Japanese Vest

Japanese Vest

Posted on by crisdvic

This Japanese Vest is made out of 4 rectangles of fabric surrounded by a crochet ending. You can easily modify the pattern to adapt the shape while you are adding the crochet part. To transition from fabric to crochet I have used a yarn needle and sew a blanket stitch all around.

It is up to you if you want to use leftover fabric or just buy a new one. In this case, the total needed will depend on the width of the fabric and how you want the print design to show. (i.e for size S and a 120 cm (48”) width fabric, you may only need 25 cm (10”)

Before cutting the fabric, think about how you would like to see the print design once the vest is finished. You will be able to decide at the end what goes up-down and right-left, but sometimes complex motifs may need planning ahead.

I recommend to customize the size of the mid-front crochet rectangles and the seams once you have finished the shoulders. The pictures may give you an idea, but it will very much depend on your size and preferences.

The Japanese Vest pattern is already available in Ravelry

In addition, you can also find some more inspirations about “fusion crafts” projects in my Pinterest Board: Inspiration- fusion crafts.

Twisted Capelet

Twisted Capelet

Posted on by crisdvic

In this new pattern, the Twisted Capelet, I have used a technique that I found to be very useful, not only to finish with an ending that will facilitate to nicely seam two pieces together, but also to keep these stitches again later if you do not know how long to make something: The Provisional Cast-On.

There are several methods for creating a provisional cast-on. In these links you will find short videos that will show you how to make the ones I consider more useful:

One-step method, (a 7 min video in Spanish) that cast stitches directly onto the needle.

Two-step crochet method (a 3 min video in English) that uses a crochet chain first and then pick stitches upon from that chain.

One-step crochet method (a 2 min video in English) that also uses a crochet, but cast stitches directly onto the needle.

In any case you will need to use a spare yarn of similar weight and with a contrast color to facilitate its removal.

In this picture you will see how this technique helps in making a nice finish on the Twisted Capelet.

provisional cast on

The Twisted Capelet is a multicolored flat-worked pattern in a bias construction that is finished twisted and joined to form a fake Moebius shape with a nice triangle shape in the back.

You will find more information about this pattern in Raverly.

Greeny Poncho

Greeny Poncho

Posted on by crisdvic

Following with my Pinterest inspiration (Board de Pinterest: Inspiration: rectangle knitting & crochet patterns), here you have another idea with a rectangular design: The Greeny Poncho.

The Greeny Poncho needs about 75 gr of Mohair, which makes it especially light, and with a simple lace stitch and 6 mm needles, which allows it to be used practically all year around. And as in other previous suggestions, useful to decrease your leftover yarn.

The pattern is available at Raverly in 3 languages ​​(Castellano, Català, English).

And remember that by subscribing to my NEWSLETTER you will receive the Pinky Poncho pattern by FREE!!

Pinky Poncho

Pinky Poncho

Posted on by crisdvic

Continuing with projects with rectangular structure, here it is another pattern that transforms two rectangles into a summer poncho: The Pinky Poncho.

You only need about 50 grams of Linen and 15 grams of Mohair, and it is knitted in stockinette stitch. Raverly pattern available in  English, Spanish, and Catalan, and FREE for those that subscribe to my NEWSLETTER!.

In addition, you can also find some more inspirations about “rectangle” projects in my Pinterest Board: Inspiration: rectangle knitting & crochet patterns.  

Garbi Cardigan: Local Wool

Garbi Cardigan: Local Wool

Posted on by crisdvic

Few days ago Misskitts published a post on its blog describing the story behind a few local dye artisans and wool producers. I recommend it to you because I think it is interesting to be aware of the added value that these small companies provide. To have a more complete list, I also recommend the compilation that tejereningles published a couple of years ago. The Garbi Cardigan (or Garbí Cardigan) is my contribution to the visibility of these artisans.

A few months ago I had the opportunity to meet one of these artisan producers in a pleasant weekend of weaving retreat organized by El Robledal and Bellotaknits . Several projects have already come out of this retreat: #hardysweater , #bennettshawl from magazine Bellota 4 , and the #lasantacardigan with skeins of El Robledal and patttern from the book Punto y a parte-II of Luymou.

The Garbi Cardigan is my latest project inspired by that experience. With fingering skeins of the same shade as the #lasantacardigan, it is a basic project, perfect to start with the 2-needle technique. Two rectangles stitched on the sides and the back, which combine stockinette stitch, garter stitch and a simple lace. You will only need a little more than 1 skein of 100 g and a button. And although the pattern describes 3 sizes (S, M, L), it is difficult that once finished it does not fit you nicely. The wool used gives it a fantastic fit and the right warmth to combine it with a summer dress or top.

As always, you will find the pattern in Etsy and Ravelry. In addition, you can also find some more inspirations about “rectangle” projects in my Pinterest Board; Inspiration: rectangle knitting & crochet patterns.

Remember that you can subscribe to my NEWSLETTER to keep in touch!

Mestral Purse: Stripes & Leftover Yarn (II)

Mestral Purse: Stripes & Leftover Yarn (II)

Posted on by crisdvic

In the previous post I suggested using leftover yarn to make a simple Summer Top with circular needles (Mestral Top). Since I still had about 100 grams left, I thought of doing something even simpler, and this time in crochet. The result: the Mestral Purse.

In this project I have used a color ratio similar to the Top, and some basic crochet stitches. Being a small pouch, depending on the handle you put on it, you can also use it as a fanny pack. Being also small in size, knitted in crochet and with quite thick stitches, there is no need to add a lining, although this always depend on how you like it…

The two projects together need less than 600 grams in total in 4 colors. A good excuse to reduce your stash!

Like the Mestral Top, you have the pattern of the Mestral Purse in Ravelry and Etsy.

Remember that you can subscribe to my NEWSLETTER to keep in touch!

Mestral Top: Stripes & Leftover Yarn (I)

Mestral Top: Stripes & Leftover Yarn (I)

Posted on by crisdvic

There are different techniques to make color kitting patterns (Intarsia, Stranded, Brioche,…). However, for leftover yarn projects stripes are the easiest. In this post you will find some ideas and a practical example: the Mestral Top.

Stripes are one of the simplest color knitting patterns, and the easier to use with leftover yarn. You just need to choose the right combination of colors, at the right proportion and start knitting.

Right Combination

To choose the right color combination is useful to have a color wheel. You can find some simple free apps available in Apple store.

Pick the main color, and depending on what you like to do or which colors you have available, you need to decide which type of combination (complementary, split complementary, triad, analogous,…) you want to make. 

Choose colors with high contrast. And make sure one of your colors is relatively light/bright and one is relatively dark so that the pattern will show up. You can take a black and white snapshot of your yarns together to see how well they contrast.

Neutrals colors (white, black, greys, browns, tans and cream) combine with everything and sometimes are useful to soften a too much vibrant composition.

Right Proportion

If you want your project to be in a main overall color, at least 50 percent of the chosen yarn should be in that color and 40 percent or less should be for the second one. Only around 10 percent should come from the third color, which will be the one to add contrast.

To increase the number of colors you may consider changing the saturation of your current main and second colors (making them lighter or darker), and maintain the >50/ <40/><10 proportion, rather than adding different ones.

The Mestral Top

The Mestral Top can be an example of how to use leftover yarn for a knitting project.

Four different color leftover yarns of similar weight/composition (cotton L).

  • 70%: Blue-green (Turquoise) with 2 levels of saturation.
  • 20%: Neutral (creme).
  • 10%: Orange/Mustard (complementary).

Moreover, adding different knitting stitches, may also help when your yarn has (slightly) different weights.

Do you want to try? You can find the Mestral Top pattern in my Ravelry and Etsy stores. In addition you may also find some more inspirations in my Pinterest board.

Subscribe to my NEWSLETTER to keep in touch!.

Sant Jordi: A Rose and my First Post

Sant Jordi: A Rose and my First Post

Posted on by crisdvic

We start in a very special week here in Catalonia

A confined Sant Jordi, but it is not an excuse to give up the roses. Here there are a couple of ideas to keep the tradition:

Fiori all’Uncinetto – Crochet Flowers– YouTube channel specialized in crochet flowers. The videos do not last more than 3 min (which I appreciate). https://youtu.be/MJJBq0YlqKM . Here you also have the link to their website https://www.fiori-uncinetto.com/  and their e-books https://www.fiori-uncinetto.com/pattern/english/

Lalanalú has just published a free pattern on Instagram with the possibility of purchasing the kit on its website https://www.lalanalu.com/

Happy Sant Jordi !

Sant Jordi: A Rose and my first Post

Posted on by crisdvic

We begin during a very special week….

A confined Sant Jordi, but it is not necessary to give up roses. Here I leave a couple of ideas to maintain the tradition:

Fiori All’uncinetto-Crochet Flowers-deYouTube channel specialized in crochet flowers. The videos last less than 3 min (which I appreciate). https://youtu.be/MJJBq0YlqKM.

Here you also have the link to their Web https://www.fiori-uncinetto.com/and to their e-books https://www.fiori-uncinetto.com/pattern/english/

Lalanalú just published on Instagram a free pattern with the possibility of acquiring the kit on their website https://www.lalanalu.com/

Happy Sant Jordi!