Crochet

Patterns, projects and techniques

CROCHET MONOGRAMS

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I’ve written about monograms in crochet before.  You can read all about that here .  This time, I’ve come upon an even easier – or more accessible as I like to state it when I don’t want to feel like I’m inept – way to add a monogram to your crochet.

The entire alphabet can be found here .  You can make as many letters as you want in a flash.  So, you can include the person’s entire name or just his/her initials to your project.  Kids especially enjoy having their names on their special ‘stuff’.  However, I prefer initials to names so that there’s no chance of a stranger using a kid’s name thus appearing to be a friend.  Better to be safe…

While the technique I blogged about earlier could only be used for an entire afghan or another large project, these letters are far more flexible.  Use yarn to add a monogram to an afghan or backpack.  Use tatting thread to create monograms for scrapbooking or cardmaking or to add to a tea towel.  You can’t ask for anything more versatile than that!

The son of one of my closest friends is getting married in the Fall.  I’m thinking a wedding afghan with the couple’s names appliqued to it will be just the right thing for Taylor and Erin.  And, what could be more special for a new baby than a babyghan with the name appliqued to it?  Wow!  Lots of ways to make this work for me!

While you’re at the site checking out the letters, browse further and see the other offerings there.  The blog owner even has an Amazon e-store where she sells finished objects.  Quite impressive array of items offered finished and in pattern form.

ADDENDUM:

I received the following email in response to this post that I want to share with you:

Thanks for posting this link!!  I love these crocheted letters!!!  What a great way to use up yarn scraps.
You could make the whole alphabet and put a magnet on each one.  My granddaughter has a set of magnetic letters on my fridge and she tries to spell a lot of things.  She is in Kindergarden, so she is just learning.  But magnets also helped her learn the alphabet and the difference between upper case and lower case.
Yvonne

in Las Vegas

Comments

  1. I am looking a crochet pattern, half the size of an oblong place mat, with an initial in the middle. Suitable for framing.

    I have looked in fabric shops and online and all I have found are just the monograms.

    I would like the monogram to be part of the whole piece and not crocheted and placed on the whole piece.

    Can you help me?

    Thanking you, JoAnn

  2. JoAnn,
    Sounds like you need a filet crochet piece. Try http://www.hassdesigns.com for starters. There are plenty of sites that have filet patterns. If you find the shape you want without the initial in it, you need to get some graph paper and chart it out – one stitch per square of graph paper.
    HTH
    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.