The scarf is lovely, isn't it? If you want one too, join me for a Crochet-Along (CAL).
I've made the first video recordings of how to make my StoneGnome Infinity Scarf and I will have an introduction ready next Friday.
I've made the first video recordings of how to make my StoneGnome Infinity Scarf and I will have an introduction ready next Friday.
I see a lot of questions these days about how to get circles like Rozeta* - but also squares - to lay flat and avoid the wonky look.
There are more things you can do to avoid wavy edges.
There are more things you can do to avoid wavy edges.
Don't you think a big and a smaller pillow looks good together? The bonus-pages for the Heart on Fire is ready now. This means the pattern now includes a smaller heart too.
Tomorrow it is Valentine's Day and everyone deserves at least one heart. Here is one for you.
The pattern is free for a while. See the details below.
The pattern is free for a while. See the details below.
We took a break the other day and went to the beach. I grabbed one of my older ideas on the way out and got this little beauty for you.
You really don't need that little knot in the beginning of your next crochet project. Here is a video showing how to avoid it.
It works with regular crochet as well as Tunisian and it doesn't matter how you like to hook into your starting chain.
It works with regular crochet as well as Tunisian and it doesn't matter how you like to hook into your starting chain.
See here how to do it without getting into a big mess and get some tips about yarn usage, hook size etc.
Then a new stitch pops up and makes everyone excited.
I also have a little workaround for you, that helps you close gaps in the left side of your work
Last week I wrote about the Forgotten Crochet Stitch - aka the very versatile slip stitch. Since then, I've spent hours chatting about it and got requests for tutorials too - especially for video tutorials. So I've got a lot coming up about slip stitches, that will hopefully be helpful.
We tend to forget that this stitch is very versatile and can be used for much more. It can give your work a dense - though soft and drapable - fabric, you can use it for decoration, and it can be used for a stretchy ribbing.
Have you figured out by now, what stitch I'm referring to?
The yarn bowl has three slits at the top, which keeps your yarn in place. The bowl can be carried as a little bag and you can easily remove any yarn from the bowl without cutting the yarn. Due to it being felted, it is relatively heavy for its size, which helps it stay, where you want it.
The pattern can be purchased from LoveCrafts and Ravelry and includes:
Did you ever think about how many different crocheted ribbings there exist? I think most of us just do whatever a pattern tells us - or you find a page telling you 'how to crochet a ribbing'. As in one ribbing.
Being conscious about the different kinds of ribbing is an advantage, if you want to be able to change an existing pattern or make your own design.
Being conscious about the different kinds of ribbing is an advantage, if you want to be able to change an existing pattern or make your own design.
It takes advantage of the natural curling of a crocheted work and it will also help you prevent the rolling of the rest of your work.
This might be the tiniest advice ever, but wouldn't you like to get rid of the knot you get, when you start a new project?
You probably start with a slip knot and pull it tight. Then you have a little hard knot in the corner of your work. It doesn't add anything good to your work and can be difficult to hide - even if making a border - as it is always trying to run away and stick out.
You probably start with a slip knot and pull it tight. Then you have a little hard knot in the corner of your work. It doesn't add anything good to your work and can be difficult to hide - even if making a border - as it is always trying to run away and stick out.
The back of the Tunisian Top Stitch has similarities to a chain mail when using a large hook.
It is perfect for halloween or for any everyday childrens play.
The project is fast and it doesn't matter, if you make a little mistake here and there. So feel free to try even if you just learned to do the Tunisian Top Stitch.
This is a detailed guide. Grab your yarn, measure tape, a shirt of approximately the right size and your creativity.
You need
- scissors - for your yarn only, do NOT cut the sample shirt you found!
- needle for sewing in ends.
- yarn: acrylic is fine.
- yarn weight: DK (133m/50g or 145.5yds/1.76oz)
- I used: Torino from Lane Cervinia - 120g (4.2oz) for a size 3-4 year old.
- at least one size 10mm straight hook with a rubber band around the far end.
- OR - if possible - a Tunisian hook with hooks on both ends (or make your own).
Step 1 - Draw and Measure
Get the measurements from the shirt you want to copy. If you want to adjust anything, do it now.The top stitch is very flexible, so the sizes on my drawing makes the costume large enough to be worn on top of a jacket as well as on top of a regular shirt.
Use Google to convert the cm into inches if you like and if you want the exact same size as I.
I took one of my 3-year olds shirts and added a little length to make room for a side seam slit.
I also changed the neck to an easier one with a slit making plenty of room for my kid's huge head.
And finally I decided to make the arms straight and not too long, as I think this goes well with a chain mail.
Notice: The top stitch likes to stretch. So when you measure the work laying flat down, it should be 10% shorter, as it stretches when worn (due to gravity). Does that 10% explanation make sense to you? If it is supposed to be 40cm (15.75in) long, then make it 36cm (14.2in) when laying flat on a table.
My measurements on the drawing are those I used, when the costumes was laying flat on a table.
AND REMEMBER: We want The BACK of the top stitch. So the side you look at, when you crochet, will be the WRONG side of the final shirt.
Step 2 - Crochet the Front and Back
You can start from the top or the beginning. The top stitch will look the same.I started the shirt from the bottom. I regretted that, as my boy suddenly came by and wanted it to be knee length - and then changed his mind back, when he saw the result. So I had to frog the neck. It would have been easier to frog the part with the side seams. - Or at least to do a reality check on the way down there :)
Anyway - This is how you start from the bottom. Make the side seam parts. Two rectangular pieces of 6x38 cm.
Continue working in a spiral to make the back and then front at the same time: When you have the two rectangles, you start picking up loops on one of them and when you reach the end of the first one, continue on the other piece.
See ChiCrochets video for Tunisian Crochet in the Round.
Ignore that she changes colors. It just makes it easier for you to see, what she does.
If you don't want to do Tunisian in the rounds (or you only have one regular hook), you can make the front and the back separately and then slip stitch them together later.
If you work in a spiral, then remember to stop, when you get to the sleeve openings (make plenty of room here). My work measured 24cm (9.5in)here - laying flat. From here I crocheted in rows. Back and forward. Back side first and then the front side.
Neck
On the front side, I wanted a slit in the neck. Skip this part if you don't want it.5cm (2in) from the measurement target, mark the center of the work for the neck slit. Stop crocheting, when you get to the slit and worked your way back again doing one side first. When done, cut the yarn and do the second part afterwards. This leaves a 5 cm slit in the middle.
Slip Stitch Shoulders Together
Now, stitch the back and the front together on top of the shoulders. You can use a regular slip stitch for that. Remember: You want the WRONG side to be visible. So put the front and back side together, so the wrong sides face each other. That way your slip stitches will be on the back of the costume.Step 3 - The Arms
Remember that the top Stitch likes to stretch lengthwise? Currently there should plenty of room for the armpits. Make sure to pick up stitches anywhere possible, so there keep being plenty of space in the armpit.Pick up stitches for the sleeves everywhere where your arms should be. Then crochet spiral-wise (or back and forward) all the way to the hand.
If you work back and forward in rows, then make the arm as a huge rectangle. The seam should be placed under the arm and will be slip stitched together.
No decreases.
When both arms are done, cut the yarn and pull it through the last loop on the hook. Hide the closing off, when you sew in ends. This shirt is for dressing up, not an everyday garment, so it doesn't matter if it looks a little rough.
Step 4 - Assembly
If you didn't work in a spiral, then you can crochet pieces together now with loose slip stitches. Remember that the BACK side of your work is the one we want to show, so put things together while you watch the front side of your work.Weave in Ends
Loose yarn ends should be woven in. First in one direction for at least 5cm (2inch). Then lock it by turning the needle in the other direction and sew the thread into itself. This will prevent the yarn from getting loose.Tadaa ! Chain Mail done!
Optional - Making Highlights
If you want highlights on the shirt, you can use acrylic paint. It will stiffen the yarn, but nothing serious. Just make sure you don't add too much on the shirt. It will not look good and probably crack and fall off.Put paint on a big brush and wipe the brush off, so there isn't too much paint. Don't put pressure on the brush while painting. Paint in the direction of top to bottom only. Highlights are supposed to look like sunlight and they only come from one direction.
You should rather add a little paint at a time and then do the maneuver several times, than give it too much from the beginning.
Put it on a hanger and let it dry.
Washing
This costume should be hand washed only. The stitches are quite loose and if something catches a few threads, you will be sorry for the time spent to fix it. Also, if you have painted the costume, the paint might come off and mess with the other clothes in your machine - or the filters.
A very easy way to make a hat is making it sideways. You simply crochet a long rectangle and sew the ends and the top. And there you have a hat.
I'll show you how to do that and how to figure out the right sizes.
I'll show you how to do that and how to figure out the right sizes.