Tuesday, February 10, 2009

FO: Icelandic Top


I am here to testify that you CAN crochet a cute top that doesn't look like a 1970s granny square. Behold the Icelandic Turtleneck (published in the Crochet Me book)! Easy enough for a basic crocheter like me, and the result is a cute, warm, stretchy layer. I love it.

Here's exactly what I'm thinking in the following photo: Um, Bill -- taking this photo from below is probably not going to be so flattering for a pear-shaped lady like me...


Oh well, it's a good photo of the top. I left off the turtleneck -- I did about half of a turtleneck. (It's folded over in these shots.) Otherwise, I followed the pattern for the 41-inch size. I used a 3.5 mm hook and (I think?) 4.5 50-gram balls of Jojoland fingering-weight wool. The result: a 35-inch bust, which is perfect! Clearly I have some issues with gauge in crochet, but happily, it all worked out in my favour.


I didn't block it. All the crocheting is done through the back loop, which makes a stretchy garment. I don't want it to lose its springiness. You can see the weird bagginess in the upper chest area, which I don't really understand. Doesn't matter. I'm happy with this top -- putting it on is like slipping into a big sock. It's great.

I tell you, the more I crochet, the more I love to crochet! I enjoy the motion of it. I'm not sure what's next in my crochet queue; I like the Pinwheel Beret in the current Interweave Crochet magazine. There are also a couple of cardigan patterns I've got my eye on (like this Rav link), and I'm also thinking of using up some pink angora to crochet a ripple scarf. Oh, and I want to make a Tiramisu blanket for a friend's baby, but the baby won't be here until late summer. We'll see. For now, I'm back to knitting my Cleite shawl.

22 comments:

Lady Euphoria Deathwatch said...

Hi Brainylady,

I really like it and your right it doesn't look all square.

You look really good in it too.

Sincerely, Euphoria

shannyb70 said...

I think it's a cute top and I love the color, especially paired with the kelly green. All of those patterns look like fun! I found a great pattern on Rav for crocheted coasters. Here's the link: http://www.ravelry.com/projects/KAshmore/pointed-petal-coasters

Unfortunately, the pattern pamphlet is out of print but they sure are cute!

Nadia said...

It looks great! I'm crocheting right now and loving it. It's the best for little toys and such. So much less fiddley than knitting where you have to sew so much.

Scrappy Raven said...

You look great in that top. I just love it. I always find crochet a lot more fun than knitting but I've never come out of the closet and said that before.

Anonymous said...

Super cute, and I love the color combo of the blue and green. Crochet away!

spajonas said...

very very cute!

Anonymous said...

It looks fabulous, and I would wear it all the time!

Love it, and now I think I want the book....

Unknown said...

Super cute!!!
Crochet and sweater usually have me running for the hills. But this one is adorable.

Holly said...

Looks great! Nice work!

Bertha said...

This is easily the most fabulous looking crocheted garment I've seen. Queuing it immediately even though I still don't really know how to crochet.

miss ewe said...

You look so CUTE in that!!!

Thinks too much said...

Great sweater. Your outfit is my high school colours. You look great, despite the from-below photo. I think about my chin when being photographed from below.

Cari said...

Stop that! The attractive crochet is confusing me!

Steph VW said...

Hee hee - you're dressed in Henry the Green Monster colours.

Love the top. Looks super cozy.

The Amy said...

That pattern is in my queue and seeing yours finished makes me want to jump all over it and get going. However, I must exercise restraint and finish things right now.

Unknown said...

Very cute top! The sleeve openings are interesting and unexpected.

Anonymous said...

That is really cute!!

monica said...

It's awesome!! You look so cute!

Carrie said...

This is SO awesome on you. I've got a cropped crochet cardigan faved on Ravelry that I want to try soon - I'm glad to hear that even a beginning croceter can finish a whole top!

Seanna Lea said...

Your crochet top looks great. This is one of the tops I've wanted to make, but I keep hoping to look at the book in the library before starting this project.

Liz Harrell said...

Great job! That's super cute, and I love the color.

Misti said...

I'm working on this project right now! I love how you chronicled it. I'm worried about bagginess as well!