Learn to Crochet | Understanding Instructions | Knit Simple Magazine Learning about crochet is like immersing yourself in a foreign culture where another language is spoken and written, and where there are unfamiliar rules and customs. It can be a little intimidating and a tad frustrating at times, but the payoff is big and totally worthwhile. So continue to follow along as we explain what you’ll need to know before you make your very first project! The longest journey begins with the first step, and knowing the meaning and importance of gauge is your first step to crocheting a garment that comes out the correct size. Every pattern direction will have a recommended gauge, plus finished measurements. The gauge is how many stitches and rows you should get over a span of inches/centimeters (usually a 4"/10cm square) when you work in the specified pattern stitch, using the yarn and crochet hook size called for in the materials list. Once you have achieved the recommended gauge, it’s time to begin your project! So what are all these numbers?
Free Crochet Pattern: Knock Around Hat - Crochet Zone It seems everywhere I look these days someone is doing a “knit look” crochet pattern. I do knit, but crochet is so much faster and so these patterns are very welcome indeed! Most of the stitching looks like the traditional garter and stockinette stitches which are lovely, but I wanted to try my hand at something that looked a little more textured. The Knock Around Hat is a basic beanie sized from newborn to adult, that has a texture similar to a knitted embossed or moss stitch and the band is reminiscent of fair isle. I hope you enjoy making it and will share your finished pictures on my Facebook page. This post contains affiliate links Knock Around Hat! Size: 3 Month to Adult Materials: • Light Worsted Weight yarn • Main color (Color 1): 80 – 150 yards • 3 Contrast colors (Color 1; 2; 3): small amount of each • Hook: I/5.50 mm; J/6.00 mm • Yarn needle for weaving ends Gauge: See “Gauge Check” measurements in pattern to check gauge. Notes: Round 2: Ch 2, work 2 dc in each st, join round. (20)
Standing Double Crochet - Joining Without the Slip Stitch and Chain! The Standing Double Crochet stitch is one I came to late – and I wish I’d known about it years earlier! It’s not a stitch that you’ll usually find specified in a pattern, and as such it has no standard abbreviation. What it is, is a technique – one that will allow you to start a new row on a crochet project without having to use the telltale “join with a slip stitch and chain 3” – and I can’t wait to share it with you! Video Tutorial: Standing Double Crochet – Right Handed Left Handed Photo Tutorial for the Standing Double Crochet Step 1: Hold the yarn end with the last two fingers of your hook-holding hand. So what do you think? NOTE: Several different people have now written to me, claiming that they invented this technique.
Crocheting For Dummies Cheat Sheet Cheat Sheet You’re never too old or too young to discover crochet. The skills you master, the benefits you receive, and the beautiful heirlooms you create can last a lifetime and be passed on to future generations. To get started with crocheting, you need to decode crochet symbols and abbreviations so you can follow patterns with ease, and you need to find out what gauge is (and why it’s so important). Common International Crochet Symbols and Crochet Stitch Abbreviations Check out the following quick reference guide to the International Crochet Symbols and the abbreviations (in parentheses) for common crochet stitches. Abbreviations for Common Crochet Terms So they stay free of clutter, crochet patterns feature a lot of abbreviations for common crochet terms. approximately (approx) begin(ning) (beg) between (bet) contrast color (CC) centimeter(s) (cm) decrease(s)(d)(ing) (dec) follow or following (foll) gram or grams (g) inch or inches (in.)
Crochet School Lesson 21: Reading Crochet Charts Remember in the last lesson where I said that the simpler the pattern the better? Well how's this for simple? (hover your mouse over to see the difference between the square and the chart overlay) Do you see how you could possibly not even need words to make a pattern if you knew what the symbols were? That's something that makes crochet awesome! Crochet has a system of symbols that is internationally known and accepted called the international crochet symbol system. Note: we have talked about US vs UK terms so far. I've found that some patterns will give written out directions along with a chart, which makes it a bit easier if you aren't sure what a symbol means. This first chart is of the general stitches that we have learned. The arrows on this image point to the parts of the stitch that make up the symbol. I for one love to read charts because I'm a visual person and the more information I can get packed into a visual is better. Figure 1: Figure 2: Figure 3: Figure 4 :
Magic Ring I've been making a lot of circular motifs, and finding the sliding ring/magic loop technique has become my favourite method to start in the round. Not being happy with the photos I posted last time (I over did the saturation) I decided to have a re-do. Step 1: wind yarn around finger, with end away from you. Don't have it too tight, as you need to fit the hook under (step 2) Step 3: bring yarn through both loops Step 4: remove from finger Step 5: chain (I'm using US dc, so 3 chains. Step 6: complete 1st row (my pattern is for 23dc + 3ch for 24 stitches) Slip Stitch into top of chain row and you are ready to start 2nd row.
Finish work and how to Weave in Ends It's Friday, it's Friday! Time to get back to our CAL, I hope you are having as much fun as I am. We have reached the last day of crocheting our cowls together...my how time flies. Next week I will be creating a gallery post on Friday to share with you all of the beautiful photos that have been coming in...so pretty! Please be sure to send us a photo of yours too when you are finished if you haven't already: Today we'll be sharing some ideas on finishing your piece. If you desire, you can block your project. Here's a little tip too...no need for expensive blocking mats, click here and use these instead.Now it's time to seam the cowl and weave in in the ends. Now run the needle through a few of the stitches along the bottom edge. Next, run the needle back the other way through the stitches...and pull the needle all the way through. Snip the remaining yarn (I like to give it a very slight and gentle tug first), See that little end peeking out below? Perfect!! And for the seaming part...
Granny Square Pattern/Join-as-you-go Method Ive finished my granny baby blanket… Sorry it took a little longer than I thought it would to come back to you with it. By the time I made the trip to spotlight to get the yarn to finish the edging…… and washed and blocked it (and waited… and waited) for it to dry… Fortunately there has just been a break in the weather so I rushed outside to find somewhere to photograph it, and try to get the colors as true as possible… I love it, and I hope the new baby (my soon-to-be-born niece or nephew) loves it too. In case you want to make a blanket like this, there are 42 squares (6 x7), this resulted in a blanket that is 84cm x 100cm (34″ x 40″), I used a variety of 8ply yarns and a 4mm hook. There are loads of places that explain how to make granny squares, but they are all a little different, so here’s my version: How to make a basic Granny Square: Chain 5 and join with a slip stitch to make a circle, then chain 3 (this counts as the first dc): Dc into the circle two times: Pull up a loop and… Edging:
Joining Granny Squares When I join my Granny Squares together I always choose to crochet them rather than stitch them. Its just the way that appeals to me, although many of my hooking buddies prefer the stitching method. I guess it's a personal preference. And as many of you have asked me to supply this information, here you have it :: my take on joining the Grannies, in usual Attic24 style with waaaaay too many pictures I suspect. But hey, I want you to get it and not struggle with it, and I think pictures do the job better than words. Ok, firstly put your two squares together, Right Sides together. So your hook goes through the outside loop of the square nearest to you.... ...then through the outside loop of the square farthest away. Start at the right hand corner, you are working right to left. Put hook through OUTSIDE LOOPS of the corner stitches, and hook your yarn through both loops. (Note :: I am using a contrasting red yarn here to join so you can see it easily, but best to use a matching colour.