Two finished projects and a new play project

I finished the Simple Spring Swing Cardigan and a personal creation I call Amore' Peplum Top.  I had some problems with the Swing Cardigan so I added some embellishment in the form of crocheted flowers and embrodiered stems which went along with the spring theme and also the wooden flower buttons.

My second completed project was actually begun months ago when I was struggling with the TLC Amore' yarn that I had purchased from Herrschner's back in Nov 2010.  I completed a shawl with the yarn that worked beautifully and then struggled with several patterns.  I completed a split sleeve top out of the black but the Lt. Thyme green that I made the shawl out of just did not work with any of the patterns I choose.  Amore' is a very soft drapy yarn that tends to grow.  I finally began a top that I designed myself but was not really thrilled with and therefore the project sat uncompleted for several months.  This week I took it up and completed it quickly and am kind of pleased with the finished project.  It is crocheted.  The top portion is completed in sections; back, front, and both sleeves.  This part is then joined together.  The yarn is then joined to the bottom circle of the top and worked from the top down.  Initially the number of stitches is decreased for approximately 2" and then increased again.  At the very bottom I changed from single crochet to double crochet for a little more lacey look.  Since the neck opening was a little larger than needed which caused my bra straps to show I added the two ties made from simple chain cords.  I can untie the cords to get the top over my head and then tie them to prevent bra straps from showing.



Also this week I got in a marvelous new DVD that has given me all storts of ideas and the incentive to begin some new techniques.  The first one of these is from designer Lorna Miser.  On the DVD she shows how she used a game spinner to choose which of 12 strands of yarn and which of several stitches to work up a sample swatch of the yarns.  The yarn she used was a special handdyed yarn that she was featuring at a yarn show.  I took her idea to begin making a scarf.  I chose twelve yarns from my stash of left overs and place each on in a hole around a styrofoam plate.  I punched the holes in at where the numbers would appear on a clock and the spinner is like the hour hand.  At each dash I wrote a number from 2-8.  I also chose stitch patterns and wrote those next to the number.  With this method no matter how many scarves I or other people make no two will be alike.  Here is my work in progress on the first one.

I also got my yarn bowl this week from Ned Corron and it is wonderful to use.  It is holding the yarn for my next diagonal baby blanket for Choose Life of North Alabama.  I have the blanket a little over half way done.  It is blue and white stripes (the yarn just naturally stripes) and I will use a blue and white varigated yarn to make the hat.  

The another one of the DVDs I got in covers designing your own projects particularly clothing.  I have sketched out some tops I might like to try making.  I also made my Duct Tape dress form to use in fitting and designing my own clothes.  I will also use it to alter my clothing as I continue to loose weight.