Thursday, December 30, 2010

Learning experiences.... and a small cry for help.

This cotton yarn has been crocheted into three different shapes. Each time I realise it's the wrong shape and/or I'm not going to have enough yarn to finish what I started, and it all gets wound up again into a big, big ball.

To order 3 more balls of the yarn will cost me over US$30 in postage (so I'm not going to do it), but the girl has her little heart set on a top/dress made out of it.

The colours in the yarn only work in a really simple, tight crochet stitch and I'm thinking simple singlet/tank top is about as far as the yarn will stretch. Can anyone guide me toward an appropriate pattern?

Anther option - freeing up the design decisions I must make..... Does anyone have any of this yarn in Australia - Peaches & Creme, 100% cotton, Article 930, Colour # Mardi Gras....? Or any coordinating colours from the same range...? I'm happy to buy it from you and pay for local or interstate postage.

In the meantime, I'm thinking about a little girl in a chilly part of the world, and looking at this. Thinking knittery....

I spent a good part of today on Ravelry, and I think I have a direction for this fluffly pink stuff.... but don't be surprised if there's another cry for help in a few weeks. I'm still learning how much there is to learn about yarny crafts.... and yet I'm stubbornly refusing to concede defeat in the flying-by-the-seat-of-my-pants VS adhering to patterns recommendations battle.

One day I'll get it. Perhaps.

20 comments:

Kate said...

Apparently crochet uses up a third more yarn than knitting so I would recommend ditching the hook for the sticks. Other than that I'm useless for help.
Oh and what's you ravelry name?? Come and friend me, I'm Foxslane. X

Chrissy said...

Have you tried searching for the yarn on Ravelry and choosing Trade or Sell from the drop down filters. You may be lucky and find someone local. Even if it's not listed as willing to trade or sell it may be worth PMing anyone who has what you want as they may be willing to part with it if asked nicely. I did that for someone in the US before as I was the only person she could find with the same dyelot. She paid for replacement yarn and postage and I was happy with that. I'm sure I'm not the only one who does that.

Good luck!

bec said...

Hmm, I like Kate's idea too. I have heaps of cottons, none in that particular brand. Actually you've just reminded me of the bunting I was knitting, would look great in her new room.....

Unknown said...

I like Kate's idea, but I guess your a "crochet girl" whilst I'm a knitty one. I think that rainbow cotton would look fabulous teamed with Navy, if that helps at all?

Nikki said...

Thanks fo the knitting suggestions... but I had thought of it - tried it- and didn't like the way the colours broke up. I like the way they look blocky in crochet.

Unknown said...

I should add - I'm on ravelry too, I'm NoahsMummy on there if you want to friend me. I'm not on there very often though...

Nikki said...

Oh - and Ravelry... I don't really hang out there unless I'm looking for a pattern. Don't think I'm being snooty if I'm not your friend there. I'm not anyone's friend there.

Crayon Chick said...

What if you opened up the pattern a bit, maybe one treble, one chain, one treble, etc??

Vintage Grrl said...

I think the Granny Square in Newtown NSW has Peaches & Cream. Give them a buzz and see :D

lzilulu said...

This store in Brisbane is superb! and although I can't see Mardi Gras in the online stock, she may well have it in the shop.......
http://www.americanyarns.com.au/Lily-Sugar-and-Cream/View-all-products/Page-3-20.html

cheers liz

Larri said...

Could you crochet it in a more lacy look to wear over a t-shirt? Something like this...http://www.flickr.com/photos/babukatorium/4446431663/

I've only crocheted dishcloths so I really have no idea. Love your blog. Found you while visiting a friend's blog. Happy Thursday! :o)

Kathryn said...

Why don't you do it as a suntop (simple rectangles with straps - perhaps a lace-up back?) and then attach a cotton skirt to it to make a sundress?

Gillian R said...

Could you make some granny squares with it in it and team it with coordinating cottons?
Love the rainbow effect though. It's gorgeous.

Vanilla said...

Oh My God!!!!
You sound exactly like me.
knitting and unravelling, forever finding better or more interesting projects while I'm still in the middle of knitting a project I had in mind, and then finally descovering I don't have enough yarn for the new one.
But, you know what, I don't mind.
I think that if you have set your mind on knitting, you should expect to unravel a lot. it's just part of the mechanics of it.

Good luck. I'm sure you'll make something pretty of it.
And never, never, never stick to the rules !!!! he he

Nikki said...

Good to know that I'm not alone, Vanilla!

Re: lacy stitch - doesn't work. THe colour gets too broken up.

Granny-squares.... haven't tried it, but if anyone can give ma a vage notion of how to work out the stitch count/gauge, I'll give it a go.

I'd really love a simple top pattern to kind-of follow....I'm not crochet-savvy enough to work it out for myself (already frogged an attempt to do that).

thornberry said...

Nikki, have you tried Gabrielle at American Yarns Online for more yarn? She's Brisbane based and very helpful - I think that you can contact her at http://www.americanyarnsonline.com.au (leave off the au if that doesn't work). also, didn't I give you a pattern for a simple suntop? It would work well in that yarn - remember, it's one I made twice for Clare when she was about your little one's age - ties at the back, apron style front. I'll search for it when I'm back in Melb but I suspect that I gave it to you already. Check out my Ravelry projects (I'm thornberry) to see what it looks like, under the garments tab. Good luck and happy hooking!

PaisleyJade said...

Feeling your pain and wish I could help!! Have a wonderful New Year and hopefully you can find what you need to finish it!!

Janelle said...

What about using the cotton to finish a skirt on a purchased (or upcycled) T-shirt? Even if it ended up a tad short, she could wear leggings under it.

Sally said...

Nikki: I've got scads of kids crochet patterns - can you tell me what size your girl needs? How much of that Peaches and Creme do you have? Can you use it for a yoke alone?

Sally

Mary said...

Great colours, I'd want a whole dress in it too if I was her age :) Have you thought about just making a bodice and then stitching on a fabric skirt. Like this http://www.ravelry.com/projects/mazadaz/rainbow-dress-2 (knitted I know) or this http://jellywares.blogspot.com/2010/09/crochet-version.html or use use the bodice of a pattern or already have.