FO Friday – designing a cardigan

It’s been a while since I’ve shown off some finished projects, but believe me when I say I’ve been busy.

This is my proudest accomplishment of late. I signed up for a Designer’s Challenge on Ravelry.  Here was the March-April 2014 Challenge:
Object: cardigan
Theme: Spring
Technique: yarn overs (knit)/small holes (crocheters)
So in other words, I had to design a cardigan that somehow met the spring theme, and it had to incorporate small holes. This is what I came up with.

I’m a little proud to say that I won the contest. But in a cheating sort of way. You see, I was the only entry this period!! Oh well, I still think it looks great.

I was aiming for a 4T to 5T size, but I think it turned out closer to a 6T. That’s ok. Little Chick is growing 1/4 – 1/2″ a month again! I haven’t published it yet, because it is only one size. I signed up for a class that starts at the beginning of next month that should help me figure out how to up-size and downsize so it will be useful to more people.

Pattern: Spring Cardigan (until I can come up with a better name)
Designer: Me!!
Yarn: Bernat Softee Baby
Colorway: Pink (02001)
My Ravelry project page
Modeled by: no one. Because she refused to try it on. 🙁

At the end of April, I made a trip to our corporate office. That means 7-8 hours in the car as we leave in the morning and come back the same day. Since I wasn’t driving, I wanted a quick, portable project. I chose to make up this shawlette (to enter a contest, of course).

I didn’t win, but I don’t care. It turned out cute. I’m just not sure what I’m going to do with it now. (Any takers?)
As a plus, it used up a full skein of the Natural color and more than half of the plum color. Bonus points for me for using up stash!

Pattern: Scraptastic Shawlette with Crochet Button
Designer: Marie Segares (Underground Crafter)M
Yarn: Caron Simply Soft
Colorway: Plum Wine 9722 and 0002 Natural (Eco)
My Ravelry project page

When I took that trip I was currently working hard on a crocheted rope basket, but I felt it would be too bulky to take as a travel project.

This project was actually Papa’s idea. He saw the pattern somewhere (Facebook maybe?) and thought I should make one for my side of the couch to contain all my project bags and yarn. Ok … hint taken.

I was able to use a big skein of stash yarn for the black – and still only used about half of it. For the “rope” I purchased a sash cord from the local hardware store. Two bundles 7/32” (5.6mm) x 100’ (30.5m). The cost was less than $8 and I still have enough rope to make a smaller basket.

I thought I could get by with just one bundle of rope but when I ran out and had to go back to pick up a second roll, I picked up some sisal twine. I want to make a second (third?) basket using that and a lighter colored yarn just like the designer did in the original. I don’t mind the black but Finley’s light-colored fur really sticks to it.

As you can see it’s already full of my projects but it does keep them contained nicely.

Pattern: Custom Rope Basket
Designer: Esther Chandler
Yarn: Caron One Pound
Colorway: Black 503
My Ravelry project page