Thursday, June 23, 2016

Finally a finish the Betty Shrug that turned into a sweatar.......






First of all I would like to thank each and everyone of you for your kind words and thoughts on my last post.  I think many, many of you feel the way I do and I appreciate you taking the time to let me know your thoughts and feelings.

I finally have a finish, feels like it has been weeks and weeks since I have been able to say that.  Here is the  Betty Shrug which is obviously not a shrug based on the pictures above.  I think I got a bit carried away don't you think?  This is an amazing design by Kristeen Griffin-Grimes from the book Vintage Crochet by Susan Cropper of Loop.  

I made this version of the shrug/sweater in Shi Bui baby alpaca dk in the color mineral.  I believe I bought this some time ago online from Eat Sleep Knit.  This is a beautiful yarn to work with and as you can see once I got going I could not stop, thus this shrug turned into a sweater.  I used a size J hook to get gauge which somehow was very difficult for me to achieve.  

I really liked the pattern but played around with it a lot, not just in the length but also in how I joined the rounds.  I needed something less fiddly and what I did worked well for me.  I joined as I went, as suggested, which made this pattern so fast.  I ended up adding 16 extra diamonds or squares to the project to make it a lot longer.  I also added 14 triangles as I did not want pointed sleeves or points at the bottom of the sweater, for me I like a cleaner finish, more symmetrical.  I had the yarn so I went for it.  I might not be able to design a thing but I can sure fiddle around to make something more my style.

In total I used 950 yards of yarn for this project out of my stash.  Watch out Linda I am going to enter this in your next Stash Buster's Party.

Hope you are all enjoying you week.  Little Buddy and I are off to the splash park this afternoon to meet one of the little boys I used to work with, who was adopted by two amazing women.   I haven't seen him in ages and I can't wait to see how big he is.  We have two very special days coming up for Little Buddy, I will check back in soon to let you know all about them.

32 comments:

CJ said...

It's lovely Meredith, clever you, you make it sound so effortless! Have fun back at the splash park, I'm guessing it's quite hot with you now so no doubt cold water is very welcome. I hope you and Little Buddy have a good couple of days together, I shall look forward to hearing about them. CJ xx

Amy at love made my home said...

I hope you had Buddy have a lovely afternoon! Your top is beautiful!! It looks so elegant. I love that you fiddle around and make things your own! The shawl pin is pretty too. Have a good weekend!

kathy b said...

Oh I cannot wait to hear!! Splash parks are awesome. I love when people fall in love and become parents no matter what their orientation~

Anonymous said...

The shrug is adorable. I can picture you wearing it. It is SO YOU!

Have a great time at the splash park.

Nance said...

Lovely sweater cloak. I would have made the same adaptations to the pattern as you did; our tastes seem the same as far as symmetry and a more tailored look for this garment.

Until I become more facile with knitting--which I took up to ease some arthritis--I won't turn to something new yet (crochet). But this project is stunning.

Enjoy your weekend.

Bridget said...

Oh wow that turned out to be fabulous! I think it would be perfect for the summer.

Toni said...

Lovely!!!!!!!!!!

Betsy said...

That is so gorgeous Meredith! I wish I had the body shape to wear something like that. So pretty. I sure wish you lived close by to work on my head too. It is a bit better though so I won't complain. How are your headaches doing? All gone? I sure hope so.
Blessings,
Betsy

Blondie's Journal said...

The sweater is gorgeous, Mere! I like that it's longer...very stylish. Last winter I was seeing lot of long sweaters, knee length. Well, knee length for someone around 5'5 or taller. For me and my daughters they were hitting our ankles. This is the custom route to go!!

Have a great time with the little guys!

Jane

Kris said...

Hello dear girl! I am here for a little catch up with you. Your recent make is fabulous!! Love the coat length! And I love the closure pin! Little B is certainly enjoying summer eh? He has grown and flourished so!!
Now, about your recent post. I agree with you 100% about guns! Such senseless tragedy. The little boy who was attacked by that gator, well, I just can't even imagine the horror of such a thing. But as you say, it was a different kind of tragedy.
We were away when we heard what happened in that club in Orlando. Gut wrenching horror. When will it stop. It disgusts me that anyone could get, and/or want an AR! It is just awful. Something has got to change!!!
With all of the horrific things happening today in our world, we must focus more than ever on the joys of family and those we love.
Hugs to you, my Florida friend!
xo Kris

Tammy@T's Daily Treasures said...

Your fiddly ways resulted in a lovely sweater. I was making a cocoon shrug but not enough yarn to finish so guess it's gonna be a baby blanket since it's made in a granny pattern. Hope you had a lot of water splashing fun.

Gracie Saylor said...

It is very elegant, Meredith! You are very clever to be able to fiddle around with patterns to make them suit you. I hope you will wear and enjoy your creation. I also hope you and Little Buddy had fun this afternoon, and I look forward to your report of Little Buddy's special days. xxxxxx

Ingrid K. said...

Hello Mere,

That shrug is fantastic, hope you get lots of wear from it!
Lovely photos of LB in your last posts!

Have a good weekend!
Ingrid xx
Myfunkycrochet.blogspot.be

Janet said...

Beautiful work Meredith. It looks so pretty.

AnnieOBTextiles said...

Your shrug/sweater is absolutely beautiful and I'm sure it will bring much pleasure to wear it. I hope you and Buddy had a wonderful time at the splash park, it looks such fun.

Debbie said...

Your sweater is beautiful, hope you enjoy wearing it!

Mac n' Janet said...

So pretty, I like it better than a shrug.

mamasmercantile said...

Beautiful, I love how you altered it to suit your requirements. Love the pin, a wonderful accessory. Hope you have fun at the splash pool.

Jo said...

It's fabulous, really lovely, and a great length too. Enjoy your afternoon at the splash park, that sounds like lots of fun.

20 North Ora said...

Beautiful work Meredith. Happy Birthday to LB!!

Judy

Neighborhood Watch said...

I love your sweater! am thinking of making a crochet shrug too, but I still have yarn I ordered for a project I was keen to do last summer, but am not so keen on now and I am telling myself to use that up first. Ah the dilemmas!

I am totally with you about guns and the alligator and our political candidates. So terrible, I just do not want to watch or hear any news. As a teacher, I sadly see that students expect their classmates to be carrying hidden guns, they expect that one day they will be involved in a true lock down situation. This is not what the 2nd amendment intended.

Chris said...

Wow, you have created such a beautiful garment! You will be Able to wear that with lots of things- so pretty, so stylish !! Love it!!! Have a super afternoon with the little fellas!

Teresa Kasner said...

Your wrap turned out so elegant! I can just see you wearing that out for dinner or to an afternoon event. So Stylish! I wore my white shawl yesterday when I volunteered at the falls and got so many compliments on it. I was working on my flowers in the snow centers and so many people wanted to know what I was doing so I showed a photo on my phone and they went wild over it. Can't wait to hear more about LB. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

Anonymous said...

Knowing that Friday is a very special day. Wanted to wish your sweet little boy a very Happy Birthday. Ranee (MN)

Araignee said...

Golly, what an accomplishment! I have no idea how you can turn crochet into a fitted garment. I can't even keep my blanky straight.

A Whole Lotta Magic said...

You do such wonderful work, Meredit. I hope you know this.
Sue
xo

Jo said...

Well it turned out really well. I think it looks great that length, really wearable with your favourite jeans. Jo x

linda said...

It's amazing Meredith, what a beautiful finish and what a lot of yarn wow it would have taken me forever. :) xx

Lynne said...

I love it! And I love how you modified it to make it more you. The yarn is beautiful. What a great finish :)

Vicki Boster said...

Meredith- this is beyond beautiful. The patten is gorgeous and you chose the perfect yarn. You've made yet ANOTHER masterpiece. I don't know how you find the time!
Vicki

Jodiebodie said...

"I might not be able to design a thing but I can sure fiddle around to make something more my style."
Quite the point, Meredith! That's the beauty of making our own. Your shrug-come-sweater is lovely. Great make! :-)

Suzan said...

LOVELY!!