Tatted Micro Dragon and Hoodie Update

Just a quick update: I don't want anyone thinking I disappeared. I took a short break from crocheting to tat this little dragon from Anne Bruvold:


This is Ringtrim, a Norwegian Micro Dragon. For this dragon, I used DMC Perle Cotton size 12 in colour numbers 932 and 503. This is a cute and fairly quick pattern to tat. Instead of using Single Shuttle Split Rings (SSSR) for the first five rings, I used regular SR, then cut off shuttle 2 and added the second colour. I then continued on with the instructions. I won't count this as a motif in the challenge.

As I mentioned in my previous post, I am working on a crocheted hoodie design by the Crochet Dude. I have the back, front, pocket, and both sleeves done. So, I am ready to begin assembly, then can work on the ribbing and hood. Now, I mentioned briefly about having some colour differences between the old and new version of the colour I am using. As it turns out, the new yarn varies dramatically in dye lots as well. I didn't notice that when I purchased more yarn. Here is a photo to (hopefully) illustrate my point:

The sleeves are both in the new Bernat Camouflage 'Renegade' and the front and back are in the old. I had been trying to match the colours, but at this point I don't think I can. I have decided that I will finish the hoodie, trying to be consistent and will remake this again in a new, consistent colour. This one will be worn at home, unless it turns out really cool. Once this project is done, I return to tatting for a little while. Cheers.

It Finally Happened for Crochet, What About Tatting?

I hinted about a new crochet book that I purchased in my last post. Here is a bit more detail. First, a picture of the cover:

Hopefully I can post a picture of the cover. Anyway, the book is called The Crochet Dude's Designs for Guys: 30 Projects Men Will Love by Drew Emborsky AKA The Crochet Dude (blog) (Amazon.com link). The book lives up to its name. Out of the 30 projects, which range from an assortment of sweaters to hats and even a belt and tie pattern, there are only a couple I don't like, and a couple I could like with a few slight modifications. This book is apparently the first book to be completely oriented for men's crocheted clothing. Though some of the patterns could work for women as well.

Not being able to wait to try one of the patterns in the book, I began one of the sweater patterns. Actually, the pattern is a hoodie, and the patterns name is "Dawg". All of the patterns have cool names like this one. I bought some yarn several years ago that I was saving for a cool pattern. The yarn I had is called Bernat Camouflage in colour "Renegade". Of course I didn't have enough yarn to make it. After making the back of the hoodie, I figured I had enough for the front and the pocket that goes on the front. No problem, I thought, I could go buy more. Since the yarn was a camouflage colour, it wouldn't matter if there was a slight colour variation. What I didn't know was that Bernat seems to have redid the colours of Renegade (and perhaps the other Camouflage colours). Instead of a slight variation, I got this:

The new colour is on the left, and the old on the right. I had initially thought I could use the two different colours, as long I did not mix the old and new colours in the same section. I am currently working on a sleeve in the new Renegade. And as the sleeve nears completion, it becomes apparent that using both versions of Renegade will not work. Or will it? I'll post a picture of the completed pieces soon, in better light, and seek your opinion. Now, back to crocheting. Tatting will have to wait.