A Little Glamour in Sin City

I’d never wanted to visit Vegas. I don’t like to gamble and I don’t like crowds (even after almost ten years living in New York City). Quite frankly, Las Vegas seemed like the opposite of my favorite thing to do which is curl up with my knitting and a good movie. But when I got the opportunity to go on a some-expenses-paid trip to Sin City, I felt like I shouldn’t turn it down.

Since I spend a lot of my day perusing Lion Brand’s free patterns, I’m often spotting new projects that I want to start. When I saw the Sparkle Slipon in our Fashion Show, I was totally in love. It was fun and summery and oh so sparkly! I felt like I needed to have a little glitz to wear by the pool if I was going to visit the land of showgirls!

But I was a little nervous. I’d just taught myself how to make granny squares after years of knitting. I’d never crocheted anything bigger than a coaster. When I read over the pattern, I realized that the Sparkle Slipon is a lot like a granny square. I’ve never shied away from a crafting challenge so I decided to dive in. I got some help (and a lot of encouragement) from Arabia in the Lion Brand Yarn Studio. I wanted to use fewer colors than the pattern called for so she helped me calculate how much yarn I would need and, after making the lower body too tight, she gave me advice on how to make easy changes.

This was the perfect project for a novice crocheter! It certainly was a challenge for me and it’s not perfect but this was a great way to translate what I knew how to do into a big project. I was able to pick up some new skills but I wasn’t pulled too far out of my comfort zone since it had so little shaping. The color and fiber made this garment just the right weight for a swimsuit cover up. And since Vanna’s Glamour® is machine washable and dryable, I won’t have to worry about getting sunscreen on this top.

On my very first day by the pool, a woman stopped me to say how much she loved my top. I don’t usually let people know when I’m wearing something handmade but this time, I was so proud, I had to let it spill! She said, “I’m a crocheter, too! I was looking at that top and I thought, ‘I have to make one!'” I was so happy! I love inspiring other people with the things that I make!

I’m really looking forward to wearing this next time I get by the pool!

Have you ever gotten an unexpected compliment on something you made? Do you take baby steps when you’re learning something new or do you dive in?