Thursday 19 March 2009

Crochet to While Away the Time

This finished object is largely the result of me having no idea what the heck I wanted to make or why.

I've had this silk dk weight yarn for over a year and have been determined to use it in my next project. I tried a few things both knitted and crocheted before it sort of took on a life of its own and became this little capelet. I had fun experimenting with the different stitches and think I learned a fair bit about crochet design in the process.

The yarn is a dk silk from Colourmart and was to be honest difficult to crochet with at times. Having said that - it was worth the effort as the fabric (I used a 3.5mm crochet hook) drapes beautifully. I added glass beads to the bottom for a little bit of extra glamour.

I would make some small changes to the capelet if I were to make it again, but overall I'm pleased with the effect.

Crochet is great for experimenting. Because there aren't tons of live stitches waiting to cause you grief when you rip back it is much more forgiving when you are trying out ideas. You just drop the last hoop from the hook and rip back with abandon. No heartstopping moments as you try to pick up the stitches without losing one (or two) and watching them drop back 10 intricate rows of lace.

Of course every silver lining has a cloud - and in crochet it is that you can't easily repair a mistake in a previous row WITHOUT ripping back. And I can say from experience that hurts.


11 Years Waiting and 1 Day Sewing

For anyone interested I am happy to report that the replacement bobbincase did arrive. (How cool is the internet? I discover that I've lost the bobbincase to a 15 year old sewing machine do a quick google and 2 days later I've got a replacement. I'm beginning to think this www thing might not just be a fad.)

Anyway - the case arrived and after 11 years of procrastination my kitchen chairs have new (removable)(and therefore washable) seatcovers. Hurrah!

11 comments:

Chrissy said...

I love the capelet, so pretty, and well done on finally getting an 11 year project done. It gives me hope for finishing all my old and abandoned projects one day.

The Caked Crusader said...

Chair covers look great - I'm impressed with the crisp corners!

BTW a third lemur will be arriving shortly.

Anonymous said...

Your capelet is an amazing testimony to trying out new patterns and putting them together to suit ourselves. And I love your seat covers!

fleegle said...

I laughed when I saw your chairs. Want to sew my pillows for me :)

Your capelet is spectacular! Glad you found a project to keep you busy.

Opal said...

your capelet is truly lovely. i agree with you about crochet being great to experiment with. i think it's the only medium i'm truly comfortable doing that with.

i love those seat covers! so spring!

Anonymous said...

Ooo, such a pretty capelet! Just the thing (and the colour) for springtime.

Hooray for new seatcovers!

cici said...

that caplet is to die for. The chairs look great too!

lv2knit said...

RE: Chairs -- better late than never and really cute!

RE: Cape -- have you considered it as a skirt over lay. How fun would that be?! Love it!

Gale Bulkley said...

Nice looking chair covers. Were are you going to wear that lovely capelet?

Taking Chance - it's an HBO movie starring Kevin Bacon, and deals with one military man's journey in escorting a young casualty of war home to his family.

Anonymous said...

The capelet is beautiful! You're a crochet inspiration!

Anonymous said...

Love your crochet capelet, your inspiring me to learn to crochet.
Sandra Singh