Japanese Crochet Book - Motif Knit Pattern Book

The patterns from this Japanese Motif Pattern Book are very cute and gorgeous.  I crocheted a scarf from this book, the patterns include: cardigan, tunic, scarf, bag, hat, shawl etc.  I have an extra copy for sale, pls visit my Etsy and Artfire store.

 

This is the scarf I made, it looks pretty good for the 1st time to crochet motifs!

Vintage Japanese Crochet Cardigan

I haven't updated my blog for months.  I was so busy.  We went to Hong Kong last month, my aunt gave all her vintage Japanese knitting and crochet pattern books (fr late 70s to early 80s) to me.  I was thrilled.  I love Japanese Patterns, and I love vintage patterns.  Now I have both vintage and Japanese.....  :)

Anyway, I finally finished the vintage Japanese cardigan project which I started last summer.  It is a little too tight, my gauge is off, I did a swatch, it was ok.  I don't know why?

Chevron Lace Cardigan

I always want to make Chevron Lace Cardigan, I saw so many beautiful Chevron Lace Cardigans online. Finally, I started this project about 2 weeks ago. I am very disappointed how it fits, esp the armpits. The Chevron pattern itself is gorgeous, I guess I just don't like Top Down Pattern. It is first time that I crochet Top Down Pattern for myself. It could be my body is OFF, so it doesn't work for me.

Here is the link for the pattern:

Chevron Lace Cardigan

4/6/10:

I want to crochet this for long time, for some reasons, I never start it. Hopefully, it wouldn’t take long to finish this cardigan. I plan not to crochet sleeves.

Used J hook for Row 1 and 2, then switched to Hook I. Because I heard a lot of people said the neck is kind of tight, so I chained it loosely and with larger hook.

Just finished Row 10 with one skein of yarn. This cardigan is easy and quick.

4/7/2010:

Working on the armpits areas, have really hard time. First, I started the YOKE at Row 14, then it is too tight, so I frogged it, and start YOKE at Row 15, and I didn’t break the yarn to do the chain, I just crochet Row 16 then stop at stitch 20 and chained 10. And it is still too tight, then I frogged again and changed to larger hook (Hook J). Again, it is still too tight. Now I am going to do is to add another row, so I will start YOKE at Row 17 and with hook J, hopeful it works this time, I am just so frustrated to keep frogging the piece.

4/11/2010:

Very frustrated with armpits, it seems no matter what I did, they still too tight. So now I chained 20 instead of 10 w/ hook J. It seems ok.

4/13/2010:

Half way through, not too happy with the armpits area, now it is a little too big.

4/18/2010:

Finished the body, only thing left is the edging!! So far I am not too happy how it fits! Very disappointed!

4/20/2010:

All Done!! I will take pics tomorrow.

I did one row of SC and 2 rows of DC for edging! Still not happy how it fits.

About the yarn:

I love it, it is very soft!! Just a little bit splitty.

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.

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.

Crochet Baby Cardigan - Chinese Style

The cardigan turns out great, I am very proud of my self. I did some modification from the pattern.

Hook 5.5mm
Yarn Bernat Organic Cotton 1.5 skein (it was clearance at AC Moore, only $2 per skein)

here is the pattern:
http://www.yarnydays.com/2009/01/bombay-love.html

I love her blog, she has a lot of stylish crochet patterns, pls take a look at her blog.

Crochet Baby Items: Bib, Hat, Beanie, Booties

I haven't crocheted for long time, finally I have a 3-week break before my school starts, so I decide to crochet a lot of baby items for my new coming baby. I crocheted 2 hats, a bib, a pair of booties and a cardigan, this is my 1st time to crochet garment!