Category: Crochet Accessories

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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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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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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Contrary to what common sense might tell you, crochet hooks have not been around as long as crochet has. No one knows how long the simple art of crochet has existed. While pictures indicate that crochet stitches were used in ancient Egypt, the materials used in crochet usually don’t hold up as well as pyramids do.

Crochet hooks, as we know them, first appear in history during the nineteenth century. The use of metal for hooks and the need to make some of the work more uniform probably led to tools made from enduring material that could be identified as crochet hooks.

Today’s Hooks

Modern crochet hooks are made from modern materials - of course - and are made to standard sizes. As important as it is to find the hooks that work best with your preferred materials, fit your hand comfortably and make the required stitches, it is more important to understand how to determine which crochet hooks are right for you and your project. The ability to easily find free patterns on the Internet means having to understand what materials are called for in each pattern.

The size of crochet hooks is written differently in America and England. American hooks have a number and a letter to identify the size. The metric size is usually found on the package and on the hook as well. The English system uses a number. If an American crocheter found a pattern using English notations, the size of the hook given as 10 would translate to an American D/3 which in metric is 3.25 mm. Fortunately, the ease in finding free patterns is matched by the ease in finding tables to translate from one type of system to the other. All systems use larger numbers for larger crochet hooks.

Finer yarn and crochet thread calls for smaller hooks. Using the same weight of yarn with different sized crochet hooks will result in tighter and looser results. The size of the hook also affects the gauge. Changing the size of the hook can be a simple way to change the size of the finished product. Just be sure to experiment with the gauge first.

When a pattern calls for a steel hook, it is not telling you to avoid plastic ones. Steel hooks are the very small crochet hooks used with crochet thread to make lace. You can find pictures of the different hooks in pattern books and on the Internet to make sure. If a pattern calls for an unfamiliar hook, ask someone who is experienced or check a book or the Internet. Make sure you use the right crochet hooks for your projects.

The crochet hat is an item that has been coming in and out of style for many years. In the winter they are invaluable as head warmers, made of wool, chenille or some other cozy, cold weather fiber. In summer they turn perky and bright, sometimes with wide brims to protect delicate skin from the sun’s harmful rays.

There is basically a crochet hat to make for every season, every holiday and every outfit. Since a crochet hat takes very little yarn and a minimal amount of time, they make great take-along projects for gift giving and wardrobe enhancing. With the enormous number of patterns and yarns to choose from, it is not difficult to fashion an entire wardrobe of hats for the connoisseur.

Finding Patterns for a Crochet Hat

Crochet hat patterns abound everywhere a crafter looks. There are a number of different patterns found in crochet books, and some books devoted solely to crochet hats. Craft magazines will keep you up to date on the latest styles and trends, and the internet is a virtual sea of free patterns and ideas with a simple investment of time and a little bit of printer paper.

Since the selection of patterns is abundant enough to overwhelm you, it is a good idea to have an idea of the type of crochet hat you want to make before you start looking. Are you hoping to create a stocking cap of sorts that will keep your son’s head warm on the way to school? Or do you prefer a bucket style hat for your teenage daughter that you can construct out of a furry yarn for fun as well as fashion?

If you are hunting for a hat to coordinate with an outfit, many patterns will give you the combination of a sweater or poncho and a matching hat. The good news is that if you have a desire to create headwear, you are almost guaranteed to find the perfect hat in the plethora of choices you can select from.

Which Material to Choose?

Once you have selected a crochet hat pattern, it is off to the craft or yarn store to shop for supplies. Yarns and fibers are plentiful, and color choices are almost infinite. If you are looking for yarn for a winter hat, try matching the color of the parka it will be worn with. If you have the time or inclination, you can even create mittens and a scarf for a completely coordinated look. If your hat is going to be worn frequently or by a young person, a machine washable fiber is probably a good idea.

The new hat season is coming, is your head prepared for the elements? Grab your crochet hook and favorite crochet hat pattern, and get started on your seasonal wear today!

Crocheting has always been regarded as a thing for the elder folks, but in the past years it has made a comeback in the fashion industry and is being added to almost any item to enhance it and/or add a touch of elegance.

Crochet adds elegance and sophistication, but also fun and spontaneity, to any item. For example, if you have a normal winter woolen scarf you can add a crochet flower and make it elegant and trendy; the same goes for almost anything from handbags to hats, dresses, skirts and even overcoats. A crochet flower can have a safety pin attached to it on the back and then used as a broach on dresses, suits and, as observed above, even on overcoats.

Crochet flowers can be made from different colors in order to match your clothes or handbag, and even shoes, and then attached when and as desired.

Other Uses for Crochet Accessories

A crochet flower can also be made to be used in flowerpots and/or in a vase to form artificial, yet elegant, flower decorations for the house; again you can crochet with different colors in order to make a pretty bouquet. A crochet flower can even be used in greeting cards, appliqués for any of your clothes or for household items such as the curtains, tablecloths and so on.

If you crochet already, you will know that it is a relaxing and rewarding hobby. However, if you don’t, you may want to give it a try and see how you can make your surroundings beautiful with just a crochet needle and some yarn.

Where Can you Find Crocheted Items?

If you don’t have the time to crochet and yet want to benefit from the classy and elegant touch of a crochet flower on your items and clothes, you can find them ready made in department stores as well as online. They cost almost nothing compared to the labor that goes into making them and the effect they will have on anything that you attach them to in the future.

Helpful Tip

In order to keep an item elegant, you don’t want to overload it with crocheted stuff; one or two crochet flowers will do the job of keeping it looking sophisticated enough without being too crowded. You may want to try crocheting in your free time and discover why your grandmother was so addicted to it in the first place.