Big Crafty http://www.bigcrafty.com Plus-Size Knitting, Crochet and Sewing Patterns Found and Reviewed Fri, 20 Jun 2008 16:46:06 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.1 en Free Plus-Size Summery Patterns to Knit and Crochet http://www.bigcrafty.com/2008/06/20/free-plus-size-summery-patterns-to-knit-and-crochet/ http://www.bigcrafty.com/2008/06/20/free-plus-size-summery-patterns-to-knit-and-crochet/#comments Fri, 20 Jun 2008 16:46:06 +0000 Jen http://www.bigcrafty.com/2008/06/20/free-plus-size-summery-patterns-to-knit-and-crochet/ Who doesn’t need a lightweight summer sweater? No need to put down your needles and hooks when the weather gets steamy. These breezy patterns make me wish I were at the beach!

Ok, so if you’re a working mother of a toddler like me, now’s probably the time to start on Christmas presents that may or may not actually become finished objects. Summer sweaters are not likely to knit themselves before it’s Fall all over again.

But if you have flying fingers, need a sweater and have the time, here’s a list of freebies that I dug up so you don’t have to waste that precious time clicking all over the web.

These all go up to at least a 1x, most to 3x.

Knit Patterns

  1. Shetland Shorty - A Lace Wrap/Bolero.
  2. Thira - A knit halter.
  3. Inverness - 3/4 sleeve reverse stockinette sweater with stripes and seed stitch ribs.
  4. Gigi - Short sleeve kimono cardigan.
  5. Light Summer Vest - Sign-up/Login required
  6. Summer Cardigan and Scarf - Sign-up/Login required
  7. All Season Shell - Sign-up/Login required
  8. Knitted Simple Shell - Sign-up/Login required
  9. Ribbed Shell - Sign-up/Login required
  10. Textured Shell - Sign-up/Login required

Crochet Patterns

  1. Raglan T-shirt - custom fit - Sign-up/Login required
  2. Crocheted Summer Pullover - Sign-up/Login required
  3. Empire Top in Microspun - Sign-up/Login required
  4. Empire Top in Organic Cotton - Sign-up/Login required
  5. Four Seasons Bolero - Sign-up/Login required
  6. Crochet Capelet - Sign-up/Login required
  7. Beach Cover-up / Pullover - Sign-up/Login required
  8. Beach Cover-up / Cardigan - Sign-up/Login required
  9. Sleeveless Tunic/Jumper - Sign-up/Login required
  10. Elegant Shell - Sign-up/Login required
  11. Light ‘n Lively Swingy Tank - Sign-up/Login required

For a whole pile of patterns, check out Spring and Summer Sweaters from Berroco’s free pattern library. They have a high percentage of plus-sized patterns.

Enjoy!
Jen

]]> http://www.bigcrafty.com/2008/06/20/free-plus-size-summery-patterns-to-knit-and-crochet/feed/ And the next post will be… http://www.bigcrafty.com/2008/04/08/and-the-next-post-will-be/ http://www.bigcrafty.com/2008/04/08/and-the-next-post-will-be/#comments Tue, 08 Apr 2008 12:24:15 +0000 Jen http://www.bigcrafty.com/2008/04/08/and-the-next-post-will-be/ …free patterns! Thank you so much for submitting your ideas. You gave me plenty of good topics for posting later, but I think we’re all most excited about free patterns. I’ve been poking around the web for some lovely free patterns and will post a nice list for you soon.

Have a great day!
Jen

]]> http://www.bigcrafty.com/2008/04/08/and-the-next-post-will-be/feed/ You Vote, I’ll Post http://www.bigcrafty.com/2008/03/26/you-vote-ill-post/ http://www.bigcrafty.com/2008/03/26/you-vote-ill-post/#comments Thu, 27 Mar 2008 01:59:09 +0000 Jen http://www.bigcrafty.com/2008/03/26/you-vote-ill-post/ Hi! Wow, so many wonderful people have found my blog through links or Google searches. I haven’t updated it much recently, but the old posts still have life in them.

I want to make time to start posting again but there are so many things to talk about…I don’t even know where to start!

Let’s try this: I’ll post something this weekend if YOU tell me what you want to see.

What topic:
Sewing?
Crochet?
Knitting?
Something else?

What would you most like to know about that topic:
Free patterns?
Books?
Magazines?
Resourceful web sites?
Want to see what other people are making?
Something else?

Leave me your thoughts in the comments. I’ll pick my favorite post suggestion and save the others for a rainy day. I can’t wait to hear from you!

Take care,
Jen

]]> http://www.bigcrafty.com/2008/03/26/you-vote-ill-post/feed/ Hello, Project Runway Dress! http://www.bigcrafty.com/2007/12/09/hello-project-runway-dress/ http://www.bigcrafty.com/2007/12/09/hello-project-runway-dress/#comments Sun, 09 Dec 2007 16:03:48 +0000 Jen http://www.bigcrafty.com/2007/12/09/hello-project-runway-dress/ One of the new Project Runway patterns by Simplicity is for curvy girls! Fabulous!

Project Runway Dress by Simplicity

]]> http://www.bigcrafty.com/2007/12/09/hello-project-runway-dress/feed/ My Finished Tunic from McCall Pattern M5009 http://www.bigcrafty.com/2007/08/15/my-finished-tunic-from-mccall-pattern-m5009/ http://www.bigcrafty.com/2007/08/15/my-finished-tunic-from-mccall-pattern-m5009/#comments Wed, 15 Aug 2007 23:29:32 +0000 Jen http://www.bigcrafty.com/2007/08/15/my-finished-tunic-from-mccall-pattern-m5009/ Here it is, my first handmade shirt.

Tunic Photo

Pattern: McCall M5009

Size: 28W tapered to 30W on bottom. (For the uninitiated, most pattern sizes have much higher numbers than ready-to-wear.)

Lessons Learned: The first rendition of this shirt was much too big and the shoulders hung halfway down my upper arm. If I had taken the time to try it on when I basted it, I would have saved myself a lot of seam ripping. A dress form would’ve helped more, and making the pattern from muslin first would have been best.

Will I Use This Pattern Again? Probably not. I love the shirt but once is enough.

And here I am with my messy little boy, Benjamin.

Me and Ben photo

]]> http://www.bigcrafty.com/2007/08/15/my-finished-tunic-from-mccall-pattern-m5009/feed/ VOGUEknitting’s Silver Anniversary Issue http://www.bigcrafty.com/2007/08/14/vogueknittings-silver-anniversary-issue/ http://www.bigcrafty.com/2007/08/14/vogueknittings-silver-anniversary-issue/#comments Tue, 14 Aug 2007 21:07:21 +0000 Jen http://www.bigcrafty.com/2007/08/14/vogueknittings-silver-anniversary-issue/ Wow!! You really must pick up this issue. Beautiful, strange, couture, oh-no-the-’80’s, and everything in between.

First, cruise by Vogue’s site for some free patterns from the 10 different covers.

Next, check out the preview page for a few pattern photos.

So much delightful knitting. Anyone else in love with the scarf on the cover?

I’m horrified by the return of the big baggy sweater. I spent my teenage years hiding my 130lb body under baggy sweaters because I thought I was fat. Now that I actually am overly rotund and have decided to show my curves for what they are, the baggy sweaters are back. I will not wear you, you baggy sweater!

On the bright side, the big sweaters look like they would fit just about anybody. At last, we can wear couture.

In all there are 11 patterns that go up to 2x. Four of those are big, baggy one-size-fits-all sweaters.

  • Shawl Collar Tunic
    Size: Small - XX-Large
  • Hoodie
    Size: Small - XX-Large
  • The Bubble
    Size: One sized big, baggy sweater
  • Eyelet Sweater
    Size: One sized big, baggy sweater
  • Enchanted Forest Cardigan
    Size: One sized big, baggy sweater
  • Hooded Cardigan
    Size: One sized big, baggy sweater
  • Center Motif Pullover
    Size: Small - XX-Large
  • Cabled Coat
    Size: Small - XX-Large
  • Lace Dress
    Size: Small - XX-Large
  • Michael Kors Cabled Turtleneck
    Size: Small - 2X
  • Paneled Jacket
    Size: One size fits most
]]> http://www.bigcrafty.com/2007/08/14/vogueknittings-silver-anniversary-issue/feed/ Fab Knits for Fluffy People in Fall ‘07 Knitsimple http://www.bigcrafty.com/2007/08/14/fab-knits-for-fluffy-people-in-fall-07-knitsimple/ http://www.bigcrafty.com/2007/08/14/fab-knits-for-fluffy-people-in-fall-07-knitsimple/#comments Tue, 14 Aug 2007 19:56:48 +0000 Jen http://www.bigcrafty.com/2007/08/14/fab-knits-for-fluffy-people-in-fall-07-knitsimple/ Knitsimple’s Fall 2007 issue has patterns o’ plenty for fluffy people. Most are pictured on their preview page. For those that aren’t, I’ve taken some pictures of my floor where the magazine just happens to be there and open to that page.

Cabled Vest

Size: Medium to 2X (Unisex)
Knit Simple - Cabled Vest

Striped Vest

Size: Small to 2X
Knit Simple - Striped Vest

Mitered Jacket

Size: Small/Medium to 2X
Knit Simple - Mitered Jacket

Cowl-Neck Tie Back Pullover

Size: X-Small to 3X
See photo on their site, top picture on the left.

V-Neck Pocket Pullover

Size: Small to 2X
See photo on their site, top picture on the right.

The following are part of a plus-size feature article. Hooray, made for us! See all of them on their preview page under “Working Assets.”

Mesh Wrap (crochet!)

Size: Small/Large to 1X-3X

Tie-Back Pullover

Size: X-Small to 3X

Ribbed Shrug

Size: X-Small to 2X/3X

U-Neck Vest

Size: X-Small to 3X

Yum! I want to make everything! If I had to choose, I would probably pick the mesh wrap since I’m not bad at crochet and the U-neck vest since it looks like an easy, non-frustrating piece for knitting practice. I would love to work up the tie-back cowl-neck pullover but would have a high potential for becoming an unfinished object due to my complete lack of time.

Don’t forget to check out the cute mittens!

Let me know if you need more details - I’m happy to post yarn info or measurements. Thanks!

]]> http://www.bigcrafty.com/2007/08/14/fab-knits-for-fluffy-people-in-fall-07-knitsimple/feed/ I’m Back! http://www.bigcrafty.com/2007/08/14/im-back/ http://www.bigcrafty.com/2007/08/14/im-back/#comments Tue, 14 Aug 2007 19:22:22 +0000 Jen http://www.bigcrafty.com/2007/08/14/im-back/ The summer of lazy blogging comes to an end with this post. Fall is in the air! Well, not really. But it’s on the racks and in between the covers of our favorite magazines! Knitted hats, crocheted granny square afghans, and rich fabrics will fill the void soon to be left by flip-flops, cropped pants and favorite t-shirts.

I’m more excited about the coming cold weather than ever. Last year was my first winter in D.C. after living in Georgia and Florida and California for so many years. And was it ever a winter! The snow! The cold! Sweaters, hats and scarves are no longer just a fashion accessory, we need them!

I just picked up all of the fall editions of the knitting, sewing and crochet publications. I know my posting schedule can feel a little ‘feast or famine’, so hang on tight - here comes a feast! Cozy up to that blazing hot sun and pretend like you feel a chill in the air.

]]> http://www.bigcrafty.com/2007/08/14/im-back/feed/ 2 New Free Knitting Patterns from Berroco http://www.bigcrafty.com/2007/06/22/2-new-free-knitting-patterns-from-berroco/ http://www.bigcrafty.com/2007/06/22/2-new-free-knitting-patterns-from-berroco/#comments Fri, 22 Jun 2007 13:17:53 +0000 Jen http://www.bigcrafty.com/2007/06/22/2-new-free-knitting-patterns-from-berroco/ Just out in today’s KnitBits newsletter from Berroco:

Really, (yes, really, that’s the name of the pattern) a vest knit in Monet. Pattern sizes x-small through 2X. Looks like you would have to block it or put the buttons in the right place to get it to do the curvy, pointed look in front.

Wright, a sleeveless drape neck top. I wonder if it’s supposed to be pulled down so far on your shoulders?

]]> http://www.bigcrafty.com/2007/06/22/2-new-free-knitting-patterns-from-berroco/feed/ Sewing Pattern Round-Up: That Kimono Look http://www.bigcrafty.com/2007/06/17/sewing-pattern-round-up-that-kimono-look/ http://www.bigcrafty.com/2007/06/17/sewing-pattern-round-up-that-kimono-look/#comments Sun, 17 Jun 2007 23:05:01 +0000 Jen http://www.bigcrafty.com/2007/06/17/sewing-pattern-round-up-that-kimono-look/ I love that kimono-ish tunic look! Flattering AND comfortable - that’s hard to beat.

Here’s a round-up of six of the latest kimono-like sewing patterns. If you find more that aren’t on this list, let me know and I’ll add them.

From Simplicity:

From McCall’s:

From Butterick: