We've all been there… You fall in love with a pattern only to find the yarn the designer used has been discontinued or is just not to your liking. It's a story is as old as the art of crochet itself. Perhaps even the worlds first Love-Hate relationship! "I LOVE this garment, but the pattern calls for superwash wool. I'm allergic to wool so I can't make it." or "This shawl uses 2 skeins of hand-spun lace weight yarn made from the plucked eyelashes of albino Vicuna, dyed in a mixture of crushed sapphires... can I use sport weight cotton/rayon instead?"

Don't let the idea of substituting one yarn for another fill your heart with a looming sense of dread. There are simple methods for making those kind of decisions - and, lucky you, there's now a downloadable video that will give you all the information you need to fearlessly swap one yarn for another!  <Insert Happy Dance Here>

About the Yarn

We originally designed this vest in Plymouth Yarn Grande Glow which has a subtle hint of Stelina in it… that means there's a little SPARKLE to it or, as the name implies, a little GLOW.

Also as the name implies, Plymouth Yarn Grande Glow is a GRANDE yarn… meaning it is a bulky weight yarn weighing in at a healthy CYCA 5.

 And, yes, Plymouth Yarn Grande Glow is 97% Baby Alpaca. Folks… that means this yarn feels oh so soft next to your skin. Seriously… just get a case of it and dive into it. You're welcome.

You clicked it… that picked it! These are the top 10 articles, tutorials, and patterns from the pages of Shibaguyz Designz. Click on the title or the preview photo to see the full page. Thanks for coming around this week… see y'all next week!

Technique
Double Treble Left Cross Cable (Dtr L Cross)

What is it?
The Double Treble Left Cross Cable is a crochet cable stitch worked over seven stitches.

WHAT IS IT?
The Foundation Half Double Crochet stitch technique (abbreviated Fhdc) is an alternative to the instructions at the beginning of a crochet pattern that tell you to chain a certain number of stitches.

This technique simultaneously creates a row of "chain" stitches AND a row of half double crochet stitches (abbreviated hdc) without making two passes. Basically, it takes the place of two rows of stitches: the "chain" row that makes up the beginning base and the next row of half double crochet that is worked into that row of chains.

Once you've practiced a bit with this stitch and create it comfortably, take a close look at the "chain" part of the stitch as you are making it. You will see how the "chain" is not, in fact, a chain at all but a clever doppelganger of the chain. It serves the purpose of looking like a base row of chain stitches but it is made in such a way that it is more elastic.

Which brings us to our next point…

We here at Shibaguyz Designz love sharing new designs with you and today we  are very pleased to announce the re-release of our crochet pattern: the Filigree Leaf Tunic.

You might recognize this design from the first life it lived in a UK magazine back in 2011. Since then, the publishing rights to the pattern have reverted to us, we've made some spiffy patterning changes, added a chart, sized the pattern for Small–5X, and now we're re-releasing this beauty into the wilds of the internet for you all to download and enjoy for yourselves!

The Filigree Leaf Tunic has been a favorite of ours for years. The easy fit and versatility of this tunic makes it a FAB piece for any body type and just about any occasion.

We've made versions of this design for clients who wore them as wedding dresses, holiday party cocktail dresses, and even beach cover-ups. However, the most popular use for this light and lacy piece is just as a comfortable top to throw over jeans and a tee or tank. Add a belt for a little flattering shaping and you're all set!

Worked from the top down, you can customize the length to meet your wardrobe desires. After making the two panels, you simply sew up the sides and top seams. Easy peasy!

Intimidated by all that lace? Never fear… there's a stitch chart included with the written pattern to help you visualize your stitches. Your hook will be flying along in no time!

Check out the gallery below then CLICK HERE to head on over to our shopping site and purchase your own digital copy today! Light and breezy for warmer temps or layered to keep off the chill… you'll look stunning and have TONS of bragging rights when you wear this piece and tell folks: Yup… I made this!

Shibaguyz Designz is proud to release the first in a series of throws and afghans we have created inspired by the manipulation of geometric shapes and colors.

The Infinity Squared Throw is worked in the round in easy double crochet stitches using four luscious shades of red that start lighter in the center and change to darker shades as you work outward. Each round of double crochet stitches is alternated with a round of back post single crochet stitches in a deep chocolate tone to give depth to the finished throw.

Our Infinity Squared Throw is shown here in Plymouth Yarn, Galway Worsted 100% Pure Wool. Red tones not your cup of tea? You can easily customize your own version of the Infinity Squared Throw with any color palette you like. Just pick four shades for the gradient color changes and one shade of dark yarn as a back ground for the post stitches. The possibilities for  stunning color combinations are endless!

This project is oh so easy but the results are a luxurious throw you will be proud to display in your home as a warm throw or as a piece of wall art.

Click HERE to go to the Shibaguyz Designz online pattern store to download your digital copy of the Infinity Squared Throw today!