Way back in 2016 I had put together this table runner called Motif Medley. The pattern for it is in the April 2017 issue of Crochet World. It is made up of 3 sizes of motifs and 3 different colors. I liked how all the colors came together and it was very easy to adjust the size and make it larger or smaller.
So I had all these little samples in a bag I had made while writing up the instructions for the runner and was wondering what to do with them. Then I got to thinking why wouldn't this pattern make a neat t-shirt type sweater? I have never had any success in the past with making clothes to fit me or anyone else!! I just gave up trying because it's a lot of work when the end result doesn't fit!! So the thought occurred to me what if I laid out a t-shirt that fit me and made the motifs to fit that shirt..... wouldn't that make it fit me when it was finished? So I took the motif sections I had and added more to them laying them on top of a t-shirt as I went for sizing
I made them to fit the front section first, then decided where the neckline would be and then went out for the sleeves. To make the back fit the front I did the same thing but where the sides and top of sleeves were I had to remember to connect them to the front in the process so it would be joined on the go and finished when all was done. Then I added in the little fill in motifs. All of these motifs are the same ones in the pattern for the runner.
I wasn't sure what to do about the open section in the underarm area so I used the same motif as before and just connected it in the joined areas of the motifs instead of into the shells. That filled it in just right!!
Here is a close up of how the larger motifs are joined to each other....
.....and here is how the fill in motifs are joined in.
Around the neckline, sleeve edges and bottom edge are the same edge motifs from the runner as well. This is a picture of it being blocked. To block it I just hand washed it in cold water then stretched it out on a towel and pinned it out with stainless steel pins to air dry. It could be machine washed but I like to do it this way.
And this is all the little tails I cut off after it was blocked !! I like to wait and trim the tiny tails after blocking so the threads are more secure before trimming. Usually I use a magnifying glass and tweezers to make sure I can find them all!!
I just couldn't believe how easy it came together and that it actually fit me!!!
So after that I got the idea to make one that was more of a cardigan or shrug style to wear with a black sleeveless dress I had.
I did this the same way. I used the same rows of motifs since the first pattern fit and just didn't join the middle front. As I guide for this one I used a little jacket that came with the dress I was going to make this for.
This one used 3 colors as well. I really like how they look with the black behind it.
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After it was all together I put it on the blocking board. I put little pieces of wax paper behind the buttons because I was afraid they might rust laying on the wet thread while it dried. Don't know if it would but I just wanted to be careful after all that stitching!!
This is the back side of the cardigan on the blocking board
I used these metal buttons I thought looked good with the motifs and the colors. I just made the one chain space on the center front larger for the button to slip thru. Really the neck opening is large enough that I don't need to open the buttons but it's an option this way.
I love how this one turned out, too!!
So then THIS idea popped into my head to do next!!
I wanted to try it as a tunic with long sleeves in a solid color.
This one is Navy Blue and has a little decorative opening at the neckline with a button decoration, it doesn't function as a button...
This is the back/shoulder area....
... and this is the middle back.
On this one I wanted more of a bell sleeve so I didn't put the little fill in motifs on the ends of the sleeves this time.
All of these were made using Aunt Lydia's size 10 crochet threads and a size 7/1.65mm steel crochet hook. They took a good amount of time to make but I had other projects to make in between so I guess it seemed to take longer than if I had started on them and not put them aside so many times.
I am really happy with how they all turned out and with the fit as well and it was so easy by doing it in sections this way over a shirt that fit me. Maybe this technique will work for you if you have trouble making anything to fit you well!!
Evidently the judges liked them all too :)
I've got another idea in mind for my next clothing project so stay tuned...... ;)
