Berroco Aruna Cardigan - Crochet

Here is my latest finish crochet project, it is FREE PATTERN from Berroco.

It took me about 3 weeks to finish, actually, if the pattern is more well-written, I would finish sooner. This is one of the most confusing patterns I ever saw, I was very frustrated when I crocheted it. The armhole shaping part is what confused me, the pattern is not make sense at all. End up, I did my own shaping. I am glad that the cardigan turns out great, I was a little bit worried that it wouldn't look right or fit me.

Anyway, I really love the style, it is feminine and classy, it looks great with a lot of stuff. And I LOVE the yarns, I used Jo Sharp Alpaca Silk Georgette, it is Alpaca, Silk and Merino blend, Sport Weight. It is the first time that I used the yarns that not from AC Moore or Michaels. And it is the first time that I used sth lighter than worsted weight yarns. The yarns is so soft, when I crocheted it, it always left my finger so soft. It is great experience. I don't think I can go back to the cheap yarns, coz the finished product looks so good when you used fancy yarns.

I used the blocking board that m hubby made for me, it worked great.

DIY Blocking Board

Recently I start to crochet garment, but I never block any of my garment, until now, I really think blocking will help the finishing look.

I saw my LYS selling blocking board for $90, it is too much for me. Then I found few websites that teach you how to make your own. So my hubby and I decide to make our own too.

We found a board from "Scrape Exchange", which is like a craft thrift store. The board is only $2, we believe that board is a panel for office cubicle. I took pics of the back, you can see the labels. And then we went to JoAnn to get the fabric, it costs about $3.50. So the total cost is less than $6. It is much better than paying $90.

I just used it to block my new cardigan. So far it works great.

The label on the back.

The label on the back.

The Back.

The Front. (My hubby is so proud of himself, coz he is the one found the board)

Finish look!

More Vintage Knitting/Crochet Patterns

I got more knitting and crochet patterns last Sat, some are as old as 1940s. I was so excited to find those patterns. The patterns from 40s, I don't think I would crochet or knit them, except couple baby dresses. Most of the patterns are household items or doilies.

But I also got some from 70s, very cute and nice baby clothes patterns, I can't wait to knit or crochet them. I also got some sweaters pattern from 70s and 80s, some are really cute.

I just resized the pics of 40s patterns, will post the rest this weekend.

Treasure at Thrift Store

I always like vintage style clothes, I love their unique and classy styles. Since now I start to crochet garment and teach myself to knit, I start to look for vintage crochet and knitting pattern books, magazine or booklets etc.

Last week, Jonathan and I went to a thrift store, I found 2 old "Vogue Knitting" magazine from 2000. But that thrift store doesn't have anything old. And this afternoon, I went to a thrift store across street from my work, I found a tons of vintage knitting and crochet pattern magazines and booklets. I was thrilled. I bought 9 magazines/booklet for about $5, they are from 70s to 80s. Not really old, but most of the patterns are very fashionable, and some of them are very old-fashioned, but still it is fun to read.

One of the booklet is teach you how to knit seamless raglans, it is my favorite, it teaches from 9 months to size 50. The booklet is published by Leisure Arts at 1979.

My second favorite is Patons Cotton Top Collection, because they have a lot of crochet patterns, and they are very cute and easy to crochet, this is the only one that have crochet patterns.

My third favorite is Reynolds Booklet, I always want a Open-collared Pullover sweater (the white one) like this, it is so classy and basic, it looks great with jeans!!


My forth favorite is Pingouin Magazine No.44, the whole magazine is all about children (for 2, 4 and 6 years old). But the patterns are very cute and stylish, of course, some of them are very outdated.

Also, I bought 6 skeins Unger Utopia Worsted Weight Yarns for $5.99, I just checked the price online, it is normally about $3.49 per skein. So it is a steal!
For more pics of the rest of the vintage patterns, pls go to my flickr page:
www.flickr.com/photos/namethatcandy

Today is like a Christmas to me, except the treasure I found in a thrift store, I also received my order from knitpicks.com and books from Crafters Choice Book Club. I bought a pair regular circular knitting needle, a pair interchangeable knitting needle and 3 skeins of sport weight yarns for the baby dress which I plan to knit after my Berroco Cardigan. I can't wait to try the new needles.

And the books I bought from Crafters Choice Book Club are: Custom Knits, Contemporary Crochet and Vintage Knitwear for Modern Knitters. I love the patterns in all the books, esp the Contemporary Crochet, it seems fairly easy and fast.

Whiter Shade of Pale Car Coat from Lion Brand Pattern

I fell in love with this pattern when I first saw it, but I didn't have time to do until last month. It is a great beginner project, it is very easy and quick. It took me 5 days to finish. I can't wait the weather gets cold!! So I can wear my new coat!! hehe..... I am very happy with the outcome, it looks very close to the pattern pic. Very proud of myself, esp it is only my 5th Crochet Garment.

The pattern is free at Lion Brand website:
http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/70004A.html?noImages=&r=1

Yarn: Lion Brand Wool Ease Thick and Quick
Color: Wheat
Hook: US M-13 (9mm)

I love the yarn, it is soft and warm. It is $6.49 per skein, but I used AC Moore coupons, I went to the store, twice a week with my husband, it took me about 3 weeks to get all the yarns I need, it is a lot of work, but I saved a lot of $$. This coat costs me less than $23 to make. So I don't mind that troubles!! The pattern said I will need 8 skeins to make a Size S, but I only used 7 skeins.

Now I am working on Endless Crochet Cardi Shawl from Diva Stitches Studio:
http://www.stitchdiva.com/ProductInfo.aspx?productid=SDS-056

I have been working on it almost 2 weeks, it is more complicated than the other garment I crochet, I only finished 22 rows, I still have 70 rows to go, but after that I still have the other side to crochet plus the edging. I think this cardi shawl will take me 2 months to finish.

At the mean time, I teach myself to knit by watching videos and reading books, so far so good, I just finished a cable neckwarmer. I will post some pics later.

Crochet Cardigan from Loops and Thread Pattern Booklet

The original Pattern

The cover of the pattern booklet

I just finished my Cardigan. I found this pattern from Loops and Thread Pattern at Michaels. I fell in love with this pattern when I first saw it. I used the Loops and Thread Impeccable yarns as the pattern used. It came out really nice.

I am not sure about the yarns, it tangles like crazy, i bought 3 skeins, 2 of them are all tangle up, it took me an hour to detangle. But the price is really good. The pattern said I only need 3 skeins, but I ran out of yarns at my last row, so I end up to get another skein. But still, for the whole cardigan I paid less than $10, they are $2.99 per skein, and I used my 40% off coupons.

About the yarns, this is the 1st time I used Loops and Thread Brand, to be honest, I am not too crazy about this yarn, it tangles up like crazy, it took me an hour to detangle it. But you can't beat the price. It was so stiff first, but after I washed and dried the cardigan, it turns out very soft! I will make this cardigan again, but I may change to lighted weight yarn and something nicer, I think it is a little bit bulky.

Caron Crochet Openwork Vest

I found this pattern at Michaels website, and I really like it, so I decided to crochet this, it is the 1st time that I crochet garment for myself.

The pattern is very easy, but the instruction itself is very confusing! But after I figured it out, it didn't take long to finish, I did it in a week.

However, my vest width is smaller than supposed to be, I don't know why, my gauge is correct. Because it is smaller, so I couldn't add buttons, but Jonathan got me a vintage brooch (from 60s) at an antique store, so I used it as a button. It looks great!!

here is the pattern:
http://www.michaels.com/art/online/projectsheet?pid=e06595

I used E hook 3.5mm
TLC Cotton Plus Yarns

BTW, I love the TLC Cotton Plus Yarns, it doesn't split, and it is so soft. Love it!!