Crochet

Patterns, projects and techniques

Freeform Steps Outside the Pattern Book Box

by

prudence mapstone’s freeform - www.destinationart.co.nz

Find a box and step right into it. Take your hook and yarn with you. Sit down and follow all the rules. When you get tired of following all those rules, make a few of your own. Then, you are a freeform-er.

Freeform crochet is the simple act of creating scrumbles. What’s a scrumble? Well, it’s a piece of freeform crochet. How’s that for a circular definition? But it’s true, if not informative.

Freeform crochet takes all the rules of crochet that you were taught – match the hook to the size of yarn or thread, ch 2 (or 3) to start a row of DC, follow a pattern. To really appreciate crochet, one of the easiest first steps is to create a MAGIC BALL. Take all your partial skeins of thread and yarn and tie them together, end to end. Don’t worry about the size or color or fiber content. Then roll the ‘new’ yarn into a nice ball.

Then, get yourself a set of crochet hooks – from size E to I, for starters – and a couple of dice (or one die). Assign a # to each stitch – 1 = sl st, 2 = sc, 3 = hdc, 4 = dc, 5 = tr, 6 = ch 3, 7 = bouillon. Of course, you can designate any number to any stitch you want. Roll one time to determine which stitch. Roll the second time to determine how many stitches to do. Every fifth roll of dice, change your hook size. Start by creating a circle or by working in rows. Whatever. Anything will work. When you’re tired of it, bored, or finished, finish off. Leave the tails dangling or weave them in. Add charms, buttons, beads, etc to suit your taste. Voila! You have your first scrumble.

Experienced Freeformers like Prudence Mapstone and Margaret Hubert (to name only two) will take a bunch of scrumbles and make a sweater out of them. It’s a great technique and they have books to show you how to pull this off. It’s not as hard as it sounds from my brief and likely inadequate description.

My very first scrumble wanted to be heart shaped. I made it on a flight from Paris to the US in 2004. Since I crochet with a lot of pinks and reds, those were the colors in my magic ball. When I returned home, I added some charms and beads. It was definitely a heart! So, I gave it to a friend who uses it as a decorative doily on the back of a parlor chair. It found a nice home. Wish I had taken a picture…….

Comments

  2. This book is on my list, why haven’t I bought it yet?? LOL I think I’ve been a bit intimidated by them!

    I’m gonna try your instructions this week. I have tons of yarn and it looks so fun! Thanks for posting this!

  4. Thanks for the good ideas, have wanted to try this for a long time. I’m going to print this out and play around with it and see what I come up with. Thanks for encouraging me to step out of comfort zone!
    —
    Justina

  5. i just wanted to say i do crocheting myself i am starting a new project i am working on a new curvie hanger i will let you know how it looks when I get done. marcy allen

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.