It was a lovely shrug, and the lace looked great after blocking, but as I added the ribbing, there was a problem; a project-breaking problem. The skein I used to make the lovely shrug, was, in fact, deficient of yardage to finish the shrug. To solve this problem, I could use yarn from my stash. However, the only other white yarn in my stash was the TLC Essentials yarn -- yarn that was used to make pillows, yarn that was scratchy -- scary scratchy. The other solution was to break my vow to buy more yarn-- and buy more yarn. So, left with the choice to finish a garment with scratchy yarn -- scary scratchy yarn -- or just buy another skein of caron simply soft that could be used later to make, say, a yoga mat bag, I chose the latter.
And thus the shrug was complete:
And I learned a great lesson about blocking lace:
One skein of yarn is not so bad to add to the stash, but then I had a conversation with my friend and dance partner Stephanie. Stephanie and I had been planning on auditioning for the Student-Teacher-Troupe Night at the Red Light Cafe with the studio at which we take belly dance lessons. We wanted to do Menni, a sword dance that they taught at the beginning of the year. We both love the dance; it's very cute, sassy, and fun. When we were discussing the costumes we would pick out (both of us being a little strapped for cash), Stephanie said she could not imagine dancing that dance without the costumes that the troupe members wear: a pink and green crocheted number with a halter top and fringe belt.
I though about it for a while, and I had made a halter top from a pattern on ravelry, but it was much to stretchy and the cups were not close enough together. So, I decided I would try to make a pattern that would work in a yarn that had less stretch in it. And I was successful! So now, in order for us to have costumes that match (and don't look totally insane -- yeah using all my stash yarn that's all different colors and weights probably wouldn't work for something the public is going to see) I had to buy more yarn. I did end up buying a LARGE skein of black Red Heart supersaver and a smaller one of pink -- our costumes will be similar to Nazeem Allayl's, but pink and black instead. There is a solid reason for buying large skeins though -- the fringe belts will be long -- like from our waist to almost our ankles long, so I'll need a LOT of yarn to make them long enough (and will hopefully use all of it!)! Also, I didn't just buy red heart for just any reason --for this type of outfit there are certain things you need for it to work:
First, the yarn cannot have a lot of stretch to it and it has to be pretty sturdy when crocheted in a hdc to support the weight of some coins and other decorative things (cowrie shells!). Second, you don't want it to felt -- it still needs to have the crochet texture. Third, as stated before, I need a LOT of it, so it wouldn't be too economical to buy expensive yarn. With that said, I wouldn't make a sweater out of the stuff, but it will work just great for this halter top and fringe belt!
These outfits are still a work in progress, and I don't want to spoil the fun, so I'll post a pic when they are all complete -- cowrie shells, coins and all!
