Lessons Learned from Cropped Crochet Cardigan
I have added three more photos of my finished cropped crochet cardigan in Premiere. Julia suggested that I add some thoughts on the finished garment, so here is a brief summary of my lessons learned from this design!
Front
1) This was my first top down crochet garment, so I basically learned how to design a crochet garment from the top down.
2) I would have liked the garment to have a bit more of something...more interesting finishing or some more technical construction elements. But since this sweater was my first top down in crochet, I kept the stitch pattern and the shape simple. Now I am ready to tackle a top down design with some shaping and more complex stitch pattern(s)!
3) The yarn restrictions actually forced me to finish this garment. My original design was for a square neck (top down) blouse style top. I chose to use Premiere as well as solid stitch patterns, which did not support a "drapey" top. If I was not part of the CAL, I probably would have changed the yarn and continued down my quest for a blouse style garment. Instead, I stayed the course with Premiere (and my stitch pattern) and came out with a completely different garment! But now I feel more confident about designing my "blouse" style garment with a more complex stitch pattern and some shaping.
Side
Whew! That is it for now, and I hope to move on to my Splendour sweater soon! Thanks again for the CAL's input on my cropped crochet cardigan.
Close-up of Stitch Pattern
![[calpremiere.jpg]](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy0wh_95AcwniXEoBtZoHC2yUGJ2XuU8O_-D10FxvaeOSiaAAZM1J1JUHI-8zfGrMG6XFuO6WtsDA4bnq_jySFC87TnR_W_sP1M8F3Qm7KH-Rd4DMFp-C4FxTnvsq5uT1cptxd-XgQHng/s1600/calpremiere.jpg)
![[calpremieremove.gif]](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp5NGvZgOE3ghqG0Ksh0c6lFPEO_0hIHk4O2P5pWZ0wWdFS4L7lVQCH-6GkDPyynDaflFO1bc7V2YGCat9AKdSoPMgef2GrBPfe_b6l-llR-Ls7M-2KzYlwBBU_ehpWtIBFM6cdbKlA84/s1600/calpremieremove.gif)
19 comments:
See, I love that it's simple. I love the buttons that you used too. Everything about it is just really cute! I am glad that you stuck with it because it's great!
It's really cute! I think the buttons add just enough "something."
I think this is the first non-lacy crochet cardigan that has not even the slightest whiff of "crafty grandma" lingering around the edges. I really, really like it! Will the pattern be available?
I agree with weaver. There are a handful of crochet cardis that I would make and this is one of them. Its simplicity makes it wonderful. I hope you'll consider publishing the pattern. If you need help with that, just let us know. There are many people who publish in this group. I can't wait to see the next design! (kidsilk or calmer?)
Thanks so much for your comments. I am glad you all like the design. I was thinking about posting the pattern on the new Crochet me that comes out in June. One issue that I always have when it comes to self publishing my patterns is the tech editing! I can write them for various sizes, but I need them to get edited/ reviewed. Any suggestions?
Most of us cannot afford tech editors but there are wonderful people on the web who will knit a sample of your pattern. There are some who might even do it for free, though I suggest you at least offer some sort of barter, whether that's an offer to custom design them a pattern or provide the needed yarn or send them some yummies from your stash.
Publishing through a zine is a great alternative, and if you feel more comfortable with that, I say you go for it.
Either way, it's a beautiful piece and I think you are selling yourself short when you dismiss it as too simple. It looks great on you, which is important. Wearability is the ultimate in a hand made garment, and yours is that in spades, with cute to boot.
Now that I see it on you I love it even more! :)
Thanks again for all your comments! I also appreciate the insight on getting a design reviewed/tested for publication. I guess I need to start by writing it up in multiple sizes!
This sweater is so pretty. I have only crocheted one coat out of Rebecca, becuase it was really gorgeous. This sweater is right up there with that one. It is really well done. Thanks for sharing.
Definitely write it up in multiple sizes. Because I am not yet a crocheter, I can't be much help in certain aspects on this one, but I can check your basic numbers to make sure that they work out. I would be happy to learn to crochet and test-crochet this, too, but I couldn't guarantee how long it would take. I have the longest queue in the universe and work is super busy. I would instead recommend posting to ask for test-crocheters here and on your blog. You really only need one or two, but at least one should do it in a larger size (to make sure your estimated proportions hold).
As for Crochet Me, I'm not sure if they require that you have not published the piece previously (as you have on this blog), but many places do. I wouldn't let that slow you down, though. Self-publishing really is a great way to go, and is generally much more lucrative.
We may want to consider starting a cooperative for design with people from this site, with people tech-editing and testing one another's designs. That can be a lot of work, but if enough people are interested, the load could be spread out.
Just some thoughts....
Thanks for the offer to test crochet my cardigan! It would probably be a great first crochet project as well as a quick one! Good point about the fact that I may not be able to publish my design since it was already published with the CAL. I am leaving for vacation for the next two weeks, so I will see if I can get the pattern started in multiple sizes while I am gone. Once I get the pattern finished, I will see if anyone wants to test it with some sort of incentive!
I am all for a design co-op! I think Crochet me may be leaning that direction when their site is revamped in June. Check out what Kim Werker (editor of Cme) has to say about their revamp. http://www.crochetme.com/blog/crochetme/spring-issue-status-update-and-more
It looks great on you, and I certainly wouldn't call it too simple--the textures and buttons and shape are all lovely and interesting.
I'm with everyone else- I love its simplicity. It's a really cute little sweater! Congratulations!
I would certainly test-crochet this for you with a little incentive. I'd like one for myself!
I am in love love love with this cardigan. I want to make one too!! Thank you for making a truly hip and wearable crochet garment.
PS I volunteer to test crochet this as well.
See, there you go! You've got test-crocheters. I really do want to learn to crochet and have been teaching myself slowly, so I'm happy to test-crochet or buy the pattern eventually. It is really cute!
Great! Thank you all! I just need to get the pattern written up...not always as fun or fast as crocheting it! I hope to get the pattern written soon!
I'm a little late to say it, but this looks great on you! Excellent job!
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