my latest hoodie creation

[mbcabbie]

Ok, its not really THAT blue. My photographer (me) sucks, as does my editor (me). :(

(Its really hard to take "good" pictures of yourself - :think )

Also, the apparent "errors" really don't exist, its just that my fitter (me, again :( ) also needs to be fired. I failed to make sure it was hanging/placed right. Plus I had the camera on timer as I knelt down to take the pics (notice doorknob at my shoulder...) I really need a better plan next time (and probably less vodka - *ahem* :blush -- Oooops!).

Overall, I am really pleased with how this came out. It is a PERFECT fit (mostly attributed to the top-down design). I need different buttons, as all I had on hand was wooden beads -- but you get the idea. They will be replaced with wooden buttons whenever I find the right ones.

It was made using the universal top-down design (starting with the hood, then working down with increases from the neck to armpits), alternating fan stitch, size K hook, and "Pound of Love" "denim" yarn (about 1 1/3 skeins). I actually left a split about 4" on either side at the bottom/ hips... This created more of a "fitted" look - instead of accentuating my butt and gut, and it gives more illusion of a waist (HAHAHA!!! :D Yeah, right!). It also allows me to use the pockets of my jeans without having to hike up the sweater. I thought about building in pockets, but decided it would just make me look fatter than I am, as it would have tripled the density of the material in all the wrong places - namely my "pooch".

It acutally is almost perfect - it just didn't photograph that way. (Sorry :( ) Near as I can figure there are about a dozen ways to wear this - buttoned, unbuttoned, hood up, hood down, and any combo of the above. I can't wait for cold weather.

http://shutter02.pictures.aol.com/data/pictures/04/007/5D/09/0A/1A/wFJAjm06j-G-PBpIRiUZnz7H2apsULRj0060.jpg http://shutter08.pictures.aol.com/data/pictures/06/007/47/FF/18/35/HcAC1S+xCWcMQ41XG6+AVE0dDzOpM55p0060.jpg http://shutter10.pictures.aol.com/data/pictures/05/00A/7F/F7/0C/6A/xxla204HCW6z9H+-z39kkYKNOfhI86xy0060.jpg

Better/bigger pics: (Though I cant get very good stitch detail - kinda fuzzy)
buttoned (http://shutter02.pictures.aol.com/data/pictures/04/007/5D/09/0A/1A/wFJAjm06j-G-PBpIRiUZnz7H2apsULRj0300.jpg)
unbuttoned (http://shutter08.pictures.aol.com/data/pictures/06/007/47/FF/18/35/HcAC1S+xCWcMQ41XG6+AVE0dDzOpM55p0300.jpg)
back (http://shutter10.pictures.aol.com/data/pictures/05/00A/7F/F7/0C/6A/xxla204HCW6z9H+-z39kkYKNOfhI86xy0300.jpg)

I am also working on a "tweed" coat (about knee-length)... only got the arms to finish, but it is too big to work on in my taxi anymore. Must wait until I actually get a day off to finish it, darn it. It's sooooo kewl, though --- errr ... I mean WARM!!!!

[StitchinCindi]

It was made using the universal top-down design (starting with the hood, then working down with increases from the neck to armpits), alternating fan stitch, size K hook, and "Pound of Love" "denim" yarn (about 1 1/3 skeins).

Hi, I really like your sweater. Is that your own design? Wow! If I am reading it right, you are doing it in one piece, correct? PS: I am a 'big' person too....giggles.

[Chrome Kitty]

Your post cracked me up! I love the sweater and it looks great on you!

[yarncat]

I like it!

[caitlinsmom]

Looks so nice & warm. It looks great on you. You did a wonderful job on it.:clap

[Gardener]

Great sweater. I hope someday to be able to make something like that!

[wildthing1058]

that came out nice

[DesertCrocheter]

Very nice! Color is great! And yes, it's so hard to take photos of ourselves. Patty

[tlisley]

It looks very nice! I can't wait til I have the experieince and confidence to try SLEEVES!! LOL :lol

[Debbi-a1]

Very nice!

[pragmatica]

That's really gorgeous! Congratulations on such lovely wearable work.

In your post, you refer to a "universal top-down pattern." Is this universal pattern documented somewhere? (I know that being universal, it'll be nonspecific about sizing, etc. but a description or schematic would help me understand how it's constructed.)

Any help you can provide would be really appreciated. And enjoy your hoodie! We've had a few cool nights down here when it would have been nice to have one.

--Elissa

[MrsD]

Great hoodie (and you did fine on taking the pics, too. It is hard to take them of yourself!).

[Nashville Crocheter]

Wow Beautiful! I wish I could see the stitch pattern. It looks like a pattern I am using for a sleeveless top.
Can you tell us where you got the pattern for the hoodie?

Can you take a pic. of just part of the sweater? Just put it on a table and take a pic. :)

[Ladycrochat]

Barbara, I love your beautiful sweater....it turned out just great and the color is wonderful (I love Blue and Purple). It is so flattering on you! I was wondering if this was the schematic that you followed?
http://www.io.com/~cortese/crafts/raglan.html

Because I would love to make one too, I am also a bigger woman, and it is so hard to find great patterns like this one that fit so well! You can be very proud of it!

[artemis]

Love it!

[Petals]

Cute hoodie!!!

[kjdfairy2]

Great job! Looks very comfy.

[mbcabbie]

Yes, this is the link for the top-down (raglan) design.

http://www.io.com/~cortese/crafts/raglan.html

It really is the perfect sweater design, as there are no seams to sew and it is made to fit - you just keep increasing until you get the right size. It works for ANY size, and ends up being a custom fit. Works for cardigans or sweaters. Would also work for a poncho - just make all 4 sides the same size and keep going without connecting the armpits. (I'm scheming on that as we speak)

Sleeves are easy because you just pick up a stitch and keep going, decreasing every couple of rows till you get your length. Its almost fail-proof. One thing I've learned, though is that you have to make the sleeve sections smaller than the front and back sections or you end up with HUGE sleeves - LOL - alot of frogging on my first one because of that.

It leaves alot open to creativity without having to refer to a pattern every 6 seconds.

Thanks for the compliments. I'll try to find someone to take some better pics.

As wearables go, I REALLY love this one.

[sparkles]

WOW! I'm so glad to see this! You did GREAT!!!!
My husband is 6'6" tall and about 300 lbs., and I just a couple months ago (and then went on to other things) started a sweater with that pattern. Gives me hope it'll turn out okay. Also started it with all four parts the same and did a lot of frogging.:blush That's why I took a break on that one!:yes

BTW - how do you make a hood???

[mbcabbie]

Stitch detail:

http://shutter07.pictures.aol.com/data/pictures/05/005/7F/7E/7F/A1/eh5TQjnW1bn221eZ-+t5CQhLZJKsvREV019B.jpg


For the hood, I just worked back and forth in the number of stitches I was going to use for the neck (70, I think) until I got the right size for the hood, then started the increases when I got to where the hood met the neck.

On this one, I kept working cardigan style (leaving the front open) till I got to the point where I was working the body from the armpit down. It worked great because it lets the hood drape nicely on the shoulders like a shawl collar. On my other hoodie, I closed it at the neck. Works either way. I am thinking about doing another one completely as a cardigan/jacket with a zipper, but I am scared of doing zippers - LOL.

[DebbyinLV]

This is a great design!! Love the hoodie sweater and the color!!

[grammy2twins]

:cheer I can't believe it! Awesome sweater I have been searching 4-ever to get a pattern like that! I'm a bit confused about the hood though.. I'll try to figure it out..You did great its beautiful!:manyheart Grammy2twins

[xampx]

i think id like to make one of those one day

[TamKing]

Aw don't be so hard on yourself...your hoodie looks marvelous and your pictures are nowhere near as bad as you say they are! :hook You did a great job on both!!!

[Mom w/a Motif]

I think your hoodie is great! You did a wonderful job. I want to try a (non-pattern) sweater, as I am venturing out into the wearables now... :hook

Great Job!!

Tina