Blog Archives

The Worst of 2023

12/30/2023

There were surprisingly few projects that had less than a rating of 3 out of 5. If I include the ones that I didn't finish (DNF) there are four.

2.50 The Doll Wardrobe set that had the halter dress, two piece suit and the jumpsuit from 1984 Workbasket Magazine. The only reason this got such a good score was because some of the outfits that were ok balanced out the jumpsuit. Honestly that jumpsuit was the worst mostly finished project this year.
1.50/DNF The Princess Loretta Scarf from 1916. I had trouble matching the gauge and really didn't like making it.
0/ DNF The Bolo Scarf from Workbasket 1985. This looked nice in the photo but it skirted that line of being boring but still having to pay attention because of the stitch pattern.
DNF Scarf # 2490-231 Another one I didn't finish. I'm not entirely sure I understood the stitch pattern and I ran out of yarn. This might not have gotten a low score if I'd gone back and tried again.

Next week I'll start the 2024 theme!

0 Comments

Welcome to the best and worst of 2023. This week I have the best; next week will be the worst. I try to score these at least consistently if not always objectively. For the best and worst I'm going to leave out the ones that weren't neckwear or dolls. Those vintage patterns I did were chosen specifically for a purpose so they're trending higher.
Each bullet point has a link to take you back to that blog post where you can see the photo of the project.

5 out of 5:

The tri-color bib with Humpty Dumpty twins from the 1944 Crochet Your Gifts Book. The subject matter was an interesting choice, the directions were good and the finished project was cute. I questioned the directions as I was doing it but when I trusted them, it worked!
The doll Summer Suit from Crochet World 1992. This was an easy, quick pattern and it turned out well and even included a little hat to go with the outfit.
The doll Ensemble (skirt and top) from Workbasket Magazine, Sept 1985. The little top was so cute, I kind of wished I had one for myself. The pattern was easy to understand and it came together quickly.
The doll swimsuit from the Alice Brooks mail order pattern set. This was so easy and quick to make I almost felt guilty for not making another project for that week.

Between 4 and 5:

4.75 The Flame Scarf from 1970s In Fashions. This was easy to make and would be a good pattern to use up some smaller scraps of yarn.
4.50 Ken's Bathrobe from The American Thread Company 1965. Ken's bathrobe was easy to make even though it was in fingering weight cotton. I made this a little easier on myself by not changing colors as often as the pattern suggested.
4.50 Flare pants, shorts and vest from Alice Brooks mail order set. The Alice Brooks mail order set was pretty consistently good. The directions were clear, the patterns fit and the final results were adorable.
4.25 The lighter holder from 1977-1978 Good Housekeeping Needlecraft. I still love this final project even if I haven't used it for anything yet.

4 out of 4:

The Attractive and Unusual Scarf from a 1937 issue of Queensland Times. This pattern made me look for some keyhole scarf patterns to make. I loved how easy this was to wear and while I struggled a little with the instructions, the final scarf was worth it.
The Long Jabot from the Family Crochet Book, 1971. Another project that turned out well but I haven't worn.
Doll's Evening Gown from Crochet World 1984. The first doll pattern that had a little bit of a fit problem but she squeezed into the dress.
Rose Trimmed Ensemble from Crochet World 1991. Great directions but again, the dress was a little tight even though the gauge matched.
The Ripple Dress from The American Thread Company 1965. Cute dress but I had the opposite problem on this one, it was slightly too big.
Dress from the Alice Brooks mail order pattern set. Cute and again, I made it easier by not changing colors so often.

Did you have a favorite pattern from the list above?

Next week I'll have the worst of 2023!

0 Comments

The Worst of 2023

The Best of 2023

Sign up here to get an email when I post something new!

Author

Archives