It is very useful, if you want to use a tall stitch for an amigurumi figure or just want another stitch in your stitch collection.
It's just not at all impossible. Nor do you need to cut the yarn and sew in ends all the time.
I'll show you, how you add more color to this stitch pattern row by row.
I also have a little workaround for you, that helps you close gaps in the left side of your work
I used Color Stacking which is a member of the Planned Pooling family. A great way to have fun with colors. The tutorial here helps you with your first color stacking project.
I'm experimenting with mitered corners and have developed a way to do the left side increase without it being too tight and knotted.
I like a method, where both yarn ends are easy to hide afterwards. Here is a tutorial of how to do that.
I'm sharing my preferred methods for each of the basic slip stitch types with you. They are almost invisible on both sides of the 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.
I don't like knots or sewing in ends. If I do amigurumi, I prefer to crochet over the yarn ends whenever possible. In almost every other case I prefer the Russian Join. To my experience, It can be used with most yarns and it blends in very well. I also use the Russian Join, if I suddenly find a knot in the middle of my yarn ball.
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.
Do you need to know your gauge? No. You can certainly crochet without knowing your gauge. But if you want to have just the slightest idea of what size your final work will be, you need it.
Very often the never-did-a-gauge-swatch-chat is followed by a funny story about extremely large or small hats.
It doesn't take long to learn to do a gauge swatch and it might save you hours of frogging for the rest of your life!
Front Post and Back Post crochet stitches add a nice relief effect to your work.
Among others you can use them to make basket weave stitch patterns, cable-work and ribbed stitch patterns. The ribbed stitch patterns even comes with a little flexibility.
(If you want a very flexible rib, look for The Top Stitch Rib post here).
Among others you can use them to make basket weave stitch patterns, cable-work and ribbed stitch patterns. The ribbed stitch patterns even comes with a little flexibility.
(If you want a very flexible rib, look for The Top Stitch Rib post here).
Here is a tutorial that works.
The Loop Stitch is a fun stitch to do and it gives you a great different texture, that can be used with all kinds of items. You decide whether you want the loops as they are, or if you want to cut them, when you are done.
Use the Loop Stitch for a rug, a pillow, amigurumi figures OR what about a Christmas beard?
The Loop Stitch is a fun stitch to do and it gives you a great different texture, that can be used with all kinds of items. You decide whether you want the loops as they are, or if you want to cut them, when you are done.
Use the Loop Stitch for a rug, a pillow, amigurumi figures OR what about a Christmas beard?
Earlier I wrote about how to Start a New Row with a Fake Stitch.
Also called no-chain double crochet/treble crochet or chainless double crochet.
I've gotten more questions about this - especially for other stitches than double crochet.
So here is an elaboration on the subject.
Also called no-chain double crochet/treble crochet or chainless double crochet.
I've gotten more questions about this - especially for other stitches than double crochet.
So here is an elaboration on the subject.
Use the Perfect Stitch Marker
Once in a while you work on something, were you need to count and count and count. Most of the time you are counting rows and sometimes you need to make sure, you do the increase/decrease or color change in the right place.FYI: You don't need to count the same rows again and again.
I've always wanted to learn how to crochet with my left hand too. It would definitely give you some advances!
Though - come to think of it. Sometimes it is not necessary. See here how to do a Reversed Tunisian Top Stitch - aka Reversed Bump Stitch.
It is SO easy!
Though - come to think of it. Sometimes it is not necessary. See here how to do a Reversed Tunisian Top Stitch - aka Reversed Bump Stitch.
It is SO easy!
Nice looking edges are important, if you want to make a decent work. But sometimes they are teasing. One of the better tricks to know, is how to make the first stitch in a row look good.
For instance: There are different advices of how to start a double crochet row. Some do two chains others do three chains. And - SIGH! - sometimes it feels like 2½ chain would be better.
There is actually an even prettier way to start a new row.
For instance: There are different advices of how to start a double crochet row. Some do two chains others do three chains. And - SIGH! - sometimes it feels like 2½ chain would be better.
There is actually an even prettier way to start a new row.