10 tips for beginners to crochet

1. Whether you are simply practising or you are planning to make something make a practise piece first, so you can see how easy it is to work with the yarn you have chosen and to find out which is the best crochet hook size to use
2. Don’t buy the cheapest yarn, often they split and make working more difficult. (how to choose yarn)
3. when starting out in crochet don’t start use a cotton yarn they don’t stretch and for a beginner can make it difficult to work the stitches
4. Use one colour for your first projects until you are more confident then you can learn to add and change colours (how to choose colours)
5. If you want to make motifs but are not confident about working in the round you can make square motifs working from side to side, remember to count the stitches so they keep their shape 
   
6. Adding a simple edging, such as 1dc (sc) 1ch into each stitch all around will finish off any project you are making and make your work look more professional
7. If you are starting with a motif project use different colours for each motif to make the project more interesting to work
8. For your first projects make something that is simple but make something that you can wear or us, this will encourage you on to your next project
9. Don’t be afraid to change your crochet hook size. If your work is too loose change to a smaller hook size and if it is too tight try a larger hook
10. US a DK (light worsted) or thicker yarn to begin with but not too thick so you can easily see the stitches you have made and can easily see where you have to work into. Once you move on to super chunky and above it can be difficult to work the stitches and make your hands ache!

And finally if when you are working you find the stitches don’t slip easily on to your hook or slip off too easily this is an indication you are using the wrong size crochet hook

Crochet Rugs

One of the things I love about crochet is the number of different things you can create and make with knowledge of just a few stitches and techniques. Given the choice of yarns now available we are spoilt for choice with our crochet projects!

Crochet rugs are one of my favourite projects and are surprisingly quick to make. You can make crochet rugs for bathrooms, children’s bedrooms (using a picture based design works well for this) and kitchens.

Make your rug square, rectangular, round or oblong. If you are making your rug rectangular you can work your design horizontally or vertically to create two distinct and very different looks. Working horizontally along the length of your rug gives a longer look to your finished rug. See my pink/green rug pattern. 

Use cotton rich yarn for your rug it’s tough, hardwearing and washable. Sugar n Cream is perfect.  There is a fabulous choice of plain and blended colours. I like to limit the number of colours I use in the rugs I make, overall this creates a more stylish finish. You can also use jute based yarns and recycled t shirt material works well for rag rug style crochet rugs.

Keep your rug design simple, geometric designs look good, but your crochet rug is by no means limited to this type of design. Making a square or rectangular consider using motifs. For round crochet rugs I sometimes use vintage doily patterns. If you are using doily or fine crochet mat patterns just scale up, but be warned you often have to simplify these.  Use textured stitches or Mandela patterns look amazing used to create rugs.

Reduce the number of holes in my crochet rugs or at least make sure they are small to reduce trip hazards. You can add an edging if you like and this works really well on circular rugs.See the pattrn for my blue Sugar n Cream rug.....

My favourite crochet Stitches and what I use them for

Do you have favourite stitches, ones you love to make and love the look they create? In this blog I'm talking about my favourite crochet stitches and what I use them for. When I first started to crochet I dreaded finding patterns I liked that included picot stitches, made by creating a small ring in chains worked usually in the middle of your work! I struggled to make them look good; they were either too slack or too tight. Now I love them. Take a simple net pattern and add a few picots and you create something much finer than plain crochet net. Picots are easier to make if you make your stitches not too tight. I also love picots added to edgings. If your edging has a rise and fall add the picot to the rise.

Child's crochet jacket

Chio
 Another stitch I was not keen on when I first started to crochet was popcorn stitch, made by joining the first stitch to the last stitch of q group of trebles (double crochets) shells.  I think the problem I had was my tension was too slack producing a large loop at the top of the popcorn that did not look good! With practice popcorn stitches are now another favourite of mine. They look lovely used in baby blankets and add a warm texture to women’s crochet scarves.

Front row posts made usually with trebles (double crochets) produce crochet that looks like knitted ribbing and create a very pretty reversible fabric, thicker and more rigid than usual crochet. Front row posts are worked around the stem of the stitch on the row below the one you are working on. This creates the perfect stitch for bags and crochet cushions.

Slip stitch is almost the forgotten crochet stitch used often to join rows together, particularly in older crochet patterns. Used on its own slip stitch can create lovely effects and are very simple to stitch. I use slip stitches to join motifs together and to create edgings for table runners and throws. Add a chain between your slip stitches on an edging to make a very pretty frilly edging.

My all time favourite stitch is the half treble (half double crochet) in a similar way to slip stitches the half treble was (in early patterns) used as a transitional stitch. On large shells half trebles (half double crochets) were used to move the work along from a dc (single crochet) to a treble (double crochet) without too large a leap. Now they have come into their own and they appear in many modern patterns. This stitch has the benefit that it grows quickly and creates a lovely top ridged effect. It’s the perfect stitch to use in plain patterns to produce something that looks classy. I use the half treble in my cluster scarf, basket and rug.

Working in back loops is not really a stitch it’s more of a technique, but is something I use a lot. It creates a gorgeous ridge which makes the base of crochet baskets look amazing.

Stained glass Window Crochet Holdall

This lovely bag has a patchwork look about it achieved by adding rows of one main colour in between blocks of contrasting colour which highlight the multi coloured squares. It’s made in a tapestry style crochet which I’ve made simpler for this easy to make bag.

My inspiration for this bag was a blouse design I saw in a clothing catalogue. I knew immediately the material design would look good translated into a crochet design. For my bag I chose colours that blended together but using contrasting colours would look just as good and produce a wonderful pool of colour for your bag. By using brighter colours for the square inserts you would produce a stained glass effect.

The double crochets stitches (single crochet) used in this design show the colours to their best effect and gives a more rigid dense structure perfect for a bag. Before finishing your bag, it’s worth lining your bag stops it stretching and to prevent it being damaged.

The main points to remember when making this bag is to carry the yarn across the back and front. When working the front keep your yarns to the back and carry the main colour along the back, be careful not to pull this too tight. When working the back carry the yarns along the side facing you.

I added big tassels for more interest and thick chunky carrying strap which is long enough to fit comfortable over your shoulder. Grab the pattern here.....

Raised Stitches

There are many different crochet stitches, but all are based on the basics of chains, single crochet, double crochet and trebles. Learn a few special stitches that combine the basics and you can begin to introduce them into your crochet projects and create something truly unique to you.

Raised stitches are special stitches that are easily achieved once you have mastered the basics and are easy and satisfying to work. Raised crochet stitches are trebles, double crochets and combinations of both usually created by working around the post of the stitches in the previous row.  This creates a firm, textured crochet finish. Post stitches can be worked around the front or the back of the post.  Doing this raises your crochet work in different ways.

Raised stitches can be used to create ribs, ridges and ripples. Crochet in the front, into the back into both alternatively or diagonally, they produce different effects.Raised stitches add another level to crochet projects. Most raised stitches create a double thickness finish, so they are lovely when you want to make something warm, such as baby blankets, throws and crochet jackets. But be warned using raised stitches uses a lot of yarn!

The yarn you use makes a difference when working raised stitches and you should be careful with your choice. An uneven yarn can look odd and create bumps as you work around posts.
Basket weave is one of the most popular and useful raised stitches it’s lovely to make and is perfect for baby blanket. Wave stitch, brick stitch working in the front give a softer look, working in the back creates ridges in your work, adding much more texture and design to it.

The abbreviation for these stitches is usually FL for front loops and BL for back loops.  These are put in front of the abbreviation of the basic stitch, for example double crochet worked in the front loop would be FLdc.

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

Wensleydale Longwool Wool

I love trying our new yarns and have wanted to sample Wensleydale wool for a long time so when I visited their shop in Leyburn North Yorkshire on a lovely sunny day earlier this month I was in my element!  Leyburn is lovely and the Wensleydale shop is a treasure trove of yarn, accessories and finished items made using this local Yorkshire wool. If you get the chance make a visit to the shop, the staff are very knowledgeable and very keen to help and discuss your projects.

Made in very pretty Wensleydale using traditional Wensleydale Wool, this very warm yarn presents very good value. The Aran (worsted) yarn is £6.50 per 100gm ball. Double knitting yarn (light worsted) is £6.60 for a 100gm ball and £3.40 buys you the 4 ply in 50gm balls.

The wide  selection of colours includes some marls in the Aran weight which includes Natural, Aubergine, Buttertubs, Coral, Denim, Dusk, Fennel, Larch, Lime Sherbet, Marshmallow, Mizzle, Moonlight, Pomegranate, Storm, Teal, Wild Thyme and Thornton Rust. Yardage per 100g ball: 160m – 174yds and for knitting recommended needle size: 4.5mm (UK 7) with a tension of 19sts and 25 rows over stocking stitch 10cm x 10cm using 4.5mm needles.

Wensleydale Double Knitted(light worsted) also comes in 100 gram ball, colours are Natural, Natural Black, Buttertubs, Coral, Denim, Fennel, Larch, Lime Sherbet, Mizzle, Moonlight, Spruce, Storm, Wild Thyme, Marshmallow, Pomegranate and Thornton Rust. I used a 3.5mm hook 11 dc’s (sc’s) and 13 rows made 6 cm’s/2”. Yardage per 100g ball for the double knit is 235m/257yds with a recommended needle size of 3.75mm (UK 9).

Wensleydale 4 ply in 50 gram ball comes in Natural, Natural Black, Buttertubs, Larch, Fennel, Moonlight, Pomegranate, Marshmallow. Yardage per 50g ball: 170m – 186yds with a recommended needle size: 3.25mm (UK 10) and a tension of 27sts and 36 rows over st/st on 3.25mm needles over 10cm (4″) square

All these gorgeous Wensleydale yarns would be perfect for winter jackets, cardigans, scarfs and hats and gloves. Buy at the lovely shop in Leyburn north Yorkshire or online at https://www.wensleydalelongwool.co.uk/?v=79cba1185463

Crochet Throws

Throws are so useful, to snuggle up to when nights are cold, in the garden when days are a little cooler or just for when you need a bit of comfort! Crochet throws are fun to make. Not too big so they take too long to stitch but big enough to make an interesting project. And there are so many style choices!


Oblong,  this is the most useful size and oblong throws look better too 

Use one style of motif
Choose two or three complimentary style of motif

Use small or large motifs to make your throw or combine small and large together
Strips give you more scope for design choices. Make simple horizontal or vertical strips or fit together in a log cabin design.

Make your throw as one piece from top to bottom and build your design in rows

Start in the centre of your crochet throw and work outwards. This works well if you start with a large oblong central motif or one or two square motifs stitched together. You can then add another row of motifs to finish your throw

Use chunky, double knit or finer yarn. The thicker the yarn the more quickly your throw will grow. 

Finer yarns give more definition and thicker yarns work really well with popcorn stitches and cables. 

Finer yarns work beautifully with more intricate motifs to create a lovely lacy effect.

The yarn content is critical for what you want to use your throw for. A cotton or acrylic blend is ideal for summer throws. Wool blends are ideal if you want something warmer. 

Colour is critical to your finished effect, use one colour or multi colours. One colour creates a subtle effect. Stick to four or five colours for a sophisticated effect or use yarn scarps and take pot luck!

Ripple or zig zags stitches work well 

Textured stitches such as popcorns, clusters look classy in throws. Work as a whole or as individual motifs

Raised stitches and cables are brilliant if you use a thicker yarn 

Flower based motifs are lovely if you sue cotton or a cotton blend

If you want a more contemporary look go for diagonals, squares and triangular shapes

Entrelac or stitch is very useful if you want to create a picture design. Use dc’s (sc’s) or trebles (dc’s).

Sirdar Crofter Review

 Sirdar Crofter double knit (US equivalent) is a quality yarn at a good price. Very soft it is designed to create a Fair Isle effect in knitted jumpers and cardigans. 60% Acrylic and 25% Cotton a 50g ball gives a Yardage/metre of 170m/184y.

I’ve seen Crofter used in knitting to create that lovely Fair Isle look, but you can also use Crofter very effectively in crochet. Use Crofter to crochet tops and jackets. However when you use it for scarves, cushions or throws, Crofter will make a simple design look very effective and much more intricate than it really is.

Simple strips or motifs of double crochet Crofter looks very effective combined with other Sirdar yarns, including Baby Bamboo. Crofter would be lovely used  in a ripple pattern using contrasting or blended colours with the colours of the Crofter Fair Isle.

Popcorn stitches in Sirdar Baby Bamboo

I used Crofter for my summer bag/work bag. I added strips of Sirdar Crofter in a blue/rust/brown blend in double crochet in between rows of Sirdar double knit Snuggly. To add interest and to tone in with it Sirdar Snuggly double knit in a rusty brown colour.

Sirdar Crofter comes in a range of colours with dyes that tone in with other Sirdar yarns. Choose from 21 colours including pinks, purples, heathers, oranges, grey, greens and a lovely pale sea grass.



for a big selection of Sirdar and great customer service buy it from Little Lamb or The Wool Warehouse.

Designing an Edging

Adding an edging makes a massive difference to any finished item, giving it that little extra va va voom, whether it is a crochet cushion, throw or clothing. Go that extra mile with an edging and lift your crochet work making it something special to be proud. If you are making a gift with a beautiful edging the person receiving it will know you have gone that extra mile for them.

An edging can be as simple or complicated as you like and will frame your finished design. Or you can make the edging the main part of your design and this works particularly well if you are making a simple design.

What type of edgings?

Ruffle – can look very pretty and these are deceptively simple to make. Make a row of double crochet (SC). On the next row work 4 dc into each dc of the previous row, then continue making rows of dc’s on dc. Add some colourful stripes and your cushion throw or waistcoat will lookamazing.

Stitch lengthwise – make your edging by joining on to the last row of your work and create an edging row on row around your work.

Stitch horizontal - You can also make an edging separately by making a number of chains for the width of edging you want and by working horizontally. Carry on until your edging is the length you need, then attach by sewing on to your work or slip stitch together. This creates a completely different look to your work.

Plain stripes – use the colors of your project to create stripes. Make this edging special by working into the back loops only on all or rows or alternative rows to create a very pretty ribbed effect. Make uneven rows of colours or switch between trebles and double crochet (SC’s) rows.

Small or large edging – to create a frame for your main work, with a few simple stripes and a final row of shells stitches. This looks lovely on baby blankets. Depending on the size of your project make shells by working into every 3^rd or 4^th stitch (1dc 1htr 3tr 1htr 1dc).

Tassel it – add a few simple rows of a stripe edging, then add a final row of tassels, using the yarn of your work. You can add tassels to the corners only or all around. Be warned tassels use up a lot of yarn! To see how I used these edgings visit.....

Kaleidoscope cushion - design 13

Crochet Kaleidoscope cushion

My first Kaleidoscope cushion launched in April this year, featured multiple square motifs. The Kaleidoscope collection of three cushions are all inspired by my garden which is a bit wild and rambling! For the second of my Kaleidoscope cushions  You can see the first one here...I had the idea of one big square motif for the middle of the cushion. I had been experimenting with free form crochet and making ruffles which in free form add a 3D element to flowers and shells. I could see how using a ruffle would make a lovely edging for the cushion, so the two ideas came together!

When I designed this cushion late spring was here and wild campion was growing alongside ‘Lady's Mantle’ (alchamelia mollis) in the garden. It’s amazing how nature creates lovely combinations all by itself. The pretty pink of the taller campion was surrounded by the lime coloured leaves of Lady’s mantle and late spring showers made sparkly rain drops on the leaves lady’s mantle. This gave me the idea for the colours and the yarn for the second of the Kaleidoscope cushion.

My first Kaleidoscope cushion has a homely style. I wanted the second one to have a summery look and feel, something that would look good in a conservatory or on a garden chair. What yarn to use? I love Baby Bamboo! It’s a soft yarn with a lovely sheen and comes in a gorgeous choice of colours so it seemed the perfect choice. I use Baby Bamboo a lot, you can see it here in my summer holdall. When I designed this bag I used baby bamboo for the popcorn flowers and it really stands out.

For my second Kaleidoscope cushion, which is design number 13 I used 3 colours of baby bamboo, I used a lovely bright green and turquoise blue for the centre motif and added a pale pink for the ruffle edging. Read my Baby Bamboo review here.

Whatever I am designing I love combining yarns and the effects this produces. It makes a big difference to crochet projects. Baby Bamboo is reasonably priced but does not go as far as other 50gm yarns so it makes sense to combine it with something else. 

I decided on Sirdar baby cotton it is a rather dull looking yarn but is very soft and lovely to crochet with. Better still it goes a long way. The idea I had was to create a basic background effect with a heavier weight yarn to the finished cushion which would show case the lovely shiny baby bamboo and I think this has come off.

For the second Kaleidoscope cushion, Auriol Crochet design 13, I used 3 colours of Baby Bamboo a lovely bright green and turquoise blue for the centre motif with a pale pink for the ruffle edging.

I love fastening and I feel very strongly they should be a fundamental part of the design not just an add on. Kaleidoscope cushion 1 has big buttons on an envelope style fastening. Kaleidoscope is a bit more sophisticated with a different style of button. I added 2 buttons, but a row of buttons would look really good. You could pick any colour you sued in the cushion for the buttons or ix and match!

 I used hook size 3.50 (E4)

Like more? See the pattern here....

Hooked on Crochet FREE monthly!

Ten Ways to Improve your Crochet Techniques

1. Hold your yarn as in the diagram it takes a bit of getting use to but is definitely worth it, it really helps keep your tension right and feeds the yarn more easily
2. Make a small piece of work if you are making garments, cushions and throws. Doing this will show you if you are crocheting too tight or too slack. It will save you time later on and prevent you having to pull out large pieces of work! Change to larger hook if your work too tight and a smaller hook if your work is too loose.
3. Use a larger hook for your foundation row if working a straight piece of work. This will make the loops of your foundation row larger and make it easier to crochet into the loops on the next row.
4. If you are making cushions, blankets or throws try using a different sized hook or thicker yarn for an open work finish.
5. If you can’t manage a magic circle you can create a similar effect by crocheting into the last chain. For example stitches for the first part of your magic circle are ‘1dc 5 tr 1dc’ (1sc, 5dc, 1sc US) make 3 or 4 chain and crochet the same stitches into the last chain, then join to the first stitch with a slip stitch.
6. If you are using motifs you don’t have to stick to the numbers of rows given make less or more rows as you like.
7. Having difficulty understanding which yarn to use for your pattern?

8. If you are crocheting in the round, count your stitches and use stitch markers or a piece bit of different coloured yarn to mark the beginning of rows.
9. Use a soft grip crochet hook rather than a metal one, they are more comfortable. Metal and plastic hooks make your hands sweat!
10. Try using different yarns of the same weight for your crochet cushions and throws, to create a different effect. For example add a tweedy yarn, one with silk in it or add a linen yarn. Using one ball of a more expensive yarn will make your finished project look more expensive.

How to improve the look of your crochet..... click here to read

Ten ways to improve the look of your crochet

1. Fastening off to save stitching in yarn ends– crochet in your ends as you go along by layering the ends along your work and crochet over them
2. Joining motifs together – back stitch looks neater and is stronger. You can also crochet motifs together using slip stitch or double crochet (US single crochet) using dc’s creates a pretty ridge

3. Make your own buttons for garment and cushions. Here’s a simple free one. Make 6 chain join together, 3 ch make 22 half trebles (US half double crochet) into the ring, join with a slip stitch to make a ring. Sl stitch into top of first half treble (US half dc), Into each stitch make one slip stitch 4. join to first slip stitch. Fasten off. You can if you wish spray starch your buttons to make them more rigid. You can find more of my patterns here.

4. Add some extras to crochet throws, blankets and cushions personalise and make your finished item really special e.g. tassels and edgings. Use and mix up the colours from your project in tassels and edgings to pull it all together.

5. If you are making a throw, blanket or cushion with rows of trebles and dc’s (US single crochet) switch some of the rows to crocheting in the back loops only to create a very pretty ridge.

6. You can also change rows of trebles in cushions and throws to create a really interesting look, by switching to crossover trebles and you should not have to adapt your tension. Cross trebles are based on four stitches. Miss the first stitch, 1 tr (US dc) into each of next 3 stitches, then make one tr (US dc) into stitch you missed. Carry on in this way. If the number of stitches you have is not divisible by four just add single tr’s (US dc’s) to the beginning end of your row.

7. If you are making motifs use the same colour for the centre or final row of your motifs it will bring your design together.

8. To give an interesting finish to your projects crochet on top of your finished project using a contrasting colour - this can be as simple as a row of sl stitches or dc’s (US single crochet) crochet into the loops on the rows of your crochet.
9. Mix up your motifs adding up to 4 or 6 different ones in the same size to create more interest to throws, cushions and blankets.

10. Add small motifs, flowers or buttons on top of what you are doing. You can crochet them separately and stitch onto crochet onto your design