First time test crocheter

This week I have been working on a test crochet project for the lovely and talented designer Susan Lowman aka The Crochet Architect. I first came across Susan via her review of Dora Orhenstein's new book Top Down Crochet Sweaters on Twitter. And then I had to investigate her blog The Crochet Architect and next I found her Ravelry Group. And when I spotted her call for test crocheters I thought I'd give it a whirl. I'm always up for the latest crochet thrill! I am SO rock and roll, honestly!

Anyway I love love love the pattern. Baby blankets are very popular among my workshop attendees and my charity group make them on an ongoing basis so I'm always on high alert for patterns which might appeal and stretch the growing skills of my hooky peer group. It's an intermediate pattern and I've really had to focus to make sure I'm following it correctly. Continually counting the ch-2 spaces has been crucial. I was working on it in my Yak and Yarn group this week, getting a lot of attention and one of the more forward said "You can make me a copy of that" and I replied sternly "You'll wait until it's published." It's copyright infrigement to make a copy and besides this pattern is my own little secret test project.

I sense more test crochet projects in my future. I am having such fun with this blanket and am thoroughly enjoying the test process. Anyway, check out my Ravelry project page if you want to see my progress on Mom's Favorite Baby Blanket. And for general crochet chatter in between weekly blog posts you'll find me on Twitter and Instagram as @craftyescapism 

Have a wonderful week y'all!

1st garment of the year - Tunisian Entrelac Yoga Top

I've decided that this year is going to be the year of the crochet garment. I have made a fair few knitted and crochet garments and designed a couple too but I can definitely finesse my skills. I plan to buy Top Down Crochet Sweaters by Dora Ohrenstein after reading a review by Susan Lowman on her Crochet Architect website.

 

I learned Tunisian Entrelac Crochet last year making a bright blanket for charity and wrote about it here. I enjoyed the technique so much and since this year is the year of the crochet garment I decided to tackle the Yoga Top by Elena Fedotova. I found out about Elena from Marie Segares in her Instagram #undergroundcraftertakeover. Here's the roundup on Marie's blog. Elena's geometric designs look so fresh and modern. I favorited the Yoga Top straightaway and I really love what she has done here with a traditional crochet granny squares on her Granny Fish Top.

I am now underway. The yoga top is bottom up and mostly seamless (yay for not having to sew sides together).I just love making these tiny squares because they are join as you go, and they just look so unbelievably cute. There are a few color combo suggestions and a blank chart in each size for you to colorize with your own color choices. I did have to restart after making a silly gauge calculation. Usually, I find one row is sufficient to measure horizontal gauge but with Tunisian Entrelac stitch the gauge reduces after adding a second and third row. My top was going to be a tight squeeze so I had to rip it all back and add additional squares. My husband likes to see me ripping items back. He says I'm getting more enjoyment out of the yarn and he's probably right.

Are you tackling something new this year? I'd love to hear.