Category: Crochet Tips

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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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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Crocheting can easily be considered as one of the most popular hobbies, and that goes for all across the world. However, often times people find it hard to locate a crochet pattern that they like, and so if you are one of those people, then you will absolutely want to read on so that you can learn about where the best places are that you can go to in order to find a crochet pattern.

Websites

If you are looking for a crochet pattern, then you should know that the Internet is absolutely going to be your best option; after all, there is no other resource available that is going to allow you to find more variety than on the Internet.
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Once you enter the world of crochet, you will find yourself itching to get started on a real project as soon as you have mastered a few basic stitches. You will find an item that looks interesting, peek inside of the crochet instructions, and find a whole mess of abbreviations and numbers that will probably make very little sense to you. Never fear! With a little bit of knowledge and some practice under your belt, you will be reading those crochet instructions like a pro in no time!

The first thing you will want to do when you decide to try your hand at an actual crochet project is to find a pattern that is written for a beginner. This will ensure that the stitches stay basic, and the piece will require minimum shaping and finishing. An afghan can often be an easy way to start, but if the size seems intimidating, a baby blanket can be a good beginner’s project.

Open up Those Crochet Instructions Without Fear!

Once you have selected the item that you would like to make, you will need to dissect your crochet instructions to make sure that you have a good understanding of each and every part of your project. The first thing you want to look for in your directions is a key that will help you understand all of the abbreviations that are listed.

If your crochet instructions do not include a key, you can supplement with a basic crochet manual that will teach you how to do each stitch as well as what the abbreviation for the stitch is. The next part of your directions will probably be a list of required supplies to complete your project. Pay special attention to the amount of yarn needed so that you don’t end up running out before you finish your item. Dye lots can be tricky things on yarn, and if you don’t buy your supply all at once, you run the risk of being unable to match your color precisely with subsequent trips to the yarn store.

Once you have assembled all of your supplies, you will probably find a gauge guide listed in your crochet instructions. It is worth your while to take the time to crochet a sample swatch to ensure that the measurements of your stitches match the measurements in your crochet instructions. After you have determined that your gauge is correct, you will finally be able to dig into the meat of your directions – the step-by-step guide in creating your item.

Crochet instructions can appear to be confusing at first, but with a little knowledge and practice you can master those directions with ease. Work through each step of your instructions carefully and patiently, and the result will be a beautiful handmade piece that you will be proud of.

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!

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.

One of the first things a beginner to crochet should learn how to make is the ever-versatile crochet granny square. Variations of this pattern appear in just about any type of crocheted items – from sweaters and ponchos to bedspreads and tablecloths. It is an especially popular pattern for afghans and baby blankets.

The best thing about a granny square is that it will teach you three of the crochet stitches that you will use extremely often in your crochet projects. The stitches are the slip stitch, which is used most often to finish rounds of crochet; the chain stitch, which is the foundation row for nearly every crochet project; and the double crochet, which will give you the basic idea for how to do a number of other crochet stitches.

A crochet granny square can be worked to any size and with as many colors as you would like to see in your finished project. You can work from a pattern to create an item, or use your imagination to fashion your own individualized piece.

Crochet Granny Square 101

The basic pattern for a crochet granny square is very simple. Chain six stitches, and slip stitch together to form a ring. Make three chains that will act as your first double crochet on this round. Stitch two more double crochets into the original ring you made, and then make three more chain stitches. Next, stitch three double crochets into the ring and make three more chain stitches.

You will repeat this process two times more, and then finish off your first round with a slip stitch in the top of the chain three at the beginning of the round. Pat yourself on the back! You just completed the first round of your first crochet granny square. This process is repeated for as many rounds as you choose to add to your square. You can make many little squares and sew them together to make an item, or you can make a blanket or throw with one square that simply grows in rounds until it is the desired size.

Attaching Your Crochet Granny Square

If you choose to make a number of smaller squares for an item, you will need to sew them together to create your finished piece. Some crocheters prefer to do this as they complete squares, and some will wait until all the squares are finished to assemble the item all at once.

You can join your squares by sewing them together with a simple whip stitch, or you can actually crochet your outside rounds together by slip stitching through the back of each stitch on the last round. The second option will give you a ridge between squares along the back of your piece, and may be more durable on items like blankets that might go through the wash frequently.

A crocheted granny square is a great way for a beginner to try her hand at a crocheted creation. So grab a ball of yarn and a crochet hook, and start crocheting!

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.

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.

Now that crochet is popular again, some of the traditional projects are also popular again. While there is no practical use for doilies, they are great to make and very nice to display with pride. Of course, there was a time when doilies were useful. Back when everything had to be washed by hand, doilies could be placed over the spots that were expected to become soiled frequently.

The little doilies were very washable and many of them could be kept on hand to make a clean, attractive area until laundry day. Now that frequently-soiled areas are pretty much made of plastic, which means they can be wiped clean, doilies are simply a pleasant reminder of the bad old days. Still, those lacy little bits are challenging to make and should be displayed with pride. And the best way to do that is to stiffen your crochet doilies.

Traditional Stiffeners

There are many choices of modern stiffeners available. The reason that there is a choice is because there are different needs to meet – believe it or not. Most crochet doilies look best if the stiffener allows the stitches to show clearly. Different types of stiffener offer different finishes and, for example, you can choose shiny or matte.

If you want to stay with the traditional techniques, there are many kinds of stiffeners to choose from for your crochet doilies. An early recommendation from an old magazine suggests using gelatin dissolved in hot water. It’s a little complicated. More modern solutions include hairspray or spray starch. Either can be washed out easily and reshaped if you like. Always use rust proof pins to hold the shape until the crochet doilies are dry. Be sure to keep them clean while they stiffen. Anything that can stiffen crochet doilies is sticky.

A bit more traditional is liquid or powdered starch. These have the advantage of being adjustable from soft to stiff. You can dissolve either cornstarch or Epsom salts in boiling water to soak your crochet doilies before shaping. Remember that if you soak your crochet doilies in any stiffening liquid, the excess liquid has to be removed without twisting the doilies.

You don’t want to stretch or severely wrinkly them just before they assume a semi-permanent shape. A half-and-half mix of white glue and water is a popular choice. Surprisingly, the stiffener most sworn by is a solution of sugar and water. The look of the crochet shows through, it’s easy to remove, and insects aren’t interested. However you stiffen your crochet doilies, display them with pride. You earned it!