This YouTube video explains an interesting technique to obtain a woven texture.
Worth trying sometime. The video uses plain yarn, with an example in variegated. I suspect it would be a tad tricky to do this stitch with two colours...
It's in effect double thickness, so it would also be a yarn-hungry stitch, But warm!
If you'd like some lovely Scandinavian crocheting chaps to show you how to crochet a snowflake, here's the video (in which they do aim to accommodate both UK and US crochet terminology):
You can find more Arne and Carlos goodness including free patterns (some crochet, some knitting) on their blog: http://arnecarlos.com/blog/
I have their book, Knit and Crochet Garden, which is full of beautiful patterns (except for the dolls, I don't find myself at all drawn to their dolls. Something about the way they do faces...). If you're buying the book, check the edition (published in UK vs published in US) if you want to be particular about having UK or US terminology.
While I did try a crocheted i-cord technique, it just is simpler with knitting, with the easier option of sliding your stitches along a double pointed needle (or using a circular). It was what I used for the 'stem' on the Pink Hat and you may find it handy if you need a yarn 'tube'.
For smaller/finer tubes, use finer yarn and smaller needles: the bigger the needles and thicker the yarn, the bigger and thicker your i-cord will be.
It's easy, and a useful technique to have in your repertoire.
And here's how to do it:
And isn't knitting fortunate to have pretty much common terminology, unlike the oddity of crochet terminology? Sigh.
While the three-chain start works for many things, sometimes you might want a more treble-y looking start. But how to do it? Crafternoon Treats will show you just how easy it is.
This one cleverly provides the rib and slouch of the many knitted beanies you see, but using crochet stitches (none difficult). It's from Sheepishly Sharing, and is called Camel Stitch Slouchy.
You work the band (instructions are supplied for lots of sizes from littles to large), join it and then work the rounds of slouch to the size you require.
Camel stitch was a new one to me: but in UK terms it's simply a half treble worked into the back loop (US terms: half double crochet worked into the back loop).
It's another example of how exploiting front and back loops - easy to do - can create interesting textures in crochet.
Starting with a chain stitch is taught to pretty much every beginner crocheter, and is a hurdle to overcome because it's fiddly and annoying. And as many people chain more tightly than they do other crochet stitches, the beginning of your work can end up with a curling, tighter edge. (If you HAVE to start with a chain, eg. for v-stitch, then use a larger hook size for the start - eg. if I'm using a 4mm hook, I'll go up to a 5mm hook for the chain and maybe first row). BUT.... (let me change your life for the better!) You don't have to start with a chain. You can use a chainless foundation start (various other names for this: foundation chain, foundation treble etc etc). What you are doing is creating the base (chain) and the first row (single/double/treble as you prefer) in one go. In forming each stitch, you make the chain base for the next stitch, then make the stitch you're on. Chain/stitch/chain/stitch.
Here's a You Tube video - it's in US terms, so it says double crochet where UK term is treble crochet, but it illustrates how it's done.
It's a really good technique for getting an easier start and less curling. It also gives you a nicer bottom edge than working through the chain can do. You can do it with double/treble stitches (UK terms) or single/double stitches (US terms). Or longer stitches (double treble, triple treble etc) if that's what your work requires. Here's my other tip: staying aware of keeping your stitches level so the bottom edge of your work stays straight. Keep your stitches at right angles, even if it feels that first loop is loopier than you expect.
It may take you a couple of tries to 'see' what you're doing, but when you do (and you will), it's an excellent technique to have in your bag of tricks.
The YouTube instructor, Tanis Galik, calls it Interlocking Crochet, and has a website with the same name demonstrating a bunch of interesting ways to create interlocking patterns.
As you can see in the video, it's different front and back: rows on one, columns on the other. An opportunity to play with colour. The video uses two colours, but I also like the stripes of the first picture I found. That picture is a close cousin of the interlocking technique demonstrated above, but not quite the same...
It's also cousin of front and back post crochet and the textures those stitches can create.
There would be a certain weight to the final product due to the density and doubling: a larger blanket in 8 ply wool wouldn't be light for its size. Maybe better in 4 ply for a larger blanket, or if it's for a baby.
Chain and slip stitches, with a yarn with long-colour variations making it look very cool with very little effort.
This would be a good one for beginners: mastering chain stitch (and control of hook/yarn) and making something something modern/interesting/useful. The example uses Aran/10 ply yarn and a 6mm hook, so it's not too fiddly either.
Could be good with an quirky yarn that doesn't need a lot of busy pattern but does better with a bit of air, like the sari silk yarns, too.
If you crochet even a little bit you'll know there's a bunch of Star Wars related crochet, amigurumi and other models, scarves, hats, mittens... out there.
And if you want to be up to date, here's a YouTube video of how to make your own BB-8 Droid hat: https://youtu.be/yVZaA9NZiDo
The latter was posted, a bit diffidently, on a Facebook crochet group by a bloke who ended up being rather overwhelmed by the approbation he'd received; he seemed a tad nervous that his creation was left-field to other projects being posted.
For more, any search on "Star Wars Crochet" on Ravelry or Pinterest would be bound to hit paydirt.
I asked one of my nevvies if he'd like a BB droid hat crocheted by his dear aunt. He hasn't responded, which could well be a response anyway....
UPDATE: but another one was very very very keen....
