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Strips OR Squares – What Motif Suits You?

February 27, 2007 by jd wolfe

MAMWould you carry a sign that said ‘Strips for Yarn’? Not!!

MAM (above)
Those MAM (mile a minute) translate to Mile a Millenium for me! I just can’t get into them. I like the look and always fool myself into thinking that I’ll have a portable project if I just crochet one strip at a time – and I’m just not good at counting. LOL! Invariably, I frog the whole thing by the time I have 2 or 3 strips done. You have to count for those things!  But, I am intrigued by the different uses of strips and squares in crochet.

motif-crochet.jpg

Lion Brand Free Crochet Motif (above)

Squares are a different matter entirely. I see SO many beautiful projects I think I would like to make. I even enjoy making the squares. But then, you gotta join ’em! That’s not so much fun – and all those ends to weave in! What’s with that? I usually have to devote an entire evening to simply weaving in those ends. If I want something really mindless, well, that would qualify. Nice thing about squares, tho’, is that it’s fairly easy to adjust the size of a garment (or afghan) simply by making more squares or making them with a larger hook or yarn. That does solve the design problem for a lot of plus size (zoftig) crocheters whose pattern needs remain largely unmet by pattern designers and publishers. It’s always good to run across a pattern actually designed for someone larger than a size 9! While I’m no longer in the plus size range – I am sympathetic to the problems therein. Besides, about 60% of American Women fall into the size range about size 16. That’s a huge, mostly overlooked market for designers! It’s also nice to be able to use the very adaptable granny square to make an entire afghan as a single square or rectangle. My friend, Lori, ONLY crochets double crochets and ONLY makes granny square afghans composed of a single square. But, it works for her! And, her afghans are beautiful.

grannysq.jpg

Granny Square Belt (above)
Other motifs are variations on the theme of strips and squares – hexagons, circles, star shapes, etc. You still have to join those little buggers. And, deliver me from ANY pattern that begins with wording something like ‘Make 180’ of the motif. Ain’t happening! My hat is off to those among us who can persevere with such a project. I’ll stick to 12 inch squares and larger panels of which I need not make more than I can carry around in a grocery sack.

Check out our NEW Facebook page for Crochet. This page is only about Crochet!! Free pattern links, tips tricks and tutorial videos. We will be sharing it all to the ONE SPOT.  Make sure you LIKE the new Crochet Facebook Page so you don’t miss out. Crochet Facebook Page.

Check out this amazing book with over 100 different Granny Square patterns

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Comments

  1. krisr says

    February 28, 2007 at 5:13 am

    That was hysterical, I wasn’t sure what to expect! Yes I would wear a sign but I don’t like MAM projects either and I’m totally burned out on motifs right now…time for a new project tho 🙂 Nice work on the blogging by the way!

  2. Zuleika says

    March 5, 2007 at 7:38 am

    I’ve never tried a MAM and even though granny squares are really nice, I don’t have the patience to make anything big out of them. That belt is gorgeous though! 🙂

  3. jd wolfe says

    March 6, 2007 at 6:41 pm

    hi zuleika,
    i’m curious about your reluctance to make things with granny squares. what is your preferred way to make things? i bet you like making one piece afghans, belts, etc. me too! so much easier if you don’t have to sew or crochet things together and weave in an extra hundred tails!

    KRISR –
    thanks for your kind words. i hoped to get your attention with the ‘headline’!
    thanks!
    jd

  4. Ellen says

    June 22, 2009 at 8:16 am

    Regarding granny squares, I have been crocheting them with size 30 thread and a size 7 steel hook! I use any old granny square, or interesting motif and see how it looks comes out. They are sooo small! I plan to stiffen them and make them into earrings!

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.

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