I really wish that there were more hours in the day, because I’d love to become a better crocheter. One reason I yearn to wield my hook with more skill is that there are so many great patterns coming out these days. Take a look at Sandi Rosner’s new book, 21 Crocheted Tanks and Tunics (Stackpole Books; available at the time of this writing for $16.95 at this link).
Every time I see a commercial that makes fun of knitting or crochet as the dowdy province of grandmothers, I want to shriek. There are so many stylish, on-trend patterns for handcrafters, and Sandi’s book has got 21 of ’em, perfect for warm-weather wear. None of these patterns look exceedingly difficult to my untrained eyes, but they have classic lines, are made in beautiful yarns, and are elegant enough to wear to many workplaces (either alone or under a cardigan for those places who frown on bare arms).
Particular patterns that catch my fancy include Folsom (oh boy, how I hope it’s a Johnny Cash reference),
made in a pewter-gray silk/bamboo blend, with a ballet-style front and back tie.
Montgomery, in a pale butter yellow, features alternating sections using different stitch patterns. I like the button front, too. This one’s shown in an all-linen blend, which will feel great in summer and get softer and softer the more you wear it.
Sutter uses a gradient-ish set of successively darker colors, with simple lines and a great stitch pattern:
and check out Pacific, made in a multicolored pure silk yarn.
Something about the shine of the silk and the zigzagging lines of the stitch pattern make this one so striking!
Valencia is another winner:
I like the scoop neck and picot trim, plus half-double crochets always look great.
Taraval uses a yoke construction with a contrasting color, creating concentric rings.
It’s got an A-line shape. I can imagine all sorts of wonderful color combinations for this one — maybe a multi for the contrast? — although I do like the white with just a splash of a vivid contrast.
And Greenwich features a collar with contrast trim; armhole shaping (an extra curve) is a thoughtful detail to show off your arms.
There’s still plenty of warm weather on tap for many parts of the country (we’re getting a hot spell in a few days), and these tops would work up fairly quickly, giving you a spiffy new sweater to end the summer on. And when the patterns come from a seasoned professional like Sandi, you know they’ll be well-written and beautifully designed.
