In procrastinating packing for my trip, I finished up this beautifully simple Chevron Lace Cardigan (the pattern is free on Ravelry). This was quick and easy to crochet, and I’m really pleased with how it came out. Of course these pictures are of the unblocked cardigan, because I was so excited to finish and take photos of it. It’s so much more important than cramming things into a suitcase.

I added some silk covered buttons for fun, you can see a closeup here.

And here it is closed. I’ll probably only wear it closed very rarely but I can’t stand crochet patterns for sweaters that don’t actually close in the front. This was a simple project and I really enjoyed making it because once I got the hang of it I didn’t really need to read the pattern at all.  I crocheted for SO long without following other people’s patterns (the whole reason I started designing was because I both couldn’t read  patterns and didn’t like what was available)– it is nice to finally see some things I want to make and indulge myself by just following someone else’s idea.

One of the best parts of the top down construction on this garment is that you can try it on as you go. I actually  really liked the way this looked with cap sleeves and a shorter cut (all of the ladies in my knitting group said to just leave it, but Paul convinced me otherwise, and it is 10 degrees outside), so I will probably make another little version in some nicer yarn.  My one downfall is that I always buy some version of this berry color when I pick yarn  for sweaters. I swear! I have two shrugs that I made previously in my goodwill pile and they are both tones of this same color. I’m going to force myself to buy kelly green or vivid blue for the next one.

And by the way, thanks to everyone who emailed me about Jasenn. I had the comments turned off for that post because I am crazy. I guess I wasn’t ready to deal with a ton of comments yet, and felt like I would need to respond to each one, etc. But I’m over it  (the comments thing, I mean) and have turned the comments back on. And of course still did not respond to everyone, because I suck. I’m sorry, but it really does make me feel better when  you send me a comment, even if I don’t get back to you. Forgive my temporary gag order.

I will probably be posting intermittently in the next few weeks since I have a bag of yarn in my suitcase. But if I don’t, I’ll return sometime at the end of February, and until then you can always find me at Craftstylish.