I just bought the new katia “special crochet” n°1, and I am disappointed.

Most of the patterns are knit with crochet inserts, not a “special crochet” so to speak, most of them are also unwearable, like “oh! look at me, I’m wearing a dishcloth” or “look! I’ve got a bra!"… And some are plain UGLY.

This really pisses me off, because that makes for the bad reputation of crochet : poor designs. It’s not about the hook, it’s about the design! The hook is just a tool. Blame the right culprit.

Ok I was really pissed and maybe I overreacted.
But who wouldn’t after paying 12€ ( = 16 US dollars !) for a crochet magazine loaded with poor designed knitwear, modelled by I-m-so-skinny-I-might-be-blown-away-if-you-sigh girls (I’m so fed up with this, guys, why can’t we see real-life curvy women modelling the garments we want to make? )?
And this…
THIS !?

This is unbearable. UN.BEA.RABLE !

As for the other patterns, well, see by yourself…

I eventually had an occasion of wearing the phildar top I started (and finished) last year and could not wear because just when I found a ribbon to tie it up the sun wouldn’t show anymore. So I had it hand-washed, blocked “somehow” and folded patiently waiting in my cupboard

The tie I first braided for it would not slip easily into the eyelets (cotton on cotton, I suppose) but I kept it anyway, it’s the one I’m using now to tie the jacket I’m wearing on this picture. I finally found a velvety ribbon that matches the top. However, this design is not intended for big lolas… not.at.all. So I wear it sideways and with something underneath… to avoid being far too immodest.

Stats :

Stitches : simple ones : chain and double crochet.. the usual…
Yarn : Cotton Pernelle “tropique” color “fuschia", 140 yds for 1 oz 3/4, for crochet hook : 4,5mm, used a little more than 2 skeins.
Crochet Hook : used aluminium 3 mm (US size D), advised for this yarn : 4,5 mm (US size G).
Pattern : Phildar été 2006
Design : It’s just the third of a doily tied on the torso, a fun thing to do but more suitable for blooming young beauties than for curvaceous radiant women like myself. I have no regrets though, it makes a very dressy vest.

This really really cool and fun project was accidentally discovered and created by a beginner crocheter who posted it on Craftsters, I tried to recreate it, but I skip the "chain two" part for a more solid look, and I also tried to make the toe size smaller and smaller... I wrote it down and got permission to post it here!

here's how it goes

1 - chain 10
2 - turn, 1hdc in second chain from hook, one hdc in every following chain stitch,
3 - turn, 1hdc in every hdc and between every hdc except the 3 last hdc and 2 last spaces between, finish with 3dc and 2hdc
4 - turn, chain three, crochet 5 dc tog in the last hdc of the previous row (bobble), chain three, slip stitch in same stitch as bobble, slip stitch in next stitch, chain three, crochet 4 dc tog in the same stitch (bobble 2), chain three, slip stitch in same stitch as bobble 2, slip stitch in next stitch, chain three, crochet 5 hdc tog in the same stitch (bobble 3), chain three, slip stitch in same stitch as bobble 3, slip stitch in next stitch, chain two, crochet 3 hdc tog in the same stitch (bobble 4), chain three, slip stitch in same stitch as bobble 4, chain 2, crochet 3 hdc tog in same stitch as bobble 4 (bobble 5), chain two, slip stitch in same stitch as bobble 4 and 5, fasten and cut yarn.

Tada!

Sorry, those are kinda blurry, I was so excited