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Custom Crocheted Sweaters – Make Garments That Really Fit

by

If the cover sweater isn’t tempting enough, you’ll find plenty of other reasons to add this great book to your crochet library.

 

Looking for more sweaters to crochet? Check out these sweater Crochet patterns we found on Etsy.

Custom Crochet Sweaters

This book is both a beginner’s guide and a scholarly thesis on how to construct your own sweater so that it will fit you or the person you make it for.  Dora Ohrenstein shares her vast crochet experience in a manual that will take you from simple to sophisticated, working up projects that will fit your curves just the way you want them to.

Using thorough text, up close photography, and detailed graphics, Ohrenstein covers all the elements for creating a custom sweater – from understanding construction techniques to reading patterns and measuring bodies, from swatching for gauge to altering patterns.  This is one stop shopping with every topic covered in depth and detail.

After you’ve read the hand-book, you get to the 10 sweaters – all beautiful and at least one guaranteed to be THE sweater for you.  There are two in this book that will work well on my frame – the cover sweater (Beau Blazer) and the Floating Tee.  Other designs include two shells, a long-lined vest, a cardigan, and several pullovers.  As usual, Ohrenstein’s choice of yarn and color are also spot on.  You’ll be entranced by the colors and yarn choices and the fact that the sweaters can be adjusted to fit your every sweater need.

ADDENDUM:  I asked permission to post this email I received as its author couldn’t post it her herself.  I think her comments are insightful.

I bought this book a few weeks ago. It’s absolutely great. I liked all of
the sweaters and most would look good on my frame.
But the real treasures are the fitting instructions and the fine tuning.
Even if one didn’t care for any of the sweaters the book is still very
helpful.

Susan in San Jose

 

Book Specs:

Lark Crafts Publishers, (www.sterlingpublishing.com) January, 2012

142 Pages with many color photos, illustrations, and drawings

Soft cover with (my favored peanut butter & jelly proof) Satin Finish

ISBN 9781600597985

$22.95 USD

 

Comments

  1. Your post on crochet partners about men’s thoughts cracked me up.. I get the same bull from some of our friends hubbies.. Mine is just as bad — doesn’t understand how women can sit ans crochet or knit day after day.. I always tell them well I can’t understand how you can toss a hook and line over board and sit there for hours hoping a fish will come along and grab you hook…or go sit in freezing weather and wait for a deer to come in site so you can shoot it or go golfing for hours knocking a little ball over green grass hopefully into a hole..

Have you read?

Christmas Tree Crochet Scarf – A Fun and Festive Pattern Worth Revisiting

Some crochet patterns are practical, some are pretty, and some are just pure holiday fun. This Christmas Tree Crochet Scarf from CraftBits falls firmly into that last category, and honestly, that is exactly why it caught my eye again. It is quirky, cheerful, and the kind of novelty scarf that makes people smile before you have even had a chance to explain that yes, you really did make it yourself. The pattern comes from CraftBits and creates a scarf made up of Christmas tree motifs joined together into one gloriously festive wearable.

If this scarf looks a little familiar, you might already have spotted it in our roundup of 18 Free Christmas Crochet Scarf Patterns To Make As Gifts or in our collection of 15 Fun And Silly Crochet Scarf Patterns. It has definitely popped up on Crochet.CraftGossip before, and for good reason. It is one of those patterns that manages to be both wearable and wonderfully ridiculous, which is a very fine line in the world of festive crochet.

What I like most about this design is that it does not try to be subtle. It fully embraces the novelty Christmas vibe, and sometimes that is exactly what a seasonal project needs. The scarf is made using repeated tree shapes, so it has that satisfying motif-based construction that many crocheters enjoy. It also gives you the chance to play with embellishments like pom poms and stars, which adds even more personality to the finished piece. According to the CraftBits pattern, the scarf uses Red Heart Super Saver yarn, a size I hook, and simple decorative extras including felt and pom poms.

This would be such a fun project for a holiday party outfit, an ugly sweater event, a handmade gag gift, or just for someone who genuinely loves festive accessories. We all know at least one person who would wear this proudly while serving Christmas lunch or turning up to school pickup in December like the absolute queen of holiday spirit.

It is also the sort of pattern that feels a little nostalgic in the best possible way. CraftBits has had this project around for years, and it still holds up because novelty crochet never really goes away. It just waits patiently for the rest of us to catch up again. And let’s be honest, there is something refreshing about a project that does not take itself too seriously. Not every scarf needs to be neutral, elegant, or sensible. Some scarves are allowed to be actual Christmas trees.

So yes, you may have seen this one before in our scarf roundups, but I think it deserves its own little spotlight too. If you are in the mood to make something playful, memorable, and completely unapologetic for the holiday season, this one is worth another look.