Avalon Top

Crochet: Avalon Top

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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 

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My finished Avalon Top.  

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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

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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. 

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

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Adding the final motifs, in a slightly different layout then the pattern suggested.  Beautiful!

Temair Throw by Nicky Epstein

Pattern Available Here From Lion Brand Yarn