Category: Crochet Garments

Crochet has truly taken over the fashion world with assault; you can find it today in anything and everything that has elegance and class attached to its tag. The trade of grandmothers has become the desire of any major fashion house. You too can have it in your home today by continuing your grandmother’s trade.

Do it Yourself

Crocheting is a lot of fun but it is not easy, at least not in the beginning when things go very slow and you may feel like you are never going to finish any project no matter how small. But don’t worry - that just isn’t the case. Crocheting can be learned only with practice and a lot of dedication. If you remember your grandmother, or whoever was crocheting in your house, used to spend hours on end in order to create anything at all.

If you are a beginner you can start with a small item until you learn the trade and then move on to a larger project. But, if you are a professional or a crochet passionate you can start making your own crochet blanket as well. The most popular crochet blanket today is the one done with mixed color and crochet yarns in order to add personality and warmth.

The Crochet Blanket Project

First and foremost you must decide on the size of the crochet blanket and then on the different colors and materials you are going to use for it. Last but not least you will need to draw a plan so you will know when to change yarns.

Making a crochet blanket is challenging but at the same time satisfying and rewarding. Whether you do the blanket for yourself or as a gift you are sure to get a lot of praise and pleasure out of it.

This project may take a few weeks, if not even months, for you to finish, depending how much time you dedicate to it or how many people are working on it - you can always have a family member join in and help, thus also making the crochet blanket project a bonding device from which all of you will learn and have something to show for it.

Helpful Tip

Don’t rush when on a big project such as making a crochet blanket. If you make a mistake you may need to undo your work and start all over again, which is time consuming and very disappointing as well, no matter who is working at the project.

Remember you can add different patterns and make the crochet blanket as unique as you and your family are; you may have even started a tradition, which can be continued by mothers and daughters for generations to come.

Well, for good or ill the crochet bikini is back. Anyone who remembers its last incarnation in the 1970s is, unfortunately, unable to wear one today. However, many lessons have been learned along the way and can now be put into practice.

Itsy-Bitsy, Teeny-Weenie

The stitches called for in a crochet bikini are tight rather than lacy. The stitches that made a good crochet bikini in the 1970s are still the stitches that make a good one today. The advance of technology, however, can be seen in other ways. Most obvious is the new kinds of yarn available today. There are many kinds of novelty yarn that can make a darn good crochet bikini.

When looking for an adventurous bikini yarn, remember that it shouldn’t be stretchy, should be waterproof and shouldn’t have holes or nubs. It should also be uniform enough to avoid unintentional gaps. Waterproof yarns are usually synthetic. The other advance in technology is the new world of free patterns available on the Internet. While simple stitches are just fine for a crochet bikini, you might like to enlarge your bikini wardrobe by adding a crochet bikini with fancy stitching techniques.

For security, comfort and some protection from the sun, you can add some fabric to line the crochet bikini. A lightweight cotton or synthetic knit jersey is good for the job. Cut the material to the shape of the bikini but about 3/8 inch smaller all around and sew it to the inside of the suit. If nothing else, it will help the crochet bikini keep its shape. When making a crochet bikini, use a bikini that fits well, or good-fitting underwear, to dictate the shape. If it goes wrong, tear out the stitches and try again.

If you like, you can add a bit of elastic to the top of the panty. Just crochet the last row of the panty around a length of elastic. Try it on to get the right length, cut and sew the ends together. Don’t be afraid to embellish your crochet bikini, especially if it’s not meant to go into the water.

Beading can be worked into the stitches as you go, or added later. Ribbon can be used for straps instead of lengths of chain stitch or you can chain stitch thin ribbon. Crocheted flowers or other motifs can be added separately or in bunches wherever you like. If you do intend to go into a pool, check your materials to see if they can stand up to chlorine. The crochet bikini is meant for fun - both while making it and while wearing it.

Every new little bundle deserves a customized blanket created just for him. These crochet baby blankets are found in cribs and strollers everywhere you look, and they absolutely never seem to go out of style. The truth is that a new mom and her precious babe never seem to have enough blankets to go around, so the need never ends!

What’s more, a beautiful handmade crochet baby blanket will become a heirloom that will be handed down through generations. There is simply no more special and practical gift that you can choose to give to a little one. The big advantage to a crochet baby blanket, instead of a sweater or bunting, is that the maker does not have to fret about proper sizing and fit. With a crochet baby blanket, one size fits all!

Finding the Perfect Materials

Because crochet baby blankets are one of the first things one will think of when thoughts turn to the craft, there is a seemingly endless supply of patterns and materials to create those patterns. Two things to keep in mind when creating a gift for a new born are washability and safety. Those precious little bundles spend much of their time during the first few months of life spitting up formula and blowing out diapers.

Because messiness is a serious factor, everything for a baby should be able to hold up to the washing machine and dryer. Fortunately, there are many beautiful baby yarns of various fibers that are completely machine-washable. If you are in doubt, check the wrap around your yarn skein for washing instructions. It is also a good idea to enclose those instructions with your gift, so Mom has the scoop on the safest way to care for your crochet baby blanket.

Another concern with a crochet baby blanket is safety. A lacy pattern that is full of openings can catch little fingers and toes. Embellishments, such as ribbons, bows and buttons, are potential choking hazards if they come off easily and end up in a baby’s mouth.

Look for patterns of a crochet baby blanket that are fairly solid in design to avoid openings that can hurt small fingers and toes. If you decide to sew bows or buttons to your blanket, make extra sure that the items are secure. Finally, any fringe that is used as edging can get chewed on and become a choking hazard as well, so skip the fringe in favor of a scalloped or picot edging instead.

A handmade crochet baby blanket is always a good choice for a special little someone. With the nearly infinite number of patterns to choose from, you will find something for every single tot on your gift list.