Positively Lace

Monday, March 4, 2013

Hi friends!

I started this blog last week, the day after my birthday... not really sure if blogging was right for me. One short week later, I have no doubt in my mind that this is something I really enjoy. I have since registered a domain name and will be blogging from this page: http://positivelylace.com/.

Please visit me there, and I hope you enjoy my blog!

Erica

Friday, March 1, 2013

Monster in Law Crochet Poncho

Crochet: Monster in Law Poncho

Image From the movie Monster in Law, 2005

It wasn't the first time I had watched the movie Monster in Law starring Jennifer Lopez and Jane Fonda, nor was it the first time I fell in love with this crocheted poncho that Jennifer Lopez's character (Charlie) wears in the movie. In fact, I think I fell in love with everything that she wore in this movie! So much so that I actually looked up who the costume designer was and was surprised to find it was Kim Barrett, the costume designer from Romeo+Juliet, The Matrix, and more.

Image From the movie Monster in Law, 2005

Anyways, I was watching t.v. one Saturday last October and this movie was on. I hadn't seen it in a few years so I decided to watch it. Instantly I remembered watching this years before and admiring the poncho; I loved the way it fell off one shoulder, the v-shape in the front, the fuzziness of the yarn, the combinations of the colors, the tassels... I needed to find this pattern! After a little googling, I found a link to a free pattern and started shopping for yarn.

I didn't like the look of the yarn that was used in the pattern so I chose to use Jo-Ann Sensations Angel Hair yarn, it had the exact texture and colors that I wanted for this pattern. I also purchased the biggest crochet hook I've ever used (Q-19/15.75 mm) going up a size from the one indicated in the pattern (P-15/10mm) to give my poncho the same open lacy look as the one in the movie.

The pattern was extremely simple and easy to follow, and after re-doing this a couple times to get the shape the way I wanted, I finished it in about a day. Looking back on it, I should have made a gauge swatch. I don't know what it is with me, I just get so excited to make something that I assume I know more than a swatch, then I inevitably end up making mistakes. I am promising myself that from now on I will make a gauge swatch (for clothing at least). My poncho ended up shorter in the back and a little too long in front. Live and learn, when I make this again (totally making it again) I will take better precaution.

Skill Level: Easy

Size: One Size

This free pattern is available Here from Lion Brand Yarn

Lacy Tunic

Crochet: Lacy Tunic

This beautiful lace tunic was made by holding two strands of cotton thread together. The pattern

consists of three different motifs that are joined together as you go to form the body of the garment. This tunic can be worn over a bathing suit for a fun summer look, or you could wear it over a tight fitting black dress with added belt for a classy evening look.

This was actually my first attempt at making anything "lacy" as I had never worked with thread or crochet hooks this small before. Having successfully completed my Avalon Top with its comparably intricate motifs, I was ready to gain some valuable lace-making experience.

The pattern itself was simple enough to follow, I recommend having experience with crochet motifs in general. I did, however, encounter some difficulty with joining the motifs (see diagram below). I was able to join the motifs as shown, but when it came time to connect the arms and sides, well I don't know what I did wrong (if, in fact, I did anything wrong) but it just looked a bit awkward.

Also, the size of the tunic was a little bit too large for my preference, especially the large bell-like sleeves. I would like to work this pattern again once I gain more experience in designing a pattern to fit, possibly even omitting the second strand of crochet thread. I think that this tunic would look beautiful in almost any color, and has great potential for individual customizations!

Skill Level: Intermediate/Advanced

Sizes: Ladies one size fits most

Materials:

12 Balls of Aunt Lydia's "Classic Crochet" size 10 cotton thread, black.
Crochet hook F-5 (3.75mm).
Yarn needle.

This pattern is available for free Here from Coats & Clark

Thursday, February 28, 2013

Avalon Top

Crochet: Avalon Top

The Avalon Top designed by Doris Chan was how I became familiar with, and drawn to, Doris Chan as a designer. It was my first ever crocheted garment and I was rather intimidated by its intricate and geometric design. Honestly, I looked at it and thought there was no way I could actually make this top and not mess up... Look at it, it is absolutely stunning!

What really drew me to this pattern was (obviously) the gorgeous floral lace motif neckline, which continues around the back of the top. For me, I really like a top that exposes parts of the back... it is so elegant in my opinion. I found the pattern surprisingly easy to follow and had the top finished in a couple weeks (it was my first top).

This pattern is suited for intermediate level experience, meaning you have previously followed a pattern (preferably one including a crochet stitch diagram) and know your basic crochet stitches. This pattern specifically uses the following stitches: chain, double crochet, half double crochet, single crochet, and slip stitch.

One issue I did encounter was that the bodice and arms came out a little bit too short for my preference, even though I have a relatively short torso. I did not, however, create a gauge swatch prior to starting this project (which you really should do!). I took one look at this and jumped right in, I foolishly thought gauge was for nerds. "But aren't nerds smart?" you ask. Yes, Yes they are. So, luckily for my mom who recently lost weight and is super skinny, this beautiful Avalon Top now has a home.

The pattern calls for the following materials:

4-6 skeins Naturally Caron Spa: Naturally
H-8 (5.00mm) crochet hook
stitch markers
yarn needle

Photos taken by Jessica McKnight

Avalon Top by Doris Chan

Pattern Available Here From Caron International Yarn

Temair Throw

Crochet: Temair Throw

Photo retrieved from Lion Brand Yarn

I came across this pattern in 2011 during my senior year at UCI. I was, as you can imagine, mesmerized by the uniqueness of this design by Nicky Epstein. It had that beautiful old fashioned classiness to it that I, being the granny I am, love so much! I couldn't believe it was a free pattern and I also couldn't wait to get started on it.

I had previously never even crocheted a circle, and I also had never even worked on a pattern that required the piecing together of motifs in any shape. It was an interesting venture for me, however, I am quite adventurous when it comes to crochet! I worked on the motifs here and there over the course of the next year and did not actually finish it until April of 2012. It was absolutely stunning when finished!

Overall, I found the pattern to be very well written. For anyone with intermediate experience (you have at least followed a pattern before and know your basic crochet stitches) in crochet, this pattern should be an enjoyable experience for you. I know that my favorite part of this was watching my circle motifs evolve, the four motifs used had such interesting laciness (I promise it's a word) to them as well as such beautiful texture.

The most difficult part of the pattern for me, and I assume others, was placing and joining the motifs (see pattern layout pictured below, it looks somewhat simpler than it was to place the motifs). I altered my placement a little bit to make the blanket more individual to my taste. You can easily change the placement of your motifs as well, creating something truly unique. As a helpful tip, I used hairpins to hold my motifs together so I could see how they would look when joined, this also helped me while actually joining them together.

Also, Please be sure to really secure your loose ends as tightly as you can. My dog actually made potty on the blanket so I really had to machine wash it (even though you should NOT do that with this blanket) and some of my motif circles started to come undone (which was fixable). I know it can be time consuming to sew or darn in loose ends, but I about had a heart attack when I saw my precious blanket I had spent so much time on, come undone. I hope you enjoy the pattern as much as I did, good luck!

The pattern calls for the following Materials:

16 balls of Vanna's Choice Yarn: Linen (I substituted about 4 skeins of Caron One Pound: Off White)
J-10 / 6.00mm size crochet hook
Large eye yarn needle

Pattern Layout

© positivelylace
Starting to connect the motifs while my puppy Roxy sleeps.
I used hairpins to hold the motifs together while I joined them (I'm so inventive, I know!).
I was so proud of myself after I finished the last motif.

© positivelylace
Connecting more motifs. Ideally you should do this on a large flat surface,
and away from small children and pets!

Temair Throw by Nicky Epstein

Pattern Available Here From Lion Brand Yarn