Summer CAL - Crochet Scalloped Top

With the official start of summer of Friday I thought we should kick it off right with a fun summer Crochet Along. Crochet Tops are all the rage this season and I've been wanting to make one. I got a newsletter from the Caron Website with a pattern I knew I had to try. It's free so anyone can grab it up!

Crochet Scalloped Top

So I thought I might not be motivated to get it done. I've only made one garment top once for myself and it turned out okay but this might be a little different. So I thought it would be fun to have you crochet it with me. We can learn and help each other along the way! 

This CAL will be a little laid back. There are sizes for just about everyone and honestly I think it would be easy to adjust for larger sizes by going up a hook size or too.

Week 1- Jun 18th - Jun 24th  

Get together your supplies-
1. Print or download the pattern and read through it.
2. Measure and decide which size to make. (see my notes below)
3. Pick out your yarn and make a gauge swatch!!
4. Last but not least work the starter row and at least Row 1


Notes I made when working through Week 1

Selecting yarn :
Simply soft runs more like a light worsted so be sure that the yarn and hook you use match the gauge. This is particularly important went making a garment, because we want it to fit right. Don't feel stuck to one color. Maybe do stripes or come up with some fun color combos.

Measuring for size: 

I'm going to be honest here. I'm a plus size gal. I generally where a 1X or 2X depends on the brand. My bust is about a 45 so when I saw the sizes of the pullover were 40 (small) - 72 (2x) I though man that is going to be really big….. So I'm bravely just going to make the 1X for fear 2x will be huge….but with these measurements I think I could make the Large and be okay. 

Thank you Nichole for pointing out-- a note about the bust....I barely caught this at the end of the measurements given.  You will add 6-10" to your normal bust size for the "ease"...the 6-10" extra makes sure the garment is loose-fitting.

This is my first real crochet garment so lets learn together :) Hopefully these will fit LOL! Of course I think we do want it wide enough on the bottom to fit my hips so that might have something to do with the size since I don't think it increases on the bottom. I may even figure out hope to put a band on the bottom rows for a better fit. We'll see when I get that far :) 

I decided to just use Simply Soft. It was one sale and I fell in love with a gorgeous Jewel tone color called Pagoda. Here is a image of what you should have at the end of week one. 

We will be sharing our progress and asking questions in our crochet group on facebook. 

CCCC Crochet Addicts

It's a closed group but just send a request and you're more than welcome in. 

I hope you'll join us! I'm excited to see everyones progress and good luck! 

Spring Bunny CAL - Week 4

Bunnies !!! Made by me and the yellow one by my mom! 

 Sorry for the delayed post of the CAL this week. I'm visiting my mom in lovely Colorado. We are enjoying lots of snow and family time! 

This week is just adding the finishing embellishments. Making your bunny one of kind and giving it some personality! 

My son picked out this lovely Green Shade. I finished it up and asked him "what else does your bunny need?" He said, " a Red Bow Tie mom"  - Isn't it cute!! I would have never added a bright red bow tie but I think the colors are fun and bold together! Now maybe he just needs a top hat and a magic wand. 

My daughter simply just wanted a flower added. 

The kids love their bunnies! 

The bunnies are getting lots of hugs and squishy time! 

This was such a fun project and I'm so glad you joined me in this CAL! I learned some new crochet technics and hopefully you did too! 

Facebook is being weird and the group event seems to have disappeared from the group. So hopefully it will come back! Please post your pictures in the group so we can enjoy seeing you cute bunnies! 

If you need the free pattern or more info of the CAL here are some links!
Spring Bunny CAL
Spring Bunny CAL - Week 1
Spring Bunny CAL- Week 2
Spring Bunny CAL- Week 3

Spring Bunny CAL - Week 1

I'm so excited about how many of you have said you will be doing the crochet along!! So far we have 50+ people going to join it! The more the merrier! For more info on the CAL visit the 1st blog post from this weekend Spring Bunny CAL.

Week 1 - If you haven't already you need to gather your supplies. We are going to start with the head which is the biggest part so if you can get that done the rest will be a breeze! Here is the schedule to help move you along but you don't have to stick to it. If your like me I have this OCD about finishing one project at a time. I'm going to try to spread it out, but I'm also working on making two. One for each of my children. 

Feb 3 - 10: Head & Ears

Feb 11 - 17: Body

Feb 18- 24: Arms Legs & Tail

Feb 25 - 28: Accents- (Flower, Carrot, fabric and/or Felt)

My first advise for ami is on the decrease stitches. I learned a fabulous technic and I love it for ami!! 

Planet June is a fabulous resource for Ami! She has some adorable designs and great videos.  I've emailed with her a few times and she is so nice and helpful! I learned this technic for an invisible decrease. Once you learn it you will never go back! So check it out!! 

2nd. Label your pieces and keep them in a bag together. If you're like me with kids and dogs. Things have a way of disappearing especially small pieces. So I keep my projects in zip lock baggies. If you label your pieces you won't be confused weather it's a arm, leg or tail. If you attach them as we go you'll be fine but it wait to attach all the pieces at once labeling might help. 

You can label them by letter, number or stitch marker, whatever works for you! 

If you want more great tips I have to suggest Freshstitches blog! She has a great Beginners guide to Ami- It's a free download and if you've never done ami you should read through it. You can find it here . 

Don't forget to share your pics in the group as we go. I can't wait to see your progress and all your creative ideas! If you have questions post in the group and we'll all help! Have fun!!