half done projects
May 15th, 2012
It’s not all wine and finished projects in these parts. Trust me there are plenty of half done–half assedly done–things shoved in various corners of my studio. This afghan is not destined for one of those corners (I hope). It is actually coming along quite nicely. I fell in love with this vintage afghan that Miss Rachel from Smile and Wave picked up at her local thrift. I had been looking around for crochet patterns I could use to make a blanket for my son, but nothing seemed right until that blue number popped up. A commenter on pinterest pointed me to a pattern on ravelry called the Vintage Fan Ripple Stitch Pattern, which turned out to be exactly the same as the original afghan. I went out and bought a bunch of yarn the next day.
I liked all the blues in Rachel’s blanket, so I stuck with that and threw some gray in for good measure. Ravelry came to the rescue again when I ran out of the light blue yarn I was using. The heathered light blue was by Berroco Vintage, which I had in my stash, and when I went back to my local yarn store for more they were all out. After a look on the interwebs, I discovered Berroco didn’t even make that colorway anymore. Luckily there was someone on ravelry who had two skeins of it for sale! I don’t know why the two rows of light blues look different in the photo–trust me they are not. Oh also there are more nerdy crochet details on ravelry.
The other half done project is not coming along as nicely. The first time I made the Wiksten Tank it was nice, but it was a smidge small. So I cut a medium this time. Well turns out the first one wasn’t small, it was just that the material I used didn’t have any give to it. The medium is too big everywhere and if I try to take the sides in, the wide set straps make me look, umm, beefy. I can’t shove it in the corner because this fabric was expensive as hell. So here’s my plan: I’m going to cut this tank apart, cut the small from it (a little lower down), and then add a band of color to the bottom. What do you think? I picked up some navy linen that I think will work. I’m hoping it won’t look hackneyed.
Holy cow, that blanket is very nice! I may try one myself. Have a bunch of cotton yarn in blues and a cousin having a boy.
Is ravelry worthwhile? Sounds like you like it; I haven’t tried it yet.
ravelry is like a huge pattern and yarn and inspiration wonderland!
Love that Wiksten pattern. I’ve heard from several people not to second guess the pattern instructions. If you cut to your actual measurements it will work. I was very nervous about it, but followed their advice and I love my dress. It’s my summer uniform. Currently taking apart one of my husbands shirts (ink stain and small hole) to make the tank.
That blanket is beautiful! Nice work. :)
The blanket is so beautiful! And I don’t think the tank will look hackneyed; it’ll be lovely!
I obviously need to get on with learning to crochet…that blanket is stunning! Lovely.
Meg, what about if you cut the back in half and take it in a bit in addition to a 1/4″ on the side? Would that solve the issue any? Good luck with it! The blanket is enviable.
the problem is that the straps are set to wide for my shoulders in the medium, so taking it in anywhere won’t really solve the problem.
OHMYGOSHILOVETHATAFGANSOMUCH. Ombre!
I think your wiksten tank solution is just the thing. I would totally do that. Thanks for the blanket link. I love to queue crocheted blankets and never make them, lol.
1) Dang, I wish I crocheted. 2) LOVE the fabric for that Wiksten tank. Am working on my first now, and I will trust the pattern measurements! Love your projects. :)
I feel ya! Sizing is such a beast. I’m not sure what size I am with Wiksten patterns either. My first tank was a medium and pretty roomy but I think the small might be too small under the arms. Hope you can save that lovely fabric!
The blanket is gorgeous – love the pattern.
I heard the Wiksten tank runs large on sizing… Good luck with the medium to small redo! Let us know who it goes.
That is a beautiful afghan ! you have to finish it!!!
oh, my. that is nani iro, right? that’s why mine is still stashed in a drawer. i’m petrified to use it! my first wiksten tova was too big…. i’m still afraid to try another…. see what you can do to salvage that fabric!! (if nothing else you can use it for patchwork squares!?)
That blanket is just gorgeous!
man i wish i could crochet/knit. my mom tried to teach me to crochet but she goes way too fast and i can’t follow her. you were my original wiksten tank inspiration! i think your band at the bottom solution sounds good. worse comes to worse, chop off the entire bottom, add a skirt, and make it a comfy summer dress? save the rest of the nani iro for…i don’t know what. skirt for the girlie?
I really like your blanket. With such fun color and constantly changing, I think it is destined to be finished. I can’t wait to see it finished. I sorry to hear about your tank top. I hope you’ll be able to fix it. Because of my experiences similar to yours in clothes sewing, I have given up on sewing clothes. I just stick to knitting and quilting.
I had a dream last night that I made the Tova and it came out huge plus had a cape attached, which was why it required so much fabric. Obviously my subconscious is sad that I buy more fabric than I actually sew these days.
That is a gorgeous stitch, and the colors you chose are wonderful!! Lovely!
[…] more too, because that Wiksten tank I'm trying to fix is looking pretty Becky HomeEcy. This print is by Geninne who did a lovely line […]