook: K
Date: start December 8; finish December 9

This very soft scarf is a gift [update: for Patrice].

Size: 10 inches (diameter flattened) x 15 inches
Colors: Smartie (Moda Dea Cache)
Pattern: My Own: Drawstring Bag (purse)
Hook: H
Date: start December 9; finish December 10

I would like to line it, but need to first figure out how - by December 21! (It's a gift [update: for Gosia. I didn't end up lining it however].)

Size: XL
Colors: Purple (Microspun)
Pattern: Cream Cotton Shrug - Design by Diane Langan
Hook: K
Date: start August 26; finish September 19, 2006

I made this cardigan larger than the pattern instructions, with shorter sleeves, and with Microspun instead of Sugar 'n Cream cotton yarn. I've worn it a couple of times now and have received compliments each time.

[photos not available unless I can get the vest back from Patrice for a short time]

Size: I adjusted the pattern to be much less tight than shown in the magazine photos. The end result fits a Medium-size woman very nicely.
Colors: Purple (Lion Brand Microspun)
Pattern: Easy Breezy Vest - based on the Easy Breezy Cardigan - Design by Doris Chan
Book: Crochet! magazine, March 2006, page 22
Hook: J
Date: June 2006

I tried and tried to adjust the Easy Breezy Cardigan pattern to fit me, but didn't succeed. As I wrote previously, when the body almost done, I discovered it really wasn't going to work. But, it did fit Patrice (my boss - she doesn't like that term!) and looked great as a colorful vest. So, now it is the Easy Breezy Vest! I finished the bottom edging and sleeve opening edging and gave it to her.

I then started another Easy Breezy Cardigan for myself but pulled it out before our vacation in Hawaii. I brought it along on the trip but didn't touch it. Something about sweating while sitting still and sunscreen covering my chest, arms, and face didn't make crocheting sound apetizing.

Size: probably L
Colors: Pine (green) (Lion Brand Wool Ease)
Pattern: Julianna (cardigan)
Book: Cool Crochet - ISBN 0-8230-1124-0 - Designs by Melissa Leapman - Copyright 2005 - Watson-Guptill Publications
Hook: D, E
Date: June 2006

I started the Julianna cardigan on March 31, took a break while playing around with sewing/quilting, and finished it on June 16. Since it turned out too small for me, I'll give it to a co-worker (Elizabeth) if it fits her.

I love the color and pattern. It's too hot right now to consider working with a part-wool yarn, but I'll have to keep this pattern in mind for when it gets cooler so I can make one that'll fit me!