Crochet

Patterns, projects and techniques

FIRST YOU TAKE A …………..THEN YOU CROCHET A ……..

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Isn’t that a great headline?  First you do what?  Well, back on the theme of recycling/repurposing, I ran across a couple of re-fashion sites.  These struck my fancy since I recently attended the Green With Envy craft show here in St. Louis where every item for sale or display was made with recycled (upcycled) materials.  There seems to be a theme here…

Dolin O’shea has a nice tutorial about making tee-shirt yarn and using that to re-fashion a cute tank top.

http://blog.craftzine.com/archive/2009/05/refashioned_crochet_embellishe.html

Then, I found this idea which I actually like better.  This idea can be used for any number of garments:

http://skyturtle.wordpress.com/2009/06/20/tank-top-crochet-refashion-how-to/

This idea I may have shown you before.  I’ve done the same thing with sweatshirts too.  Take a pullover and convert it into a cardigan using crochet to edge and embellish.  It’s very simple.  There’s a tutorial on this blog:

http://www.sarahjoaustin.com/refashioning-old-misfit-sweaters-into-cute-crocheted-cardigans/

Using these same ideas, you can re-fashion any number of otherwise throw-away garments into ones you can wear and enjoy.  Want capris or yoga pants?  Take a pair of thin sweats or other lightweight knits and cut off at the length that’s right for you.  Edge with a cute row or two of crochet.  Have a tank that your kid has outgrown?  Take it and a piece of fabric or the skirt from a different dress, and crochet them together to create a new dress.  These ideas will save you money, create a look that’s unique, and soothe your creative urges.  Go for it.  Not much to lose.

Comments

  2. What great and simple ways to re-purpose old clothing! I’ve actually got a bag of stuff going to goodwill right now, I think I’ll have to go through it and see if there’s anything I want to keep to try your ideas out on. Thanks!

Have you read?

Shock Wave Free Crochet Lap Blanket Pattern

This Free Shock Wave Crochet Lap Blanket Pattern from Mary Maxim looks like one of those wonderfully satisfying projects that gives big cozy payoff without fiddly detail. Mary Maxim lists it as a free download, designed as a crochet afghan/lap blanket, with a finished size of 45 x 50 inches.

What immediately stands out is the yarn choice. The pattern is made with Bernat Blanket Extra Thick, using 5 skeins, and calls for a U.S. U/50 (25 mm) crochet hook. That is gloriously chunky territory, which usually means fast progress and lots of squishy texture. If you are in the mood for a project that feels substantial in your hands and grows quickly row by row, this one definitely has that appeal.

Mary Maxim describes the blanket as having a beautifully textured, plush, soft finish and suggests it as a project for home décor or gifting. Based on the materials and oversized hook alone, that sounds about right. This feels like the sort of blanket you make for curling up on the couch, draping over a chair, or giving as a practical handmade gift that will actually get used instead of folded away “for best.”

The pattern is marked Easy, and the listed stitch requirements are straightforward: chain, repeat, double crochet, single crochet, and slip stitch. That makes it sound approachable for confident beginners and very appealing for anyone who wants a relaxing crochet project without too much counting drama.

I also think the lap blanket size is a smart one. Not every crochet blanket needs to become a giant commitment that takes over the lounge room and your will to live. A 45 x 50 inch blanket is a useful, manageable size for gifting, for wheelchairs or reading nooks, or just for keeping on hand for chilly evenings. That practicality gives this pattern extra appeal. The usability point is my own take based on the finished dimensions Mary Maxim provides.

At the moment, the pattern page shows no reviews, so there is not much customer feedback to go on yet. Still, if you enjoy easy crochet blanket patterns, super chunky crochet throws, or quick lap blanket projects, this one looks like a solid freebie to save.

My overall take? This looks like a fast, cozy, beginner-friendly crochet blanket pattern with plenty of texture and instant-gratification energy. Very much the sort of project you start because it looks easy, then keep going because the yarn feels ridiculously soft.