Crochet

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Why Doesn’t Every Designer Do This???

by

Tezzie Hat

 

Why doesn’t every crochet designer do this?  Do what?  Check out the pictures and notecards that accompany this pattern.  The pattern sets itself up to be difficult.  The write up about it states that you have to know a lot of different stitches before you attempt to crochet the hat.  Okay.  I know a lot of stitches.  But, for a lot of folks, it’s the crocheting in the round that presents the problem, not the stitches.  To join or not to join?  To join with slip stitch or a single crochet?  And so forth.

So, when you encounter a stitch or pattern section that you don’t understand, you might need a little of this to make it very clear!

Then, to make things perfectly crystal clear, we get this bit of help:

A picture is truly worth thousands of words – and lots of crochet symbols.  This little picture brings the whole are of ‘disturbance’ into focus.  Almost any crocheter of any skill level will be able to decipher this pattern and recreate this pretty hat pattern with it’s cleverly arranged ’embossed’ stitch motifs.

On another of Cats-Rockin’s patterns, we see similar helpful photos.  I’m not very accomplished at cables, but with these clear photos, I feel like I can tackle this pretty neckwarmer and succeed with the cables.

Cabled Neck Warmer Cowl

For even more crochet inspiration and patterns with visual aids, take a look around the blog here .

 

 

Comments

  1. I agree with you. I just returned to crocheting. So far I have checked many reference books to verify if I am correctly following a pattern or watched YouTube videos for help. Oh well, if nothing else, I started a nice small library of craft references and patterns.

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.