Shrunken Jacket (complete!)

[AmyS]

I decided to make something new to wear to CGOA's Chain Link conference in July. I decided to make the Shrunken Jacket (see picture (http://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-media/product-gallery/1596680636/ref=cm_ciu_pdp_images_0?ie=UTF8&index=0) of jacket being worn in amazon's photo gallery for the book) from a new book by Erika and Monika Simmons called double stitch: Designs for the Crochet Fashionista (http://www.amazon.com/Double-Stitch-Designs-Crochet-Fashionista/dp/1596680636/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1213983611&sr=8-1). If you want a book with funky, fashion forward, innovative designs, this is the book for you. There are quite a few patterns I would never consider wearing, but there are lots of others that I would. In fact, I'll be making another top from this book, with a few modifications, that I'll also hopefully have ready before Chain Link.

EDIT: See Post 19 (http://www.crochetville.org/forum/showpost.php?p=1332467&postcount=19) in this thread for the completed garment.

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I'm using Malabrigo Silky Merino (http://www.malabrigoyarn.com/component/option,com_wrapper/Itemid,8/) in Teal Feather and Mint Frappe. I wanted to make it in the blues used in the pattern, but my LYS doesn't carry Blue Sky Alpacas, and they didn't have any other suitable yarn in the right shades of blue. So after a long time searching in the store for just the right thing, I settled on the Malabrigo.

Malabrigo is a small, family owned yarn company located in Uruguay. The company works with a cooperative of women from Uruguay, and they have a wonderful selection of hand painted yarns. The Silky Merino is a blend of 50% silk, 50% baby merino wool. Oh my goodness, this yarn is fabulous! It is so soft and silky, and the silk gives a slight sheen to the yarn.

Yes, this yarn is more expensive than just about anything you'll find in the hobby stores, but when you want to really treat yourself or someone else, it is so absolutely worth it! I know I'm going to find more projects to use this yarn with.

By the way, once I finish the projects from the book, I'll be posting reviews of both the book and this yarn over in Crochetville's new "Crochetville Reviews (http://www.crochetville.org/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=251)" section where Donna and I will be posting reviews of yarn, books, tools, gadgets, and other stuff from time to time.

Once I get the garment finished, ends woven in, and blocked, I'll post a picture of me wearing it!

[craziebunny]

That is BEAUTIFUL so FAR! I see how nice that yarn looks!

[Tampa Doll]

Very pretty. I like your color selection.:hook

[Addey]

Mmmm... sounds like really yummy yarn. The jacket looks great so far. I can't wait to see the finished product. It's amazing what a really good yarn and an excellent pattern can do to make you enjoy a project even more and really want to get it done. I like your color choice.

[kkms]

oh so very pretty!!!!
its always nice to see you post some of the things you make!!!!

[AmyS]

Well, the jacket is now finished, except for weaving in the ends and blocking.

Once I get the ends taken care of later tonight, I may even post a picture before blocking. I LOVE this! I even have the perfect color matching teal cami/tank top to wear underneath it!!!

And the best thing is, I bought two more skeins of the yarn than I need, so I'm going to see if I can return those (still in their original state) and exchange them for some super-yummy sock yarn called Smooshy that I was drooling over in the shop when I bought this yarn. They have a color called Lunar Landscape (or something like that, I think) that I really, really want!

[enCrochet]

I fell in love with malbrigo morino this past winter. It feels like butter in my hands!! That's definately a book for my wish list. Thanks for sharing (can't wait for the finished photo!).

[vintagecraftygirl]

I have this book and absolutely love the patterns. They are for the woman who isn't afraid to wear her clothes. I think that the patterns can be worn in whatever way makes you feel most comfortable -- not in just the way that they are presented. I would love to see the finished piece which you made. I'm in the process of making one of the designs and have bought yarn to start working on the next one!

[AmyS]

I am going to scream! I finished my shrunken jacket. It fits, looks good, and is so comfortable! I even managed to weave in and cut off all the ends. (There must have been over 40 of them!)

So I went to grab my camera and take pictures, and the batteries were dead. (4 AA). So I went to grab my daughter's camera, which is a similar model but only takes 2 AA batteries. Its batteries were dead, too! My son and I couldn't find two working AA batteries in the entire house!

WAH! I guess I won't be posting any pics for anyone until I get out and go to the store tomorrow to get some batteries.

[auntbubbels]

It looks beautiful so far and I love the colors

I must of had 10 AA batteries in the drawer and when my camera needed new batteries none of them worked - what am I doing saving dead batteries !!!

[angelsmith52]

I like those colors! Very nice!!!

[AmyS]

I had partial skeins leftover of both colors, so now I'm going to make myself some fingerless gloves to go with this outfit.

I have Reynaud's, and if my right arm gets chilled (which happens quite frequently in hotels with cold air drafts), then my fingers will start turning purple. If I can keep my right wrist and hand warm with fingerless gloves, then I can usually prevent my fingers from turning purple.

I can't get over how soft and cozy this little jacket is, despite its openness. It's so, so soft!

If you have a LYS that carries Malabrigo Silky Merino, go pet some tomorrow! :hook

[DebbyQ]

Well It looks beautiful so far. Can't wait to see the finished jacket. It sound wonderful.



Debby

[misssmaggie]

Very pretty !!! Thanks for sharing !!!

[smokeyp81]

Love your jacket....I have used Malabrigo merino before and if the silky merino is as soft....I will have to go searching for it! It truly is worth the extra money for nice yarn....

[itzhunic]

beautiful and thanks for such an informative post!

[Roli]

Oh Amy, that's a very cute pattern. Your jacket looks just like the photo. I wish I could go to Chain Link this year. Hopefully you will fill us in on all your experiences there. I'm looking forward to seeing that finished jacket!

[cher49]

very nice so far

[AmyS]

Okay, I managed to get over to my sister's house earlier, snagged some batteries, and had her take some pictures of me wearing the completed shrunken jacket.

I also picked up some lampwork beads from her that I plan on attaching to the scarf. Once I get that done, I'll post some more pics.

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[catheryn]

Love it!!! The colors look great and so does the fit!!

[grrlsmom]

How cool! Love it!

[AmyS]

Thanks, everyone! It was a lot of fun to make, once I figured out the pattern. I had some problems figuring out the way the pattern was written, so I wouldn't recommend this particular pattern for a beginner. I think it's definitely for someone with a lot of pattern-reading experience who can figure out how to make it work for them.

[amylu]

Very pretty!

[Pumpkinmouse]

Love the colors in that yarn...Looks great on you.....Great Job :hook

[christinascrochethaven]

very cute:crocheting

[Real Deal]

The style and colors look great on you. Congratulations on your new jacket.

[~Kel~]

ok going to check out that book now, what a great jacket, excellent job

[yarncat]

Gorgeous!

[RoseRed]

It looks great on you!!!

[crs5]

Wow!!!!!!!! It is really cute and it looks good on you too. I really like the color you used, :yes that is actually one of my favorite colors.
Great Job!!:clap

Carol:hook

[rashidah]

Look very nice on you. Keep up the good work.

[cmg123]

My favorite pattern in that book. I love the colors you chose and am waiting to see it on you.

[Roli]

Well! It looks like you did a great job on this jacket, Amy! You are nice and slim so the style suits you perfectly too. I had a chance to look at that book while in a bookstore recently and I think that this pattern is the best one in the book. Great work!

[pineapplequeen]

Very pretty!!

[embee]

I agree with Roli, you are nice and slim so the jacket looks *great* on you! (I'd probably look like a hippo in a tutu...) I love it, the colors, and the way it turned out. Very pretty! The yarn sounds yummy.

[DebbyinLV]

Very pretty!!

[texasredhead]

Could you post a picture of YOU in the jacket?? It looks so great just laying there...but on a person it could be fabulous!!!!! Great Job!!!!

[Mom w/a Motif]

You did a great job, and it looks great on you! :clap

Tina

[robbieAK]

It's absolutely beautiful!

[RachelG]

Very nice!