off the hook: Orange You Glad crochet top

Ta-dah! There's no other word for it really. 

When you FINALLY complete a project you started almost a year ago, and it fits, and it's your first ever finished garment, I think it's totally acceptable, if not logical, to frolick about in your local park with the remaining ball of yarn. Wearing said project, of course. Right? Right. 

My crochet Orange You Glad top actually started life as a knitting project, but was frogged in favour of this Just Peachy design from Simply Crochet issue 30. I had knitted the entire back of a jumper, put it away and promptly forgotten which size I'd made and what needles I'd used. I really hadn't enjoyed knitting it either, and had my beady eye on this pattern, so frogged it was. 

Best decision ever. I found my stride right away and sailed through the entire back rather quickly, fuelled by good, honest new project excitement. But I'm not monogamous with my WIPs, I'm afraid. I put it aside to make Christmas gifts and cast on a cardigan. In spring I picked it up again and whizzed through the front, relishing the simple granny treble clusters. 

It was soooo close to being finished about a month ago, but I came a cropper with the sleeve and neck edgings. First, I forgot to change the hook size down so the sleeves were all baggy and sticky-outy (technical term). At this point I also noticed that one arm hole way way bigger than the other. Uh-oh. Then I took my project to stitch night at the pub and was so chuffed I'd managed to re-do the edgings so quickly, then twigged I'd done them inside out. Red wine does not an accurate crocheter make. Ah, so many rookie errors. But making mistakes is how we learn. 

Finally all the stitching and sewing up was done – just blocking to do. And oh how this little top grew! It went from standard hip length to full bum-covering tunic. Crikey. I used Cygnet superwash Merino DK, and I thought blocking wool would just make it a bit roomier, not turn it into a mini dress! Still, it is pretty fab and works ruffled up with a belt here, or worn long with jeans etc. 

Lessons learnt? Always read the pattern (don't get cocky because it's a simple project – check and double check) and always block your tension square. If I'd spent a bit more time getting to know how the yarn would behave, I'd have had a clearer picture of the finished garment. 

The very best thing about the Orange You Glad top, though, is that it's almost the exact colour of Heinz Cream of Tomato soup. Timeless and comforting.