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April 17, 2008
One of the hot “new” trends in crochet is modular crochet. If you’ve never heard of it, it just means making your projects in pieces instead of in one or two pieces. In other words, if you’ve ever done a granny square shawl or any kind of motif crochet, you’ve done modular crochet. Don’t underestimate it, though, new styles of fashion and new techniques are being used in modular crochet these days.
Advantages
Although modular crochet means the extra work of joining pieces, it has quite a few advantages. As anyone who has ever crocheted a big afghan out of motifs knows, it is convenient to work on small parts of a big project if you like to carry your work with you. You can carry a skein of yarn, a hook and the small motif you’re working on instead of half a large afghan when you want to work on the go.
And if your project is white or pastel, it keeps the beginning of the project from looking as if it’s been dragged all over the planet. For young mothers who like to work on a project in the park with the kids, this is an important point. Working with modular crochet also opens up some lovely possibilities in the pattern itself. Instead of being made of many motifs in different patterns and colors, a skirt, for instance can be made of solid color motifs with patterned ones here and there.
Or maybe a sweater can be made to look like it is a solid color yarn with lacy insets of finer yard or crochet thread. The modular crochet technique can combine old-fashioned looks with modern ideas.
If you keep up with the joining as you go, even big projects won’t get too tedious. It’s a great chore to do while watching TV. The most usual way to join pieces of modular crochet is with a whipstitch. Just use the same yarn in a large eye needle and sew through the back loops only. It might be easier to place the right sides together. You might choose to use a crochet hook and chain stitch through the same back loops.
If you want to add a bit of something to your modular crochet project, you can single stitch some or all of the pieces together in matching or contrasting yarn for a raised ridge. However you do it, try the very old, new technique of modular crochet.
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August 24, 2007
Crocheting, along with knitting, is quite a popular hobby among people of all ages. Much of its popularity is attributed to the fact that it is a fun and portable way to relieve stress. Indeed, many useful things can be made thanks to techniques such as felted crochet.
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August 21, 2007
Most people will think of antique doilies or bedspreads when they talk about crochet thread. It is true that beautiful doilies, bedspreads, tablecloths and curtains can be created with crochet thread in a variety of weights and colors. But there are many other projects that are beautiful and functional when crochet thread is used in projects instead of the traditional yarn.
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August 17, 2007
Making a crochet tablecloth is a lot of work. Most hand-made tablecloths are lace work or filet. The reason that people still make tablecloths by hand in the post-manufacturing age is that you just can’t beat the extravagance or luxury of a hand-made crochet tablecloth. The tablecloth is made to order for the table, is always exactly the right color, pattern and style to suit your taste. Really, the work is worth it.
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August 13, 2007
When the cold weather begins to rear its head, the crochet guru gets a hankering to warm up with a new crochet project. Fortunately, a crocheted shawl pattern may be just what the doctor ordered! Crocheted shawl patterns are easy to find, many are easy to make, and materials to create one-of-a-kind accessories and gifts are plentiful.
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July 31, 2007
Crocheted scarf patterns used to consist of warm woolens and aran patterns and cables designed solely for winter wearing. Times have changed! Today’s scarves are made of a tremendous variety of materials, and are created as fashion accessories as well as neck warmers. It is not completely unheard of to see a hip, lacy scarf adorning a sophisticated sheath in the summer.
Or perhaps a long, loopy creation to dress up a tank top and jeans. Crocheted scarf patterns are making their way into every season. The good news is that you can grab your own crocheted scarf pattern, and fashion your way to accessorizing your entire wardrobe with a little bit of funky yarn, and a whole lot of imagination!
The Warm Weather Crocheted Scarf Pattern
Who would have ever thought that a crocheted scarf pattern would make itself at home during the hottest months of the year? But with the new fibers and textures available to make up crocheted scarf patterns, that is exactly what is happening! The new textiles available, such as the ribbons and confetti threads available for crochet, can bring new life to an old favorite.
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July 26, 2007
Crochet is a wonderful hobby for fun and relaxation. It is a great take-along craft that can be done anywhere, anytime. Crochet stitches are easy to learn, and once you have a few basic stitches under your belt, you can begin to work through some beginner patterns. Once you have mastered the basics, you will be ready to try your hand at some more advanced crochet stitches and patterns.
Some of the best starter projects include baby and doll blankets, scarves and even some simple purses. All that is required to start you on the road to crocheted projects is a hook (a size “H” is an easy one for a beginner to handle), and a ball of yarn. It is also a good idea to have an instructional manual on hand that can give you directions on how to complete a crochet stitch, along with illustrations so that you can see how the yarn works through the hook.
Keep your manual handy, because you will probably refer back to it many times during your crochet experience – whether you need to learn a new crochet stitch, refresh yourself on pattern abbreviations, or simply need a tip for a finishing technique.
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July 22, 2007
A shrug can be described as a cropped jacket of sorts, without buttons or other means of fastening. You can wear shrugs year-round – from lightweight shrugs over tank tops in spring to heavier styles that will keep you warm in the colder months. Shrugs have exploded onto the fashion scene in the past couple of years, and continue to be a wardrobe staple for many of the trend conscious. If you have shopped for a shrug recently, you will probably find that the price tag reflects the popularity of the item. (In other words, they are both rather high!)
But why spend a bundle on a shrug when you can easily make one yourself for a fraction of the cost? Crochet shrug patterns are abounding, and the materials to make up your own shrug are equally plentiful. Crocheted shrug patterns have become popular because they do not require that much yarn to complete and many of the patterns are simple enough for even a beginner at crochet to master. So what are you waiting for? A beautiful handmade shrug can be yours with just a little bit of yarn and effort on your part!
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July 20, 2007
The art of crocheting is a hobby that has been enjoyed by many generations. Indeed, many things can be made through crocheting, including things like a crocheted shawl. When some people think of crocheted shawls, they think of an old grandmother in a rocking chair with her crocheted shawl wrapped tightly around her. While crocheted shawls can certainly serve such a purpose, they can also be a source of great contemporary fashion.
A Night Out on the Town
A crocheted shawl is perfect for a woman who is wearing a sleeveless dress on a chilly night, but does not want to bring a jacket along. This kind of shawl is particularly appealing because it allows for warmth, but the stitches also allow a bit of skin to show, which results in a sexy look.
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June 20, 2007
One of the easiest projects for a beginner is the crochet scarf. It’s great for any skill level, it’s quick to make and when you’re done, you can wear it with pride. The really great thing about making a crochet scarf is that there is no wrong look. You can use your favorite crochet technique or try a brand new one. You can use bulky, fluffy yarn, fine baby weight yarn, crochet thread or a crazy novelty yarn. It can be made in one piece, motifs or have ribbons or other yarns threaded through open work. And don’t even start asking about the possible colors. The crochet scarf is the project of your dreams.
The Long and the Short of it
Before you start on your crochet scarf project, take the time to look on the Internet for ideas. The free pattern sites are one place to start but so are the fashion catalogs online. You may need a pattern for a complicated stitch pattern, but you don’t need help from anyone to find out how to start and shape the scarf. It’s straight. It’s as long as you want it to be. That’s it.
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June 18, 2007
While crocheted purses appear to be the current rage, these accessories are far from new to the fashion scene. In fact, the first crocheted purse pattern was published in Holland in 1824! At this time, the popular styles of crocheted purse patterns were pouches or round, flat bags. In the 1920’s the “finger purse” came into vogue. The finger purse was a small bag that dangled from a crocheted ring that was worn around the finger. These purses were quite popular to wear with gowns on special occasions.
These days, crocheted purse patterns run the gamut – from small drawstring bags to carry the bare essentials, to large totes that are designed to hold everything but the kitchen sink. Evening bags are particularly in demand, since available materials for crocheted purse patterns include luxurious chenille and sparkling metallic. The best thing about a crocheted purse is that it takes very little yarn or thread to complete, and many of the patterns are perfect for a beginner’s project.
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June 14, 2007
Sometimes when a fashion comes back, it makes a big splash. Never has that been truer than with the crochet poncho pattern. The late 1960s’ hippy look came into its own in the 1970s when it combined funky with crafts-look. If someone wore a macramé belt, there almost had to be a crochet poncho pattern worn over the peasant blouse.
When that macramé faded, and when no one wore shoulder bags made of old jeans, when head bands were no longer worn on the forehead, the crochet poncho disappeared as well. It’s back now, along with everything crochet. You can make a crochet poncho because it’s hot or you can make a crochet poncho because it’s cool but the best reason to make a crochet poncho is because it looks good in every possible style.
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