How to Create Picture Crochet

Otherwise known as Intarsia you can use picture crochet to create a variety of crochet projects. For example one large crochet image for a cushion or a bag or make smaller motifs for cushions and scarves. You can use any weight of yarn for Intarsia crochet, but DK (light worsted) and 4ply (sport weight) work best. You will need to use a yarn with a good stitch definition or your design will be lost. Once you have perfected the yarn change of Intarsia using this style of crochet makes easy crochet projects as usually only one stitch is used, usually dc’s (sc’s).

Intarsia hints and tips

If you are using multiple colours wind small balls to reduce ‘taffle’
Start with two colour designs to build your confidence
Always carry the yarn across the back of your work
Don’t crochet over the yarn you have carried across the back or you will create double thickness fabric
For long stretches of one colour ‘catch up’ the yarn once or twice to avoid long stretches of yarn strands
Take care not to pull up your work as you carry the yarn across the back of your work

For an example of picture crochet see large square cushion

What can you make using Intarsia Crochet?

• Cushions
• Bags look fantastic using Intarsia designs check out Wayuu bags from Columbia and South America on Pinterest
• Scarves with snowflakes
• Tartan cushions and scarves
• Cushions with flowers
• Flowers and leaves work well
• Animals such as cats, dogs, rabbits work well as do birds and look great on children’s clothing
• Contemporary designs such as triangles, zigzags and oblongs

Where to find inspiration and original design ideas?

Anything that can be turned into a grid will work, cross stitch patterns with grids are a good resource or you can place a grid over an image you like. The design you choose shouldn’t be too complicated as it is difficult to create shades with crochet. Check that the grid will fit your crochet work, use 1 stitch on the grid as one or two stitches in your crochet. Crochet Patchwork Bag. 

How to crochet an evening Bag

Given that there are so many stunning yarns available some with sequins, some with metallic threads running through them and silk and mohair blends crochet evening bags can be as stunning and as sophisticated as any shop versions. They can make quick to make crochet projects for proms and weddings outfits for yourself or for gifts.

What shape to make your evening bag?
Clutch style bags are very easy to construct. Basically you just need one long strip of crochet with enough crochet to fold over to form a flap. I like to add a decorative edge to the flap of my bags and to the sides. If you decide to add a decorative edge to the side of your bag you can crochet your bag together saving time on sewing! You can also insert decorative rows, such as rows of clusters or shells into the long strip of crochet as you go along.

Round shaped evening bags are very pretty and the easiest way to make them is with five motifs, one for the bottom and four for the sides. This also has the benefit of giving you an endless choice of motifs and designs to choose from. Use a see through lacy motif and make your bag lining a fundamental part of your design.

Alternatively round evening bags can be made by using a round base and then building up the sides. Make your base plain and make the sides decorative with popcorn stitches or front and back posts. Start with 8dc’s (sc’s) and increase on each row beginning with an increase in every stitch. Then increase in every other stitch, into every second, then third and so on. Stop increasing to work up the sides.

Which yarn to use for your bag?
It’s surprising that even a wool based yarn can produce a lovely bag. Try a sequin yarn or one with a sparkly thread running through it or a silk blend for a touch of luxury. I like to use Double knit (light worsted yarn) but 4 ply or chunky would work just as well. Yarns with soft sheens make very elegant crochet evening bags, Sirdar Baby Bamboo DK (light worsted) is ideal as is Sirdar Toscana 100% cotton which is a gorgeous blended silky cotton. Cotton yarns make strong durable bags.

Crochet Evening Bag

Which stitches to use?
Double crochet (single crochets) stitches work well, as do half trebles (half double crochets) and these create a lovely ridge effortlessly. You can also use a looser stitch or open work lacy style crochet when the lining will show through and this can look very effective. Front and back row post stitches look good, create pretty ridges and are useful for defining changes in rows. For example use front posts trebles (dc’s) before you add a band of cluster stitches.

Finishing your bag
Always line your bag. This really does make the difference between a professional looking bag that will not only look better and be one that will last longer.  If you can line your bag with a cotton or cotton rich fabric to protect your work and to make your bag stronger.
Try to use a material lining that doesn’t fray. Satin or a satin stripe would look lovely as would a lining in a contrasting material to the crochet you have made. Line the base of your bag to prevent stretching and make sure you leave a small gap of crochet around the edge of your lining so you can stitch together.

Add a decorative fastening, a crochet flower or crochet button and you can also add beads to your yarn to crochet them in as you go along. Add a centre button or flower with a loop for a fastening . Add a decorative draw string to the top of tour bag with an oversized tassel and handle.
Handles crochet or bought?

Crochet Evening Bag

I like strong carrying handles on the bags I make and there are different ways to achieve this. You can make a strip of crochet using dc’s (sc’s) for your handle and double it over when finished by stitching the sides together.  Alternatively use your yarn double, doing this creates a lovely strong tweed style effect. You can also buy leather and wooden handles in craft stores and these work well.

Another alternative is to make thinner handles by making a length of crochet and stitching around strong plastic tubing which you can buy from craft stores. I make shoulder straps in the same way as handles for some of my bags.

Using Crochet Flowers

There are any number of ways to create pretty crochet flowers from the simple to the more complicated and so many ways to use them. Crochet flowers on the top of a tea cosy will turn it into something very special. Crochet flowers as necklaces, on hats, children’s clothing and crochet bags lift homemade or bought items into something original to you. One of the loveliest ways to use flowers is to create a flower wreaths using a bought ring and it’s quite simple to make them seasonal.

The beauty of crochet flowers is that with a simple change of colour, yarn texture or change of yarn thickness you can alter the appearance of the flower completely.

Tea cosies bought or made by you look much prettier with crochet flowers decorating the top.
Hats, whether you make your own hat or buy one a crochet flower or group of flowers will turn your hat into a design unique just for you.

Crochet wreaths, make them seasonal by your choice of colours, seasonal flowers and the addition of crochet leaves, glitter, pom poms and beads.

Brooches and corsage with crochet flowers and leaves and berries are very popular. Even if you are new to crochet you can create a very pretty corsage. Add beads or decorative buttons for more impact!

Crochet flowers for hair decorations work in a similar way to brooches, just simplify the design using one or two flowers instead of three or four. Add a large grip pin fastening to the back.

One of my favourite flowers is the popcorn flower and I love these added to my own crochet bags or to the top of straw bags. Give your popcorn flowers a different coloured centre then make them with a shiny yarn or thicker yarn and put a button in the middle. You can also use popcorn flowers to crochet wreaths.

Decorate children’s clothing with daisy crochet flowers.

Add crochet flowers to cushions as a cluster or as part of your cushion design.

Crochet flowers on throws look better as part of the design or if you are making your throw with motifs. Join together with a crochet flower where the 4 point meet, this looks very effective!

Use a large flower as a fastener for scarves by adding a pin to the back, use a complimentary colour to your bought scarf.

Small crochet flowers make lovely buttons for children’s cardigans

Crochet Bags

Crochet bags are lovely and you can make them in a whole variety of styles and yarns from simple farmers market shoppers to more sophisticated clutch and trendy beach bags. Crochet bags can be as simple or as complicated to make as you want them to be! What shape or style  to make your bag?

Holdall bags are probably the most useful. My calico bag pattern can be a work bag, beach bag or shopper. Holdall bags are easy to make with either one shaped piece or 5 separate pieces for back, sides, and bottom. Make crochet holdalls big or large.

Half moon shape or clutch shapes big or small. Use motifs or a solid block of crochet. Use a simple crochet button or crochet flower as a fastening, big or small.

Traditional crochet string bags are the easiest and quickest to make. Best made with chunky yarns or thick cottons. The choice of colours in chunky cottons is lovely so you can go bright or subtle.

Lined or unlined bags. A lining prevents your bag from stretching and protects intricate designs from damage by contents. Use a contrasting design for the lining to add a high end look of your bag.

Duffle shape crochet bags with drawstrings are one of my favourite styles. Use motifs or make them intarsia (colour motif) style. Intarsia bags are simple to make but take some expertise in colour changing.

Traditional granny squares make lovely original bags. Use motifs square on or diagonally.

Handbag style crochet bags have a more formal shape and look good in subtle shades or shades of one colour.

Use stripes small or large, 3 large in blended shades of the same colour create a sophisticated look. Combine different yarns of the same weight to create a unique effect.

Embossed or raised designs including surface crochet are very effective particularly on holdalls. Use raised crochet to create tartan effects.

What sort of handles do you want? Crochet, wooden or bamboo handles or round handles all look good and round handles give a retro look. If you make a holdall style crochet bag you can make and line your own crochet handles.

Crochet bags with flowers. I love raised flowers on bags. These look really pretty around the top and handles of your bag. Use the same yarn or a contrast for your flowers and pick out the colours of your bag.

Debbie Bliss Juliet

Debbie Bliss Summer Tweed is sold as DK (light worsted) but it feels more like a 4 ply to me. It comes in a lovely range of beautifully blended colours from violet, daisy, poppy, rose, begonia, marigold, honeysuckle and petal. I used honeysuckle. The yarn has slubs which makes for a more interesting finish and gives and extra level of interest.

Made up of 52% cotton 48% acrylic Debbie bliss summer tweed is brilliant for shawls, scarves and lightweight summer knits. Wash at 30C 50 g balls. Yardage is 120m/131yds and Debblie Bliss summer tweed comes in 50g balls.

It would make a lovely cover up or summer jacket. I made a summer shawl with motifs, which I designed for summer weddings. This lovely quality yarn would make a gorgeous holdall style bag particularly blended with a plain double knit yarn (light worsted).

I used a hook size 3.25mm (U.S. 3) and my motif is 9cm (4”) by 9cm (4”). Pay up to £4.50 and buy from Black Sheep Wools or Deramores.

Crochet Styles

What other craft is as flexible as crochet? With just a few basic crochet skills you can make throws, hats, scarfs, shawls and baskets. Who doesn’t enjoy making something that is original to them?  With a bit of practice slippers, sandals, delicate curtains and jewellery are all achievable. There is even a free form style of crochet and spectacular crochet art installations can be seen online. For a craft that has only been around for about 150 years, the range and scope of crochet is fascinating and is growing year on year.

The lovely thing about crochet more than other crafts is the variety of styles and techniques. Once you’ve mastered the basics your choices are limitless. Twenty crochet style ideas for you:

1. Different countries historically have different styles of crochet. One distinct styles of crochet comes from the Azores where you find lace with sun motifs.
2. Irish crochet is very delicate, intricate and distinctive. Much of it is made free without patterns to produce flowers, leaves and tiny berries.
3. Tunisian crochet is a cross between knitting and crochet. Made using a long needle with a hook at the end, it holds multiple loops on the hook. The result is a fabric that is beautifully textured.
4. Russia and eastern European adapted Irish crochet to form their own style. This is now used widely in free form to create the most intricate and delicate dresses, tops and exquisite wedding dresses. You can find subtle shades of one colour for free form crochet to create delicate scarves and jewellery.
5. In South America crochet is used to make bright Aztec inspired bags. 
6. Bavarian crochet is a fairly new term for an old crochet style of motif that is worked in two rows. The first row is a series of clusters, and the second row is a series of shell stitches worked into the post below the stitch. 
   
7. The development of affordable yarns and clever blends from national, international and independent producers and dyers has opened up a whole world of possibilities for crocheters of all skill levels. The choice of yarns from wools and blends in every weight from lace to super chunky, and yarn blends with Merino, Alpaca, cotton, silk and linen. 
8. Multi coloured yarns and the very popular sock yarns cleverly produce bands of colour to create regular stripes, Fair isle and a whole range of effects, using the simplest of stitches. 
9. Crochet doesn’t have to be restricted to traditional yarns crochet can be made with very fine and very thick cotton, garden string, recycled T shirts and even plastic carrier bags.
10. Jewellery and crochet shoes and sandals for children are very popular now. 
11. In the U.S. favourites are bright multi coloured throws, using variations of the traditional granny square. 
12. In Europe bright colours are also popular but you will also find intricate designs using fine wool based yarn from designers such as Sophie Digard. 
13. Choose what you make by style, Raised crochet, lacy, textured or shells or more intricate stitches. 
    
14. Choose styles by what you want to make, clothes, children’s, home, decorations, jewellery
15. Motifs are a whole category in their own right, make square ones or round ones. Then decide how you want to put them together, in panels, as a circle or with one motif in the centre and building rounds on rounds. 
    
16. You can also make crochet in panels or strips, which works very well for throws and blankets, giving you the chance to show case various stitches and techniques using a subtle blend of colours. 
17. Broomstick crochet gets its name from 19th century crocheters who used a broom handle to crochet lace. Using a broom handle isn’t necessary a large knitting needle will do the trick. The circumference of whatever you use determines how large your lace pattern is. It produces very pretty open clusters.
18. Filet crochet is an old technique and is made using one or two types of stitches to produce blocks of stitches and spaces. These can be used to produce images everything from flowers, faces and house scenes.
19. Overlay crochet is made by crocheting on top of crochet already made. This is done to create a 3D effect and to highlight specific areas of the original crochet
20. Amigurumi from Japan is a whole new world of crochet, using mainly one stitch. These are not as easy to make as they look!

How to adapt a crochet pattern

One of the things I love about crochet is its flexibility and the good news is you don’t have to be an experienced crocheter to change and adapt patterns. Although changing a pattern is not advisable for clothing. Adapt patterns to make your projects distinctive and to add a ‘wow’ to your crochet projects. Here are my favourite ways to do this:

• Change the yarn thickness of a cushion pattern to a bigger or smaller weight yarn. Change your hook size to create a bigger or smaller cushion. Using thicker yarns gives less definition than finer ones, but creates a lovely chunky feel.
• Add two yarns together to create your own blend of yarn to create a tweedy effect.
  
• It’s particularly easy to adapt patterns if the pattern uses motifs. For example change the actual motif of your pattern or mix and match motifs. This will work if the additional or changed motifs have the same finished size as the original pattern motif and you use the same yarn and hook.
• Add extra rows of dc’s (sc’s) ot tr’s (dc’s) to crochet cushions or throws to make a larger cushion.
• Add rows of flowers as you go along or on top of your work. This works well with bags, cushions and throws. Keep to the original size of the pattern and you will be OK.
  
• Change the colours of a pattern or add more colours. If a pattern has motifs use multiple colours or one colour for the centre of all your motifs for a completely different effect.
• Simply changing the main colour of your design from light to dark or subtle to bright will dramatically change your finished project
• Add picots to the edge of a cardigan or scarf. This won’t affect the pattern but will make it look special and finished.
• Add beads and buttons to the centre of crochet flowers if using a pattern with flowers.
  
• Replace standard buttons with hand crafted wooden buttons or crochet your own buttons
• Add a different edging to clothing, cushions and throws than the one in the pattern.
• Crochet on top even simple chains will highlight a specific area using a different colour.
• Instead on one big motif make 4 small ones that finished make the same size as the original pattern.
• Use shells or popcorns instead of groups of trebles (dc’s) adding chains or leaving spaces to get the balance of your pattern right.
• If using a motif pattern that stitches motifs together change this by crocheting motifs together using dc’s (sc’s) or slip stitches.
  
• If a pattern has groups of trebles (dc’s) and dc’s (sc’s) crochet into back loops only to create a pretty ridge effect this works on garments as well.
• If using motifs make the last row all the same colour to create a background look.

Third Kaleidoscope Cushion - design 14

The colours for the third design of my summer Kaleidoscope cushion collection was inspired by a visit to the seaside on a sunny warm day in June. The dog played on the beach we paddled in the sea and indulged in very big ice creams! The sea was very blue and the cliffs were two shades of rusty brown and in bright sunshine the sand was a pale beigy grey.

The colours didn’t seem like an obvious combination but if they work in nature.....When we came back from the seaside I had the inspiration for my 3rd cushion in my head and I couldn’t wait to start. For this 3rd cushion I wanted to show more detail of the crochet stitches so I needed to use a finer yarn.

Searching my stocks of yarn  I found some Shilasdair which is made using natural dyes  and is a lovely yarn  from independent spinners on the Isle of Skye. It has slubs of wool something that I love as it brings another dimension to the finished designs. In this cushion I used an oatmeal colour. For some reason finer yarns seem to have more subtle colours. I combined the Shilasdair with West Yorkshire Spinners 4 ply from the Spice range. The blue is Sirdar Country Style 4 ply. I used a 3.5 crochet hook.

The theme that runs through the Kaleidoscope collection is the colours and using colour combinations to define the designs. All of the Kaleidoscope collection were made by me when sitting in the garden when it was not always warm and I sometimes had to dodge the showers!

The garden in June

Join me here.....

You can see the first Kaleidoscope cushion design 12 here and the second Kaleidoscope cushion design 13 here.

As you know I love embellishments and while I loved the finished design it looked a bit masculine with an all square design so I added the 3d roses. As you can see I loved making them and got a bit carried away. Find the pattern here

Third Kaleidoscope Cushion

The colours for the third design of my summer Kaleidoscope cushion collection was inspired by a visit to the seaside on a sunny warm day in June. The dog played on the beach we paddled in the sea and indulged in very big ice creams! The sea was very blue and the cliffs were two shades of rusty brown and in bright sunshine the sand was a pale beigy grey.

The colours didn’t seem like an obvious combination but if they work in nature.....When we came back from the seaside I had the inspiration for my 3rd cushion in my head and I couldn’t wait to start. For this 3rd cushion I wanted to show more detail of the crochet stitches so I needed to use a finer yarn.

Searching my stocks of yarn  I found some Shilasdair which is made using natural dyes  and is a lovely yarn  from independent spinners on the Isle of Skye. It has slubs of wool something that I love as it brings another dimension to the finished designs. In this cushion I used an oatmeal colour. For some reason finer yarns seem to have more subtle colours. I combined the Shilasdair with West Yorkshire Spinners 4 ply from the Spice range. The blue is Sirdar Country Style 4 ply. I used a 3.5 crochet hook.

The theme that runs through the Kaleidoscope collection is the colours and using colour combinations to define the designs. All of the Kaleidoscope collection were made by me when sitting in the garden when it was not always warm and I sometimes had to dodge the showers!

The garden in June

As you know I love embellishments and while I loved the finished design it looked a bit masculine with an all square design so I added the 3d roses. As you can see I loved making them and got a bit carried away. Find the pattern here

Summer Crochet Bolster Cushion

One of my favourite things to crochet are cushions and I love making oversized square, bolster and big round cushions, in fact cushions in any unusual shape or size! Oversized and unusual shaped cushions look so distinctive and if you make them give you the opportunity to show off your skills, your colour and yarn choices to best effect. You can find the pattern for one of my oversized cushions here.

But making large and unusually sized crochet cushions can create challenges for finding cushion pads. Round and bolster pads are now readily available online and square cushions come in a variety of sizes, but anything else can be a bit of a challenge. If stuck I’ve used and adapted pillows and children’s duvets, even though I’m not a fan of sewing. This month I’m making a bolster cushion for the garden chair in my small courtyard garden which is a bit uncomfortable!

I wanted some subtle colours as a change for the multi coloured throw I made in the winter. I picked Rowan Creative linen yarn, in teal, which I found for sale in Norfolk yarns last autumn. I also chose a DMC Wooly merino yarn, in a limey yellow, which I found in a garden centre! I also added some Debbie Bliss cotton, creamy beige, which I bought in the remnant basket at Little Lamb Yarns in Hovingham North Yorkshire.

I decided to use double crochet (single crochet U.S.) for the cushion as it creates a nice dense texture which suits the yarn I am using. To add interest I made some of the panels horizontally and vertically. This is a technique I used in my ripple stitch bolster cushion and I really like the effect it this creates.

I am a bit addicted to popcorn stitch flowers. They are a bit fiddly but I find them very relaxing to make. While I was making a row of them for the joins in the cushions I laid some of them out in front of me. I noticed that grouped together they made a lovely big flower so I’m also using this somewhere in the design.

The design isn’t finished! I have a bit of a reputation of designing as I go along rather than designing on paper which I should do! More on the design next month and the pattern will be available in May.

 See more of my patterns here.....

My Flower Bag

You know how it is..... A new book of crochet patterns sets you off to a head full of ideas. This happened to me about a month ago. I have plenty of patterns for crochet flowers and patterns incorporating flowers, some of these are new and some are vintage. But its always good to see new ideas or older motifs used in new ways.

About the same time I'd also made a visit to one of my favourite wool shops 'Little Lamb' in Helmsley in North Yorkshire and rummaged in the 'odd balls' basket. I came away with some Sirdar Sunggly, Sirdar Crofter Sirdar Bamboo. The bamboo I particularly like, it has a lovely sheen.

I could instantly see how good a pattern for small flowers would look made in the bamboo. I'd chosen a rusty red colour for the bamboo, rust for the Sunggly and a blue/rust mix for he Crofter. Putting my ideas and inspiration from the new book together with the lovely Sirdar yarn and I decided to design a holdall. My reason was to have another  place for my crochet projects. I already have the shelves in my work room, a large basket with a current project or design, another basket with a commission I am working on, but you can never have enough!

I  started by creating some of the flowers and trying out the Sirdar Snuggly in double crochet (US single crochet) and borrowed a cross over treble stitch I'm using for a throw. The pattern for the holdall is now in my Ravelry store.....

The holdall was lovely to make and I spent some very relaxing warm summer evenings in the garden with the dogs.

Crochet Flower Embelishments

As you know by now I love embelishments, those little extras that make your crochet project something very special! This time I'm looking at flowers. There are so many lovely designs and any number of ways to use them. It's very easy to design your own and adapt existing designs, changing colours, working into the back of stitches and grouping together can all turn an existing design into your own original crochet flower..

I came across this flower design which is very simple to make, this group are for a crochet bag I'm working on at the moment. http://mamachee.com/

and I wanted to share with you one of my own flower designs.

This flower is very easy to make. I made the one in the picture using Bergere de France Coton with a 2.5mm crochet hook.

Start with 8 chain. Join with a slip stitch to form a ring. 2 chain, into the ring make 16 double crochet (single crochet). Join with skip stitch into top of first chain.

Next row 2 chain 1 double crochet (single crochet), 12 chain, 1 treble (double crochet) into 6th chain from the hook, 1 treble (double crochet) into next 7 chain. 1 double crochet (single crochet) into next double crochet (single crochet) of previous row. Repeat to end, 8 petals. Join with slip stitch to top of first chain, fasten off.

Here are a few ways I've used crochet flowers