I hate to be pattern-bashing but I had to share some thoughts with you about this pattern.

Pattern : one-skein backless halter by Amy Swenson from “Sensual Crochet".
Project spec : crochet hook 3.5mm, yarn pernelle cotton (sport weight) 3 skeins, started Feb 13th, finished Feb 20th 2008.

First, I must say I had absolutely no intention to crochet this top when I saw it.

It screamed “only for cup AA".

Then, call me stupid, I decided it would be ok on my almost I cup figure. And…

it wasn’t.

Will frog asap.
NOT for big boobs, unless you intend to wear it in private let-s-have-fun-with-our-body sessions.

Now let us dwell on the list of my desappointments, shall we?

number 1
I started this top because of its treacherous (is that English?) name, with the hope that it would be a mere 3 days work… I was in eager need of instant gratification… it took 7 days. Nor did I use 1 or 2 skeins, but 3.
Should I be surprised? certainly not. So again, call me stupid.

number 2
This is not about this pattern in particular, most crochet (I don’t know about knit) patterns say size L XL and just envision the big-and-wide-allover type of XL. And what about us ? curvy, rubanesques, wide only right-there-you-know-what-I-mean type of XL ? Obviously this pattern wasn’t fitted for L or XL, and I doubt the wide-allover type would find it suitable either.

number 3
I liked it how the coners stretch to hide the holes. Wait. That’s a good point.
The bad point was the stretchyness of the double crochet stitch. I knew it would be too stretchy, I knew my tits would say “hello, how dee?” through the fabric, and yet I stuck to the pattern.
Call me stupid.
Seriously, this would have been less blatant with any other crazy / up and down / star / single crochet stitch (I might even try it again this way).
Plain straight double crochet are a bore (that’s why I didn’t stick to it, but back post DC didn’t help with the “hello boobs!” problem either).

Now, I think the idea is good and I like good ideas when it comes to design, but this one deserves to be thought a little more…

Unless you’re a cup AA.

Lucky you.

My first pattern for sale!

Many thanks to Marykz and to Missyboo (both met on Ravelry) who helped polish my clumsy pattern-writing abilities!

I am so excited!

My own design

It's a 'convertible' cowl-slash-capelet with matching wrist-warmers I made for my daughter using an elastic bouclé yarn.

It's warm and cosy and... She loves it


It's a great addition to her wardrobe because it allows to salvage cute sweaters she's grown out...

I haven't written down the pattern yet, still wondering if I want to sell it...

Crochet Hook : n°5,5 using a number 11 as requested on the yarn label was far too challenging. I couldn't manage to have an even tension...
See by yourself :
With the n° 11 hook :


Now compare the n°11 with the n° 5,5 (a tunisian hook but a crochet hook nonetheless) :

More pictures :