Category: tutorial

Crochet Scallops & Spirals Ebook.

Happy, happy days… the Crochet Scallop & Spiral Ebook is finally finished & ready for sale – it took a while but I feel sure you’re going to enjoy the variety of patterns I’ve included.

If you’re familiar with my work you will know that I really like scallops & particularly love spirals; I incorporate them into my freeform work all the time.

So it comes as no surprise that if there’s one thing that I get asked about, more than anything else, it’s crochet spirals & scallops – how I vary them from pattern to pattern, how I embellish & keeping them interesting.

Hence, I’ve put together this Ebook (17 pages) in the hope that the collection of 7 crochet scallops & 6 crochet spirals will address & answer the many questions you have passed on to me & perhaps even a couple you haven’t thought of yet….

All the patterns are complete in their own right but they also lend themselves beautifully to experimentation & freeform crochet. Spirals are made as separate motifs – Scallop motifs are made separately but I also give instruction for working them directly onto your fabric.

I’d like to encourage everyone to play around with your own ideas, substituting suggested yarns / stitch size / hook size & what ever else you come up with

  • The patterns include:
  • written patterns with both UK & US terminology for each motif
  • pattern diagrams (charts) for each motif
  • clear colour photos of each motif
  • special stitch drawings & instruction
  • a quick bullion tutorial
  • embellishment suggestions
  • Suggested Requirements:
  • assorted hooks (4mm – 4.25mm (US G) – 5mm (US H))
  • assorted 8ply yarn
  • assorted ribbon yarn
  • assorted metallic thread
  • assorted crochet cotton 

you can read my personal thoughts on spirals on this Ideas & Inspiration Page

You will find the The Crochet Scallops & Spirals Ebook for sale from here or, if you prefer, from Ravelry, Etsy or Zibbet

Getting started with crochet left handed

This is a short Getting Started with Crochet update for left handers… 

Because the techniques for holding your hook & yarn are exactly the same for left handed folk as for right handed (except of course that you will be holding the hook & yarn in opposite hands)… I haven’t repeated the text but I thought it might be helpful for you to see it in pictorial form – I hope it makes it a little easier for you  getting started with crochet….

You will find the left handed pictorial here – enjoy!

….&  you will find more Crochet Tips & Trick here

Getting Started with Crochet….

Some weeks ago  a group of mums  invited me to give their kiddies  a crochet lesson. I have to say, I’m always a tad apprehensive when teaching children because you never know what to expect… some will pick it up super quickly while others struggle. Nevertheless, I’m always up for a challenge & this was not different.

I decided the best way to begin was with a pictorial tutorial so that the children had a starting point & something they could refer to when the mood struck to try a bit of crochet…. it proved to be a great success… the afternoon was busy, fun, lovely.

I came home exhausted but very pleased with myself that, in some small way, I’ve helped young people (including quite a few boys) & their mums get started or rekindle their interest in crochet. I’d like to think that, some time down the track, they remember that Saturday afternoon, pick up their hook & yarn & continue…

And then, it occurred to me that I’m often asked what is the correct way to hold the hook/yarn? So, I thought… it wouldn’t hurt for me to post the Getting Started Pictorial Tutorial for everyone struggling with the dilemma of how to hold the hook/yarn…. I hope this little tutorial helps… enjoy & happy crocheting….

Remember there there are more Tips & Trick on this page just click on the links

2 new crochet patterns to play with…

Hello & welcome to 2011….

I thought it might be appropriate to begin the year with 2 new crochet patterns & trust they will be useful additions to your crochet repertoire – The crochet bag purse pattern is for sale & a basic foundation for embellishments – let your imagination go wild by adding your own ideas to make this your very own creation… The button pattern is a free download & a handy little item when that special button is required but is often so difficult to find – enjoy!

(1) Easy Basic Crochet Bag/Purse Pattern

This basic crochet bag/purse pattern is worked on size not number of stitches & can be used as a foundation for embellishments by adding crochet/knit flowers/motifs ~ beading ~ lace overlays ~ freeform scrumples ~ or anything your imagination & heart desires ~ your choice of yarn & hook size will determine the look & feel of your purse/bag – experiment with yarns, hooks & width/depth of your bag/purse & have fun creating your own individual design

Pattern includes:

  • basic purse/bag pattern instructions
  • simple crochet button & button loop instructions
  • US & UK terminology
  • stitch diagrams (charts) & stitch drawings
  • clear colour photos

Requirements: to create the purse in the photo I used:

Yarn Bee (Down to Earth) 70% Bamboo, 30% Cotton – 150 grms ~ hook size 4.50 (US: G) ~ satin lining ~ shade cloth for bag base ~ simple crochet button

* Please note: flower embellishments are not included in this pattern

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(2) Simple Crochet Button pattern – free Download

This simple button pattern will come in handy when nothing else suits or is available – experiment with yarns, threads & hook sizes – work pattern in back loops of stitch only – play with multi colours by changing colour on every round or use variegated yarn/thread – thread beads onto your yarn/thread & bring them into your work as desired – stuff with wadding for a firm button or cover old buttons Pattern includes:

  • simple crochet button & button loop instructions
  • US & UK terminology
  • stitch diagrams (charts) & stitch drawings
  • clear colour photos

Granny Square Update… Diagonal Granny Square

The Diagonal Granny Square:

Here’s another addition the ever popular Granny Square for those of you who would like to work with 2 colours on the diagonal ~ I came up with this method after searching high & low for easy to read diagonal granny square patterns, I’m sure there are more patterns out there, I just couldn’t find them…

The written pattern for this Diagonal Granny Square is quite wordy ~ hopefully the stitch diagrams will help guide you through – the pattern is given in both UK & US terminology, with colour diagrams (chart), photos & abbreviations

This one is for you, Peggy…… enjoy!