The Sweatshop of Lovers Blog

The Lot

Top Row, Left to Right:

1. Wine Cozy for PT’s Mom

2. Elephants for Grandma, three total

3. Three Pairs of Granny Square Slippers, one for Tara, Grandma, and Mom

4. Three Cabled Jar Covers for Rachel

Middle Row, Left to Right:

1. Crocheted Bib Necklace for Tara, my Sweatshop Secret Santa

2. Knitting Needle Knitting Bag for Mom

3. Lace Hand Warmers for Rachel

4. U of M Toilet Lid Cover for my brother Adam

Bottom Row, Left to Right:

1. Eric Man-Beanie for my brother Matthew

2. Glorified Necklace for Mom

3. Eric Man-Stocking Cap for Dad

Not Pictured:

1. Knitting Needle Knitting Bag for my friend Colleen, already gifted

2. PT’s Modified Cambridge Jacket, wrapped and under the tree

3. Two Slouchy Berets for Blog Giveaway Winners, in Green and Pink, shipped off

I don’t know whether to think that is a lot or a little. I have been knitting since September for the holidays. I did knit myself a sweater in there somewhere, too. And wrote a few patterns. And taught a lot of classes.

But with it all laid out there like that, it is weird to think I did all that in just over three months.

Just Pudge being Pudge

I wrapped it all up, no thanks to Pudge Rodriguez,  and most of it is ready for the trip up to Michigan.

I hope you got all your holiday knitting done in time! Is there something you will be giving half finished?

Last night was A Sweatshop Holiday Party and we had a blast!

Lori, Ana, Laura, and Lucinda

I’m always so torn about using a flash. I hate the flash, but clearly everyone’s blurry heads should have indicated that I need to use the flash while in the bar. Ohh, Allyson.

Cayo's New Hat!

Cayo is much more handsome than this blurry picture indicates. He is showing off the hat Lucinda made him!

Lots of Yarn and Presents!

The party was part yarn swap, part secret Santa knitting gift exchange, and mostly a bunch of people causing a ruckus at Streetside.

Lucinda and Brijeet

Yarn is hilarious!

Gil Grabbing Swap Yarn

Gil with her fast hands!

Tara Rockin her Bib

Look familiar? Tara wore the crocheted bib necklace for the rest of the night so I’m taking that as a good sign! And it’s official: I seriously need one of my own.

Thanks to everyone who came out last night and made A Sweatshop Holiday Party a huge success.

Live in the Chicago area and want to get in on the fun? Be sure to email me at allyson@thesweatshopoflove.com to get on my mailing list.

Do you ever see a shirt or skirt that you appreciate for fashion’s sake but can’t see wearing yourself? That is how I felt when I got this picture sent to me.

Crocheted Bib Necklace

Ridiculously cute. Love the ruffles, love the use of the underused treble crochet stitch, love the layers and volume. But is it wearable?

The pattern is from the fashion blog The Owls Are Not What They Seem. The pattern and necklace styling are both featured in this post. And here is the Ravelry page.

I happened to pull the student who sent the link to me in The Sweatshop of Love’s Secret Santa, so I didn’t have to think very long about what I was going to make her.

Ruffles!

Modifications: I added one extra row of double crocheting to the second tier of ruffles and two extra rows of double crocheting to the third, or smallest, tier of ruffles.

I attached each tier to the base of the double crochet tier before it, so the smallest, or bottom most tier, sticks out farther than the previous tiers.

I then made a crocheted chain instead of attaching a necklace chain. I couldn’t find one, I don’t even really know how you would do that!

Well Look At That!

It was a super quick project. I finished it during the Thursday night NBC comedy block! I used some yarn I had laying around; a tiny portion of a Caron one pounder.

Umm... HOT!

I’m totally in love with this necklace! Even over my pajama wife beater it looks great!

Under a Jacket... HOT!

Clearly I need to clean the mirror in my foyer, but everything I was doing with the necklace made me like it more.

Mine!

I think I’m going to have to make another one as my Secret Santa gift!

And don’t forget to enter my Custom Knit Gift Giveaway!