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.
User login
Get Our eNewsletter
Hi Julie,
How do you get to be a pattern tester? I am a fairly experienced knitter but have fallen in love with crochet this year (thanks to the Stitch & Bitch Crochet book - the happy hooker - do you know it? ) I'd love the experience... xa
You have to keep an eye out for designers (your fellow crocheters) who have created something new...and put your hand up and say that you would love to test their pattern when they have written it down. In most cases, the designer will say ok and you work on their design and find errors or if you find something confusing, they will look at the method they used for writing their pattern.
If you're not a member of Crochetville you should join up, as it is full of crocheting and crocheter and there is a forum where they are looking just for testers.
I have heard of those books, but have not had the chance to have a look in them. Will keep searching my bookstores for them.
I have ordered crochet books off Amazon.com. They cannot be beaten for price and convenience. I am struggling as a new crocheter. I do like it but give me a BEGINNER crochet pattern for an item such as facecloth, etc.
I really waant to do edging around hankerchiefs. Have any suggestions?
Thank you.
Maridon, handkerchief edgings are usually done with fine thread and small steel hooks. As a new crocheter you might want to try the same edging first in yarn and a bigger hook, just to give you more confidence. Crocheting is a beautiful art form. Just don't give up and keep on hooking!!
i have found another free site for nice patterns as well, there all over the place, but one that i go to often as well as this one is www.crochetpatternscentral.com.
a big tip: just have fun with it, play around and have fun with creating whether it comes out this way or that way isn't the point...it's the journey along the way that matters most.
and........when you don't like the outcome, unravel and start again.
take care,
Dena Lynn
Hi Julie:
As many of us, I learned to crochet since I was a kid. My Granny taught me the basic stitches, and I began to try again and again, no pattern. For years I left crochet, and I discovered a new world with the net, overall in english. At first I asked "How do you do those waves?", Lol, it was ripple. I began crocheting bookmarks, then V stitch lapghans, and now I can create my own patterns, some of them I have posted here. But it was, as you say, experimenting with yarns, threads, even wire.
I am not an expert, but I cannot agree more with what you say. Even my english is not that well, as you can notice.
You can join many groups, for example yahoogroups, or some other sites where you can ask what is going wrong with your work.
I love to crochet.
Ruth in Chile