Crochet

Patterns, projects and techniques

NEW YEAR – NEW WAYS??

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I’m not much for making New Year’s Resolutions because it always seems that the shine wears off quickly on any changes I try to make.  I have turned over a new leaf in the housekeeping department lately, but we’ll see how long that lasts.  I can hope….

But, what about crochet?  Many resolutions that people share seem to involve:

  • using up yarn on hand
  • working on only one project at a time
  • finishing up the many UFO’s on hand
  • learning a new technique

I vote for the ‘learning a new technique’ since I know I will never work on only one project at a time, will never finish up all the UFO’s I’ve started, and will definitely not be using only the yarn I have on hand.  I have done better in the NonAcquisition of New Yarn Department, otherwise called a Yarn Diet, lately.  But, I just ordered some yarn for a wedding afghan because I simply do not have the proper brown and turquoise yarns on hand that are required to please the bride.  My new plan is to not go into yarn stores to pet yarn, but rather to order online from brands I know in colors I know I need.  Make sense?  We’ll see how this goes.

Let’s see how many of you have this yarn in your stash:

This is the aforementioned RH ‘Earth and Sky’ yarn that I need.  I don’t even own any turquoise yarn of any description.  Since the bride has chosen brown and turquoise to decorate, I thought this would be a perfect yarn for an afghan.  What do you think??

But, back to those Resolutions.  I’m wondering if I really need to bother.  Do you think things will really improve if I buy less yarn or work on only one project at a time?  I don’t.  I think I’ll be bored and find far less enjoyment in my crochet.  So, my New Year’s Resolution is to make NO RESOLUTIONS that might interfere in the least with my crochet.  Some things are just too important :-).

If you are looking for more of our DIY Wedding ideas then check out our dedicated DIY Wedding blog.

Looking for more crochet patterns for weddings? Check out these designs we found on Etsy.

Comments

  1. HI MELANIE,
    I’M GOING TO ATTEMPT TO HELP WITH YOUR QUESTIONS. USING ALL CAPS FOR EASE OF READING BETWEEN YOUR TEXT.

    Help! I’m new to this and am having difficulty reading the instructions. What does it mean when the instructions say “in second ch from hook” ? MUCH CROCHET STARTS WITH A FOUNDATION CHAIN. THE PATTERN MAY BE WRITTEN THAT THE MOTIF OR DESIGN IS A MULTIPLE OF 10 PLUS 2 – THAT MEANS THE MOTIF WILL TAKE 10 CHAINS TO WORK ACROSS AND YOU’LL NEED 2 CHAINS FOR TURNING.

    For example: “3 sc in second ch from hook, sc in next 13 chs.” Does this mean to single crochet 16 more rows? What is a “2nd chain from hook?”.

    THE SECOND CHAIN FROM YOUR HOOK CAN BE DETERMINED BY COUNTING THE CHAIN ON YOUR HOOK AS ‘ZERO’ THEN COUNTING EACH CHAIN. YOU WORK YOUR FIRST SINGLE CROCHET (SC) INTO THAT THIRD CHAIN – THEN AS THESE INSTRUCTIONS TELL YOU, YOU WILL WORK 2 MORE SC INTO THAT SAME CHAIN. THE CHAIN IS A LOOP HAVING 3 PARTS. YOU’LL TYPICALLY PLACE YOUR HOOK UNDER THE TOP TWO BARS FOR EACH STITCH (UNLESS THE PATTERN TELLS YOU TO DO SOMETHING DIFFERENTLY OR YOU DECIDE TO ON YOUR OWN. SO LONG AS YOU’RE CONSISTENT IN WHERE YOU PLACE YOUR HOOK, YOU’LL PROBABLY BE OKAY WITH BEGINNER PROJECTS.

    FOR MORE HELP ON DETERMINING WHERE TO PLACE YOUR HOOK, GO TO http://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM AND ENTER ‘BEGINNER CROCHET’ INTO THE SEARCH BOX. LOTS OF HELP THERE. THE TWO CHAINS SKIPPED IN YOUR DIRECTIONS ARE YOUR TURNING CHAIN.

    The other instruction I can’t figure out is “working on other side of foundation ch,” Does this mean I have to take the hook out and crochet the other side of the original chain?

    MOST PATTERNS WILL WORK ONLY ONE SIDE OF A FOUNDATION CHAIN – WORKING INTO THE CHAINS AS I DESCRIBED ABOVE. DOING SO WILL LEAVE ONE BAR UNUSED. TO WORK THE OTHER SIDE OF THE FOUNDATION CHAIN, YOU’LL JUST CONTINUE AROUND THE STARTING CHAIN, USUALLY ADDING 2 OR MORE STITCHES IN THE LAST CHAIN, AND WORK ON BACK DOWN THAT STARTING CHAIN INTO THOSE UNUSED BARS – TYPICALLY JUST A SINGLE BAR NOT THE TWO BARS AS YOU DID ON THE FIRST ROUND. THIS TYPE OF DIRECTION IS COMMON FOR THE BOTTOMS OF PURSES, SOME CAPS, SOME DOILIES – ANYWHERE YOU’RE TRYING TO CREATE AN OVAL FOR SURE.

    HOPE THIS HELPS. DON’T OVERLOOK THE VALUE OF YOUTUBE AND OTHER SITES FOR HELP ON BEGINNING CROCHET AND PATTERN READING.
    GOOD LUCK!
    jd

    Thanks for any help you can give me.

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.