Category: Crochet Garments

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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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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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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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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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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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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Martha Stewart wore one when she left jail. Jennifer Lopez wore one in her film, “Monster-in-Law”. It appears that the crochet poncho is making yet another comeback as a fashion staple. The good news is that you do not have to spend a bundle to purchase this fashion statement at the mall. With a few skeins of yarn and some crochet know-how, you can create your own for just a little time and cash.

The patterns for a crochet poncho are truly abounding these days, so you should have no trouble finding something to your liking. There are crochet books with poncho patterns, magazines that sport the latest styles, and even free patterns on the internet for your perusing. A crochet poncho can be created in a variety of materials – from the bulky yarns that will create a cozy cold-weather accessory to the linens and cottons that make up summertime favorites. Some ponchos are even embellished with beads or fun fur for a more exotic look.
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If you’ve never worked a crochet hat pattern, you shouldn’t be afraid to try. If you’ve only done flat work before, there isn’t much that’s different about working in the round. The first thing to do is find the right crochet hat pattern for you. If you need practice, try a child’s size hat to limber up. There are many free crochet hat patterns on the Internet.

Before you commit, read through the pattern and make sure that you understand the instructions. Start with something simple. If it starts to go wrong, try another crochet hat pattern before you give up completely. The masses of free patterns on the Internet are a wonderful treasure trove. Just remember that some of the diamonds are unpolished.

Round and Round We Go

If you’re used to working in rows, the first thing you’ll notice on a crochet hat pattern is that you’re now working in rounds. If your crochet hat pattern has earflaps or other flat work, you’ll see rows again. Before you begin, find out if the rounds are worked without stopping. Usually they are for a crochet hat pattern.

First you will need something to mark the beginning of the round. A short piece of yarn in a contrasting color is good. You can just work the first stitch of the round around it. When you get back to that stitch, pull out the marker and work around it again. You can use a safety pin or bobby pin just as well. You need to mark the rounds because it’s very difficult to spot the beginning of a round after it’s been worked over. For counting stitches and shaping, it’s a good idea to know where the current round begins.

If you are familiar with reading patterns and know your stitches, you shouldn’t have any more problems. A crochet hat pattern can start at the top of the head and get larger or start at the brim and get smaller. Either way, there’ll be shaping involved. To add more stitches, the crochet hat pattern will just say to increase.

That only means that you put two stitches into one stitch in the previous round. Decrease is the opposite. Make two stitches into one by starting the stitch and instead of doing the last yarn over, leave the last part of the stitch on the hook and start the next stitch. Yarn over and pull through the last of both stitches. On the next round, the decrease will look just like a normal stitch. Beyond that, all you basically have to do is just follow the directions and have fun.

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!

If you are looking for a special gift for a special new bundle, why not put your talents to work in creating a handmade gift for a baby to enjoy? Crochet for babies patterns run the gamut – from blankets and buntings to sweaters and socks. There are so many cute items to choose from, the hardest part will be selecting just one to make!

Once you choose your pattern for your crochet for babies’ gift, you will then be faced with the plethora of materials to use. Baby yarns abound in textures and colors that will guarantee you will find something to your liking. Embellishments like buttons and ribbons will enable you to fashion a one-of-a-kind gift for that special little someone. And handmade gifts add an heirloom quality that is hard to beat.

Consider Safety in Regards to Crochet for Babies

When you decide to crochet for babies, there are some unique factors that you need to consider. Since babies tend to be messy creatures, machine washable materials are of utmost importance – and convenience for Mom. Fortunately, there are many beautiful baby yarns of various fibers that are completely machine-washable and safe for the drier. If you are in doubt, check the wrap around the skein of yarn that you are purchasing for washing instructions.

Babies also like to put anything they get their fingers around into their mouths, so beware of choking hazards on your crochet for babies item. If you use embellishments like buttons or bows, make extra sure that the items are secured firmly to your crocheted piece. Avoid accessorizing with strings, since these can be a choking hazard. Find other ways of fastening mittens together or keeping hoods closed.

Unraveling the Mystery of Sizing

One source of confusion when doing crochet for babies is figuring out the sizing of a garment you are making. Since babies grow at an exponential rate during the first weeks and months of life, you are safest in making your item in a six-month size or larger. Think about the season that your garment will be worn in, and consider the age of the baby during that season.

If a baby is born during the winter months, a six-month size might be a good guess for a spring crocheted baby item. Vice versa, a spring baby will be ready for a six-month size in a bunting or sweater for cold weather. If sizing seems too complicated, forget the wearable items, and create a beautiful baby afghan instead – these are always in demand, no matter what the weather holds! Whatever you choose to create, a crocheted baby gift is the perfect choice for any new little bundle.

For those women who enjoy crocheting, chances are that they have already gone through many of the projects that can be made in such a manner. After all, you can only crochet so many doilies, tablecloths, or hats. For the woman in search of a new crochet project, perhaps it is time to expand a bit and crochet a dress.   

An appealing reason to crochet a dress is that it would make for a lovely gift for a new granddaughter or a small child. Crocheted dresses for babies and small children are generally white, but they can also be many different colors according to the seasons - for example, you can use pastel colors for an adorable sundress.   

For those younger people who do not have children yet, they could always make a lovely child’s dress and save it for when they had their own children. Such a crocheted dress could also be saved to give an expectant loved one as a baby shower present.   

Dolls   

For those who collect dolls, a wonderful hobby would be to crochet dresses for them. These lovely dresses can often be purchased at craft fairs, and are fun to make because they take less time to create.   

The most popular kind of crocheted dress is for a baby doll. With the many different occasions there are to celebrate, these dolls are often used as decorations for various holidays or given as presents, so the ideas you can implement to crochet a dress for them are quite diverse.   

Fashion Statements   

For the especially ambitious crochet enthusiasts, a great idea would be to crochet their own dress. Depending on the style that is chosen, crocheted dresses can be worn at both dress or casual events.   

It is important to note that while it will be less expensive to make your own dress, it may take a considerable amount of time to select the right yarn, color, and to get measurements right, in addition to the actual crocheting process. Thus, patience is a must for people who choose to make their own dress in this manner.    

For people who lack the patience or the necessary crocheting skills, you can always find a lovely crocheted dress online or at a local department store. Prices will vary according to the design and manufacturer. However, regardless of their origins, crocheted dresses are indeed lovely and creative works of art.

Crocheting is one of the oldest practices by humans and that may be the reason why it is always associated with elder people. Today, however, crocheting is widely practiced and worn on anything and everything you can possibly think of from dresses to curtains.

Crocheting is just a hobby like any other but this particular hobby can actually create something to show for your work as well as making others happy. One example of this is crochet doll dresses and, indeed, any other item of a doll’s wardrobe, which would make your daughter or granddaughter extremely happy.

Crochet doll dresses are a bit tricky and if you have not done any before, I suggest you look in stores or online for directions, since you need to follow exact measurements and patterns in order to make the crochet doll dress look good.

Due to the fact that crocheting and crocheted items are back in style, you will be able to find with ease crochet doll dress kits and even crochet doll kits as well. On such a project you can work with your daughter in crocheting and in due course teach her how to make her own crochet doll dresses too. Crocheting is not easy and definitely not fast, so you will need all the help you can get. What is more, your daughter will love learning something as complicated as crocheting.

Once you have made the first crochet doll dress, you can then make several more in different colors and styles to make a whole wardrobe for your or your daughter’s doll.

Helpful Tips

Depending on your daughter’s age, you may not want to leave her unattended with the crochet needles or other materials that may be of danger to her. Also you need to be very patient and watch what your daughter does because in crocheting any mistake will need to be undone and the job restarted from where it went wrong. And that can get very frustrating especially if you have already been working on the crochet doll dress for a while.

Crochet dolls and crochet dolls’ dresses can be made out of any type of yarn, but if you make them out of cotton, ensure that it was preshrunk or else you will have a miniature dress after the first wash.

Crochet is a wonderful hobby, which can work as a stress reliever and relax you every time you pick up the yarn and crochet needle, irrespective of what you are about to do. Crocheting together with your daughter can be a unique experience, which you both will treasure for years to come.