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

Is simpler better?

Well, I think I have officially finished my cropped crochet cardigan in Premiere. It turned out to be very simple. I think I would like it a bit better if it had some more technical elements. It was my first top down crochet sweater so I think it was more of a test run for me.

I tried to add a bit more interest in the front and collar edging. But the more I fussed with the sweater, the worse it looked! I tried a corded edging in both the main color (brown) and a contrast color. Then I tried a half double crochet edging in the brown and as well as a contrast color. Next, I tried two rows of half double crochet. I ended up with just one row of half double crochet in the main color (brown)…not super exciting, but it just seemed simpler was better.

I did lengthen the sleeves a bit based on everyone’s opinion, and I think that looks great. Thank you for all your suggestions!




Now, I am questioning my yarn choice for my Splendour sweater. I would love to get everyone’s opinion. My plan was to knit a top down knit sweater. It would include some lace in the yoke area in a 4ply yarn or a single strand of Kidsilk Haze. The body and sleeves would be knit in Stockinette stitch with a DK weight yarn or a double strand of Kidsilk Haze. I was hoping to use Kidsilk Haze, so I could be a part of the CAL.

I am actually thinking about going back to my original yarn idea (Rowan Cashcotton 4ply and DK). I hope I am not breaking the rules but I have attached a photo of my initial swatch in Cashcotton and my swatch in Kidsilk Haze. I tried some other lace stitch patterns in Kidsilk Haze, but the Little Arrowhead looks the best as well as meets my my design criteria (small number of st and row repeats). Which one does everyone like better?

Little Arrowhead in Cashcotton 4ply and DK


Little Arrowhead in Kidsilk Haze

Change must be in the air!

Well, I have made progress on my crocheted sweater using Premiere, but I have changed both the color and design. The swatch photo is in my original color (peach), but I have switched to the brown color. I also found the yarn a bit too stiff in my pattern stitch (solid shell stitch) to pull off a blouse style top. So, my new design is for a cropped, double breasted cardigan crocheted from the top down. The yoke will be done in half double crochet and the body in the solid shell stitch. What should I call this sweater? I have been making a lot of progress on this sweater, so I will have more photos to post soon. My Splendour knit sweater has taken the back seat for now.

Cropped Crochet Cardigan Swatch


Yoke of Cropped Crochet Cardigan