Crochet

Patterns, projects and techniques

STUMBLE UPON CROCHET

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Don’t you love to find great crochet sites and patterns online? I was referred to a wonderful site http://www.stumbleupon.com/which is a huge portal to everything on the web. However, instead of wandering aimlessly through cyberspace, you can refine your ‘stumbles’ to topics that appeal to you – like crochet! I joined up and entered a few topics of interest, with crochet at the top of the list. Then, I began to ‘stumble’ through the websites that were queued up for me. What a bunch of fun!

Here are a few of the wonderful blogs and sites I stumbled upon:

crochet escama studio pop top crochet tutorial DIY crochet blog
http://www.escamastudio.com/inspiration/diy.html

Here’s a beauty you probably won’t have time to complete before St. Patrick’s day:

crochet shamrock free pattern doily st patricks day crochet

http://www.crochetdoilies.com/Stpatricksday.html

For amigurumi fans, there’s always something new:

crochet dolphins minidolphins free pattern critters2crochet

http://www.critters2crochet.com/index_files/dolphpattern.htm

For something really different – but easily adaptable to a lot of uses – check this one out. Wish the one I married under had been as pretty as this one!
chuppah crochet free pattern wedding canopy fortheloveofyarn

http://www.fortheloveofyarn.com/Issues/07Summer/patterns/chuppah.shtml

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.

For the ever practical among us, here’s a useful way to use your crochet talents:

crochet seatbelt cover felted free pattern cristinascrochethaven

http://www.christinascrochethaven.com/felted_seat_belt_cover.htm

For a twist on the crocheted ocean reef or tide pool, here’s a very seaworthy looking ‘plant’ in crochet:

crocheted plant underwater crochet reef freeform crochet

http://www.emily-b.net/crocheting/plantsleep.html

For doll lovers, there’s always something:

crochet free doll pattern hereandabove.com blush ripple crochet

Hereandabove.com

So, I could go on and on. Instead of looking at what I’ve stumbled upon, why not do some stumbling of your own. It’s a free site and oodles of fun. Also, a great way to wile away a few gazillion hours when you should be cleaning house or finishing that nemesis project. There are websites, free patterns, patterns and finished crochet objects for sale, and there are tutorials and videos. Who could ask for anything more (except maybe more hours in the day to explore all these cyberwonders.

The ONLY problem I found on this site was the interchangeable use of the terms ‘knit’ and ‘crochet’. We know the difference, but apparently the stumblers who built the website don’t. We can forgive them that.

And, finally, if you were ever in doubt of the strong drive to crochet, we can all take some inspiration from this guy who seems to have his priorities perfectly aligned:

crochet subway guy from stumbleupon.com

Comments

  2. Could you tell me if you have any crochet books for left handed people. I have been looking for a long time and can not find any. Thanks

    PHYLLIS, I know of no crochet book written specifically for left handed people, but I’m aware that there are several publications that have a section on instructions for the left handed.  Several of the Beginner’s books that come in those kits, and which I have found at thrift stores and used book stores, have a section on left handed crocheting.

    HOW ABOUT IT FOLKS?  Does anyone else have resources for left handed crocheters??

    jd

  3. JD I love reading your blog! I just wanted to say the picture of the crocheting on the bus/train? is priceless!

  4. The seat belt cover looks like something I could do. But I would use heavy duty snaps for function and buttons for cutesy.

    I’d really like to make a cover for my middle arm rest in the car. It’s starting to look yucky.

    BLISS, WHAT A GREAT IDEA!  THANKS FOR SHARING. jd

  5. I am in Australia I have just heard a radio program on craft they mantioned a stumbling or spumbling way of crocheting do you know of it

  6. I have been looking for a mini dolphin crochet pattern and found this on on your site, but typing in the site in my search will not come up. did you get the pattern to come up?

Have you read?

Shock Wave Free Crochet Lap Blanket Pattern

This Free Shock Wave Crochet Lap Blanket Pattern from Mary Maxim looks like one of those wonderfully satisfying projects that gives big cozy payoff without fiddly detail. Mary Maxim lists it as a free download, designed as a crochet afghan/lap blanket, with a finished size of 45 x 50 inches.

What immediately stands out is the yarn choice. The pattern is made with Bernat Blanket Extra Thick, using 5 skeins, and calls for a U.S. U/50 (25 mm) crochet hook. That is gloriously chunky territory, which usually means fast progress and lots of squishy texture. If you are in the mood for a project that feels substantial in your hands and grows quickly row by row, this one definitely has that appeal.

Mary Maxim describes the blanket as having a beautifully textured, plush, soft finish and suggests it as a project for home décor or gifting. Based on the materials and oversized hook alone, that sounds about right. This feels like the sort of blanket you make for curling up on the couch, draping over a chair, or giving as a practical handmade gift that will actually get used instead of folded away “for best.”

The pattern is marked Easy, and the listed stitch requirements are straightforward: chain, repeat, double crochet, single crochet, and slip stitch. That makes it sound approachable for confident beginners and very appealing for anyone who wants a relaxing crochet project without too much counting drama.

I also think the lap blanket size is a smart one. Not every crochet blanket needs to become a giant commitment that takes over the lounge room and your will to live. A 45 x 50 inch blanket is a useful, manageable size for gifting, for wheelchairs or reading nooks, or just for keeping on hand for chilly evenings. That practicality gives this pattern extra appeal. The usability point is my own take based on the finished dimensions Mary Maxim provides.

At the moment, the pattern page shows no reviews, so there is not much customer feedback to go on yet. Still, if you enjoy easy crochet blanket patterns, super chunky crochet throws, or quick lap blanket projects, this one looks like a solid freebie to save.

My overall take? This looks like a fast, cozy, beginner-friendly crochet blanket pattern with plenty of texture and instant-gratification energy. Very much the sort of project you start because it looks easy, then keep going because the yarn feels ridiculously soft.