Category: free

The Chainless Foundation Stitch…

Have you ever wondered if there was an easier way to start a crochet project other than having to make that long foundation chain?

The good news is, yes, Chainless Foundation Stitches. This method can be used anytime you need a solid row of stitches or even when you want to add stitches at the end of a row. It can accommodate, increases, decreases & different height stitches. The only time it isn’t useful is when you’re working lacey patterns that use chains & chain spaces.

So, why bother using the Chainless Foundation Stitch when a foundation chain works perfectly fine?

Firstly, instead of having to count your chains, sometimes finding you’ve mis-counted after completing your first row only to rip it out & start again; with the Chainless Foundation St, you work the chain & stitch at the same time. For example: where a pattern asks for 11 chs to equal the 10 dc (US:sc) needed for your first row, or as for trebles (tr) (US:dc), where the pattern asks for 12 ch to equal 10 sts, you will be making the exact number of sts in one go… This is such a time saver, not to mention, no more frustration when mis-counting.

Another good reason is, you can work a project from top down or bottom up, both giving you a neat, strong, yet flexible edge, whereas, the simple foundation chain can sometimes be tight & less flexible or stretchy, which can be a problem around necklines or sleeve cuffs.

Want to give it a go? Great… I’ve created 2 short Pictorial Tutorials for working the Chainless Foundation Stitches.

I trust these tutorials are helpful, easy to understand & add another crochet trick to your repertoire. 

Chainless foundation double crochet (dc) (US: single crochet (sc) PDF download

Chainless foundation treble (tr) (US: double crochet (dc) PDF Download

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Chainless foundation double crochet (dc), US: single crochet (US:sc)

1. Start with a slip knot on hook

for Subsequent sts, repeat from * for desired number of sts

Row 2 & subsequent rows, depending on which st used:

~ dc (US:sc): 1 ch, turn, work your dc (US:sc) in the first st & in each st across

~  htr (US:hdc): 2 ch (count as htr (US:hdc)), turn, work htr (US:hdc) in next st & in each st across

~ tr (US:dc): 3 ch (count as tr), turn, work tr (US:dc) in next st & in each st across

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Chainless foundation treble (tr), US: double crochet (US:dc)

1. start with a slip knot on hook

for Subsequent sts, repeat from * for desired number of sts

Row 2 & subsequent rows, depending on which st used:

for dc (US:sc): 1 ch, turn, work your dc (US:sc) in the first st & in each st across

for htr (US:hdc): 2 ch (count as htr (US:hdc)), turn, work htr (US:hdc) in next st & in each st across

for tr (US:dc): 3 ch (count as tr), turn, work tr (US:dc) in next st & in each st across

2 Free Crochet Bookmark Patterns in time for Gift Giving

2 Free crochet Bookmarks

With Christmas just around the corner, there’s still time to make some lovely gifts for your family & friends. These colourful, crochet bookmarks work up quickly, are lightweight & ideal for sending in the post. Pop them into a card for your reader family or friends: they’ll be delighted. 

  • Each patterns includes:
  • written pattern in UK & US terminology
  • Stitch drawings
  • pattern diagram (graph)
  • photos

Be adventurous & have fun with your colour choices, the brighter the better. I hope you, your family & friends enjoy these 2 free crochet bookmark patterns

Download the Square Flower Bookmark here

Download the Hexagon Flower Book mark here

Corner to Corner Free crochet Pattern

Hi everyone, how fast has this year galloped ahead? It’s already October, with the holiday season just around the corner.With that in mind, I’m offering a classic ‘Corner 2 Corner’ crochet rug (afghan) pattern as a free download in time for gift giving.

  • The pattern includes:
  • both written & diagram (chart) form
  • both UK & US terminology

This is an easy pattern so even beginners can have a go. Gauge isn’t important, neither is your choice of yarn; just use an appropriate hook for your chosen ply.

Use up your scrap yarn stash, change colours as you like, work with variegated yarns. The choice is endless

This is a free pattern, it begins in a corner & worked diagonally, increasing on each row until your desired size, then decreased down to the opposite corner; therefore you are able to make your rug (afghan) any size you want: from a small cot blanket to a bedspread. 

Just be aware that you’ll need to divide your yarn in half; one half for the increase & the other half for decrease. And, if you plan a border, you will require additional yarn for that; I personally don’t think this rug (afghan) needs a border but of course, it’s up to you, this is your project have fun with it.

Download the Corner 2 Corner Free Crochet Pattern here

working Crochet in the Round

I’ve been getting quite a few queries lately about Working Crochet in the Round. Rather than continually answering each individual question, I decided to put together this basic instruction sheet for Working Crochet in the Round. Understanding the basic formulas for keeping your work flat & avoiding your crochet work from going astray is important so, I trust the instruction sheet is helpful.

The 2 most common questions: 

1)Why is my work cupping? – this usually means there are not enough increases 

2) Why is my work wavy? – this usually means there are too many increases

Working in the round is a little different from working on rows. To keep your work flat you must evenly increase every round & this varies when working circles or squares. I’ve given both written instructions & charts to help you better understand.

A Beginners’ Crochet Notebook…

A Beginners’ Crochet Notebook… click here for the tutorial

I receive many, many emails from folk needing help with their crochet; not only from frustrated beginners, but also from those who have been crocheting for a while asking, what for some are, fairly basic questions… But there is no such thing as a silly, stupid or ‘I should know this’ type of query, even after many years of crocheting there are always new things to learn.

 

And so, I’ve put together this Beginners’ Crochet Notebook to help those of you who want to start crocheting but don’t know where to begin. And, even though I’ve written this notebook mainly with the novice in mind, that doesn’t mean the more experience crocheter won’t find a few helpful tips as well.

~What hooks to use with which yarn. 

~Which yarns are: animal, plant or synthetic. 

~How to read patterns. 

~What those scary, abbreviations & symbols mean…&  lots more.

 

I’ve done my best to gathered together answers to the most frequent questions I receive, but of course, it’s impossible to have an answer for everything. There is so much more information I could have included in this Notebook; so much more the reader might find useful; but it’s such a fine line between cramming in too much & overwhelming you.

Nevertheless, I trust this tutorial is a comprehensive journey through the crochet basics for the beginner & others, & that it encourages you to venture forth with a little more confidence & understanding of this wonderful craft.

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