One of my favorite things about crochet is that it has been around for decades. As much as I will try to create something totally original, I will almost always find someone who has done it before.

At first, this kind of discouraged me. I didn’t want anyone to think I was copying them & I sure as heck didn’t want anyone to pass my designs off as their own either. But the more I think about it, the more I can find the beauty in it.

We are all apart of this world, we should let our work bring us closer together, respecting each mind that played a part in its creation.

Nothing is new anymore. 9 times out of 10 someone else has made that same one of a kind piece just like me. As difficult as that has been to accept, I find it much more honorable to take that into consideration whenever I am designing, creating, or sharing something.

Always give credit to the people or things that influence you! Wouldn’t the world be a better place if we all were more respectful of that? Instead of trying to copy someone, let your mutual interests & taste bring you together.

Vintage crochet patterns have brought me so much inspiration. The cuts, textures, & colors all make me want to bust out my hooks & start working on a new piece. I can flip through old patterns for days. Check out my Pinterest board for a collection of Vintage Crochet Patterns I love.

For Lightning In A Bottle, I wanted to make something that would combine my love of dancing & vintage style. I searched for weeks to find the perfect vintage piece I could put my own twist on. Finally, I found this Vintage 70’s Crochet Sun Spoke Skirt & knew it would be perfect! I love to spin & twirl when I dance, so the full skirt seemed like a fun challenge that would be worth my time!

I started looking for yarn to use & after weeks of debating colors & materials, I couldn’t wait any longer. I purchased some Shiny Happy Cotton from Wool & The Gang to begin crocheting. I had never used any of their products before & was excited to find how soft this cotton was!

When I originally found the pattern, I planed to use it. Like actually read what it says to do & listen… But I was at my boyfriend’s house & did not have it with me when I was ready to start. So, I tried to make it from the memory of the photo I had seen.

The first few tries did not end up looking the way I wanted. But that can be half the fun (if you are not stressed for time!) haha. I undid the top of the skirt several times until the stitches flowed as seamlessly as I envisioned.

The bottom of my skirt turned out totally different than expected. To be honest, it wasn’t until I tried the set on, that I was even a remotely happy with the outcome. I spent the first few days in a bad mood thinking I was going to look like a pumpkin.

I never ended up looking at the pattern but without it, I would not have been able to make this amazing set! I think the top of the skirt is almost the same as the vintage original, but my version has a fuller, & I’d argue, more playful bottom.

I spent several days working on this project, but I would not have been able to do it without Kenzie Wool Shop where I first saw the vintage photo & pattern.

In addition to my inspiration, this set would not have been the same without such amazing yarn. I truly hate putting so much time into something only to have it fall apart later due to poor quality materials.

I loved my Shiny Happy Cotton from Wool & The Gang so much, I (for the first time ever) reached out to the company! More than anything I love to create. For me, I get the most pleasure out of dreaming up a new piece & figuring out how to make it a reality. I am so excited to announce that I will be designing another outfit with Wool & The Gang‘s sustainable Tina Tape yarn! Check back for my first pattern!

I hope you enjoyed my take on this vintage pattern. To learn more about the event I made it for & my experience there, check out my Life Lessons from Lightning In A Bottle post! You’ll find a little more about what gave me the courage to push myself & collaborate with The Gang there too!

XoXo-

Megan