For Halloween, Little Miss required a bright pink waistcoat. Yes, I could have bought some fabric and run one up (ish) on the sewing machine, but I had loads of neon pink wool in my stash, and due to its verging-on-the-hideous, I can't see it being used for much else. Of course this then presented me with the perfect crochet opportunity - stash-busting specific item, hurrah :)
I trawled ravelry, Pinterest, books, and magazines for a waistcoat design, and finally happened upon a pattern for a baby jacket in my brilliant One Skein Wonders book. (I say My book as in my copy, I didn't actually write it or anything impressive like that). The design is called the Dancing Poppies Mini Bolero, but is really a short-sleeved cardigan. The pattern is highly adaptable, very easy and worked in one piece from the top down.
I have to be honest, I'm not overly pleased with it. For a start the yarn is Just. Awful. It was given to me ages ago, I simply can't turn down yarn of any sort, and this sort is pretty bad. Quite splitty, veeeery plasticky (you know that horrid squeak of plastic yarn on metal hook....), and garish in colour. Shocking pink indeed. However, it did fit the bill for the pink vampire outfit.
I had to increase the depth of the top-to-shoulder piece to allow it to fit a nearly 10 year old, basically by crocheting a few more rows, and increasing a little every 3rd row. The bottom section which is the main front, back and sides are then worked and I added a couple of extra rows of the mesh. I left too large a gap for the armholes so I would make that smaller next time. But otherwise I guess it's not too bad for a last minute speed crochet garment :)
The next step was to bling it up a bit, Halloween style. I cut out a small bat template, it's about 2 inches across. Then pinned the template to some scraps of black felt and cut out six little bats.
I pinned the bats at random angles onto the front of the cardigan, and then sewed them on very roughly with the sewing machine - a single line of stitches across the middle, for each bat.
Ta-dah! Batty pink cardigan with matching pink Halloween mitts, and obligatory fangs ....
Very imaginative outfit and a great use for the yarn! x
ReplyDeleteWhat a brilliant outfit you made for your daughter! She will always remember how hard her mother worked to maker her something special and just for her.
ReplyDelete((hugs)), Teresa :-)
Hi Jill, a fabulous Halloween make, we craft peeps never take the easy option of shop bought, it looks wonderful with the bat motif's and fits your daughter perfectly. It really is neon isn't it.
ReplyDeleteHave a lovely week
Helen
What a brilliant way to de-stash it looks amazing and obviously thrilled your daughter making some wonderful memories for her.
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness, would have taken me weeks and weeks to mak that! Love the colour, what a fab outfit! X
ReplyDeleteExcellent ! fabulous ! Your work is brilliant ! have a creative day ... again !
ReplyDeleteHow sweet! A great idea for using up such a strong colour. I love the shape of the little cardi. Lovely to have visited your blog Jill, it looks great-'see' you again soon.
ReplyDeleteS.xxx
You may not love the yarn but it was perfect for this project. Little Miss looks fantastic and I bet she had lots of fun with it.
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Meredith
The cardigan looks really great. I have a couple of balls of what is probably the same colour in my stash. I must have bought it (can't even claim to have been given it!) so now I'm crocheting a blanket using it and a similarly hideous neon lime green. When it's finished it will be given away!
ReplyDeleteA great use for your yarn, and definitely good for Halloween! It goes well with the wrist warmers too doesn't it! xx
ReplyDeleteYou're a very fast crocheter (if that's a word). I'm sure your daughter appreciates your hard work and creativity. Hope she enjoyed Halloween x
ReplyDelete