Crochet

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SOMETHING NEW EVERY DAY??

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crochet-cake.jpg

My friend Kathy G. has been inspired, as she nears her 49th birthday, to try something new EVERY DAY for a year – something she’s never done before. I offered to teach her to crochet since I think that would qualify. Check out her blog and the link to the blog of the 29 year old who inspired her.

http://kathyat49.blogspot.com/

So, from this we can take some inspiration. Are there 365 stitches that are new to us? Can we learn one each day? I’m going to check into this. I know there are more than 365 stitches, but many stitches have more than one name.

Let’s start a list here of all the crochet stitches we can come up with. Please post the names of stitches you know and a link to an online site or a book where we can perhaps get instructions for duplicating the stitch. We can stipulate that this list is a good place to start:

http://www.crochetpatterncentral.com/directory/stitches.php

And, this site has some good illustrations of stitches:

loopstitch.jpg

Loop Stitch

I don’t know how many stitches are demonstrated at this site, but what a find!

http://video.yahoo.com/?t=t&fr=&p=josi+hannon+madera

So, above and beyond these stitches, what can YOU add to our list? I’ll keep this discussion open as long as new stitches keep coming in. THEN maybe we’ll all take a challenge and learn a new one each day. But, we’ve gotta get more than 365 stitches to get this thing going.

Thanks in advance for your participation.

jd

Comments

  1. This link was shared last week in my CAL list

    http://www.mypicot.com/st01.html

    There are some titles in Maggy’s site
    (http://www.maggiescrochet.com/)
    – 154 wave patterns
    – 365 crochet stitches a year
    The complete book of crochet stitch designs (500 patterns)
    – The complete book of crochet border designs (> 300 patterns)
    I don’t have this books. And I don’t know them. Only the titles suggest a LOT of stitches.
    Some lists to begin with this neat idea!

Have you read?

Vintage Crochet Baby Dress Pattern Review

There is something especially charming about a vintage baby dress pattern, and this Crocheted Cutie Dress #3112 has all the details that make older crochet designs so appealing.

The dress features a neatly shaped bodice, short sleeves, contrast stripes and a full lace skirt with a scalloped finish. It has that classic heirloom look without feeling overly formal, which makes it suitable for birthdays, family photos, baby showers or simply as a special handmade outfit.

One of the nicest things about this design is the balance between the structured upper section and the much softer, more decorative skirt. The bodice is worked in a simple repeating texture, while the skirt opens into a detailed lace pattern that gives the dress plenty of movement and fullness. The white trim around the neckline, sleeves and hem also helps define the shape beautifully.

The pattern includes instructions for sizes 1 and 2, with the second size shown in parentheses throughout. As with many vintage patterns, the sizing does not line up neatly with modern age labels, so it is important to check the gauge and finished proportions rather than relying on the size number alone.

This would be best suited to an intermediate crocheter, or a confident beginner who is comfortable reading traditional pattern instructions. The design uses chain stitches, single crochet, double crochet, treble crochet, colour changes, shaping, repeated lace sections and separate pieces that are sewn together during finishing.

The sleeves and collar are made separately and attached to the completed bodice. The back is finished with three buttons, giving the dress a practical opening while keeping the front clean and decorative.

The original version uses pink and white mercerized crochet cotton, but the design works beautifully in more modern combinations too. Sage and cream give it a soft botanical feel, lemon and white make it fresh and summery, while orange and ivory create a much warmer retro look.

Because the pattern was originally written for vintage crochet cotton and a steel hook, I would strongly recommend making a gauge swatch before beginning. Modern threads and hook-sizing systems can vary, and the bodice needs to fit correctly before the lace skirt is added.

The professionally reformatted PDF is much easier to follow than an unedited scan. It keeps the original stitch counts and construction while improving spacing and readability. It also includes a modern mockup and the original vintage reference image, which is helpful when visualising the finished shape.

Overall, this is a lovely pattern for anyone who enjoys making vintage-inspired baby clothes. The lace skirt is the real highlight, but the striped bodice and matching collar give the finished dress a polished, complete look.