For lovers of the 'other' thing that you use wool for - no longer will we stand in the shadows of the Knitters of the world.
Discussion Topics (2)
- Local Crochet Groups
- Do you go to or know of a crochet group ?
I run the Picton Crochet and Knitting group. We meet at the Picton Bowling Club every Wednesday at 10.30 till 1
We have heaps of fun ! So join us if you live close by :O)
- Problems
- I have discovered crotcheting over the last couple of years, and have come across a small problem - there are many many patterns available for knitters in the shops, but I can only find crotcheting patterns online. These patterns are great, but it is hard to find the wool used in them (unless you want to pay over $10.00 per ball) - is there a good way to find out what the best alternatives are?
Also I am having a problem shifting from easy patterns for scarves etc to more advanced patterns for other clothing - does anyone have any idea the best way to advance my abilities?
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Recently learn to crochet (around 6 months), self taught. I started learning from the internet using 'you tube' which is also great for knitting stiches too. I did lots of practicising and made lots of mistakes but recently finished a baby's blanket. Squares are easy. My husband bought be a crochet book for christmas which helps with some more advanced stiches and many are availble from all good book stores. Happy Crochet Christmas!
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Crochet always used to be taught by a family member. It's much easier to learn if you can see what's happening. You Tube makes a lot of sense.
JUST REMEMBER - every stitch is just a variation of the basic double crochet. Treble is just double crochet with the yarn around the hook first. Double treble is just double crochet with the yarn around twice, etc. All stitches are just combinations of that.
With tops, I'd look for patterns that don't have too much shape to them - eg shaped sleeveholes etc.
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Have you tried Scrumbling or Free Form Crochet/Knitting. Now that is different and fun to do with a good teacher. That is best done in a class.
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It's easy to see which stitches are double crochet, treble, chains etc. You learn really quickly the way things work in crochet. For a friend's 30th, I made a crochet sculpture of a woman just by crocheting LOL If I wanted it to curve outwards, I add extra stitches. If I wanted it to dip in, I skipped stitches. I pulled out a few bits, but it became really obvious how much I needed to add or skip.
I often find things at Op shops in a pattern I haven't seen, so I work it out on the spot and write it down if it's easy. If it's more complicated or a whole garment, it's usually cheap enough to buy (less than most patterns) and work out the pattern myself.
I'd suggest a Google search for "free crochet patterns". Another good one is Drops Design - a magazine, I think, but with thousands of patterns for knit and crochet. www.garnstudio.com
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many thanks.
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If you can't find somebody to teach you the basics of crochet, the next best place is to browse videos on YouTube.com - it's always better to be able to see the stitches being formed in real time! Sometimes reading an explanation can be confusing.
Then just practice practice practise! There are many great patterns out there (don't forget to search the Spotlight Inspiration Room for great crochet patterns too!) to get you started and help build your skill level and confidence.
~The Spotlight Team
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also with the wool, find out what ply is used in your pattern and buy one that matches and then do a swatch to test the gauge, you just change hook size it the one specified in the pattern doesn't give the right tension and then you can use any yarn you like, and once youve finished the test swatch, if you don't cut it and finish it off just pull it out and use the same yarn to start your project and you haven't wasted any and by doing the test you'll have a better finished product :)
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I have also found a website called the Knitting site which tells you yarn conversions and needle conversions . Also the fibergypsy.com has yarn conversions and tells you how to measure your yarn over a needle to find out the ply. These all have conversions from US patterns to UK/ Australian terms. Also the Lion Brand website has a yarn substitution page where you can see a substitute for their yarn. The other thing to do is actually make up the gauge square it has at the beginning of the pattern.
If you want to pay for patterns go to etsy.com and you can buy the pattern you would like.
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I think it is a good idea to start with a simple square like a dish cloth or granny square, then a scarf or try making a simple flower. You Tube has flower instructions which are easy and so amazingly simple that I couldn't wait to try some. My very first crochet item was a baby jacket that was so tightly done that it was too small for a baby, so I gave it away for someone's doll to wear. I soon learnt to loosen up with my tension. I've done many things over the years and most recent are cupcakes, and hearts stuffed with fibrefill and a little lavender inside just for fun. I've now got a nice collection of small items for gifts.
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~The Spotlight Team
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I then ended up making four cot blankets, two for a new great niece due in 2 months and the other two for a work colleague of my husband due about the same time. Starting with granny squares is the best way to start with a simple project. Just keep going round and round until you have about 30 groups of treble per side. Make 9 squares this size, join them all together in 3 rows of 3 squares, and do 3 or 4 rounds of double crochet as an edging and you have a blanket big enough to fit a King Size bed! I used cheap 8 ply acrylic from Big W or K-Mart (or if you're in NZ like me, The Warehouse) and a 4mm hook.
Patons have put out a book "Learn to Crochet' available at Spotlight which is very good. They also have one on learning to knit.
All the best and happy crocheting!
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