Stretching Your Skills

Starting out small is always a good idea when you want to stretch your skill in crochet.  Here are a few small projects which might entice you to try a new stitch, a new technique, or experiment with new fibers.  If you enjoy the smaller project, you can take that stitch or technique and use it for a larger project.  I did that recently with a certain stitch.  I made a baby afghan using a variety of stitches that were new for me, then took one of them and made an entire shawl using just that stitch.  You can do the same thing.  Try one or more of these little projects to see what might work for you for a larger one.

http://akamatras.blogspot.gr/2012/12/easy-crochet-mug-cozy-diy.html

First, I like the idea of a mug cozy.  If you’ve never used a button in your crochet before, this small project will be your first.  The stitch pattern is an interesting one that might intrigue you.  If not, take the idea and try using a different stitch with it.

http://chelle-chelle.com/index.php/2011/03/07/crochet-sampler-stitch-scarf/

For anyone who wants to get some practice in the basic stitches of crochet, this easy scarf is just the ticket.  It adapts well to any size yarn with a suitably sized hook, any fiber (I tend toward the easier care fibers for scarves), and the addition of other stitches for purposes of experimentation.

http://www.crochetnmore.com/basketweaveafghansquare.htm

One of the most challenging stitches for many crocheters are the post stitches (FP and BP).  These are great stitches to master since they can be used independently to make a square, a scarf, or an entire afghan or they can be used as edging or to create ribbing for cuffs and hems in sweaters.  The stitches are far easier to master than they look.  Here’s one site to work up a square in basketweave which is just FP and BP double crochets (FPDC and BPDC) and here’s one to get a closer look at how the stitches are formed.

With these small projects, there is not a huge investment of time or materials.  You will learn the new skill quickly or you’ll abandon it and move on.  In these three cases, I think you will achieve success quickly and be able to move on, using what you’ve learned to create a larger project.  That’s what I’ve done in a pretty routine manner.  Before I will commit to crocheting an entire afghan or sweater, I will work up a scarf or square or even a baby afghan using the stitch pattern or yarn.  If I don’t enjoy using them, I’ll try something else.  That way I haven’t invested all that much of my precious crochet hours.

There are plenty of other stitches and techniques for crocheters to master.  Let me know what you’re interested in or stumped by and I’ll post some info for you here.