I have this yarn - my very first Wollmeise, a lovely gift some years ago now (thanks again
Michele!).
I have tried to make something out of it twice before.
The first time, I just decided I didn't like the pattern I'd chosen. And I was glad to frog it.
The second time, I loved the pattern (still do) but the gauge wasn't right. So after some time, I frogged it too.
This time, I have hit the jackpot! I decided to use this very special yarn to make a special something for me for my birthday. So for about 6 weeks before my birthday, I was quietly working away on this, which I called my birthday suit!
Details:
Pattern: Charlotte Skirt by Doris Chan, Interweave Crochet Summer 2010. I know! A crochet skirt! And it's not even the (19)70s! heh heh!
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| (pre-blocking) |
Yarn: 2 skeins of Wollmeise 100% Superwash merino in Rosenrot (yep, that's RoseRed in German!). Actually, it was less than 2 skeins, probably about 1.5 skeins in all. They are some big skeins, such good value! And of course you know what I did with the leftovers...yes, more sexypuffs!
Hook: 4.5mm hook
Time: 30 September 2011 - 9 November 2011. Crochet really does go so fast!
Modifications: I made the pattern as written, except to make it much longer (as written, it would be shorter than knee length on me - I don't think it's a great idea to flash my 40 yo knees to anyone much any more! So I did an extra 20 rows (repeated rows 13 and 14, I think - the last 2 rows before the increases), to the length desired. Which fortunately coincided with finishing the first skein of yarn - so I blocked it, to see how much it would grow with blocking. Lucky I did, because it grew quite a bit! Loose gauge will do that for you!
What I learnt: Three main things:
1. How hard it is to find a plain black straight skirt to wear underneath! If I'd had time, I would have sewed a skirt. In fact, I probably could have sewed one in the time it took me to find this one at the shops!
2. I made a "foundation chain" for the first time. It was a bit fiddly but I got the hang of it after about the first 10 chains! I'm not sure it is better than a regular chain. I suspect it is. I figured when making a skirt for the first time, I should just follow the experienced designer's instruction, as I suspect she had a good reason for doing it this way!
3. Best not to store your yarn out on the coffee table, no matter how attractive it looks...because when you go to wind it some years later, this is the outcome:
Woops! At least it was still usuable! The rest of the yarn that was on display is now quarantined in ziplock bags!
I do love my lovely rosered swingy birthday suit skirt! And because I frogged a pre-2011 project to make this, I figure this counts as another Binding off 2011 challenge project done! Woohoo!
20 comments:
i love everything about this, but mostly the fact that you actually made a skirt, and also how bloody good it looks on you! so good to be able to give yourself something so special for a special bday!
You have the knack with the skirts - it looks great. If you want to have a sewing bee sometime just let me know...
Wwll done. It's a very pretty skirt (and thanks for tip about leaving yarn out!)
finally! You're showing the thing I've longed to see! It's gorgeous. Drapey and pretty and RosenRot!
You can't just say that your yarn on the coffee table was unusable - are you saying it was eaten? I am looking at my coffee table yarn now with worried glances.
Once again, well done!
Bells, that picture with the 7 balls - that is one skein of wollmeise! The largest is about 45g, the smallest about 7g!
i get that - I just mean was it nibbled by moths or something and broke?
Yep, moth (or some other nasty) eaten. But only in a few spots, thankfully.
"Crocheted skirt" does conjure images of orange and avacado green granny squares. Yours is lovely and looks perfect over top of the black skirt. It might work over top of a bathing suit as well for after swimming lounging around.
It looks very nice on you, and not at all Fleetwood Mac-ish, which is what a crocheted skirt makes me think of. ;)
I am mystified as to why/how Connor lets you store yarn on the coffee table to begin with. And also, how come you still get to have a coffee table? We gave up years ago, and we call ours a play table, and there is no displaying anything on it anyway.
How gorgeous! I love your skirt! Now I want a crochet skirt...as if I don't have enough going on, lol.
Swish- a- roo!
I'm glad Bells asked for clarification I hadn't grasped that something had selectively nibbled the yarn - so glad the beasties hadn't got any hungrier than that!
3rd time is the charm. this looks really great on you. i hear you on the 70's vibe with a crochet skirt but Rodarte showed some very pretty crochet skirts in their Fall 2011 collection. so i think you're right up to date.
belated happy birthday!
It looks fantastic, well done. I think it is just amazing. Love the color, love the pattern and love the picture of you swirling, it is gorgeous,
Meredith
Totally gorgeous! Love it -the colour is fabulous and it looks fabulous on you!:-)
No wonder you are twirling with delight: it's beautiful!!! And the added bonus of leftovers for sexy puffs too!!
Oh! This looks fantastic! Love the colour (of course) and the twirliness of it. Every skirt needs a good twirl factor.
Your question about the foundation chain - it's stretchier than a normal chain. I prefer it as a starting row - means you don't get that bowing that often happens with tight chain rows, and looser dc rows after.
I love your birthday suit ! :D
well done you !
Oooh, that is pretty!
And I too was wondering if it was sun-damage or some kind of nibbling critters.
Wow, the skirt looks fantastic. Happy belated birthday.
The skirt is beautiful and looks wonderful on you. As my grandmother would have said, "Wear it in good heath." (Yiddish saying.)
Thanks for your sweet comment! I actually have your package ready to go, but don't plan on trying to mail anything until after X-mas.
I also listened to Miss Pettigrew on cd, and I really enjoyed it, too. I'm not sure I would have enjoyed the book as much. FD does a great job.
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