Crochet

Patterns, projects and techniques

CONTEST TIME AGAIN!! Think Winter….

by

snowflake-crystal.jpg

Okay, I’m ready to host another contest. This one is for the best CROCHETED SNOWFLAKE. The snowflake can be an ornament, a wall hanging, a doily, a runner, an applique, or whatever – so long as it can be identified as a snowflake.

Now, this is where it gets hard. You gotta be honest with me. THE SNOWFLAKE MUST BE YOUR ORIGINAL CREATION – A PATTERN YOU CREATED AND NOT ONE YOU SAW SOMEWHERE ELSE. There are a gazillion and one snowflake patterns. But, I’m greedy. I want some more.

snowflake-karp-style.jpg

www.karpstyles.com example of a beaded snowflake.
So, send me pictures (jpeg format please) and patterns of your snowflakes. The contest opens now and will close on October 31, 2007. It will take me another week or so to review all the entries. You may enter more than once, but each entry must be represented in its own picture and pattern separate from any other entry.

You can use thread, yarn, water hose, macrame rope or whatever. I don’t care what size the finished product is. As usual, I will be the final judge. As usual, I have my biases, so if you are not willing to go with my decision, please don’t enter. BUT, PLEASE DO ENTER. I want to see all your great ideas. And, I want to give something away.

snowflake-not-this-one.jpg
Not this kind of snowflake!

What’s the prize? A selection of items from my stash. This time the prize will include yarn/thread and books/magazines/leaflets. If your entry is especially charming, I might even ASK you what interests you to determine what of my stash to share.

Plus, you’ll have braggin’ rights all through the Winter of 2007-2008. So, get busy with those hooks!

Comments

  1. i would like to find out where i can find snowflake patterns that are between beginners and intermediate thanks
    debbie mcmahen

  3. debbie,
    there are lots of free snowflake patterns online. just google ‘crochet snowflake patterns’ and you’ll have several hours of surfing ahead of you!
    jd

  6. Sorry to ask a stupid question, but, assuming I have something to send in, to what email address do I send it ?

  7. entry from vl titus

    3-d snowflake

    size 10 thread
    size 7 hook (or hook of choice)

    Stitches:
    sl st – slip stitch,
    ch – chain
    sc – single crochet
    dc – double crochet
    tr – treble crochet

    Special stitch – picot – ch 3, sc in first ch.

    Chain 6, join with sl st to make loop.
    Row 1: ch 1, *sc into loop, ch 1*, repeat * to * 5 times, join with sl st (6sc, 6 ch spaces).
    Row 2: ch 1, (sc,dc,sc in sc, ch 1) 6 times, join with sl st (6 ch spaces).
    Row 3: sl st into dc, ch 1, *sc in dc, picot, ch 1,*, repeat 5 times (6 picots).
    Row 4: ch 4, *(ch 1, dc, ch 1, dc, ch 1, dc, ch 1) in sc of picot, tr in sc*, repeat * to * 4 times, do () one more time, sl st into 4th ch of beginning ch.

    3-d effect:
    [*ch 2, (dc, ch2, dc, ch2, dc) in sc of row 4, ch 2,* sl st into sc of row 2. sl st in ch, and into next sc, repeat * to *, sl into tr. sl st in each stitch until next tr]. do a total of 3 times.
    After sl st in starting tr, repeat for other side.

    Hanger:
    Make a chain about 4 inches long, sl st into first ch. Finish off, and weave in any ends.

    _________________

  8. SNOWFLAKE I

    Original Pattern by Aparna Mukherjee

    1. Thread 6 gold beads on to white thread.

    2. Make 4 ch, join into ring with a sl st.

    3. Make 10 ch, holding last lps on hook, make 2 dtr into the 5th ch. Draw thread through all the lps on hook. This combination of 5ch, 2 dtr is a cluster = cl.

    4. 1 dtr into ring. 1 cl into tip of previous cl. Rep. 4 times more so that you have a total of 6. Join the tip of the last cl to the 5th ch which is the base of the 1st cl.

    5. make 12 ch. Join with sl st to junction of 2 clusters of previous rnd. Rep. around.

    6. 1 ch. Turn. ( 8 sc into 12 ch sp. 1 ch, 1 beaded ch. Sc into last sc made. 7 sc into 12 ch sp.) Rep. the bracketed section around. Sl st to join. Turn.

    7. 5 ch. 1 dtr into 4th sc. 18 ch. ( Holding the last lps on hk, dtr into 4th sc after the beaded picot, dtr into sp between sc at the junction, dtr into 4th sc. Draw thread through all lps. 18 ch) Rep bracketed portion around. Join with a sl st.

    8. Into the 18 ch sp, make 10 sc. Mow make a triple picot thus : ( 3 ch, sl st into 3rd ch from hk ) 3 times. Sl st into last sc made. 9 sc into sp. Rep. into remaining 18 ch sps. (There are 5 more). Sl st to join.

    Fasten off.

    Beaded ch : draw up a bead before making the next ch.

  9. SNOWFLAKE II

    Original Pattern by Aparna Mukherjee

    1. Thread 18 gold beads on to white thread.
    2. Make 6 ch. Sl st to join into a ring.
    3. Sl st into ring. Ch 1, 18 sc into ring. Sl st to join.
    4. Make 20 ch, sl st into 7th ch from hk.

    Make 5 ch, sl st into 6th ch from previous sl st.

    Make 7 ch, sl st into starting point.

    5. 1ch, insert hk into the 1st 7-ch sp. 5 sc into sp, 3 ch, 4 sc into same sp.

    ( 4 sc into 5-ch sp, 1 ch, 1 beaded ch, sc into last sc made, 3 sc into same sp.

    4 sc into 6 -ch sp on top of spoke, 1 ch, 1 beaded ch, 4 sc into same sp.)

    Now make a reverse journey, repeating the sts as given for the 2 sps. Sl st into starting point.

    6. Sc into the front lps of the next 5 sc. Sc into both lps of the next sc.
    7. Rep Step 4.
    8. Rep. Step 5.
    9. Rep. Step 6.
    10. Rep. Step 4.
    11. Rep. Step 5.
    12. Sc into front lps of remaining 5 sc. Do not join.
    13. 1ch, sc into free lps of next 3 sts.
    14. Rep Step 4.
    15. On the reverse journey, join to the 3 – ch sp on the next spoke, by making (1 ch, drop lp from hk, insert hk into 3-ch sp, make 2 more ch.) Make sure the thread remains at the back of the work throughout, or it will be impossible to continue.
    16. Sc into next 2 free lps. 1 ch. Sc into next 3 free lps.
    17. Rep Steps 4, 15, and 16, until 2 more spokes have been completed. Sc into remaining free lps. Sl st to join. Fasten off.
    18. This snowflake has to be blocked to lie flat. Also, pull up the beads to the front of the work.

    Beaded ch : draw up a bead before making the next ch.

  10. Original Pattern by Aparna Mukherjee

    Thread 18 gold beads on to white thread.

    1. 6ch, sl st to join into a ring.
    2. Sl st into ring. 2ch, holding last lps on hk, make 2 dc, draw thread through all lps – beg cluster made. ( 7 ch, sl st into 6th ch from hk, 1 ch, make a cluster by holding last lps on hk, make 3 dc, draw thread through all lps.) Rep until a total of 6 clusters have been made. 7 ch, sl st into 6th ch from hk, 1 ch, sl st to tip of 1st cluster.
    3. Sl st upto and into 1st 5-ch lp. 5 ch, 1dtr into next 5-ch lp.
    4. Make 11 ch, sl st into 6th ch from hk. 5 ch, holding last lps on hk, dtr into previous 5-ch lp, dtr into next 5-ch lp, draw thread through all lps on hk. Rep around, make last dtr into 1st 5-ch lp, and join the length of ch with a sl st.
    5. 4 sc into 1st sp. 1 ch, 1 beaded ch, sc into last sc made, 2 sc, 4 sc into sp, 1 ch, 1 beaded ch, sc into last sc made, 3 sc into same sp. Rep. above sequence all around. Sl st to join. Fasten off.

    Beaded ch : draw up a bead before making the next ch.

  11. FOR YOUR INFORMATION –
    Aparna sent her three contest entries in a timely fashion to my private email. the delay in posting them here was my fault.

    I’ll be getting back to readers with the contest winner(s) in a week or so.
    THANKS to those who entered!
    jd

Have you read?

How to Crochet the Suzette Stitch: An Easy Textured Crochet Stitch for Beginners

Learning a crochet stitch is much more satisfying when you have an actual project waiting at the end of it. The Suzette stitch is especially versatile because its dense, softly textured fabric works for everything from practical cotton washcloths to cosy scarves, hats and blankets.

Here are some Suzette stitch crochet patterns worth adding to your project list.

Suzette Stitch Baby Blanket

The free Suzette Stitch Baby Blanket pattern from Premier Yarns uses the stitch to create a softly textured crochet blanket with a subtle tweed-like appearance.

This would make a lovely handmade baby shower gift, particularly when worked in a washable baby yarn. The stitch creates more visual interest than plain single crochet without introducing large holes that may catch tiny fingers.

Easy Suzette Stitch Blanket

The Suzette Stitch Blanket pattern by Stitching Together is another approachable blanket project for crocheters who enjoy a relaxing stitch repeat.

This is the sort of project you can keep beside the sofa and work on a few rows at a time. Just keep an eye on those skipped stitches—television crochet is wonderful until an extra stitch quietly sneaks in three episodes earlier.

Casey Suzette Stitch Scarf

The free Casey Scarf crochet pattern uses the Suzette stitch through most of the design, producing a cosy scarf with a softly scalloped, zigzag-like texture.

It is a good first wearable project for beginners because scarves do not require complicated shaping. You can also adjust the length fairly easily or use a self-striping yarn and let the colour changes do the decorative work for you.

Quick Suzette Crochet Scarf

For another scarf option, try this free Suzette Stitch Scarf pattern from Hooked by Robin.

The designer includes written instructions and a video tutorial, making it helpful for visual learners who prefer watching the stitch placement before beginning. It is designed as a quick project and would make a practical last-minute handmade gift.

Suzette Colour Block Scarf

The free Suzette Colour Block Scarf pattern is a cheerful option for using several coordinating yarn colours.

Colour blocking also makes this a handy stash-busting crochet project. You can use leftover yarn from other makes, although it is worth choosing yarns of the same weight and similar fibre content so the sections behave themselves after washing.

Chunky Suzette Stitch Beanie

The free Chunky Suzette Stitch Beanie crochet pattern turns the textured stitch into a warm winter hat.

Chunky yarn helps the pattern work up quickly and makes the raised texture especially noticeable. This would be a useful project for craft stalls, charity donations or quick handmade Christmas gifts.

Hazel Textured Crochet Beanie

The free Hazel Beanie crochet pattern combines simple ribbing with the Suzette stitch.

The ribbed brim gives the hat a neat, finished appearance while the Suzette stitch adds texture to the main body. It looks more complicated than a basic crochet beanie but is still built from familiar beginner stitches.

Suzette Stitch Washcloth

For a small practice project, try the free Suzette Stitch Wash Cloth pattern from The Purple Poncho.

A washcloth is one of the best ways to practise a new crochet stitch because it is small, useful and not terribly demanding. Even if the first one is slightly wonky, it will still wash perfectly well.

Use a smooth cotton yarn so the cloth is absorbent and the stitch texture remains clearly visible.

Suzette Ridge Crochet Washcloth

The free Suzette Ridge Crochet Washcloth pattern adds another layer of texture to this familiar stitch combination.

Make several in coordinating colours and pair them with handmade soap for an easy spa-style gift. They are also useful little projects for testing unfamiliar cotton yarn before committing to a larger set.

Corner-to-Corner Suzette Stitch Washcloth

The free C2C Suzette Stitch Washcloth pattern gives the stitch a slightly different construction by working it from corner to corner.

This is a good next project after you have mastered ordinary flat rows. It lets you explore increasing and decreasing while still using the familiar Suzette stitch combination.

Suzette Stitch Afghan Square

The Suzette Stitch Afghan Square pattern turns the textured stitch into a smaller crochet block.

Afghan squares are useful for charity blankets, sampler blankets and portable crochet projects. You can make the squares individually, use up leftover yarn and join everything together once you have enough—although “enough” has been known to become a surprisingly flexible number in my craft room.

More Suzette Stitch Crochet Pattern Ideas

Once you are comfortable with the basic stitch, you can also use it to make:

  • Crochet mug cosies
  • Ear warmers and headbands
  • Fingerless gloves
  • Cushion covers
  • Tote bags
  • Baby rompers
  • Crochet cardigans
  • Lap blankets
  • Double-thick potholders

You can browse additional Suzette stitch crochet patterns on Etsy, including sweaters, baby blankets, beanies, mug cosies and accessories from independent crochet designers.

When choosing a pattern, check whether it uses US or UK crochet terminology. Also check whether it uses the traditional Suzette stitch—one single crochet and one double crochet worked into the same stitch—or a designer’s variation of it. That quick check can prevent a great deal of confused unraveling later.