Red Plaid Sweater

The past few years, I've enjoyed starting a crochet project right after Christmas, for some crafty relaxation.  This time I made a plaid sweater.  I'm a long-time plaid fan, and I was inspired by this Plaid Pumpkin pattern.  I thought it would work well with the top-down raglan construction of this Classic Sweater pattern.

And it did, though I modified both the plaid motif and the sweater itself.  The pumpkin pattern uses three colors.  I'm sure it would have been easier to keep the plaid organized if I had.  But I couldn't find a lighter red that would work with the lovely Wine and Cream colors of Red Heart Fashion Soft yarn.  So I alternated the red and cream in the between-color spaces, like you would when weaving gingham.  The sweater pattern only calls for one color, so I had to estimate my yarn needs--and got it wrong.  I ordered two skeins of each color.  One was more than enough for the cream, but I ran out of red halfway down the second sleeve.  Oops! 

Also, I used linked double crochet for a more stable structure, and crocheted in distinct rounds, rather than in the long spiral described in the sweater pattern.  It worked better for the plaid.  Anyway, this was fun to make, and it's nice to have a new warm sweater now that the trees are blooming, right?  It's all ready for next winter. 

Caterpillar's Cosplay

The Caterpillar has been spending more time in the sewing room lately than I have.  He's joined "the friendliest zombie-killing maniacs in your neighborhood" at the Dystopia Rising live action role playing game a couple of times now, so he needed a rough and ready costume.  He bought the basic layers and the leather vest at a thrift store, and distressed them himself, rather successfully, I think.

More impressively, he designed and made this satchel out of synthetic leather, yarn, and a few beads.  He asked me for some advice, and I helped him get started.  But he now has more fake-leather sewing experience than I do. He sewed loops of yarn into the seam allowance.  Then he cut the loops on the outside, unraveled the strands, and brushed the yarn (with my good bristle brush) to make it furry.  The bag looks good, and holds the stuff he needs during the game.  It turned out well.

He also made this hood with synthetic leather and yarn.  He made a pattern from one of his jackets, and figured out how to sew it all together.

It doesn't sound like my kind of game.  But I'm really pleased that the Caterpillar used his creativity to accomplish something cool.  Even if it left a big mess in the sewing room.