Simply Crochet Countdown to Fun: Spa Shawl Top and Tunic

Very sadly, today is our last stop on the blog tour.  I have really enjoyed sharing with you some of my favorite people in the crochet world.  I hope you have enjoyed as well.


If you haven't been hook yet by Simply Crochet , today might just be the kicker.  I have been waiting and waiting to show you the masterpiece in the book, Spa Shawl Top by Doris Chan.  Now, you all know of Doris's genius right?  Let's pretend you have no idea who I am talking about for a second, and let me wax on about her.  

Besides being a wizard with a crochet hook, she is my guru.  Her designs run that line of modern and fresh and classic and beautiful.  I seriously have no idea how she does it.  She can take a dated doily, and throw it on its head and make it the most amazing stunning project you have ever seen.  Of course, she can manipulate complex pineapple stitch patterns and make them into stunning garments with just an extra chain or shell here and there.  I swear, it is magic.  My very very analytic brain is stumped on how she comes up with her designs, and I just stand back in awe.  


Now if you honestly have not seen her work, you need to run over and check out her books.  Then check out her line of crochet patterns online and at Tahki Stacy Charles and at Interweave.  By the time you are done, you will see what I mean.  (in looking at all her work, I fell in love with a new one.  What do you think?)


I can't wait to hear her thoughts on the project.  My directions to her was a doodle I scribbled on a note at the Crochet Guild conference.  From that, she made this beautiful feminine top.  

Simply Crochet Countdown to Fun: Dots and Dashes Blanket

Ok, so by now you have seen kids clothes, women's accessories, toys, and baskets; all that can be made with 1, 3, or 5 balls of yarn.  But today, I am here to proudly show you a fantastic blanket that you can make with less then 5 balls of yarn.


Of course, this stunner would come from Ellen Gormley.  Ellen does the most creative granny square projects.  Her afghan designs are usually the ones that I bookmark, because I want to make them too.  This is not a surprise, if you have seen her book Go Crochet.  It is filled with inspiration to take the simple granny square motif and run.  I can't wait to see what she has to say about the blanket on her blog.  I can tell you that I jumped when I got her swatch and sketch, and said yup!  I love it.  From that very very early stage, I knew i would adore it.  Now if only, I could swipe it for CJ's room.  

Simply Crochet Countdown to Fun: Linked Jacket

Today's project, Linked Jacket; has been in my proposal rejection pile for years.  I think I first proposed this maybe 5 years ago, maybe more.  It went through 4 different rounds of rejects from all the crochet editors.  And as you know, if they can't fit it in their magazines, I use it in my books.  Seriously, nearly all my projects in all my books are rejects from proposals I did for other publications.


I never look at projects that are rejected as bad ideas, but simply as not right for the issue or book at the time.  And when I love them, I usually write a book around them.  


Enter Linked Jacket.  It is an adorable jacket that uses as little as 4 balls of yarn.  When I was calculating the yarn I would need for it, I laughed.  4 balls?  How is that possible.  I was convinced my math was off.  Way off.  Normally, women's crochet projects are always like 10 balls of yarn.  Two things work in favor for this project, one its short sleeves... that cuts off a bunch right there.  And 2, the stitch pattern is essentially a bunch of chains with a single crochet every now and again.  The stitch that uses the least amount of yarn is the chain, that makes sense; but it is tiny.  Doing a quick experiment comparing a swatch made of chains and a swatch of single crochet.  The chain one still uses 15% less yarn.  The only challenge comes in when you want to use chain stitch patterns but you do not want a lacy fabric.  This is why I love this top so much. It is just a bunch of chain spaces separated by single crochets, and when turned on their side makes a very simple fabric of horizontal lines.  Nothing too lacy, nothing that pulls funny.  Hope you enjoy!

Simply Crochet Countdown to Fun: Float Vest and Cardigan

We are getting close to the end on our book tour, just 4 projects left to show off.  And 2 of the 4 are mine.  The Float Vest and Cardigan are an oversized top that could also be looked at as a shawl (with armholes).  It is a basic rectangle with holes for arms.  You can wrap your self up or belt it in the middle or leave it open.  The stitch pattern is a fun chain space trefoil lace, very easy to memorize and quick to crochet.  I crocheted the tan and my wonderful, amazing crocheter; Diane, crocheted the green.  It was funny being at crochet group and we both where working on it.  Easy to check that our gauges were matching!  One thing to point out.  This shawl/ top will grow.  The lace is extremely lacy and the wool/ cotton blend is a bit heavy.  The top will naturally grow over time.  If this bothers you, try sub'ing a non-shiny acrylic (think velcro, not silk).  The silkier and heavier the yarn, the more it will grow.  The stiffer and lighter, the less it will grow.  I personally think growth is no issue, since the top is oversized to begin with; who is going to notice months from now it is an inch bigger?  But I know that can annoy some, so just watch your yarn choice.  

Today is one of my favorites, not because I love the stitch pattern (I do) but because it shows how easy it is to add sleeves.  I love when I have a funny concept and Interweave says "yes please go for it, Robyn."  So my idea was to have a bunch of the projects in the book shown in two ways.  One as is, and one with one additional skein.  My thought was, what if you had one more ball of yarn.  What could you make with it?  In this case, sleeves!  In Doris's case in a few days, a crop top becomes a tunic.  We had a couple of others, but they had to be cut for space. Still, it is really neat to be able to explore even just a little what you can do with just one more ball of yarn.  Hope you enjoy!

Simply Crochet's Countdown to Fun: Amelia Cardigan

First of all, is this baby sweater not the most adorable thing ever? A wearable cabled baby sweater came from the amazingly talented Julia Vaconsin. She is one of those designers that I am always tickled to see what she has in store for us next, knowing that it is always amazing.

Take a walk through her Interweave patterns alone, and you will be blown away. Am I right? She is a super busy mom, like a lot of us. I know that creating and designing is a challenge for me, I can only imagine with 3 I would be insane. The fact that she can keep crafting and making these beauties is truly inspiring to me with only 1 to juggle.

Back to that little bit about yarn amounts from yesterday. If you remember yesterday's lacy baby tunic was less then 500yds for the 2T size. This cardigan is around 700 yds for the same size. Sure, this one has sleeves, but is also shorter. The main yarn suck here is the post stitches. Now they will not always add 40% more yarn to your project, but do not be surprised if they add 20%. It is a quick number to have on hand when you are buying yarn for a cabled crochet sweater. 20% is a good base line for how much more yarn you will need compared to a non-post stitch sweater. So if you know you only have 3 balls and really want to do crochet cables, look at scarf patterns instead of baby sweaters and you will have much more luck finding a pattern.

Simply Crochet's Countdown to Fun: Tallula Baby Top

We finally head into the last chapter of the book, 5 balls or less of yarn. You will be surprised that you can make clothes to blankets with only 5 balls. And not giant ball either. It is all in the stitch choice, and you will see that over the next few days.

It is best seen between today and tomorrow's post. Both are baby sweaters. Today's sweater is a motif skirted tunic from Marly Bird. It is lacy on the bottom and solid on the top. It uses less then 500 yds for the smallest size (2T). The largest uses less then 1000yds for the largest size (8yrs). Keep those numbers in mind for tomorrow.

I love the snowflake like motifs that Marly picked out for this top. It is something that I would love to make for CJ. Marly has a great eye for all things yarn. She is the creative director over at Bijou Basin Ranch, and you can see by their patterns how fabulous she is at getting great things from people.

Simply Crochet's Countdown to Fun: Annabel Shawl

We end this week with the stunningly talented, Kristin Omdahl. She is truly an inspiration. Her work is always stunning and unique.

Annabel Shawl is both Victorian and modern in look. Motifs are crocheted together to create a lacy fabric, then a ruffly edging is added to finish off the project.

Kristin has a keen eye for all things crochet. Her latest book, Seamless Crochet, proves that. She shows how to crochet a number of motifs without ever having to cut your yarn and start again.

It is quite the technique to have on hand if do not like weaving in ends. Definitely worth checking out!  Speaking of checking out, you can tune in at 4PM today on twitter to find out more about her book.  She will be doing a live twitter chat.  Check out her website for more details.

You also need to check out Kristin's Sample Sale going on now! So many of her great designs, all crocheted or knitted for you. Certainly would make for great holiday gifts to get a one of a kind scarf from Kristin herself.

Simply Crochet's Countdown to Fun: Sidney Cardigan

This project, Sidney Cardigan, from Simply Crochet perfectly shows what I love about this book. It is a baby cardigan for less then 3 balls of yarn. The stitch pattern mixes post stitches and lace to keep the yarn count low and still not be too lacy.

The edging is a lace edging, so little fingers can play with it (or suck on it, depending on how little). The sample in the book is 24mths. The little girl in the book looks around 2 to me (maybe 2.5). I have it modeled below on CJ at 15mths. It is too big on her then, but you can see that if you made the largest size it really can fit them for more then a month. The sweater was modeled after my favorite sweater for CJ that was a simple one button car coat. It was easy to slip on her in our chilly house and take off after she ran around.

Looking to upsize or change the sweater? Then I think my DVD, Designing your own Crocheted baby Sweater class is perfect for you. The method I used to design this sweater is exactly the same one I highlight in the video.

Simply Crochet's Countdown to Fun: Giselle Vest

We head back over to Simona Merchant-Dest today and talk about her Giselle Vest. This project show perfectly that yes with less then 3 balls of yarn you can make a garment. Like I was saying last week, Simona, always does lovely garments. They are wearable and always have one new and different twist on them.

In this vest, you have a basic rectangle that is transformed into a vest by changing the direction of your crochet. It is easily converted to a long top too, but crocheting a longer front center panel first.

You can check out more of Simona's lovely garments over at the Interweave Store.

Simply Crochet's Countdown to Fun: Natalie Shrug

Today we are heading over to my super handy helpful crocheter, Megan Granholm. I rely on her quite a lot and give her some pretty wacky assignments. (you will see in the next book, one of those) Some are a bit more straight forward, like in this one, but all are wacky in some way. If you are looking for a crocheter of something that needs a bit of working out, she is your gal.

Today though was one of her own designs. She does some lovely Tunisian designs, and today is a little arm-warmer shrug. This little romantic shrug uses very little yarn. Works perfectly for taking summer dresses into cooler weather.

Simply Crochet's Countdown to Fun: Nedburt Puppets

Nedburt Puppets came from playing with my daughter. She was 14mths and still found anything funny if you played with them with a funny voice. These simple toys work great for being silly.

With 3 skeins you can make at least 6 puppets. So if you have half a skein and some scraps you can make one, nothing better then using up that stash right? Which is what Simply Crochet is all about! These would have been perfect for the baby shower I was at over the weekend. The mom is having twins and doesn't know if they are boys or girls or both. Since 2 afghans would have taken me forever, toys would have been perfect. (slapping my head for forgetting about these puppets)

The puppets use dc and sc rounds so that you don't have to spend forever crocheting round after round of sc. The dc get you further along faster and add just a touch of a pattern. The eyes and ears have nothing more then leftovers stuffed in them so you don't have to run around to find stuffing. If your baby is a chewer, you can always swap out the button eyes for some embroidery.

I will say that my daughter loved these guys. Like our little model in the book, she like to put them on as much as me. I hope you enjoy!

Simply Crochet's Countdown to Fun: Blooming Beauty Purse

Tracie's project on our tour stop today uses my favorite crochet technique (motifs) and one of my favorite yarns (Filatura di Crosa Zara). Motifs are great traveling projects. They are so small you can crochet them in line to almost anything. Why yes I have crocheted at long red lights and in grocery store lines.

This project is no different. With just a few motifs, you get an entire purse. Who doesn't love that, right? The other fun part of this project is the lining. Since the motifs are very lacy (and I just believe all purses should be lined so they don't stretch out), you have the opportunity to play with color. You can make a statement like Tracie did with a powerful red (or bold color) and make the void or negative space of the motif stand out. Or you can go for a muted color that will make the solid or positive space of the motifs stand out. Either way, I this purse is meant to be used and loved.

If you are looking for some other quick projects, you might want to check out Tracie's online patterns. Most are quick projects that you will be able to whip up in a few nights. Wonder when that would come in handy? Oh yeah, right about now.

Simply Crochet's Countdown to Fun: Tapestry Basket

I love projects like the one on today's tour stop. It is useful. I love filling my house with crochet that we can use and touch every day. Especially since sometimes it is too hot or too cold to wear crochet; but there is no climate that crochet house stuff doesn't work for.

Carol Ventura is the hands down expert on Tapestry Crochet. She is the master, so I knew I had to have her a part of the book. Her work is so unique that again, it just is inspiring. The design in the basket is very minimal but it packs a great wallop. You can see playing around with color the basketweave pattern can jump out or recede. I love it. You have to check out her blog just to see the before and after shot of the felting. Amazing right?

Tapestry and felting just seem to go together. As do beading and tapestry. Oh wait, I know someone wrote a book on that. Yup, it was Carol. Her book Bead and Felted Tapestry Crochet combines them all together in truly unique projects. I think the basket in that book is one of my favorite tapestry crochet pieces. (My favorite Carol tapestry project you will see in a book later in 2012.) Anyway, go check out the book you will really enjoy it.

Simply Crochet's Countdown to Fun: Botan Placemats

Hanging out with the very funny Marly Bird today. Marly makes me giggle literally every time we chat, even when I am being a grump (which is quite a lot). You have to love a person like that.

These placemats are like that to me. They make me smile. I can only imagine having my cereal on them and smiling even before I can get that first sip of coffee. They are felted so you can use them as real placemats, which I love. I am not so into ones for decoration only, these guys are the real deal. They use 3 balls of yarn for a set, so you can change your table every season if you want for cheap.

If you need a bit of Marly, go check out her Craftsy online classes. I love online classes. Especially when it is with a great teacher like Marly too. She has that special balance of being able to teach you very complex ideas and have you still be relaxed and having fun. Can't go wrong with that!

Simply Crochet's Countdown to Fun: Neck Lattice

Our stop today is the first project that I actually have in my own WIP pile. I started it the moment I got the pattern. One to figure out how to draw the diagram, and two because I loved it. It is an incredibly lightweight Tunisian shawl that has the edging crocheted on as you crochet.

Vashti Braha is the clever crochet scientist who came up with this project. It mixes traditional Tunisian crochet with the freedom of crochet. She is always teaching me something every time we see each other. Literally. At one party we were at we sat in a corner and she taught me how to crochet two sides of a fabric at once. It was really wild, and easy all at the same time. But she does that, makes really cool techniques look really simple.

Vashti's website is packed with patterns just like that. If you are like me and are always looking for ways to be inspired and challenged, her patterns do that. Like her Aero Tunisian Filet Lace wrap. Did you know that Tunisian crochet can do Filet crochet? Not me. Told you, she is like a mad (in the best way) crochet scientist. I get so excited every time I see a new project of hers on my flickr roll, I just know I will be inspired again. Go check it out for yourself.

Simply Crochet's Countdown to Fun: Diamonds and Lace Hat

We head back to Lindamade today to visit with the Diamonds and Lace Hat this time. But who minds going back a million times to visit with Linda, not me! Her cap in Simply Crochet was a perfect project for the book. Yes, there are post stitches, but Linda shows you that with a touch of lace, the post stitches can be balanced and yardage can be attainable. Perfect right? Plus just look at that hat from the top down. It's like giving the giants you live with a special visual gift when looking down (Mr CBF is a foot taller then me... I actually think about whats on top of my head.)

But we know Linda is brilliant. Have I mentioned that she is also nice? In that you can learn her brilliance from her in person; or if you don't live in TX; online too. She has some great crochet classes over on Craftsy. They would make great gifts for the crocheter that has everything.

Oh and a little birdie told me that you might want to stop by for another reason today too. So just go check out her blog.

Simply Crochet's Countdown to Fun: Mystic Cuff

Hey today's stop is right here!

In the book besides assembling a fantastic group of designers, I got to design a bunch of the projects too.

The book pretty much started with this cuff for me. It was one of the first things I made here in Pittsburgh. I had to google where the closest Jo-Anns and Micheals are located compared to the house. Because even though this is a very very quick cuff, I made about 10 before I got it just right. I must have changed the way the beads get attached a dozen times; besides changing the shape and color of the beads too. If you have been in my jewelry class, you have seen all the rejects.

The cuff is a lovely Victorian edging (yes, its in the encyclopedia if you where wondering) with beads threaded onto the foundation chain. You know that I love jewelry. I have a few other jewelry patterns for sale over at Interweave. Can you tell I have a definite style? Bright, bold, thread.... that's all me. Plus, is there anything quicker and cheaper to make? They are perfect for my life now. CJ destroys so much jewelry I wear, and when I can whip one up for under 2 dollars...brilliant!

Simply Crochet's Countdown to Fun: Twist Wrap/ Cowl

Today we are chatting with Linda Permann. As you know I totally love Linda. She has a great sense for color (which I am challenged) and is great at explaining how things work. She is also super crafty. Her first project in the book is this lovely ONE BALL (yes, only 1) Solomon's knot wrap. The very cool thing about the pattern is that it can be used in so many ways. In warm weather, you
can wear it as a wrap; in cold as a cowl. It really makes me wish I did not have to give it back to her.
It would look perfect with my navy winter jacket... just saying.

While checking out her inspiration and thoughts on this wrap, be sure to check out Linda's other patterns. There are a number that are perfect for any weather. Like her Cotton Candy Cowl would be perfect for cold climates like mine (I'm in PA), or her Summer Picnic Wrap would be perfect for warm climates like hers (she's in TX). Plus, just look at all her cap patterns. I think she needs to make those into a book, don't you?

Simply Crochet's Countdown to Fun: Billows of Baubles

Our next stop is the first Tunisian project in the book. We have quite the few inside. I really love exploring the wide world of Tunisian, and when you are on a budget it is a great technique to try out.

Sheryl Means brings us our next project, Billows of Baubles scarf. It is a Tunisian scarf project that plays with the stitches and yarn. The yarn is this neat wool steel, yes, steel blend. You can literally form it to any position you want. Very Cool.

Sheryl is a crochet artist and yarn store owner. Her store, Yarntopia , in Katy, TX is exactly what you want your local store to be. Friendly, inviting, knowledgeable, and fun. Definitely worth stopping by if you are visiting Houston! (and there is a pizza joint a few doors down for those who aren't into yarn. Mr CBF had no problem hanging out there while Sheryl and I had fun a few years ago)

Simply Crochet's Countdown to Fun: Flapper Hat

I can not tell you how much I adore our next project. It is the brainchild of Margaret Hubert. She is one of the many crochet designers I admire, and I can only hope my career lasts as long as hers. What hasn't she designed? You may recognize her name from her recent freeform artwork, or maybe from her crochet classes, or from her popular books. This hat is all about today's fashion with that great nod to the 30's. The cap is worked top down, then the edging is worked perpendicular to the cap all the way around. It really does liven up your basic crocheted cap!

Her latest book is all about grannies, and I can't wait to get a copy! The Granny Square Book: Timeless Techniques and Fresh Ideas for Crocheting Square by Square It is all about granny squares with diagrams and directions for all inside. It looks great!