How do I post tips?
If you have a crochet tip or trick, then please share it with the rest of us! Click on "Post a tip" in your "My Crochet Me" menu on the far right. You'll be taken to a new screen to enter your tip.
Title: Please take a second to think about the title. A clear and concise title will accurately lead people to your tip or trick.
Main Photo: You may optionally upload an image to accompany your tip; doing so might help to make the tip clearer! Please note the size constraints mentioned above the "upload" button.
Your Tip or Trick: Please clearly type up your tip in this box; you might find it simplest to write it up in your favourite word processor first, then copy and paste it into the box. You may use the simple formatting options on the toolbar at the top of the text area. Or, if you prefer to work with HTML code, click below the text area to "disable rich-text". Note that only certain HTML tags are allowed (anything fancy will be ignored).
Copyright: When you post a pattern or tip, you retain the rights to your work. In the interest of encouraging the sharing of information and inspiration, we encourage you to consider licensing your work under a Creative Commons license. You also have the option to retain all rights. Choose the license you'd like; this information will appear at the end of your tip.
Click the "Subscribe" box if you'd like to be notified when people comment on your tip. You can manage your subscriptions from your profile page.
When you're finished, click "Submit" at the bottom of the page. Or, you may click "Preview" to see what your tip will look like, and then click "Submit" after viewing the preview. You can also make changes to the preview... but don't forget to submit it when you're finished!
To edit your tip after you've submitted it, click the "Edit" link at the top of the page.
User login
Get Our eNewsletter
Things I have learnt from Crocheting...
1. When working with a pattern where size changes are given in parentheses, circle or highlight all of the changes for the size you are making before you start. This reduces the amount of time frogging.
2. If your having some trouble with the item you are making, as for help. This certainly does reduce the amount of frustation and heartache and frogging.
3. Dont be afraid to experiment with patterns, yarns, thread.
4. Put your hand up to be a pattern tester. It is a great way to learn new techiques and make new friends.
5. Dont shy away from projects because they are labelled expert, give it a go, you might just be an expert and dont know it.
6. Nothing should get in the way of making something. If you like it, make it. If someone doesnt, well that is there preference and shouldnt stop you from doing what your doing.
Really stoopid question coming up here!
I want to crochet an enormous mouse for my dad (long, long story!) and I was wondering if there is a formula for increasing, so I can take a pattern I have for a small one and just make it bigger.
What I'm afraid of is the increasing being uneven. I have a feeling that it is really simple to do, like you just start with more chains...doh!
Anyhow thought I'd ask you guys who offer such amazing tips and advice.
In my defence I'm quite new to crochet...!
Hi wimblewool -- You might find better luck asking in the forums.
Fueling the crochet revolution...
I want to share with everyone what I have done to recycle my hubby's jeans.Seems for some odd reason our dog has been chewing my hubby's jeans,leke chewing the zipper and waist bands off.So I decided I didn't want to just throw out the jeans,So I started by cutting the hem off the legs.and starting at the bottom cut in a 1 inch strp all the way around the legs to the top and then stopping at the crotch and cutting down the other leg.Making a big ball of continuious material,1 inch wide.I'm doing this with each pair of jeans,then crocheting a rug out of the denim material.I can use this material to make handbags or a number of things.I cut out the backpockets and left the waistband ,and stitched the 2 pockets back to back ,and croching a strap of the demin ball,and I have a little purse for some gift.I also have a pattern to make rugs or mats out of all those single socks we all seem to aquire,All you need is a pair of shears and your hand to weave the circles on.It will make a strip of weaved socks which you stitch togather.I try to make things of anything I can.I have to just throw things out if there is a potential for something to be made of it.Peggy8650 in Pa.
Anyone out there that knows someone that wants to know how to crochet but says they have tried and can't learn....give them this piece of advice....tell them to buy a crochet book with instructions, a "H" hook, and one skein of yarn, better yet...copy the "Here's How" section in one of your books, give them a skein of your yarn, and one of your hooks, with this piece of advice....Go home and sit down in a room alone and practice reading and applying what you read and before you know it you will be crocheting! The hardest part of reading a pattern is the abbreviations, so, be sure to study them before starting or keep the book handy to refer back to. You could even copy yourself a cheat sheet of abbreviations to share with newcomers! I bet they will be eternally grateful and will think of you when their patterns they complete are complimented by others.
When I crochet, my foundation chains are usually tighter than my other subsequent stitches. To avoid that, I always use a crochet hook one size larger for my foundation chain, then switch to my smaller hook when I begin crocheting my piece. For example, I'm crocheting a scarf right now using a K hook; however, I did the foundation chain using an L hook. It seems to work every time for me. My first rows look smooth and evenly spaced, just like they should!
Kim
"If more people knitted and crocheted, the world would see fewer wars and a whole lot less road rage." – Lily Chin, knitwear designer
I have read many interest asking and intuitive articles on this site. I decided that maybe you people could inspire me togreater heights.
One thing that I greatly enjoyed was the idea of recycling what was in my home. I remember my grandmother, who came through the great depression, making rag rugs. I have done something similar.
I started with a solid pink sheet that some of the matierial was holey. the rest was still firm and useable. I cut it in strips, cut the holes out and stitched the pieces end to end and rolled it into a ball.
I had also had a small piece of dowel that I carved into a largee hook. I sanded and smoothed it so it wouldn't snag. I then started a oval rug with the material.
I had also ask family and friends to give me the jeans that they were disposing of. I did the same with the jeans, but made slightly smaller strips. The jeans were different shades of blue. The rug was varied strips of blue around a pink center. It make a good rug for my daughters room next to her bed. It is not fancy but useable.
To protect my crochet magazines while working one of the projects I put it in a page protector. This allows me to keep my page marked and the magazine stayes in good condition.
Crochet WIP to Go
* Put your project in an extra large zippered-type clear plastic bag. (Target carries some that are larger than the usual gallon size).
* When Hobby Lobby, JoAnne's or Michael's puts out a coupon, buy extra crochet hooks in your favorite sizes. That way you'll always have one available for each WIP. Keep a crochet hook in the bag with the project.
* Photocopy or print out a copy of your pattern to put in your project bag. Be sure to write the size and brand of hook you are using with your project on the pattern in case you have to take the hook for another project. You may even want to put your pattern in a plastic page protector (available at any office supply store).
* Include a pencil and/or a highlighter to help mark your place in the pattern.
Now you have a Crochet WIP to Go!
The first time I make a crochet wearable, I found the written pattern hard to follow, rather than give up I thought of using one of my sewing patterns to help form the armholes and the neck. Now whenever I crochet something to wear I pull out my sewing patterns, I chain the foundation chain and measure along the bottom of the pattern, double it and then as I progress, I lay the crocheted piece on the pattern and measure the width and length against the sewing pattern. Now what I crochet fits.