Archive | Crochet Stitches and Crochet Motifs

Crochet more than just a fun, relaxing and creative outlet

Crochet is more than a fun, relaxing and creative outlet.  If  you’ve been searching for an enjoyable and rewarding hobby, look no further than crochet!

In this post I will share some of the basics of crochet, including some basic/essential stitches and must have supplies.  Discovering the world of crochet and exploring its many benefits need not be expensive or isolating.  With today’s technology connecting to other crocheters and creatives is easier than ever.  Whether you choose in person classes, joining a crochet club or watching fun, crochet tutorials on YouTube the options are almost limitless.  Can I suggest my own YouTube channel, “All Crafts Channel”?  My channel contains over 800 how-to videos with a variety of projects for the novice to expert all on my platform.  

Here are some playlists that may be helpful for those just beginning crocheters: 

In order to create tons of beautiful items there are some basic crochet stitches you will need to master.  Below you will find a few, click on the stitch name to see the Video tutorial for the stitch. 

Basic Crochet Stitches

Chain Stitch (CH) – The Foundation of Crochet Projects

Single Crochet (SC) – Versatile and Simple to Master

Half Double Crochet (HDC) – Achieving a Balanced Texture

Double Crochet (DC) – Quick and Effortless Stitches

Treble Crochet (TR) – Creating a Beautiful Lacy Effect

Slip Stitch (SS) – One of the foundation stitches 

Slip Loop (sl lp) – Loop needed to begin crochet stitches

With just the above stitches you will be able to create countless items from blankets/afghans, shawls, baby items, and even some apparel.   

Essential Supplies for Crochet Beginners:

Before you dive into the wonderful world of crochet, make sure you have the following supplies at your fingertips:

Crochet Hooks: Check your pattern instructions for hook size for your project.  Hook size makes a tremendous difference 

Yarn Selection: Exploring Different Types, Textures, and Colors.  Which yarn will be best for your selected project? 

Scissors: Finding the Perfect Pair for Smooth Cuts

Tapestry Needle: A Must-Have Tool for Seamless Finishing

Stitch Markers: Keeping Track of Your Progress with Ease

Ball winder:  Using a ball winder will enable you to easily be able to draw yarn onto your hook

Health Benefits of Crocheting: More Than Just a Hobby

Stress Relief: How Crochet Soothes the Mind and Body is something that still seems a sort of mystery to me but it is undeniable.  Crocheting has allowed me to reduce stress in my life.  After my stroke this past April crocheting and knitting have allowed me to keep a handle on the stress in my life and have allowed my body to heal.  

Boosting Brain Power: The Cognitive Benefits of Learning New Stitches has allowed my poor damaged brained (due to stroke) to build new pathways in my brain.  Learning to stitch all over again has helped to restore my brain power. 

The Joy of Creation: Crochet is Fostering Self-Esteem and a Sense of Accomplishment that I feared were lost forever. 

Connecting with Others:  Crochet builds  Community Through Crochet Circles whether this be in person or an online community Crochet can  create real connections.  I have personally spoken to many people that tell me they feel less isolated and more connected to others thru their crochet hobby. During the lockdowns of the recent Covid pandemics online forums were very helpful, critical most to keeping a lot of people sane.  Don’t be fooled some real friendships can develop thru these connections.  If you haven’t joined any online crochet groups give one a try and see if it might be a good fit for you.  

Mindfulness and Meditation: Crocheting also seems to bring about a sense of mindfulness almost like a quiet meditation.  The rhythm of your hook gently gliding over your yarn seems to put me into a relaxed meditative tase.

Crochet for Beginners – A Hobby Worth Exploring

With this short step-by-step guide to crochet basics, you’ll be well on your way to becoming a confident crochet enthusiast. Discover the joy of creating unique and beautiful handmade pieces while reaping the numerous health benefits of this creative hobby. From stress relief to enhanced cognitive function, crochet offers a holistic and fulfilling experience for individuals of all ages. So grab your crochet hook and yarn, and start your crochet journey today! Happy hooking!  

 

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The Art of Crochet

The Art of Crochet

A Colorful Thread of Benefits, Diversity, and History  by Yolanda Soto Lopez 

 Crochet is an ancient craft that involves creating intricate fabric by interlocking loops of yarn with a hooked needle. Beyond being a hobby, crochet offers a multitude of benefits, both physical and mental, while embracing a diverse range of possibilities. Let’s dive into the colorful world of crochet, exploring its advantages and a brief glimpse into its fascinating history.

Benefits of Crochet:

Crochet offers numerous physical and mental benefits. On a physical level, it improves fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and dexterity. The repetitive motions of creating stitches can also promote relaxation and stress reduction, making it a therapeutic activity. Crocheting can even provide a gentle workout for the hands and arms.

Mentally, crochet stimulates the brain and enhances cognitive abilities. It improves focus and concentration, requiring attention to detail and following complex patterns. Crocheting can also boost creativity, allowing crafters to experiment with different colors, textures, and stitch combinations, thereby nurturing their artistic side.

The Diversity of Crochet:

One of the most beautiful aspects of crochet is its diversity. Crochet patterns and designs span a wide range of styles and purposes. From cozy blankets and hats to delicate doilies and intricate lacework, the possibilities are endless. Crochet also extends beyond traditional items, with modern trends incorporating the craft into clothing, accessories, and even sculptures. The versatility of crochet ensures there is something for everyone to enjoy, regardless of age, gender, or personal taste.

A Brief History of Crochet:

The origins of crochet can be traced back centuries, although its exact birthplace remains uncertain. The craft gained popularity in Europe during the 19th century and later spread to other parts of the world. Initially, crochet was practiced using fingers alone, but the introduction of the hooked needle revolutionized the technique, allowing for greater precision and speed.

Over time, crochet evolved from a necessary skill for producing clothing and household items to a beloved pastime and form of self-expression. With the rise of online communities and social media, crochet has experienced a resurgence in recent years, connecting enthusiasts from all corners of the globe.

Crochet is more than just a craft; it is a journey of creativity, relaxation, and personal growth. Its physical and mental benefits, along with its diverse range of possibilities, make it a captivating art form accessible to people of all ages. As you delve into the world of crochet, prepare to be enchanted by the colorful threads that weave together tradition, innovation, and the joy of creating something beautiful with your own hands.

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10 Tips & Tricks to make you an Amigurumi Pro

Here are 10 tips and tricks to make you an  Amigurumi pro.   Have you always wanted to try crocheting Amigurumi?   Maybe you have already ventured into the world of crochet amigurumi and have had some success or maybe some failures.

Today, I want to share some helpful tips to make your crochet amigurumi so much better.  Follow these tips and tricks and you too can become an Amigurumi Pro.

Amigurumi is a method in crochet used to create mostly toys.  It can be used to make play food, dolls, etc.  The list is almost unlimited.  However, crocheting amigurumi can come with some unique challenges.   I’d like to offer some solutions to the most common problems.   Please note:  Tips are not necessarily in order of importance.

10 Tips & Tricks to make you an amigurumi pro
Amigurumi Dolls, 10 tips & tricks to make you an amigurumi pro

Here we go.. 10 Tips & Tricks to make you an Amigurumi Pro

Tip 1:   Don’t overstuff your items. –  I get this question so often that I think it bears repeating.  So many people write to me to complain that the stuffing in their amigurumi are showing thru the stitches of their items.

I think it’s natural to want to really stuff toys tightly.   Overstuffing your toys is a sure way to stretch out the stitches and have the stuffing show thru to the outside.   Please resist the urge to overstuff.  Use your hands to help give your toys the correct shape.

Remember, most of these items are toys and babies and children prefer soft, cuddly toys as opposed to stiff, hard toys.   (Free YouTube Video tutorial on last page of this blog post.)

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Easy Crochet Bunny Easter Egg Covers

I have always loved decorating for Easter, and easy Crochet Bunny Easter Egg covers are so fun and easy to crochet.   I had seen a photo of these type of covers and I searched but couldn’t find a pattern.  Since working in rounds to cover the base of a plastic egg didn’t seem that challenging I went ahead and tried a few different designs.  This one just seemed easiest.

 

Easter Egg Cover

Learn to crochet these cute Easter Egg Cover

I know sometimes it’s hard to find beginner level projects.  These little Easter egg covers are easy and work up really fast.  I used only basic stitches.  If you can chain, single crochet, half double crochet and magic circle you can make these.   I have even uploaded a free YouTube video tutorial if you prefer.  Some people are visual learners and prefer to see a video.  I totally get it, I love watching videos too.   The link for the video tutorial is at the end of this post.

For those of you who would like the written pattern here it is:

Easy Crochet Bunny Easter Egg Covers

Supplies:

Worsted Weight Yarn (Medium weight yarn – 4)

Scissors

stitch marker

googly eyes and glue (optional)

yarn needle

Crochet H Hook ( 5.00mm )

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Perfect Amigurumi Gift for crocheters and Knitters

Perfect Amigurumi Gift for crocheters and Knitters.  I have been trying to come up with fresh gift ideas for friends and family and this makes it high on my list.  

Perfect Amigurumi Gift for crocheters and Knitters
Photo of cute Amigurumi sheep knitting the fleece of another sheep

While going thru pictures of quite projects I ran across a blog post by Sarah of Fugly crochet.  It was this fun little lamb.  I did change the type of yarn used to a fuzzy yarn.  

The yarn I used had been in my stash for several years.  Since it was just one small skein I really didn’t know when I would be able to use it.

If you shop at Joann’s you may have seen this yarn a few years ago.  It’s called Sensations, Beautiful.  It was made by Joanns and is a 5 Bulky weight yarn.  

I used it up and then I used a discontinued yarn from Paton’s Divine for my knitting sheep.  Don’t worry you can substitute Paton’s Classic roving yarn (wt 5) .   Paton’s Classic roving would work well for this pattern.  

I only used the other yarns because I am on a never ending quest to use up my stash.   The face and feet were done using Yarnspirations Simply Soft yarn in grey.    Both yarns are available at Yarnspirations and several hobby and yarn stores.

You can find the link for the fat sheep that was designed by Sarah here at Fugly crochet.  (The one whose fleece is being knitted)  

It was such a fun project and it inspired me to come up with another sheep pattern.  I wanted to make something fun and whimsical.  

So I designed a friend for it.  This is a fun project for those people who love to crochet and knit.  

The small square that the sheep is holding in the photo is just a knit stitch repeated each row to create the garter stitch but if you don’t knit you can substitute single crochet rows for the knit.  See instructions for changes.

Since using this yarn makes it a little harder to see your stitches you will probably need to feel where the stitches are actually formed.  

This might be a little more difficult for beginners.   Remember, if you prefer you can use a regular weight 4 (medium) yarn that is not fuzzy.  You will have a different look.

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