Andy Palmer asked:


There is some conjecture over the origins of Crochet. Some believe that is was started in the Far East, The Middle East or countries in South America. The reason for this belief is only down to historians believing this to be the case.

After all there doesn’t seem to be any physical evidence of Crochet for example in the form of a Crochet hook. The historians try to explain this away by saying that early forms of Crochet were fashioned using just a bent finger! I’m not sure you could keep that up for any length of time.
Crochet became more popular in 1800 in countries like America and Britain. This was due to the fact that cotton prices were dropping and it was easier to produce crochet products as opposed to their lace counterparts.

Obviously with prices dropping, factory owners looked at other ways to make money and this would result in the crochet workers earning very little. This in turn led some of the workers to a life of prostitution.

In Ireland and France the crochet industry was thriving. Families made and sold products for money, mainly to the more affluent middle class. Unfortunately a crochet product became synonymous with common folk as it was viewed as a cheap cousin compared to lace. However some members of the higher classes bucked this idea. Even Queen Victoria learnt how to crochet.

Now we fast forward to the 1900s where the hooks were now being made of more durable materials and arts and crafts were becoming more main stream. Mothers and daughters would spend their free time designing and making a whole array of crochet items. From blankets to place mats.

Nowadays there exists a whole range of different coloured threads, cottons and hooks to help any would-be crochet expert learn how to do it.

It is generally agreed that the first technique anyone should learn is how to make a pattern row and to be able to perform single stitch crocheting.

1) The equipment you need to start with may consist of:

a. Size G Crochet Hook

b. Small scissors

c. Worsted-weight yarn in what colour you choose

d. Large eyed yarn needle

2) Create a slipped knot on the hook.

3) Now slide the hooked yarn to the slipknot of the hook. This will create a chain of stitches. Now bring back the yarn to the top of the hook and make the thread go into the hook and then grab the slip knot of the hook.

4) By passing on the first chain stitch allows the knot to be hooked securely on the knot of the thread. By doing this will hold the thread in place and it will not become loose. The tighter the knot the easier it is to create a chain stitch.

5) Insert the hook in the hole of the next chain stitch and pass the yarn through the centre of the 2nd chain stitch going to the upper part of the hook. You should have created 2 loops on the hook now.

6) Bring the yarn from back to front and slide the knot between the loops.

7) From the second loop create another chain stitch to make an anti clockwise loop. This keeps the hook in the chain stitches and allows you to create rows using the loops from previous rows.

You have to create a single crochet stitch in the first loop. Make sure it is tight before moving to the following loop and it is imperative to create the hook on the last stitch or the stitches won’t hold their places.

Your job is nearly finished. Now cut off the excess but make sure you have 6 inches of thread on the last chain stitch. This allows you to slide the hook up to the upper parts of the loops to bring it down to the last loops.

This may seem really hard when you first try, but as they say; practice makes perfect!



DEVIN

Andy Palmer asked:


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?



ED

Andy Palmer asked:


There are so many different methods of crocheting an individual product. Every method should be changed according to each type of crochet item to be made. Any pattern will have the details and instructions needed to make the perfect crochet item. Although crochet needs a lot of patience to finish a particular pattern, it is a hand worked item that is totally individual.

A Word of advice is to choose a type of pattern that corresponds to the skill level you hold for crocheting, otherwise you may feel overwhelmed and it may put you off trying anything else in the future. Don’t be put off as there are plenty of places that have basic diagrams and instructions for beginners.

Below are some simple steps for beginners when learning to crochet;

1. First and foremost make sure that you have the correct tools for the job so you can crochet an item. Crochet tools are readily available from specialist shops or even family members that already know how it’s done. Tools may include yarn or thread, crochet hooks and patterned diagrams.
Don’t forget scissors and different size hooks for different weights of yarn/thread, and a yarn needle for stitches.

2. If you are right handed, begin by holding the crocheting hook with your right hand allowing the forefingers to bend slightly at the hook of the loop. Use the thread/yarn to make a knot on the shaft of the crochet.

3. Then slide the loop of the hooked thread to create a slipknot on the hook. Pass the yarn/thread around the hook and use the hook to pull it through to start the chain stitches. Repeat the chain stitch as often as the pattern advises to give a quality side to the crochet piece. Don’t forget that the chain thickness should be appropriate for the type of crochet product being made.

4. To perform the next step, bring back the thread or yarn on the top of the loop making the thread go around the hook so that it will be double stitched. It is easier if you use your forefinger to grab the knot and tighten the chain stitches of the crochet.

5. You can then skip the first double stitched chain, and continue to proceed on the knot that is not properly hooked on the knot of the loop. Make sure that the chains do not loosen and the strands should be properly aligned with the other threads to keep the pattern straight and correct.

It is much better to have a tighter knot on the chains of the crochet; this will make the crochet product stronger and sturdier.

6. Next position the hook to the center of the next hole of the second double stitch chain. Once through the hole slide the thread or yarn passing into the center of the third double stitch chain that will go on the upper part of the loop. This has now created two loops on the double stitch chain. This will make the loops tighter and stronger.

7. Go back and return from the first chain and bring back the hook from the back to the front and slowly slide the crochet needle to make a knot on the center hole of the first chain. Remember that the hook must be carefully pushed through the middle to create a knot from the first loop.

8. for the next step return from the third loop and create another extra chain stitch to make a reversed counter clockwise loop. This is for the purpose of retaining the knot to support the double stitched chains. Then start from the first step again to create new chains in a new row and create the similar loops alike from the previous rows, forging a great crochet pattern.

9. You can then create a single crochet stitch on the first loop tightening the next loops of the double stitch chains on the previous rows. This will then create an exact replica of the loops already made; this then ensures that the following double stitch chains will have similar results with the first made loops, keeping the pattern the same throughout.

To finish of the item, cut any of the excess thread/yarn, make sure there is at least 6 inches of thread or yarn left on the last chain stitch to make an extension.

Above are the basic steps for beginners, but there are many more complicated designs and patterns that are waiting to be mastered after learning the basic crocheting techniques.



EDUARDO