Archive for: May 2007

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.
(more…)

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.

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.