tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16650033483095037772012-02-01T12:39:59.519-05:00All 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.comBlogger241100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1665003348309503777.post-33452465695674906422012-01-31T18:14:00.004-05:002012-01-31T18:26:00.692-05:00

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 new pink one, above, looks like aloe vera plants when the spike stitches point upward. (Crochet jewelry pattern pdf for the Palmetto Wristcuff is downloadable at my DesigningVashti

Vashti Brahahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14439436949166577608noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1665003348309503777.post-75570631916229007822011-10-30T17:56:00.003-04:002011-11-01T11:39:40.239-04:00

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 loop. It's also

Vashti Brahahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14439436949166577608noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1665003348309503777.post-23597983244095176382011-08-15T17:32:00.005-04:002011-08-19T11:19:39.363-04:00

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.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1665003348309503777.post-46891902843774820912011-06-27T18:51:00.002-04:002011-06-29T22:18:55.336-04:00

Frostflakes: See the straight  edge, worked even? 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.  Islander: Its long narrow corners can be easily tied I'm a big fan of this way to crochet a "baktus"-style scarf and other triangular wraps. I'm writing this blog post for the

Vashti Brahahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14439436949166577608noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1665003348309503777.post-59767401241967875492011-06-23T22:18:00.004-04:002011-06-23T22:32:19.025-04:00

Often, 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. I'm currently calling this prototype "Quartz" I encountered this most recently

Vashti Brahahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14439436949166577608noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1665003348309503777.post-11518450638242226202011-05-13T18:22:00.058-04:002011-05-15T14:30:42.604-04:00

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).  Top to Bottom: Double Chain (dch); "Foundation Slip Stitch" (fslst); Foundation Single Crochet (fsc) You can read a summary of this research in my Crochet Inspirations Newsletter issue #18, "Deep

Vashti Brahahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14439436949166577608noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1665003348309503777.post-65053753615618769782011-05-11T13:51:00.004-04:002011-05-11T15:11:22.885-04:00

My DIY Needle Got These Strung 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. (The downloadable crochet jewelry pattern is here, and I blogged the story of it here). Gem chip beads usually have highly irregular bead holes, in size and shape. I

Vashti Brahahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14439436949166577608noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1665003348309503777.post-40086281777045131972011-04-08T20:30:00.002-04:002011-04-16T16:01:13.446-04:00

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 noticed this until I began publishing my own Tunisian crochet patterns. For non-Tunisian crochet, I head over to the industry's official yarnstandards.com and usually find everything I need,

Vashti Brahahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14439436949166577608noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1665003348309503777.post-2137818049587489232011-03-30T17:20:00.001-04:002011-03-31T10:51:35.726-04:00

Did you know that when beginning a double crochet stitch ("dc" or in UK, "tr"), some crocheters pull their loop up higher than other crocheters do?  This causes the final stitch height to vary. This means that the row gauge (number of rows per inch) can vary from one crocheter to another, even if they have the same stitch gauge (number of stitches per inch). A taller double crochet has

Vashti Brahahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14439436949166577608noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1665003348309503777.post-40006814564918360662011-02-10T15:01:00.003-05:002011-02-10T16:19:32.315-05:00

The Half Double crochet stitch (HDC) is known as the Half Treble in the UK and Australia. The last HDC of a row can fool an unsuspecting crocheter. When this happens, the stitch count of a row is accidentally increased or decreased, and uneven edges result. Here are four photos of HDC stitches. In the first one, how many more HDC do I need to complete the row? a) Two b) Three c) Four If you

Vashti Brahahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14439436949166577608noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1665003348309503777.post-24937892476747967272010-12-16T00:19:00.001-05:002010-12-16T00:20:16.285-05:00

I 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. "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 pass the usual standard recommended way."

Vashti Brahahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14439436949166577608noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1665003348309503777.post-48823831830649456902010-11-21T12:23:00.003-05:002010-11-21T15:28:15.552-05:00

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. Valentine (Ravelry Project page) With fabric paint you can: Use on slipper soles for traction Reinforce edges

Vashti Brahahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14439436949166577608noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1665003348309503777.post-36981426405333753182010-09-01T18:04:00.003-04:002011-10-15T12:09:16.728-04:00

This blog post is a work in progress; I'm collecting here the notes I've written on this over the years and will eventually polish it up into a real post. For now, it serves as a place to help crocheters choose the best yarns or threads for my crochet patterns. It's also a way to appreciate the key differences between what we call "yarn" vs "thread." Cotton crochet thread of the same thickness

Vashti Brahahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14439436949166577608noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1665003348309503777.post-21500860455467994162010-08-10T16:22:00.031-04:002010-09-10T17:58:16.450-04:00

Here'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: 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 like a cotton crochet thread of the same thickness. Jewelry patterns often require crochet thread

Vashti Brahahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14439436949166577608noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1665003348309503777.post-61302252009976397962010-07-17T15:53:00.004-04:002010-07-19T01:29:54.730-04:00

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." (in photo above, cute picots border every edge of the Liebling Shrug, a crochet pattern pdf coming soon to www.designingvashti.com ) I've heard

Vashti Brahahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14439436949166577608noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1665003348309503777.post-88019200949854081252010-06-16T18:53:00.004-04:002011-04-28T15:38:07.905-04:00

I have a handsome stash of a fine quality cotton crochet thread called Opera, ranging in sizes from #5 (approaching "fingering" weight") to #30 (might look like sewing thread to some folks, but sewing thread is more like a size #100 or #120). I use it mostly for crocheting jewelry. Because of the quality of its cotton fiber, higher twist and smooth finish, the jewelry I've made with it stays

Vashti Brahahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14439436949166577608noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1665003348309503777.post-50639288955531968262010-04-02T11:13:00.005-04:002011-08-20T18:49:12.066-04:00

I keep this list of standard necklace lengths handy when I write crochet jewelry patterns: Collar: 12" - 13" Satin Pillows is opera length; via Ravelry          (30.5cm - 33cm) Choker: 14" - 16"          (36.5cm - 41.5cm) Princess: 17" - 19"          (43cm - 48cm) Matinee: 20" - 24"          (51cm - 61cm) Opera: 25" - 34"          (64.5cm - 87.5cm) Rope: 35" - 44"          (89cm - 112cm)

Vashti Brahahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14439436949166577608noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1665003348309503777.post-88318113806472926422010-03-21T12:25:00.004-04:002010-07-17T22:44:10.394-04:00

Learning how to let your crochet hook determine your stitch gauge is possibly the most valuable skill a crocheter could develop.  Why? It breaks a common habit that crocheters traditionally fall into: making their chains and slip stitches tighter than their other stitches, regardless of their hook size. Sometimes the crocheter simply crochets much more tightly or loosely no matter what

Vashti Brahahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14439436949166577608noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1665003348309503777.post-73772497798023065032010-03-09T13:18:00.015-05:002010-08-02T18:01:31.064-04:00

I'm going to describe a "finishing technique" but I don't wait until the end of a project to do it. It is usually called "blocking" but there are actually many kinds of blocking. I'm talking about the Power of Mist. Not steam, not water, not a special soaking liquid, just low-tech plain cool water mist! Photos: before and after simply misting with water.   The designers I know who understand

Vashti Brahahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14439436949166577608noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1665003348309503777.post-41178702876287179692010-03-01T10:52:00.090-05:002010-03-05T13:30:02.398-05:00

I want a coffee cozy that fits just right: one that improves my grip on a full cup of steaming hot java. If it doesn't fit the cup snugly, it slides around and interferes with a secure grip. If a cozy is too cozy, however, it's tricky to slip onto a full cup without splashing oneself. This is why my crochet coffee cozy patterns tend to include exacting instructions for the foundation rows.   

Vashti Brahahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14439436949166577608noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1665003348309503777.post-77406593573922048662010-02-27T00:50:00.003-05:002010-03-09T12:13:18.386-05:00

I knew of only one kind of slip knot when I learned how to crochet at the age of nine. Many years passed before I learned that there are actually two kinds from a crocheter's point of view. I call them adjustable (blue one in photo) versus locking or secure (the red one). It used to be that all of my slip knots were adjustable by accident, now they are all secure on purpose! See video links at

Vashti Brahahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14439436949166577608noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1665003348309503777.post-39134931061987176172010-02-26T23:24:00.006-05:002010-02-27T23:48:57.415-05:00

Even if you've been crocheting with wire for a long time, your stitches are likely to look loose and irregular. There’s also no way that your stitches can look neat, even, and flat while you’re gripping it to work the stitches. It doesn't matter! When you're done, you can "block" your stitches by poking and pulling individual strands into place with your hook. Here are some more tips if you're

Vashti Brahahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14439436949166577608noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1665003348309503777.post-66190072978747264152010-02-23T12:15:00.003-05:002010-02-27T23:22:31.989-05:00

Take a striking pendant, crochet a pretty cord, easy instant style, right? Well, it's almost that easy. Pendants and crochet can have compatibility issues. I design a lot of pendant necklaces and lariats and have run into some garden-variety snags. Here is some advice to help ensure that you will be happy with your new necklace. Crochet jewelry materials, such as pendants, beads, string-like

Vashti Brahahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14439436949166577608noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1665003348309503777.post-37112405601328002802010-02-22T17:09:00.005-05:002010-07-21T15:20:06.437-04:00

I first wrote these tips for a pattern called "Barbed Wire Belt," which was published in a Straight From Today's Designers design compilation called Crochet Belts From the Hip. In the meantime, more crochet patterns are coming that also use Jelly Yarn(tm) because I cannot resist its siren song. You can put these tips to use right away if you already have some of this unique yarn at home. (

Vashti Brahahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14439436949166577608noreply@blogger.com1