Pages

Showing posts with label crochet. Show all posts
Showing posts with label crochet. Show all posts

Friday, April 6, 2018

Standing Stitches

source
Cherry Heart shares,  "A neat trick that eliminates the need to start your round with a group of chains.

Working in the round is great for many things but sometimes those chains at the beginning of each new round can make it stick out like a sore thumb, so this is a trick you can try to get rid of those ugly chains once and for all.

Normally we use those chains at the beginning of a round to get up to the right height to begin the stitches. These starts are called standing stitches because you start it from a 'standing up in the air' position."

A photo tutorial can be found on Cherry Heart: Standing Stitches


Friday, March 30, 2018

Crochet a Buttonhole

source
Adding a buttonhole to a crochet garment can be done easily and quickly. A photo tutorial demonstrates the technique on the We Are Knitters blog.

Wednesday, March 21, 2018

Tuesday, February 27, 2018

Ten Charity Opportunities

Lion Brand put together a list of 10 charities where you can share your handicrafts, while also changing the world.

As a knitter, crocheter, or quilter, you know the joy of gifting handmade items to those you love. Creating quilts, afghans, sweaters, or socks for those we care about is meaningful. But, did you know there are other ways you can use your talents to bring joy to others? There are actually several charities that welcome handmade treasures from knitters, crocheters and quilters.

Ten Charities for Knitters, Crocheters and Quilters



Monday, February 26, 2018

Foundationless Crochet

source
Sandra (Cheery Heart) says, "If you've ever struggled with that tricky first row of crochet and working into those starting chains then you'll be pleased to know there is a way around it.

This is a really clever technique which means you can just start working crochet stitches straight away, without working a starting chain first. In effect, the starting chain is being made as you crochet."

Sandra's tutorial for this technique can be found on her blog post, Foundationless Crochet. 


Friday, February 16, 2018

Holding a Crochet Hook

source
According to Interweave author, Julia M. Chambers, "The way we hold our hooks—and the reason we find one hook and handhold more comfortable or effective than another—is determined in part by the shape of our hands, the length of our fingers, and muscle memory development. Our lifestyle affects how we use our hands. Someone who swings a hammer every day will hold and use a crochet hook differently from someone who types all day. By being aware of our strengths and weaknesses, we may even be able to prevent repetitive-motion injuries.

I have short fingers and wide hands with a lot of muscle development from playing piano. When I was a child, I did a lot of hand and finger exercises so I could play an octave, because my fingers were so short. My hand-muscle development likely makes the way I hold and use a hook different from someone else who also has short fingers but does not have the muscle development I do from piano. I prefer long crochet hooks and an underhand hold."

Julia covers six ways to hold a crochet hook in her article, Holding a Crochet Hook and with her tips, you should find a method that works the best for your hands. 


Thursday, February 8, 2018

Crochet Abbreviations

The Craft Yarn Council shares a list of crochet abbreviations used by yarn industry designers and publishers on their website. 

Friday, January 12, 2018

Weaving in Ends

source
Changing yarn colors in a project results in ends that must be secured either by sewing (weaving) the ends into the finished work or securing the yarn ends in as you go. 

Cherry Heart at Crochet Corner provides a photo tutorial on the process of securing the ends as you work on a project. 




Friday, December 15, 2017

Keeping Track of Needle/Hook Size

source
Not So Granny shares a simple trick she uses to remember the needle or hook size she is using for a project. 

She simply ties knots in the tail end of the yarn to note what the needle or hook size she's using  

Read more here

Wednesday, December 13, 2017

Crocheting a Hat that Fits

source
Not So Granny shares a formula to make a top down crochet hat that fits.

Her formula can be found here.

Monday, December 11, 2017

How to Measure Yarn

source

Calculating the yardage for a project is only half of the story. Getting an accurate measurement of your stitches is a crucial, as this is the measurement that you’ll be using for all of your calculations!


Fresh Stitches blog shares tips for measuring your stitches to determine the amount of yarn needed.

Tuesday, November 7, 2017

Finding Patterns on Ravelry

source
One of the best sites to find patterns online is on Ravelry, an online community of crafters. Knitters and crocheters can access free patterns as well as patterns to purchase on the site.

Don't know how to find a pattern in the extensive pattern library on Ravelry? Follow the steps provided on this Louet post.


Friday, October 27, 2017

Show & Tell - October

Brenda H. brought a worsted weight shawl that she knit
Cinde P. told the group about the Darn Good Yarn Company club. She
showed the members the shawl she knit with the reclaimed silk she
received in one of the club packages for $14.99. Cinde also brought a cowl
that she knit from a single skein. Cinde is knitting a tabard for a granddaughter.
Jane J. explained the knit bubble stitch.

Julie W. told the members about the Stirckmich! club - four unique designs
and kits are shipped to members each year. Julie brought the projects she
received and knit in 2017. Enrollment in the club is open to the public in
early November. Check out the Facebook page or Strichmich!
 for more information.
Rachel B. modeled a sweater she knit.The pattern is free on
Ravelry: Brick by Clare Lee
Sali A. is working on Christmas gifts for her family. She's making mittens
out of felted wool sweaters and needle-felting designs in the top. Sali
also crocheted the poncho she is wearing. 
Sue O. crocheted cases for her Crohooks and Tunisian crochet hooks.
Sue showed the members a shawl she crocheted from the yarn she purchased
at the Fiber House in Sheridan, WY. Sue created the shawl using the
Virus Stitch.
Sandy W. continues to amaze everyone with her spinning. She created the
 grey/white yarn in the top left photo (called Eclipse) to knit a shawl for
her mother who was unable to visit for the eclipse in August. The yarn in the
bottom row were an experiment in core spinning. Sandy is knitting a
Brickless shawl








Tuesday, October 3, 2017

Crochet Charts

source
Recently charts have been appearing on crochet websites and in crochet patterns.

Threadbare takes the mystery out of these charts and has created a list of the common symbols used in the crochet charts.

Check out the Threadbare post on How to Read a Crochet Chart.