This was running the risk of becoming a graveyard of unfinished knitting projects, but thankfully I have finally finished something. And no, it is not the Petrie shell or the sweetheart jumper. I decided last weekend that I needed an emergency bolero or shrug to wear to a wedding this past Saturday. Which meant that I had to be done super quickly. Which meant a crochet project.
When I first learnt to crochet a few years ago I picked up the "happy hooker" stitch 'n bitch book to get to grips with the basics and to practice with some projects. I think one of the first things I ever made was the fit to be tied bag (made twice now) as a cute an easy project, and then became more adventurous and attempted the cupcake top (which I occasionally wear, although the bamboo yarn means it had stretched out a bit). But one of the projects that I always had my eye on was the short and sweet bolero, as a cute little cardie to wear in the summer.
So the choice for which bolero/shrug to make was easy. And yes, it was in fact pretty speedy, although it did involve some furious, non-stop crocheting on the whole of that Sunday to get the body done (achy hands!), plus a couple of hours on the Monday and Tuesday to do the sleeves. I had some issues following this pattern which are not new apparently ( I found quite a few helpful comments on Ravelry), and when making the right front I ended up following the chart rather than the written pattern. Otherwise it was pretty easy to do and memorise.
The yarn is rico cotton, which is aran weight rather than worsted, so I decided to go for the smallest size (naughtily did not check my gauge) and that worked out great. Although I did find that, as a result of the weighty yarn, the bolero was heavier than expected. This means that it holds its shape very well though, but still I think I may have preferred to make it with dk in a bigger size. Incidentally, that was my plan, as I have a tunic in dk weight that I never wear, but despite my efforts I totally failed at picking it.
Anyway, the good news is that I have a decent photo of me modelling it for a change, so you do not have to endure yet another grumpy-looking selfy! Thankfully taken after only two glasses of champagne too :p
When I first learnt to crochet a few years ago I picked up the "happy hooker" stitch 'n bitch book to get to grips with the basics and to practice with some projects. I think one of the first things I ever made was the fit to be tied bag (made twice now) as a cute an easy project, and then became more adventurous and attempted the cupcake top (which I occasionally wear, although the bamboo yarn means it had stretched out a bit). But one of the projects that I always had my eye on was the short and sweet bolero, as a cute little cardie to wear in the summer.
So the choice for which bolero/shrug to make was easy. And yes, it was in fact pretty speedy, although it did involve some furious, non-stop crocheting on the whole of that Sunday to get the body done (achy hands!), plus a couple of hours on the Monday and Tuesday to do the sleeves. I had some issues following this pattern which are not new apparently ( I found quite a few helpful comments on Ravelry), and when making the right front I ended up following the chart rather than the written pattern. Otherwise it was pretty easy to do and memorise.
The yarn is rico cotton, which is aran weight rather than worsted, so I decided to go for the smallest size (naughtily did not check my gauge) and that worked out great. Although I did find that, as a result of the weighty yarn, the bolero was heavier than expected. This means that it holds its shape very well though, but still I think I may have preferred to make it with dk in a bigger size. Incidentally, that was my plan, as I have a tunic in dk weight that I never wear, but despite my efforts I totally failed at picking it.
Anyway, the good news is that I have a decent photo of me modelling it for a change, so you do not have to endure yet another grumpy-looking selfy! Thankfully taken after only two glasses of champagne too :p
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| yay! she smiles at last |
