This post is part of the Back to School Sweater blog hop and CAL. You can find last week's Blog post by Tamara Gooderham here. The next stop on the blog hop will be by Helen Eccles on 9th September, who will be talking about Yarn choice, inc. substitution, drape, cost, climate yarnsub.com including caution. For more details of the CAL visit the Crochet Circle podcast group on Ravelry.
Crochet Garments
Having read Tamara's previous blog, I have to hold my hand up and say "Yes, I have enough crochet shawls." We all do. There are so many fabulous garments to be made and we do not need to be afraid of them. I started out with a simple stripy top from a crochet magazine - it wasn't too scary, and actually, I wear it a lot. Crochet garments do not have to be complicated masterpieces that include every stitch combination going. I have included below all of the crochet garments that I have made for myself, starting out with simple patterns, and getting more complex as my confidence has grown.
Current trends
I am not a trend setter by any means. If I was, and I followed the catwalk style, then my wardrobe would be full of Saint Laurent, Paco Rabanne, Isabel Marant and D&G to name but a few. I'm not. In fact, when I told my husband that I was writing this section of the blog hop, he laughed and said "You're not trendy!" For this blog, I have done a bit of research into current trends in the fashion world and I have dug up the following that could be applied to your chosen pattern:
- Sparkle - maybe a metallic threaded yarn or a shimmery number.
- Blue - muted blues are always popular for the cooler months.
- Belts - return of the waist - apply this to a long cardi or tunic style sweater.
- 70's is back! - go raid those vintage patterns!!
- Soft leather - perhaps a leather or suede accent to your finished garment.
Choosing a style to suit you
I have made epic fails in the past where I have looked at a garment on a model, made it, and been utterly horrified by the result when I try it on. We've all been there - or maybe you haven't if you have never ventured into the world of garment making. No matter what our shape and size, there is a style to suit us. Truthfully, I am a curvy size 16-18 UK and I have to be careful how I go about selecting a style to suit my shape. It's important for everyone. I have owned Dora Ohrenstein's Top Down Crochet Sweater book for a few months now and I love how it shows you the drape of a garment on both slim and fuller shaped models. You would be amazed at the difference the same garment can look on different shaped people and I would wholly recommend that you check it out - it's a real eye opener. Don't rush in, take time and research these things, busts, bottoms and bone structure should all play a part in choosing a style to suit you.
Crochet garment designers
Obviously this is not going to be an exhaustive list of designers, as there are so many talented guys and gals out there who produce wonderful garments, but I have tried to select something for everyone - for every shape and size. All of the designers listed below have either caught my eye, or I have made garments that they have designed. If you want to know more, please click on each of the designers for their websites/pattern pages:
I hope that I have helped you on your path to crochet garment selection and given you a bit of food for thought. Please message me if you have a question and I will try my best to answer it, or ask one of the Blog Hop contributors to help out. I will be back next month with a special blog on how I am getting on with my chosen garment - Ava by Dora Ohrenstein.
See you then x
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| Stripy Jumper by Sara Huntington |
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| Angel Sweater by Jenny King |
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| Lacy Top by Simone Francis |
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| Callendar Cardigan - The Crochet Project |
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| Bobble Jumper by Sara Huntington |
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| Chloe Cardigan by Dora Ohrenstein |
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| Amber Summer Top by Drops Design |
Fabulous post! Thank you so much for taking part in the blog hop xx
ReplyDeleteThank you Helen - it's going to be a great CAL
DeleteI love seeing all the garments you've made - they look fabulous 😍 And that's a very good point about starting simple. If you can do a couple of basic stitches, there's a sweater pattern out there that's doable.
ReplyDeleteThank you Sam. I couldn't agree more - something for everyone that is doable (patience is all it needs)
DeleteWonderful blog post Jo. You are absolutely right about looking at the garment and figuring out if it will suit your body shape first! I've made this mistake before! The sweaters you've made are superb and I love the fact that you arranged them from basic to more involved. You've got me even more excited about getting started.... will I be able to hold off another two weeks....?!?
ReplyDeleteGreat post Jo! I love seeing all the sweaters you've made and your journey and what you've learnt along the way. I'm with you on knowing what styles work for your own body and choosing accordingly.
ReplyDeleteThank you Jo - I've enjoyed writing the blog and I am looking forward to reading all of the others so that I can learn more and improve my technique x
DeleteThanks for your post. You nailed when you said We've all had failures. - sooo true! But I'm not giving up.
ReplyDeleteGood for you! If we did that, then we wouldn't have anything pretty to wear.
DeleteI love all of your sweaters. Your Chloe is gorgeous. I'm a big fan of Dora's designs.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much. Her designs are gorgeous and I think that the Ava sweater looks so luxurious in that yarn that I just have to make it. Are you joining in with the CAL?
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