I'm Hooked. (Why, Yes, That is a Pun)

   I like crocheting. A lot. Well.. technically, I'm not very good at it. Technically. I don't know how to read or write patterns, or do complicated stitches. I do find plenty to do with what I know, though, and sometimes it turns out. Sometimes it doesn't. BUT, even though I've failed epicly in the past, trial and error really does pay off eventually as long as I keep plugging away at the trial part.

    Case in point? One of my favorite projects ever, as far as crocheting is concerned; a nice, long, steampunk-looking sweater- pictured below. Maybe it's a little theatrical...  but hey, it's me. What did you expect? :]

   Behold: the end result of hours of stitching, and lots of notebook doodles with notes in the margins. While I did debate digging up all those sketches, and taking pictures, I figured it would be easier for me, and more legible for you, if I started fresh. So, I whipped out my trusty tablet, and did a quick semi-tutorial on how I did it. I've since lost track of all the numbers and measurements, but the basic idea is still the same.

    As for the hardware, I just used the kind of thin chains used in jewelry-making, and hooked them onto the yarn. The buttons in the front actually hook onto a smaller, semi-hidden loop of chain that peeks out through the opening in the grid. You don't have to use chains, though. You could add laces, or buttons, or even a zipper if you wanted to get ambitious.

   Moral of the story? Trial and error = good. There's no need to be a technical genius to make something decent, no matter what art you choose. All you really need is an idea of what you want, a little effort to learn what you need, and a little time to focus on what you are good at so you can do well with what you have. Also, I dig my sweater.