Adult Sweater

I'm so excited! I made myself a sweater! It's about time. I used this pattern by Clare Lee: Brick Sweater.

The only difference was that I made it in a top-down raglan style because that's what I'm comfortable with. It was really easy to make it top-down raglan- when you do your original cast on for the neckline, join in the round. I found this pattern super easy and super fun! It comes with directions for several different sizes, Enjoy!

Lightweight Poncho Crochet Pattern

There are many poncho patterns out there but most of them are made to keep you warm. Coming from a place where it is hot most of the year, that isn't very useful. So, I found a poncho pattern that I really liked that was also lightweight. But The problem was you need to work it in the round which proved to be hard for me. Every time I tried to join the two ends, my chain would twist and it would make me so mad! After an hour or two of attempting this pattern, I decided it just wasn't going to work. So this pattern is worked in as a single "panel". As you would make a blanket. I thought that I might as well make this poncho 100% mine and create a whole knew pattern.

First, you chain an odd number of stitches. It doesn't matter exactly how many, you can completely customize this pattern.
Row 1- 2 sc in second ch from hook and in each ch across until last ch, 2 sc in final ch
Row 2-5- ch 1, 2 sc in next st and in each st across until last st, 2 sc in last stitch.
Row 6- *ch 5, skip one st, sc in next* repeat from * across
Row 7- *ch 5, sc in middle ch of the next gap* repeat from * across.

Repeat those seven rows until desired length and sc five final rows.
Before you cut the yarn,  fold the poncho in half and slip st the sides together. When slip stitching insert hook into the two sides at once and continue until you have seamed the whole project together. Flip inside out.

If you have any questions, be sure to ask me because I would love to answer them. Let me know how yours turns out!

Knit Baby Sweaters

I have always wanted to make a sweater but was too scared because it looked too complicated. I didn't want to deal with the stress of it not working so that I had to keep starting over and over again. But after a while, I figured that a baby sweater would be a good place to start because they are small and if I messed up, it wouldn't be so bad to start over. Also, I had just bought a circular needle set so I was ready to break in those bad boys.

As you could guess, once I discovered the top- down raglan technique through YouTube, I figured it didn't have to be as complicated as I thought. This technique involves no sewing- just a simple pattern of increases and holding stitches for later. I wanted to find a baby sweater pattern at this point but every one of them looked a bit too complicated with pockets and buttons and hoodies and all that good stuff. I wanted to start small and simple and ease my way into this stuff. It may be cute, but its hard.

Then I found a sweater pattern generator- Sweater Pattern. All you have to do is enter the needle size you'll be using, your gauge, a chest measurement, and the type of fit that you need- snug, comfortable, or loose. Then you press submit and the whole pattern generates for you. Here was the data I put in:

Needle Size- US 6

Gauge- 23 stitches per four inches and 29 rows per four inches

Chest Measurement- 24 inches

Fit- comfortable

The pictures above show how they turned out. For my first sweaters, I'd say I'm pretty proud. The pink one is supposed to be a sweater dress for my soon-to-be niece. I think they are so cute and turned out pretty well! I really can't wait to see them on my niece!

If you try this, tell me how it goes!