My favourite way to finish sweaters is a crochet edge, one reason is its incredibly quick way to finish, and the second is it gives a sweet hand-made touch – the last one I did was a navy cardigan – I don’t have the before photo but it was a zara long cardigan which was rather jaded looking and languishing on the ‘euro rail’ (reduced rail in charity shop). (I have put a small ‘how to add trim’ or ‘how I do’ here)
I had thought a few times of trying crochet trims on tee-shirts but never did – until this ‘Anthopologie’ number popped up on my pinterest feed the Xanthe dress.
I follow Anthropologie on Pinterest, and I only got to visit the store for the first time in York. It was interesting but slightly boring, the huge whale made from denim was brilliant, but it was really racks of the same clothes. I think I have gotten used to charity shops with where everything is different and requires a look, that I sometimes get bored in shops! I didn’t see this dress when I was there, but it did pop into my feed a week after I came back. I really loved the fresh look and colours and thought I should try something similar. So a few days later when I was in a charity shop, I got this jersey skirt and its a perfect colour (although a small bit light). I cut the waist-band off, cut a ‘vague’ underarm curve to give illusions of sleeves, and then a neckline.
Originally this dress was to be whipped up in no time, and use some left over yarn. I blanket stitched the neck and sleeves and did them first in a mix of single, double crochet and fillet stitch. but this was not meant to be, I was nearly finished when the weight of the yarn had the dress stretched to mid-calf. But as I was happy with the dress besides…………I went out and bought the yarn in 4ply, and started all over again. This time I flew through it as the stitches were worked out. I pretty much went with similar patterns to the original, I used some fhdc’s here and there, and I am unsure how the braiding was done on the ‘Anthro’ dress, but I did a foundation chain, and threaded it through the white fillet. I tightened the neckline but I am thinking of making it big again after seeing the photos, it was more boat-necked before hand.
There is something so perfect about crochet summer dresses, especially on a warm day, as they are incredibly comfortable to wear. I don’t really like to sit in sunshine so generally use this sunhat every summer if I sit ‘out the back’. (when I say every summer, I mean every summer for the past 27 years…… probably my best buy-it-once buy)
upsew 
Beautiful bottom detailing. I want one!
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thank you Rebecca – these trims are surprisingly easy to do – just wish I didnt have so much dk still to use up! In all I got 4 x 50g 4 ply in white turq yellow and pink as well as using a bit of dark blue sport weight I had here. I used up all the pink and most of the white and turquoise, and have a lot of yellow left. I am thinking of changing the neck trim now to white that I have worn it a few times – once the blanket stitch base is done, the rest is quick!
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I love the colourful stripes edging that beautiful deep blue!
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Thank you very much-I am rather pleased with it – funny how the day I decided to try to make it I went to the charity shop and found the right colour with the right amount of fabric straight away!
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This dress is fabulous, I love the crochet section at the bottom! Who needs high street when you can make your own, eh? 🙂 The original one though looks like it was done in crochet cotton, probably a size 5, which possibly would be lighter than wool. xx
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Thanks Cate, It was nice to have something fun to make (I am currently changing jobs so making up some new work clothes) – I did use 4 ply cotton, and I probably could have done it in fingering cotton thread if i had the patience! I still have a load of double knit/dk in stash that I have to find a project for yet!
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Love love love this! What a fab finish! I don’t like sitting in the sun either, too boring and hot, but it’s nice to go out once in a while without a card! 🙂
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Thanks Linda, the recent sun has been a gift alright and such a novelty for us here, as while I don’t sit out in it much, I love to stroll about in it , like being on holidays at home…..
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Oh my! This is genius! I don’t keep up on “style”. But I love this! I donate so much now (after a long life and the nest emptying) to the thrift stores, I never think of shopping there! ;o)
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Thank you Eliz – I am always amazed at the variety of colours styles and quality fabrics in the charity/thrift shops (although a bit intimidated by the volumes – our local charity shop cannot keep up and have to have sale rails within the shop to keep clearing the stuff) – I do like to browse shops for ideas occasionally (but I must admit I do get bored easily wandering in fashion stores now! )
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Wow! Your dress is beautiful. I have never thought of adding a contrast band of crochet before but I’d love to do it as it’s a brilliant idea!
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Thank you, its not that difficult, but as I have been asked a few times how I have done it, I am going to do a few photos of the process (truly tho – its so quick and easy – especially when its just a few lines, this dress did take a bit longer as there was more crochet but still and all done within a few evenings)
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