Crochet

Patterns, projects and techniques

LOOKING FOR YARN

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I’ve been looking for a certain yarn that a friend of mine was working with last weekend.  It’s a Red Heart worsted weight acrylic in a color called ‘Peruvian Print’.  This stuff is remarkable.  It’s a self-patterning yarn that makes a really neat design on the scarf Lee was working on.  She was using a Crunch Stitch that creates a nice, dense, textured design and brings out the best in this self-patterning yarn.  The colors in Peruvian Print are turquoise, white, blue, rust, brown, and a cream.  Maybe a couple other colors, too.  I can’t find the stuff anywhere locally, so I’m left to the tender mercies of the internet to find some of this delicious yarn for myself.

Problem is, the colors in Peruvian Print are not my favorites.  I’d like any number of other colors – either the pinks I love so much, a pattern made of black, white, and red, or some lively yellows and other bright colors.  I have emailed Coats and Clark since they own Red Heart.  I feared that, as often happens when I run across a wonderful yarn, this yarn might have been discontinued.

After trading emails with Coats and Clark for several days, I finally learned that there IS, indeed, another colorway in a self-patterning yarn like the Peruvian Print.  It’s this one:

www.coatsandclark.com

www.coatsandclark.com

Watercolor # 318

Hard to tell from this teensy swatch how the yarn will work, but I’m going to give it a whirl.  I’m ordering 9 skeins of it at 5 oz per skein.  That way, I can make an afghan or a bunch of scarves and hats if I want.  I’ll let you know how it works out.

As for other self-patterning yarns, they’re out there.  There are a few yarns that create a ‘fair-isle’ type pattern.  RH has these yarns in their Jacquard line and in Strata.  These are a bit different from the self-striping sock yarns which, of course, can be used for more things than socks.  Any pattern calling for a size 3 or 5 yarn or any pattern where gauge is not of paramount importance will work with the sock yarns.  I have made numerous pairs of fingerless mitts with the sock yarn, and it works out just fine.

The self-striping, and the self-patterning, yarns are REALLY designed to show off their patterns to best effect when knitted.  That’s a shame.  But, they are still pretty in crochet.

Comments

  1. I used that particular yarn on a blanket and it turned out lovely. The colors really end up reminding me of Monet’s waterlilies series. 🙂

    good luck!

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.