Crochet

Patterns, projects and techniques

Five Things About Crochet

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cro orange bracelet 0614

 

For beginning crocheters or for those who are interested in learning out wonderful craft, I have gathered a number of facts that might be helpful.

1. Unlike knitting, crochet can never be done on a machine!  All crochet is hand made.

2. One stick means crochet; two sticks mean’s knitting.  But, the one stick might look ‘funny’.  There are standard crochet hooks, longer hooks for specialty crochet like Tunisian, and cabled hooks for Tunisian and a couple other techniques.

3. Anything that will fit around a crochet hook can be used to crochet with.  So, yarn, thread, rope, macrame cord, twine, string, shoe laces, ribbon, you name it – you can crochet with it.

4. There is no difference between the yarn knitters use and what crocheters use – yarn and thread.  Go boldly into a yarn shop that you think caters only to knitters.  They may also think they cater only to knitters.  Nope!  Your money is green and your yarn lust will grow!  Shop at your local yarn shop (LYS) or at big box stores.

5. It take practice, but the learning curve is typically very brief.  I have taught a person how to chain and make single and double crochets one day and had her come back to me the next day with an entire hobo style bag completed.  You can too!

6.  Bonus!  You can crochet everything from mundane dishcloths to tres chic haute couture garments with your crochet hooks and the right yarn/thread.  There are patterns for all of these – in books, magazines, pamphlets, and online for money or for free.

7. Bonus #2!  You don’t have to follow the rules to be successful with crochet.  It helps to learn the rules – then break them.  That’s called freeform crochet, crochet designing, or creating design elements (mistakes).  They’re all ‘kosher’.  No fear!

Note:  That cool bracelet you see above can be found on Etsy.  It’s one you can learn to make yourself very quickly as it’s composed of single crochets or chains and simple beads.  Just an example of the kind of cool item a crocheter can learn to work up very quickly – and perhaps sell online.  Work it up in red, white, and blue for July 4!

Comments

  1. Bonus #3 — crocheting is therapeutic! It exercises stiff, arthritic fingers and keeps them limber. And, for me, crochet is pleasantly restful, yet visually stimulating, especially when working with colorful yarns.

Have you read?

Crochet Christmas Dove Ornaments With a Printable Gift Poem

There is something especially lovely about a handmade gift that comes with a few thoughtful words. These crochet Christmas birds pair a folded yarn ornament with a decorative poem card, turning a little crochet project into a keepsake.

The design has a rounded head, a tiny embroidered eye and beak, and a forked tail. A broad overlapping section forms the wing, giving the bird that folded, origami-inspired appearance. It is a simple-looking shape with plenty of handmade charm.

A Crochet Bird That Doubles as a Gift Topper

What appeals to me most is the idea of using the bird twice. Tie it onto a wrapped present as a gift topper, then let the recipient hang it on their Christmas tree afterwards. The wrapping gets recycled, the ribbon goes into somebody’s “far too useful to throw away” drawer, and the bird becomes part of next year’s decorations.

Cream would be a lovely choice for a Christmas dove, while cranberry red, sage green and dusty blue offer a different seasonal look. Keeping the wing plain lets the crochet texture and folded layers stand out.

For a personalised crochet gift tag, an embroidered initial is a sweet addition. One small letter gives the ornament a purpose without needing to squeeze an entire name onto the wing.

The Printable Christmas Dove Card

The accompanying printable brings the gift together. Watercolour-style holly, evergreen branches, berries and gold accents frame the card, with space above the poem for attaching the crocheted bird.

The original Christmas poem shares wishes for peace, joy and love, then invites the recipient to hang the dove on their tree. There is also a “With love from” line, so the finished card feels like a complete little present.

I would print it on firm cardstock and attach the bird with a removable thread or ribbon loop. That way, the recipient can lift it off the card easily when it is time to decorate the tree.

It is a thoughtful Christmas gift concept, especially for crafters who enjoy making small decorations with a personal touch. The bird and poem card belong together: a little handmade ornament, a Christmas wish, and something to bring out again next December.