Summer Stash Experiment: Spiral Sweater

So this is what I'm working on right now:

 

Right now, it looks like the top of one of those Peek Frean cookies. 

 

But it's actually the yoke of a seamless, top-down sweater. A crocheted sweater.

When I told my friend Leone that I was trying to crochet a sweater that wasn't ugly, she replied that no such thing existed. Of course, both of us know that crochet lace can be really pretty, especially when the lace is very delicate. But crocheted garments that are made of more yarn than holes can easily turn out stiff, boxy and ugly. "Plain" crochet creates a thicker fabric than plain knitting, and the fabric will have less drape as well. Leone and I have spent a fair amount of time looking at crochet pattern and despairing.

So you're probably wondering -- what convinced me to even try this fool's errand?

 

Doris Chan's Spirals Seamless Crochet Top.

Seriously, go look at all the projects on Ravelry, especially this one. They look pretty good, right?

While the design is fairly simple, the pattern is 30 pages long. It's stuffed with detailed instructions, tips and charts. Chan describes it as a "master class." She also refers to it as a "collection" of tops, since there are instructions for multiple versions with different lengths, shapes and sleeves. I am very grateful for all this information because I'm not the most experienced crocheter. I've made lots of amigurumis and mittens, but that's about it!

Doris Chan is a force in the world of crochet, and has created plenty of non-ugly designs. I first became aware of her when I found her book Everyday Crochet, and was moved to review it even though I wasn't making crochet garments at the time. She's since then, she's only become more popular. 

I am feeling really optimistic about this project! I'm using some Elsebeth Lavold Silky Wool (DK, silk, wool and nylon) from my stash (recently, I've decided that I'm allowed to do whatever I want with my stash yarn). The yarn has good drape because of the silk content, and a tweedy flecked texture that I hope will downplay the big stitches.
 
I only have four skeins, and I've used up one, so I guess I'm 25% finished the sweater! I think the rest of it will come together quickly, so I'll update you soon.