tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16650033483095037772024-03-18T06:37:17.790-04:00Vashti's Crochet Pattern CompanionAll the extra stuff that enriches my crochet patterns and helps level the playing field for every crocheter: tips, tricks, designer secrets and advice. Any project info that you normally have to search out in different places is collected here.Vashti Brahahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14439436949166577608noreply@blogger.comBlogger33125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1665003348309503777.post-79077983998329329252015-03-25T20:06:00.000-04:002018-10-08T17:40:11.193-04:00Filet Crochet Gauge Tips: Tunisian Crochet Filet Too!
Crocheters often have trouble matching both stitch gauge and row gauge with filet crochet. Not only do we vary in how tall we make our double crochets (dc; tr in the UK); we also tend to make chain stitches (ch sts) tighter than other stitches. There are lots of ch sts in filet!
Minuet Vest by Vashti Braha: Regular filet crochet (left); Tunisian filet crochet (right)Vashti Brahahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14439436949166577608noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1665003348309503777.post-11016981899193870052014-11-17T17:10:00.001-05:002018-09-23T10:05:38.556-04:00Ultimate Foundation Crochet Stitch Class!
My review of an important crochet class taught online by Marty Miller
It turns out that the most popular post of this blog is "Which Foundation Stitch? And Why?" If you were reading that post just now, then you're probably here because you want to learn even more about foundation stitches. I can't imagine a better way than to take this class—no matter how much crochet experience you have.
Vashti Brahahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14439436949166577608noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1665003348309503777.post-3804592614900834392014-10-31T13:58:00.000-04:002018-10-15T15:55:47.757-04:00Blocking Crochet: Five Methods
I recently updated this post and created a permanent page for it at my new website!
One of the methods below could be the perfect finishing touch for your next crochet project, depending on your yarn and project type. It also depends on your own preferences. Each crocheter has a favorite method.
Special considerations for a specific stitch, technique, or project follow.
Five CrochetVashti Brahahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14439436949166577608noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1665003348309503777.post-68450409005557287122014-08-31T12:37:00.001-04:002017-11-14T19:09:57.418-05:00Crocheting Into Love Knots: Special TweaksThis is the third and last post of a three-day series about crocheting Love Knots (a.k.a. Solomon's Knot, Lover's Knots, or Knot Stitch). The earlier two posts are:
- How to Crochet a Love Knot (See the freshly updated version of this post.)
- Three Ways to Crochet Into Love Knots.
This mini-series presumes that you already know how to make a slip knot, and how to crochet Vashti Brahahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14439436949166577608noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1665003348309503777.post-39627892529458068052014-08-30T12:02:00.003-04:002017-11-14T19:16:11.343-05:00Three Ways to Crochet Into Love Knots (a.k.a. Solomons Knot, Lover's Knot)This is the second of a three-day series about crocheting Love Knots (a.k.a. Solomon's Knot, Lover's Knots, or Knot Stitch). This mini-series presumes that you already know how to make a slip knot, and how to crochet chain stitches and single crochets (UK: double crochet).
Today is about how to crochet your next row into Love Knots. Topics of the other two posts are:
- Vashti Brahahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14439436949166577608noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1665003348309503777.post-40735665367880067402014-08-29T13:03:00.001-04:002018-10-15T16:16:58.925-04:00How to Crochet a Love Knot, Part 1 of 3
Nov. 2017 UPDATE: I revised this post and created a permanent page for it my new website. After that one see its new companion, "Crocheting the Love Knot Mesh".
This is the first of a three-day series about crocheting Love Knots (a.k.a. Solomon's Knot, Lover's Knots, or Knot Stitch). This mini-series presumes that you already know how to make a slip knot, and how to crochet Vashti Brahahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14439436949166577608noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1665003348309503777.post-22106617494878509022014-06-06T16:39:00.000-04:002017-11-14T19:27:58.543-05:00How to Crochet Into that Third Loop or Lower Horizontal Bar of Single Crochets
The moral of the story is, if you think you're looking at the tops of stitches, you probably are. Orbit Cowl
The third loop is required for "camel crochet." It has also been called the hump, bump, nub, lower loop, back-back loop, and lower horizontal bar of the single crochet (sc in the US; double crochet or dc in the UK and Australia). The patterns that result from using Vashti Brahahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14439436949166577608noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1665003348309503777.post-33661173749233304862014-02-28T16:18:00.001-05:002018-10-15T16:47:08.644-04:00Crocheting Into Foundation Chains (& Other Chain Stitches)
Crochet is all about options.
I learned only one way to crochet Row 1 into the foundation chains back when I learned how to crochet. I didn't question it for years!
Nowadays, when a project requires foundation chains instead of a thicker, stretchier alternative, I choose to crochet into the chains different ways. In my crochet patterns I specify how when it matters.
Vashti Brahahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14439436949166577608noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1665003348309503777.post-36149576012362457372012-11-30T18:14:00.001-05:002018-10-15T16:58:28.534-04:00Slip Stitch Crochet FAQ in My ClassesI've recently revised this post and created a permanent page for it at my new website.
These are the questions I most often answer in slip stitch crochet classes and by email in response to slip stitch patterns. See also issue #45 of my Crochet Inspirations Newsletter.
Q: “How much more yarn does slip stitching use?”
A: It seems to use LESS! When I’ve used the same yarn and Vashti Brahahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14439436949166577608noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1665003348309503777.post-33452465695674906422012-01-31T18:14:00.004-05:002018-10-15T17:05:53.568-04:00How to Crochet Spiky Puff Stitches
I used a different color per row for the how-to crochet stitch video below!
The Spiky Puff Stitch is what puts the 'palmetto' in the Palmetto Wristcuff! Don't the stitches look sort of like palm fronds? Also, the way the spike stitches point upward in the new pink one, looks like aloe vera plants to me. (The Palmetto Wristcuff pattern is one of many crochet jewelry patterns at my Vashti Brahahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14439436949166577608noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1665003348309503777.post-75570631916229007822011-10-30T17:56:00.003-04:002018-10-15T17:27:52.498-04:00Slip Stitch Short Rows: Basic Tutorial
The first row along the bottom is the longest (24 sts).
Each "row" or "rib" of slip stitches is really 2 rows.
The top row pair is the shortest (3 sts).
There's more than one way to crochet short rows. Click here: free crochet pattern -- for a scarf that uses the method that I'll describe here.
The stitch matters. I'm really enjoying using slip stitches worked in the back Vashti Brahahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14439436949166577608noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1665003348309503777.post-23597983244095176382011-08-15T17:32:00.005-04:002018-10-15T17:47:56.780-04:00Try a Linked Stitch to Close the Gap Between a Turning Chain and Double Crochet Stitch
No Gaps Along the Sides of Double Crochet Rows
Crocheters who don't like that gap or hole that happens at the start of every row of double crochet stitches {UK: treble} have developed their own favorite ways to lessen or eliminate it. These handy tricks tend to get buried in crochet books, if they are mentioned at all. It was also not so easy for me to find them around the 'net. For more, Vashti Brahahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14439436949166577608noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1665003348309503777.post-46891902843774820912011-06-27T18:51:00.002-04:002018-10-15T18:33:10.185-04:00Crocheting a Triangular Shawl Point-to-Point
The Ennis Shawl pattern was first published inInterweave Crochet Magazine
I've published two crochet patterns so far of triangular shawls and scarves that are crocheted from one point to the other, and I have at least five more on the way. [Update: I'm up to eleven as of 2018]
I'm a big fan of this way to crochet a "baktus"-style (wide, shallow triangular scarf) and Vashti Brahahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14439436949166577608noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1665003348309503777.post-59767401241967875492011-06-23T22:18:00.004-04:002018-10-17T13:37:50.485-04:00Knots in Yarn: OptionsOften, a skein of yarn comes from the mill packing a surprise: knots with the ends trimmed too close. The occasional mill-tied knot is a necessary evil of the yarn spinning process, and can really cause problems while crocheting or knitting, especially if the yarn is slippery or the stitches are lacy or loose.
Good News! I've published Ennis, with a chart too.
I encountered this most Vashti Brahahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14439436949166577608noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1665003348309503777.post-11518450638242226202011-05-13T18:22:00.058-04:002018-10-17T14:25:10.061-04:00Which Foundation Stitch? and Why?I researched 43 crochet stitch dictionaries and basic crochet how-to books to find out more about crochet foundation stitches (alternatives to starting a crochet project with a foundation chain). For a 2014 update, scroll to the end of this post.
Top to Bottom: Double Chain (dch); "Foundation Slip Stitch" (fslst); Foundation Single Crochet (fsc)
You can read a summary of this research in myVashti Brahahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14439436949166577608noreply@blogger.com32tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1665003348309503777.post-65053753615618769782011-05-11T13:51:00.004-04:002018-10-17T14:50:55.914-04:00How to Make A Bead-Stringing Needle (& Why)
Story of the Aquamarine Réclamé Lariat, blogged.
Some of the prettiest beads have tiny bead holes! What is a bead crocheter to do? A do-it-yourself beading needle worked the best when I wanted to use aquamarine beads for a Trailing Vine Lariat.
Gem chip beads usually have highly irregular bead holes in size and shape. I wanted to string them onto a strong size #20 crochet thread, and Vashti Brahahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14439436949166577608noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1665003348309503777.post-40086281777045131972011-04-08T20:30:00.002-04:002018-10-17T15:28:40.928-04:00Five Basic Rules in Tunisian Crochet Patterns
2018 Update: I revised this popular post and created a permanent page for it at my new website.
Eilanner is a fancier variation of the Islander Wrap.
Both are exceptions to Rule #2 below!
Test yourself time! Below is my list of the top five rules in Tunisian crochet.
Why? Because:
Standards in Tunisian crochet pattern writing are less developed than non-Tunisian crochet standards. I hadn't Vashti Brahahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14439436949166577608noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1665003348309503777.post-2137818049587489232011-03-30T17:20:00.001-04:002018-10-17T15:55:08.371-04:00How to Take Control of Double Crochet Stitch Height & Row Gauge
A Taller Double Crochet has Advantages.
Lovelace Ring Scarf (before seaming). Taller edge stitches
smooth out the sides of this scarf, and preserve the geometric
look of the love knots.
Getting Row Gauge
Taller double crochets could be the solution to matching the row gauge required for a project (a common and pesky problem).
I first saw this advantage Vashti Brahahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14439436949166577608noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1665003348309503777.post-40006814564918360662011-02-10T15:01:00.003-05:002018-10-17T16:49:19.150-04:00That Tricky Half Double Crochet Stitch (hdc)
The Half Double crochet stitch (HDC) is known as the Half Treble in the UK and Australia.
Do you love this stitch too? These four designs make good use of it:
L to R: Orbit Cowl, Half Double Handbag, Bling Bam Bangle for beginners, and Pallas.
Come to think of it, so does the Buffalo Knot Belt!
2018 Update: New crocheters learn how to do the HDC stitch very early on, so it's really Vashti Brahahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14439436949166577608noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1665003348309503777.post-24937892476747967272010-12-16T00:19:00.001-05:002018-09-21T18:14:25.382-04:00Tunisian Crochet Basics: How to End a Forward PassI use this abbreviation in my Tunisian crochet patterns: endTss. It stands for "ending Tunisian simple stitch." If you are crocheting right-handed, this would be the stitch found along the left edge (and this is reversed if you're left handed).
"Burly" Men's Scarf in Tunisian Simple Stitch
In pattern-writing language endTss is one of several ways to say, "Work the last stitch of each forward Vashti Brahahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14439436949166577608noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1665003348309503777.post-48823831830649456902010-11-21T12:23:00.003-05:002018-10-17T16:57:36.813-04:00Dimensional Fabric Paint for Crochet Projects
School Teacher's "Gallon Friend"
'Melted Chocolate' Coffee Cozy
Dimensional fabric paint, also referred to as 3-D fabric paint, comes in a full rainbow of shiny, glittery, iridescent, and matte colors.
I've found that fabric paint is very useful for certain crochet projects.
With fabric paint you can:
Use on slipper soles for traction
Reinforce edges (fabric paint is waterproof and Vashti Brahahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14439436949166577608noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1665003348309503777.post-36981426405333753182010-09-01T18:04:00.003-04:002018-10-17T17:09:52.398-04:00Plying and Spinning Cotton Crochet Thread2018 Update: For issue #91 of my crochet newsletter I distilled a lot of my thinking, experiences, and other information about the twist of yarn. Twist—the amount of it and the direction of it—is one of the things that makes crochet thread feel and behave so differently from yarn. Even from lace weight yarn.
An image from Issue 91: Crocheting a Yarn's Twist Energy
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[Vashti Brahahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14439436949166577608noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1665003348309503777.post-21500860455467994162010-08-10T16:22:00.031-04:002018-10-17T18:46:18.876-04:00Cotton Crochet Thread Sizes & EquivalentsHere's how I explain the thread weights in my crochet jewelry patterns, in order of thick thread to thin, with US, UK and AUS terms:
Irish Pearl Cords L to R: Size #5 Lanaknits Hemp, Size #10 Cebelia, and Size #20 Opera threads.
Size #3 crochet thread is fairly equivalent in thickness to CYCA #2 Fine or US "sport weight" yarns {UK Light DK, AUS 5 Ply}; however, yarns don't necessarily behave Vashti Brahahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14439436949166577608noreply@blogger.com32tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1665003348309503777.post-61302252009976397962010-07-17T15:53:00.004-04:002018-10-22T19:50:15.393-04:00Crochet Picots You Can Love
Cute picots border every edge of the Liebling Shrug.
A picot is a decorative little bump of crochet stitches that adds just the right touch to many kinds of crochet projects, often as a finished edge. It's smaller than a bobble, puff, or cluster; ideally it's a cozy little knot that's "cute as a button."
Check out the cute bowtie picots along this shoulder seam!
I've heard many Vashti Brahahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14439436949166577608noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1665003348309503777.post-88019200949854081252010-06-16T18:53:00.004-04:002018-10-22T20:50:28.841-04:00Choosing Cotton Thread for Crochet Jewelry
Four Mermaid Chains, four brands of crochet thread!Top right and bottom left corner is #10 Opera thread. See a lovely variegated #20 Lizbeth one.
I have a handsome stash of a fine quality cotton crochet thread called Opera, ranging in sizes from #5 (approaching "fingering" weight") to #30.
The larger the number, the thinner the thread. Size #30 might look like sewing thread to some Vashti Brahahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14439436949166577608noreply@blogger.com9