The Ideas Behind Crochet Patterns

Author: Andy Palmer

Every year the fashions change, but the colours are always on the same cycles. Spring and summer calls for bright and fresh colours while autumn and winter normally cries out for browns and blacks and all darker tones.

With new fashions, certain accessories change that boom into new crazes. One of these new crazes is crochet patterns. Remember the first time around crochet patterns were just for coasters and teapot covers.

Forget the old school patterns for curtains, or table mats and even coasters. Fashion is all about imagination and being able to look good and set a trend. This way is cheap and easy, it allows simple patterns to be transformed into great looks.

Ideas for a simple crochet pattern could be perfect as some detailing on a plain pair of jeans, to give an independent and imaginative look that no one else has. Using the colours in fashion, a crochet pattern could make a great, pretty handbag that you can change with the seasons. Why not finish off the outfit by crocheting a flower onto a jacket to give that final detail.

Patterns may come in different sizes and shapes, depending on what you want to use them for. Sometimes the crochet patterns will be in the form of animals or flags. For the more patriotic amongst us, colours can be matched with the yarn for the desired effect.

If you want crochet patterns there are so many out there, in magazines and online. There are thousands of designs available, but by using your own imagination you will come across great unique patterns that no one else has.

Look for free gifts with eBook purchases and links to patterns that could also be of interest to the novice or experienced crocheter.

It's not only women who can benefit from crochet patterns, in tough times there are many designs for children's clothes and designs for men as well. Why not individualize yourself by using a pattern for hats, gloves and scarves for the winter and light jackets in the summer? Men can use patterns for patches on jacket arms or starting a new trend on bike jackets and bowling shirts for example.

There are vintage patterns available for women in the form of scarves, capes and coats for independent fashion in the colder months.

Making a crochet pattern can be quite easy if you have basic knowledge of crocheting and the stitches that make different patterns. After that all that is needed to complete the item is the yarn and correct size hook for the design you want to portray.

To make your own crochet pattern it may be a good idea to draw it out on paper first. Once the layout is complete you can take the pattern to a local yarn shop for advice on the ideal yarn and perfect colours. Make sure you get the right weight of yarn as this will determine if the item is expandable or not.

If you are new to crochet, if is worth trying some already completed patterns before trying your own, to get a feel for the yarn thickness and weight, before moving onto more advanced designs and making patterns for yourself.

The most productive way to learn pattern techniques are through books and can be found on the internet at good prices and sometimes even free!

These sources show the designs and stitches involved and how to do it so anyone can catch on with a little practice.

There are still plenty of patterns to be found in charity shops and at shopping malls. Speciality shops normally have a good collection of designs. Try going into the shop and picking up a made piece to feel the weight and texture before purchasing the pattern. This will help you when you get home and start crocheting yourself.

Remember those coasters and table mats from earlier? Why not turn those into a fashion statement? These can be used for everyday wear and turned into all sorts of fashion items; just use your imagination! Why buy it from the shops when you can do it yourself without leaving your home, and for half the price at home?

Yes, I'm not pretending that using crochet patterns and learning a new hobby is quick and easy, but all your hard work will definitely pay off when you are complimented on your individual style. No one else will ever have the same look, even if they use the same pattern as each piece is totally unique. With a little imagination and able hands the opportunities for fashion are endless!

Crochet patterns and designs don't always have to be brand new, Vintage patterns have recently come back into fashion and can be used for any season using lighter yarn and colour for the summer and not forgetting darker and heavier yarns for the winter. That said who am I to say when and how you should wear your crocheted items?

About the Author:
Have fun with crochet and if you need help learning this skill go to http://www.SimpleWayToCrochet.com for an EBook on how it's done and receive 6 free vintage patterns when you purchase it.

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - The Ideas Behind Crochet Patterns

Creative Independence

Author: Simon Rand

I've always been stubborn. When I was a young child, my favorite phrase was "Me do it," and I've only become more determined with age.

I'm also a former scholar. So when I decided to seriously play with fiber, I set out to read everything I could find about it. I started out with teddy bears, moved on to quilts and then crazy quilts, then to embroidery and needlepoint, then to Kaffe Fassett, then to knitting, and then to crochet.

I fell madly in love with crochet for three years, until my wrist gave out. (But, fortunately, it's finally starting to recover.) By then I was spinning wild yarn on a drop spindle, and since spinning is usually discussed with weaving, I found myself playing on simple frame looms. Although I'm not promiscuous, I now love spinning and weaving as much as I love crochet.

I couldn't have done any of this without my beloved books and magazines. Except for a few needlepoint classes and a crochet conference, I've learned just about everything I know from print and three videotapes.

About being taught...Before falling in love with yarn, I was an impassioned schoolteacher. I've spent some of the best times of my life in a classroom, usually as a teacher and occasionally as a student.

But the trouble with schools and classrooms is that they are inherently conservative. They exist to pass on previous knowledge, and they are also used, sometimes quite viciously, to socialize students. Unless the teacher is truly remarkable, students learn either to think like the teacher or to rebel like the other rebels.

The same holds true for less formal fiber classes. The woman who taught those needlepoint classes taught to make us dependent. We each bought a different painted canvas, and then she would choose the fiber and tell us what stitch to put in what place. No stitch guides, no discussion of design, not even a mention of needlepoint's glorious history--just "Do this here."

The crochet conference was a lot more fun. What could be better than spending a three-day weekend with hundreds of other people who share your obsession? I also had the very great pleasure of spending all of my class time with the brilliant British crocheters, Sylvia Cosh and James Walters. They are two of the remarkable teachers I talked about earlier--although they teach the techniques they've developed, they also gently encourage individual experimentation. Just looking at their work up close was enough to send me home inspired!

But this was a conference sponsored by a guild, and the officers held tightly to their party line. They wanted to quickly move crochet into professional and artistic territory, but since I'm a populist at heart, I wanted to decrease the competition and increase the celebration of everyone's work. When I dared to say so publicly, I earned the president's undying enmity.

Don't get me wrong--I think professionalism is admirable and artistic growth is sublime. But I also think competition is brutal, and I'd hoped that a modern guild would want to encourage and celebrate all of its members.

I should have known better. Groups are also inherently conservative and exist to further the interests of the people who run them.

Creative independence is partly conservative, too, because we all draw on the past to learn skills. Many of us also delve into the histories of the crafts we love to discover the work of our foremothers.

But we become creatively independent when we absorb as much as we can and then move on to develop our own ways of working. In the Spring, l998, issue of Interweave Knits, Linda Ligon writes about Peruvian and Bolivian knitters. In her wonderfully witty way, she says she's mystified by how the women knit so creatively, using virtually every known knitting technique to make strikingly beautiful and original pieces.

There's really no mystery, of course. These women are so thoroughly at home with knitting, so thoroughly skilled and confident, that it's second nature for them to knit the way they do.

Think about the great cooks you know. At one time they followed recipes, like the rest of us, and for many of them, reading cookbooks is a way of life. But they're so experienced that they're able to take a little of this and a little of that and come up with a delicious meal with very little effort.

Or so it seems...Because what we don't see is all the thinking that goes on. And this is the key--first we become so skilled that our technique is almost automatic, so we can then put most of our effort into thinking.

When I say "thinking," I'm actually talking about the creative process. It can be as quick as stir-frying a meal from leftovers or as complex as designing and sewing a quilt. What matters is not that we become Martha Stewart or Nancy Crow, but that we find an authentic way to express ourselves.

This is the joy of creative independence.

This is also a joy of being alive.

About the Author:

Cindy is a writer, teacher, coach and expert yarn and fabric enthusiasts. Her website is http://yarn-and-fabric.mustsee.info.

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - Creative Independence

How Can You Crochet Really, Really Fast? Plus What are the Ups and Down Sides of It?

Author: Amber Green

Hello crocheters,

When browsing through patterns and crochet web sites, I feel like crocheting very fast. In moments like this, I just want to pick up a hook and yarn and start crocheting the pattern I'm looking at, straight away. I'm sure you too would have felt the same sometime. This got me thinking if there really was a way to crochet faster.

Well, some people anyway work with the speed of light. Others are slow workers. What one can complete in an hour, another person may take one full day to crochet. What makes the difference, there are some things to be considered to crochet faster:

• Use stitches that add height to the project. For instance, a treble stitch adds more height compared to a single crochet. Using such stitches you can be done crocheting simple objects such as bags, afghans, dishcloths and scarves in no time. While the type of stitch chosen does not matter in some instances, using these stitches only with the aim of crocheting an article faster is not a bright idea. Lengthy stitches will also restrict the types of objects you can crochet in the sense that height-adding stitches may not be appropriate for small projects such as baby booties or amulet bags. Select the stitch wisely so it matches with the type of project.

• Use chunkier yarns. It takes ages to crochet something from fancy delicate thin yarns. Having said this, I'd also like to advise you to not feel restricted by thick yarns only. This way, you'll keep yourself away from the pleasure of crocheting dainty articles including doilies, bed covers, cushion covers and party bags.

• Try holding the hook and yarn in different ways until you determine the grip and style most comfortable for you. Don’t get hung up on the right technique you read in a book or on a web site. Discover what works for you.

• If you hold the yarn too tightly, loosening it a bit may help.

• Pay attention to the way you roll yarn into a ball, if you are one of those who prefer to buy skeins. Yarn wound too tightly will come off the ball with some difficulty adding minutes to the actual crochet process. Hold the yarn lightly when making a ball.

• Play some music. Without realizing it, we usually crochet or perform other activities according to the rhythm of the background music. The downside with playing music is that we tend to get too engrossed in the activity to take a break. Frequent long episodes of continuous crocheting can injure the hand muscles and other body parts. Read more about the importance of taking breaks when crocheting in another issue of this newsletter.

• Choose simple patterns, at least when you are beginner. Even advanced crocheters should avoid complicated patterns they are not sure about completing. This is so because intricate patterns usually generate more errors and therefore frequent unraveling. This not only spoils the yarn being used but also plays havoc with your confidence and enthusiasm.

• Concentrate more on getting the pattern accurate instead of crocheting it faster. Paying more attention to the time it takes to crochet an article increases the probability of errors thereby calling for repeated unraveling. Focusing however on accuracy reduces the chances of errors so you automatically end up finishing the project in time or ahead of time.

• Believe the saying, "Practice makes a man (read crocheter) perfect". As you crochet more and more, you will unknowingly become speedy at it.

Cheers!

About the Author:

Have you liked this article? To become a crochet superstar and keep up to date on the latest crochet tips and trick, sign up to Amber Green’s newsletter and get a crochet design guide worth $19.95, absolutely free.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/needlework-articles/how-can-you-crochet-really-really-fast-plus-what-are-the-ups-and-down-sides-of-it-668087.html

Bead Crochet

Author: Amber Green

Hello all crafty people,

So you are bored with regular crochet and want to add some zing to your craft? Have you tried bead crochet? It's the logical step with limitless options. Bead crochet gives you the opportunity to combine two crafts - crochet and beading. With bead crochet, you can experiment with the numerous gorgeous beads available and include them in your exquisite crocheted creations.

Seed beads go great with party bags, as trimmings, in laces, handkerchief borders, scarves and tassels. Make seed bead ropes to be used as handles in bags. I saw instructions for making seed bead ropes at http://www.beadline.com/crochet/crochet.html.

String beads in the crochet yarn before starting the pattern and use them randomly or in specific order to add bling to whatever it is you plan to crochet. When stringing beads in the yarn, take care of your posture. Try using big beads and avoid the super tiny seed beads if you have eye problems. String the beads in broad daylight or an appropriately lit room.

Beads are great to make intricately designed patterns such as http://crochet.about.com/library/weekly/aa121299.htm.

Bigger beads can be used in bag handles to add an interesting element in otherwise simple looking bags. They can also be used as tassels in caplets, scarves, caps and shawls.

Guidelines, tips and tricks about crocheting with beads are given at:

http://crochet.about.com/library/weekly/aa030197.htm

http://beadwork.about.com/library/weekly/aascratchcrochet.htm

http://www.beadwrangler.com/tips-crochet.htm

Go through beading related frequently asked questions (FAQs) at http://www.swallowhillcreations.com/FAQ.htm.

Links to bead crochet patterns are available at:

http://crochet.about.com/od/beadcrochet/Bead_Crochet_Crocheting_With_Beads.htm

http://home.inreach.com/marthac/beads.html

http://www.victoriancrochet.com/

http://www.crochetpatterncentral.com/directory/bead_crochet.php

Beads and crochet can be used to make wire crochet jewelry. Some beautiful patterns are shown on:

http://www.nezumiworld.com/crochet_011.htm

http://www.seafore.com/wire/wire.html

You can even go wild making bead crochet animals with help from http://www.beadcrochet.com/. The site also has a video to help visitors learn the technique.

Those who feel comfortable learning from a book can go to http://www.amazon.com/Bead-Crochet-Beadwork-How-Book/dp/193149942X and look at the beadwork how to book.

I guess you have enough material to keep you going. Happy beading.

About the Author:

Have you liked this article? To become a crochet superstar and keep up to date on the latest crochet tips and trick, sign up to Amber Green’s newsletter and get a crochet design guide worth $19.95, absolutely free.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/needlework-articles/bead-crochet-668079.html

Basic Instructions for Beginning Crochet

Author: Sherry Frewerd

Crochet is a popular craft around the world. For thousands of years, people have used the art of crochet to create lace and fabrics to use on their garments and to sell to others. Crocheted items were a sign of wealth and prestige.





With the age of the industrial revolution came the mass production of crocheted materials and fabrics, making owning them affordable for anyone, not just the wealthy. As such, crocheted garments became more and more popular worldwide.





These days, crochet is the hobby and craft of many people. There are lots of different arts and crafts as well as, clothing, garments and household items that can be created by means of crochet. Crochet is so easy to learn; practically anyone can do it, making it easy to learn a new skill. Advances in yarn and fiber making technology have provided new and interesting materials for crochet and other needle crafts.





So, since you're obviously interested in what it takes to start crocheting as a hobby, here are some basic initial steps to help you get going with learning to crochet.





Get Your Supplies Together. You'll simply need a crochet hook, yarn, a pair of scissors and a large eye needle.





Properly Holding the Crochet Hook. Hold your needle in whichever hand you use to write with. Create a simple slip knot and put it over the end of the hook.





Start Making a Continuous Stitch. Hook the yarn and bring it to the top of the hook and pull through the slip knot. Continue making this chain.





Work Your Way Up the Chain. Move up the chain allowing the first chain stitch to knot on the hook. This allows the yarn to stay in place and not loosen. It is generally a good idea to make this first knot tight rather than loose.





Make Two Loops. Insert your crochet hook into the hole of the next chain stitch and slide the passing yarn through its center.





Bring the Yarn Back. Bring your yarn back on the hook from back to front and slide your knot in the center of the loops which you have already created on the crochet hook.





Make Some Rows. From your second yarn loop, make another single chain stitch and make a counter-clockwise loop. Start again and create the same loops as the previous stitches. Continue this basic crochet technique until you have a swatch of fabric. Once you have completed a swatch of fabric, it is time to remove it from your ball of yarn. Cut it with about a 6" tail left at the end.





Fasten to Prevent Unraveling. Bring your tail of yarn back through the last stitch to fasten it and then cut the excess.





By using these easy tips and steps, you can achieve your goal of learning to crochet with ease. You'll be able to start and complete your first crochet project and feel a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction. Just as with any new skill, you'll need to find the proper supplies, materials and instruction before you begin, but with time and patience you'll become skilled at the art of crochet.

About the Author:

Learn more about crafting and find free patterns for crochet and all sorts of craft projects at 'Free Craft Ideas' http://freecraftideas.homestead.com . Find all of the free clip art you need for scrapbooking and other craft projects at 'Free Baby and Kids Clip Art' http://freebabyandkidsclipart.homestead.com

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/hobbies-articles/basic-instructions-for-beginning-crochet-383979.html

The Ideas Behind Crochet Patterns

Author: Andy Palmer

Every year the fashions change, but the colours are always on the same cycles. Spring and summer calls for bright and fresh colours while autumn and winter normally cries out for browns and blacks and all darker tones.

With new fashions, certain accessories change that boom into new crazes. One of these new crazes is crochet patterns. Remember the first time around crochet patterns were just for coasters and teapot covers.



Forget the old school patterns for curtains, or table mats and even coasters. Fashion is all about imagination and being able to look good and set a trend. This way is cheap and easy, it allows simple patterns to be transformed into great looks.



Ideas for a simple crochet pattern could be perfect as some detailing on a plain pair of jeans, to give an independent and imaginative look that no one else has. Using the colours in fashion, a crochet pattern could make a great, pretty handbag that you can change with the seasons. Why not finish off the outfit by crocheting a flower onto a jacket to give that final detail.



Patterns may come in different sizes and shapes, depending on what you want to use them for. Sometimes the crochet patterns will be in the form of animals or flags. For the more patriotic amongst us, colours can be matched with the yarn for the desired effect.

If you want crochet patterns there are so many out there, in magazines and online. There are thousands of designs available, but by using your own imagination you will come across great unique patterns that no one else has.



Look for free gifts with eBook purchases and links to patterns that could also be of interest to the novice or experienced crocheter.



It's not only women who can benefit from crochet patterns, in tough times there are many designs for children's clothes and designs for men as well. Why not individualize yourself by using a pattern for hats, gloves and scarves for the winter and light jackets in the summer? Men can use patterns for patches on jacket arms or starting a new trend on bike jackets and bowling shirts for example.



There are vintage patterns available for women in the form of scarves, capes and coats for independent fashion in the colder months.

Making a crochet pattern can be quite easy if you have basic knowledge of crocheting and the stitches that make different patterns. After that all that is needed to complete the item is the yarn and correct size hook for the design you want to portray.



To make your own crochet pattern it may be a good idea to draw it out on paper first. Once the layout is complete you can take the pattern to a local yarn shop for advice on the ideal yarn and perfect colours. Make sure you get the right weight of yarn as this will determine if the item is expandable or not.



If you are new to crochet, if is worth trying some already completed patterns before trying your own, to get a feel for the yarn thickness and weight, before moving onto more advanced designs and making patterns for yourself.



The most productive way to learn pattern techniques are through books and can be found on the internet at good prices and sometimes even free!

These sources show the designs and stitches involved and how to do it so anyone can catch on with a little practice.



There are still plenty of patterns to be found in charity shops and at shopping malls. Speciality shops normally have a good collection of designs. Try going into the shop and picking up a made piece to feel the weight and texture before purchasing the pattern. This will help you when you get home and start crocheting yourself.



Remember those coasters and table mats from earlier? Why not turn those into a fashion statement? These can be used for everyday wear and turned into all sorts of fashion items; just use your imagination! Why buy it from the shops when you can do it yourself without leaving your home, and for half the price at home?



Yes, I'm not pretending that using crochet patterns and learning a new hobby is quick and easy, but all your hard work will definitely pay off when you are complimented on your individual style. No one else will ever have the same look, even if they use the same pattern as each piece is totally unique. With a little imagination and able hands the opportunities for fashion are endless!



Crochet patterns and designs don't always have to be brand new, Vintage patterns have recently come back into fashion and can be used for any season using lighter yarn and colour for the summer and not forgetting darker and heavier yarns for the winter. That said who am I to say when and how you should wear your crocheted items?

About the Author:
Have fun with crochet and if you need help learning this skill go to http://www.SimpleWayToCrochet.com for an EBook on how it's done and receive 6 free vintage patterns when you purchase it.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/art-and-entertainment-articles/the-ideas-behind-crochet-patterns-844135.html

What is a Crochet Wedding Dress?

Author: matt q may, Sr.
To order a crochet wedding dress, you have to understand that the wedding dress must be ordered well in advance of the wedding because adequate time must be given for the dress to be finished by the wedding date. The length of time that it takes to make your dress will depend on how many workers will be creating your dress.



Pre-Order Dresses Well In Advance Of Wedding



You may also order dresses that are already made such as an antique crochet wedding dress or through outlets that offer pre-made crochet wedding dresses. It is this handcrafted aspect of this wedding dress that adds much value to it as a family heirloom. Many crochet wedding dresses are passed through the family and are prized possessions.



Accessories



You can accessorize your crochet wedding dress with a crocheted headpiece with a crocheted veil, which should be created from lightweight thread to avoid a veil that is too heavy. Organza or tulles also look nice for veils that have been worked with crochet around the edges. You can accessorize in the style that were originally worn with the antique Irish crochet wedding dress or you can accessorize your dress with whatever suits your personal style and the design of the dress.



If you do not plan to wear a veil, why not wear roses or other flowers in your hair. Instead of natural flowers, you could wear crocheted, crystal or pearl flowers shaped accessories in your hair. Although, crocheted fabrics can be very dainty despite being hand worked, the fabric still has a bit of bulk that must be matched with the accessories you choose to match your wedding dress.



Dress Styles



Your crochet wedding dress can be in any style that you want for a wedding dress provided that if you want to have a full skirt, your under skirting will have to be stiff enough to hold the crochet fabric out. Wedding crochet dresses were at the top of their game when Irish crocheting skills were in demand during the late 1800s. A few specimens of the antique Irish crocheted wedding dresses that were made during that time still exist and can be viewed in some museums.



Your choice of a crochet wedding dress is a choice of great traditions and new styling. The great thing about crocheted dresses is that you can create a dress that can fit you perfectly and can be customized down to the tiniest detail.About the Author:

Read more about Crochet Wedding Dress here!

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/marriage-articles/what-is-a-crochet-wedding-dress-457989.html

When I made my first crochet blanket!

I had no idea just how time consuming it was going to be. It took up most of my day just to achieve a 22" x 22" square. It was yellow, white and lime double knit wool. I used a 3.50 needle. I was so chuffed with making it, I took on a much bigger project which I will tell you about at a later stage.

My white, yellow and lime green blanket was an experiment to say the least. I needed to brush up on my crochet skills and also see if I could achieve my goals. I have this tendency to start something and not quite finish it, so I had to finish it. It was a must... I persevered and I finally finished it with a scallop shell edge.

I decided that that blanket was ideal for a pram blanket or pushchair. So I went onto ebay and tried to sell it.... for the price of the wool. This however did not go so well and it was up there for ages.... Finally, someone decided to buy it. I actually got more for it than I expected and that drove me on to make more than just a pram blanket.

In doing the blanket, I learnt how to do other variations of stitches and patterns, so that I could create something unique. As you can probably guess, my first pattern that I learned by doing the blanket was the scallop edging. I found techniques of this on youtube. The woman that I was watching on the video, I recognised her accent to be South African. That made me smile, because I myself lived in South Africa. I have the same accent.

So for anyone out there that is creative and doesn't really want to compete too much with the commercial sector. I suggest you find yourself a nice quiet hobby which can bring you pleasure, self esteem and confidence. It will also make your bank balance grow, ever so slightly, but just enough to help you buy the next projects' materials.