Crochet hints and tips

Click  here to see their suggestions: http://www.stitchandunwind.com/crochet-tips-and-tricks/

Note: links are in US crochet terminology.

Crazy shell stitch

Would you like to crochet this?


Image source

Then head on over to the photo step by step tutorial here:
http://www.allfreecrochet.com/Tutorials/How-to-Crochet-a-Crazy-Shell-Stitch

Could be a blanket, or a cowl, or a scarf, or whatever you want....

Note: links are in US crochet terminology.

Interweave Cable Celtic Crochet

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!

Note: links are in US crochet terminology.

Goddess doll (amigurumi)

To this point, I haven't played much with amigurumi, although I've admired the work of others - some really fun stuff is being made!

This doll is something I think a couple of my non-crocheting friends would appreciate, so I may well give it a go sometime this year.  I like the proportions of the 2.0 version a little better, I think.

Crochet Goddess Doll 2.0

				Crochet Goddess Doll 2.0 This is a pattern I re-worked based off the free pattern provided by Sooticas Dream: http://sooticasdream.blogspot.com/2... I have spent nearly a month making alter...
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Crochet Goddess Doll 2.0: 

https://www.facebook.com/notes/katie-lynn/crochet-goddess-doll-20/1509450396023949/ 

and on Ravelry: 

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/goddess-doll-20

Note: Crochet Goddess 2.0 is in US crochet terminology.  The original Crochet Goddess pattern link below is in UK crochet terminology.

Original pattern: 

Fallen Angels & Hidden Demons: Crochet Goddess Doll Pattern

Blog: 

http://sooticasdream.blogspot.com.au/2011/09/crochet-goddess-doll.html
on Ravelry:
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/goddess-doll

Both are free patterns.

Note: links are in US crochet terminology.

Note: links are in UK crochet terminology.

How to make an i-cord (tube) (knitting)

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.

Ribbon Afghan pattern

This is a clever technique, using the various heights of the crochet stitches to create a ribbon pattern across the afghan (blanket/rug, choose your term!). From the blog, The Adventures of the Gingerbread Lady:

The Adventures of the Gingerbread Lady: PATTERN: Ribbon Afghan

				The Adventures of the Gingerbread Lady: PATTERN: Ribb... This afghan was something I came up with because I wanted a very quick and very easy pattern that could be done by touch - it's repetitive and simple, the perfect a...
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Pattern link (including a downloadable pdf): http://gingerschatz.blogspot.com.au/2010/10/pattern-ribbon-afghan.html

She shows a couple of examples inspired by her pattern here: http://gingerschatz.blogspot.com.au/2011/03/outdone-or-outcrocheted.html

Note: links are in US crochet terminology.

How to make a standing stitch treble (UK terms)

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.



Isn't it logical?

Another useful technique for my crochet toolkit.

(UK treble is double crochet in US terms).

Note: links are in UK crochet terminology.

Spice of Life CAL: My Mexican Fiesta version

I am not alone in playing with the Spice of Life Crochet-A-Long.:  bright Mexican Fiesta kinda colours were my choice.  I'm using mostly yarn from Spotlight, 4 Seasons 50g wool, and about 18 colours (which is a few more than the original).  There are lots of pictures of completed blankets in a multitude of appealing colour combinations.

As I'm undertaking this with my local knitting and crochet group, I've got Motivation to Keep Up and finish it by June (we're doing a section each month, not weekly).

This is a clever pattern for crocheters both new and old, a chance to practise skills and develop new ones in the context of a blanket (it doesn't have to fit anyone but it will still keep 'em warm!).   The designer, Sandra Paul, notes on her blog the basic skills the blanket requires.

I would recommend reading both the designer's notes and the patterns.  While they are generously filled with links to tutorials and with photos to help you see how do do various stitches, there are sometimes notes on the blog that haven't been put in the pattern.  The pattern is free.

My other suggestion is to use the colour-exchange pages as a guide to the (not consecutively numbered) 129 rows.  And highlight the rows that are trebles.

Designer's blog: http://www.cherryheart.co.uk/p/spice-of-life-blanket.html

Patterns on Ravelry: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/spice-of-life-blanket

There are also threads on Ravelry, Instagrammers with posts, a Facebook group - lots of options if you want to undertake this and engage on social media.

Note: links are in UK crochet terminology.

Slouchy crochet beanie in camel stitch

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.

Image source: Ravelry http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/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.

The pattern on Ravelry:
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/camel-stitch-slouchy

The pattern on Sheepishly Sharing:
http://sheepishlysharing.com/2016/01/02/crochet-camel-stitch-slouchy-tutorial/

The pattern on YouTube:
https://youtu.be/1PPc2ldR9Gk

Note: links are in US crochet terminology.

Admirable Crocheter: Lucy of Attic24

If you like crochet, and have been paying any attention at all for the last while, you can't have missed Lucy of Attic24.  She lives in Skipton in Yorkshire, and has a huge following.

Attic24

				Attic24 brighten your day
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For the good reason that she's making cool stuff in joyful colours with careful, detailed photo tutorials and patterns, all generously free.  Neat ripple blanket, Blooming flower cushion, blankets and flowers and goodness, oh my.  She's started trends and encouraged others and is altogether admirable.  Modern crochet with a nod at the past and an eye to the present.  Crochet for creativity and to keep her family warm.

(And she writes crochet instructions in UK terminology, o happiness!)

She's on Ravelry, and there are also Rav groups of Lucy/Attic24 enthusiasts.

Ravelry: Attic24 - patterns

				Ravelry: Attic24 - patterns
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Note: links are in UK crochet terminology.

How to start crocheting without chain stitch: foundation 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.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5t691HnQpBM

And here's a step by step photo tutorial, from a UK blogger so it's in UK terms.

Crochet Corner: Foundation Treble Crochet (ftc)

				Crochet Corner: Foundation Treble Crochet (ftc) How to make a foundation treble crochet stitch (ftr), US: foundation double crochet stitch (fdc)
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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.

Note: links are in US crochet terminology.

Note: links are in UK crochet terminology.