Simple Crochet
Crochet has been forever linked with older people mainly because it was something we would see our grandmothers do when she had the time in front of the fire place in the winter and on the porch in spring and summer. However, it is with little surprise that today we can find simple crochet items incorporated in almost everything from designer clothes to decorative pieces for the house.
The Classy Simple Crochet
Simple crochet today adds class to almost anything for example, a crochet white collar on a black velvet dress with long sleeves gives it a touch of elegance and sophistication or a simple crochet center piece placed on top of the table cloth will enhance your spirits as well as the dining experience.
Once upon a time it used to be that only elderly folks would wear crochet today however, almost all designers have added crochet to their products such as: simple crochet lining for a touch of romance to a summer dress; a crochet motif on the bed sheets, simple crochet scarves or appliqué work to be added on sweaters, hats and so on.
You Can Crochet Too
Learning how to crochet is not hard anymore, all you need is time on your hands and patience to learn as crocheting does not deliver quick results as let’s say knitting does. You can be your own teacher with simple to follow instructions available in the crochet kits.
In order to start crocheting today you will need the following: a crochet hook, yarn, yarn needle, measuring tape and a few pins. You can find step-by-step instructions in simple crochet kits, which are designed for those who are beginners and/or have never touched a crochet needle before.
A Hobby That Rewards You Back
Crocheting is hard but the satisfactions are well worth it, whether you are doing a simple crochet collar for a black dress or a Christmas gift, you will have tremendous satisfaction when it is done to know that you have created it with your bare hands.
Because crochet is back in fashion, a gift of anything crocheted will be very valuable to the receiver especially if it something he or she wanted for a while and could not get to doing yet.
Teaching someone crocheting can be fun too after all a trade becomes better when you share it so in turn you may get some more ideas of crocheting from the newly joined member to the crochet club.
November 4, 2008
Tapestry and Crochet
It is not unusual for creatively-inclined people to want to take a pattern for a tapestry and crochet it. Indeed, the art of crocheting is intricate and lovely, and with the proper patience and acquired knowledge, one can implement their own ideas for a tapestry into a pattern and crochet it quite easily.
The Tapestry: Decoration and Crochet Blended Together
When one thinks of a tapestry, one generally associates it with one or two main places where a tapestry is generally found. There are the ornate tapestries that are found on walls in museums, and there are the tapestries that one could find in an artsy apartment or home.
Tapestries can be used not just for wall decorations, but also to drape across a couch or a chair. Some people even use a tapestry as a curtain for a window. Regardless of the use, when a person decides to crochet their own tapestry, there are certain ways that this can be accomplished, in accordance to whether they are left or right-handed.
Making a Tapestry and Crocheting it with the Right or the Left Hand
Regardless of whether the person crocheting the tapestry is a left or right-handed, it is important to note the direction in which the crochet hook is going. For someone who has a tapestry pattern and is going to crochet it with their left hand, the crochet hook should be pointed to the left, and the stitches should also be going in that direction. Likewise, right-handed tapestry crocheting involves the crochet hook being pointed towards the right with the stitches going in the same direction.
The tapestry crochet stitch in itself is rather complicated for those who are not well-versed in crocheting, because it involves moving the crochet hook from the front of a stitch to the back of the next one, being sure not to drop any stitches along the way. Also, it is important to not drop any stitches or mix any loose yarn colors together in order to avoid any inconsistencies within the tapestry.
The Finished Product
One can find various tapestry crochet patterns online or at a local craft store. The time that it takes to crochet a tapestry varies depending on the skill of the person making it and of course the size of the project. However, once the project is successfully finished, the proud creator of the tapestry is sure to have a lovely decoration for their home.
November 3, 2008
Wire Crochet
If you look it up you will find the definition saying, “wire crocheting is that type of crocheting where you put together on a wire, very delicately, things that are used as trinkets to beautify young ladies”. In other words, the wire crochet is a slight deviation from the actual hobby of thread crocheting.
Some Tips for the Beginners of Wire Crochet
If you have never wire crocheted before, you should first watch carefully and understand how it is done. You will need to be a total expert in normal crocheting, before you can start on a wire crochet.
For wire crochet – beginner’s level - you will need a crochet size 1, and yarn that is 28 in size. The yarn here should be of the softest possible metal, i.e. brass, aluminum, etc.
You will need a lot of practice before you gather the required experience to really make an impact with the wire crochet; but everyone has to start somewhere so don’t let inexperience hold you back!
This point will come to you with experience, but is it very important, with the wire crochet there is no yarn elasticity to count upon and hence each and every loop has to be exactly where it has to be or the model would get skewed. This indeed takes some practice, and sometimes even the veterans make mistakes here.
You should be extra careful when crocheting on wire because you cannot reverse it. You cannot open it once it is crocheted and so if it not done properly it will suffer from the wrong application.
Work your way down to smaller sizes of crochet; the tinier the crochet is, the better the overall impact it will have.
Once you are comfortable with the wire crochet, you can immediately start on your projects. You can surf the Internet, and you will find plenty of patterns offered free, sometimes in return to your email address and a small registration.
However, in case you don’t like registering or giving your email in return for the free crochet patterns, it’s fine. Keep searching or go to your local fabric store where plenty of patterns can be purchased.
Use the above tips wisely and they will benefit you. You will find wire crochet an extremely rewarding hobby, which looks pretty tough, but can be learned with some patience and commitment.
November 2, 2008
A Guide To Learn Knitting
If you’re considering taking up a new hobby, it may be a good idea to learn to knit, especially if you have a large family and want to find ways that you can save money on clothing. Knitting is also a great way to relieve stress, and you’ll get a sense of accomplishment once you’re able to make the things that you see in stores. Here are some of the best sites and resources that will help you to enhance your new skill.
One of the best sources for helping you to learn to knit is www.hobbynetworksite.com. You’ll get step by step instructions on how to tie knots, as well as how to find the right yarn to help you do the job. You’ll need to start by choosing the type of yarn you want to use; types include worsted weight, chunky, and bulky, and it will take a different kind of yarn to complete different projects, so be sure to read the directions on the package carefully. The site will also teach you how to select the right needles and crochet hooks, so that you’ll know how to manipulate the yarn in order to create the type of stitches you want.
Looking through a knitting related blog is also a great place to learn to knit. If you want to learn more about how to knit for the many charities that may be in your area, or if you’ve been practicing your skills and want to know where you can sell your new creations, you may want to check out sources like The Daily Knitter to find out how you can become better at knitting. You can also get links to clubs in your area that are made up of people who share the same interests. There are also a number of community calendars and blogs on the site that will help to point in the right direction.
Another tool you’ll need when you learn to knit is a gauge card. This tool will help you to manipulate the needle through the yarn, and will get your hands used to creating the patterns that you want. The gauges are made of plastic or metal, and you can use them to determine which needle sizes you’re going to need for each project, since the sizes of the needles tend to rub off after continued use. The gauges can also help you to determine which needles feel best in your hand when you learn to knit; you may find that metal or aluminum needles, which are the most common, don’t work as well for you. If so, you can always choose from walnut needles, as well as plastic or bamboo.
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