[ID: a handknit jumper. the front features a seal sitting on a rock in the sea, with fish falling into its open mouth. On the back is a bucket, throwing the fish up and over the shoulders to the seal. end ID]
"Sealed with a Fish", from Wild Animal Knits by Melinda Coss. Knit with John Arbon Devonia and Devon Naturals DK yarn.
This took much longer than usual to knit -- I don't know if I was just spending less time knitting, or if it was the complex intarsia (the waves involved 10+ balls of yarn 😭). I'm really happy with it, it was a lot of fun to knit, and I can't wait to wear it (in a few months time...)
Bear religion probably fucking rocks. You're a fucking bear, you're the deadliest thing on earth, once a year an endless supply of salmon just flings itself up the river to gorge on and then you nap for 3 months.
The most delicious food in the world is protected by tiny demons who can defend it from everyone except you. Your natural armor is thick enough that you can just eat the damn hive while they buzz around you. God's chosen animals right there
Regular bears tell stories of angel bears sent by the Bear God, pure white and twice as strong as any normal bear could be, who rule the summit of the Earth and kill all who stand in their path.
And they are right, those bears exist and totally do that. Humans just have fake angels as a cope.
love the idea of bears being the chosen species actually. having a near death experience and glimpsing heaven and realising it's just full of bears, no humans at all, humans not ensouled actually, humans an accidental byproduct of God's plan for bears
Crochet Experiment Diaries: Papillon Top to Dress - 1
Papillon Pattern here!
artist credit: @ Wood & Yarn on Youtube
The Plan:
This really is a straightforward pattern, beginner friendly, and expertly explained! Guarantee I will be making this shirt just as it is! but a note from the creator herself: the length can be made into a dress! Which I think would be absolutely adorable! But I prefer a more fitted/regular fit top to a very flowy skirt (A-line or circle skirt). I worry that making this straight on as she designed would look baggy on me. So! Experiment time!
The Method:
This pattern follows the principle of chevron crochet where there are strategic increases and decreases to bring things to a point.
((diagram of the construction - geometry lesson time))
However, instead of decreasing at the "trough" points (which would be the seams) you just crochet a straight row. this is what makes the garment expand and flow.
geometry lesson: where you increase at a single point down a garment, it will create a point if you're crocheting the garment from the top down, assumung the stitches in between the increases remain the same. in this garment, the seam lines drawn are theoretical, as it is the point where the pieces join (see grey areas contact point).
In theory, my proposed dress pattern (see far right for concept) can be achieved by the following method:
the increase rows stay the same, as I want to keep that chevron pattern. however, where those red lines are, (denoting the theoretical seams) I would do a decrease instead of an increase. the pattern calls for 3 stitches in an increase. That means 1 increase adds 2 more stitches to each side of the "increase" seam.
Doing math, that means at every point you hit the "theoretical seam" you have an opportunity to decrease 2 stitches to make the garment go longer without going outward. Whether this means joining 3 stitches together so it'll read as one stitch at the theoretical seam in the next row, or decreasing normally twice, doesn't matter. Though for aesthetic purposes, I will probably join 3 stitch decrease to make a visible seam.
The pattern as it is calls for a direct continuation from one pannel to the next when joining them (no slip stitch). that means that seam is truly invisible and in between 2 stitches. To achieve the 3 stitch decrease and have it be neat and symmetrical, when make the join row, I will probably do it like so:
Join row: line up your 4 pieces so the stitch slant in the last row is the same. [crochet to peak, 3 stitch increase, crochet to the end of row.. Take next triangle part and 2 stitch increase in first stitch.] Repeat 3 times. slip stitch to join row, chain # for height of next row and Turn.
Alternative:
Joining the pieces: line up your 4 pieces so the stitch slant in the last row is the same. Using the tails of your spare pieces, attach them corner to corner (ch 1 and slip stitch/ tying them, both is fine) making sure there is no twisting.
Join row: [crochet to peak, 3 stitch increase, crochet to the end of row. once you reach the join slip stitch or knot space, insert one stitch in that space.] Repeat 3 times. slip stitch to join last stitch to the behining chians. chain # for height of next row and Turn.
To keep track of this row of potential decreases I use stitch markers. The BEST stitch markers for seams like this (ones that are not visible by other means otherwise) in my opinion are very long scrap pieces of yarn. You weave them in every time you pass over them so it looks like a running stitch down the garment. Shows you the precise line and reveals any "leaning."
Side note about my body type.
My body dimensions (inches): 45, 39, 48 -DDD/E
2 things to consider: decrease only at the back panels center seam to keep it straight so theres not a lot of excess fabric in finished product maybe? And how much do I need to let it go out to make room and cover my chest without being baggy? theoretically I will be crocheting to the "peaks" as it were on the shirt, then go start my decrease seams to make it go longer without going outward, and then just increase again once I reach about my waist. If I want it to curve in really dramatic, I'll sneak in an extra 2 stitch decrease in the middle of each side of the chevron
These things will be something I figure out after I finish the top as originally designed! Remember: if you don't like something that you've crocheted, you can usually unravel/salvage it! That honestly is where most of my personal anxiety is: worrying I will waste materials and by hating my final product.
Just think! Itll be a waste either way if you don't use it ever. So if you're not going to use it, be sure its because you have alternate materials on hand or have something better, not because you're worried about waste. Because no crafting is waste - even failures and experiments.
Materials:
Hook: 4mm (G) Clover Soft Touch
Yarn: 100% Pima Cotton 2/50*9 DK weight in color "Dark Current" (DEADSTOCK from Cone&Fiber)
Stitch Modifications: Half Double Crochet (HDC) to make the fabric more dense/less see through.
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I will check in again soon! Have a fun and creative summer day! <3
-Morbid 🐰
Disclaimer:
I have the utmost respect to all creators, their work, and their creations. This is an experiment to make this fit my body type/assets in a flattering way. I have larger/abnormal measurements at times which make crochet wearables hard to make, so modification is very commonplace when I crochet.
Many crochet wearables like sweaters, shirts, dresses, etc are usually modeled on a particular body type. If this is the case or has no sizing instructions/limited sizing direction, I am always curious to figure out a way to modify up or down, and hope to help others do so as well with this series.
This is a documentation of the modification process, and does not represent any creator or their work negatively. Their work is the inspiration, and the intention is to use their pattern as reference while crediting.
I know is to Body image/type is a dicy topic, so there will be no toleration of body shaming/negative commentary.
Furthermore, not all crochet creators design for various sizes or body types, and thats OKAY! Designers already do so much work designing and testing patterns, modeling them, and even filming tutorials sometimes. They are not large companies with a team of experts/endless resources. They may only do this in their free time. BE RESPECTFUL <3
[image description: photo of a blueberry shaped hat knitted in chunky yarn, and a soft orange knitted crab. the second photo is a closeup photo of just the crab. /end i.d.]
This is what happens when you let a five year old choose the yarns and colours :p It's gonna be a guitar band and I'm gonna be a very eccentric guitarist!
It's great mix of cotton and acrylic, and the middle yarn I'm not sure of but it's really sticky and not very pleasant to work with.
Things I wish I was told earlier as a fiber artist/hobbyist
Learn how to read patterns. videos are great with visuals and learning the anatomy, but you'll get a lot more out of the hobby by learning the pattern vernacular and structure.
You can't count. No one can. Accept the truth. It's okay, It's part of the canon pipeline.
Nobody's going to see the mistake if you don't tell them. Seriously, just making something with your hands is cause for celebration.
There is no wrong way if the result is the same and is comfortable. (Lets stop this magic ring vs chain # and join nonsense.)
No one knows everything there is to know about a craft/hobby. everyone is still learning (even those who deny it).
Your failed works can always be unraveled/recycled or used in some way. just may have to think creatively about it.
It's okay to abandon the project in your wip stash thats been sitting there for a few months/10 years. Chances are, you've improved in that time and it may be better to start over. or maybe your tastes have changed.
Do the trends if you WANT to. Not because you have to.
Be very VERY careful what projects you decide to do as gifts (especially with deadlines). And always keep your expectations lower as to the recipient's reaction or appreciation. It may not be equal to your effort.
Anxious to start? Do it anyways. Do it scared.
Overwhelmingly huge project getting you down? Do it in chunks and break it down into pieces if you can.
Feeling the "I'm getting nowhere", monster when doing a project that feels endless? Put a stitch marker in the row you started that session/ take a picture of the before and you'll see how much you actually do. It's amazing what that reveals.
Enjoy the process. Don't do something necessarily for the end result. Remember, this was supposed to be fun/enriching.
And lastly...
*unless you genuinely do not enjoy anything about the process or the result and it does not benefit your life/health. (in which case...why are you reading this post???)
This is the pace where I spill my guts and obsess over fiber arts. I don't have many fellow fiber people irl at the moment and there are no yarn shops near me that offer much opportunity to socialize (not that I do so often in the first place).
Who are you?
I'm Morbid (in name and figuratively). I am a goth coded plus sized 18 yr experienced crochet artist approaching her 30's. I also have a real life! Ex Animator/illustrator, I have a masters in History and currently getting my second masters in Film/Cinema Culture Studies. And somehow I don't have any socials other than this (in this day and age!? 😱). But I'm no stranger to tumblr: I used to have accounts in 2014 (yes. THAT era).
What do you do?
I have lots of plans to organize my thoughts so there may be something "cohesive" going on, but trust me. I'm flying by the seat of my pants. I do a lot of crochet mostly but I do dabble in knitting, sewing, weaving, embroidery, and cross stitching. Maybe one day get into spinning and dying.
Why make this blog?
Because I have no friends to talk to about this. I have friends for lots of things but this is not one of them.
What kind of things do you make?
I have done a lot of amigurumi and blankets/wraps. Most of my work have been gifts I pass on to other people for Christmas/Yule, birthdays, baby showers, etc. Once a year I donate my amigurumi stash to a hospital or children's home that take hand crafts. I am a horrible photographer, and do terrible at keeping records. Hope to change that with this blog.
Will there be any ai here?
Absolutely not. It will never be used in any manner. Not even the drawings. This is a no-ai zone. And I do not consent for anyone to use ai on any of my content. End of discussion.
Do you make patterns?
I have so many in my hard drive, it's honestly embarrassing. HOWEVER, they are very bare bones of records and not user friendly to anyone but myself...right now. The day I start selling patterns, you'll be the first to know!
Do you take commissions?
No.
You said you used to draw; Will you post art?
At minimum my avatar and header if applicable. At times I may doodle something for a post accent but it's unlikely there will be any serious pieces posted.
Will you ever sell your items?
Probably not since the logistics of labor and materials already are gargantuan for handmade fiber arts. And with shipping and tariffs (USA based, sorry!) to contend with, I believe it is best I only sell in markets if I do ever sell. Patterns are more likely!
Why the creepy rabbit?
My favorite book is Watership Down by Richard Adams (ifkyk). But I also love the Monty Python Killer Rabbit (Rabbit of Caerbannog). I can quote that scene word for word. And I do.
