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

Sirdar Mystical Yarn

Sirdar Mystical is a brushed texture yarn with a silvery thread running through it. It is a self-striping, quick to crochet acrylic and polyester blend yarn that is ideal for all crocheters but particularly for beginners to crochet.

Choose from six colours including fairy dust, glittering amber, twinkling mink, shimmering sapphire and pearlescent pink.  Sirdar mystical is a chunky yarn, I used a 6mm crochet hook to make a cowl scarf. Balls are 100gm and although they appear as a blended yarn they crochet as striping yarns. Each ball gives 70m/76yards.

When worked this yarn gives a dense almost felted finished. surprisngly soft it's perfect for winter scarves, women's jackets, cardigans and winter hats.

Making Crochet Mandalas

Crochet mandala’s come in all colours, sizes and designs but are always round. The word ‘mandala’ means circle. From easy to more complicated and intricate there is a mandala to make for every skill level of crocheter.

Stitches

Almost any crochet stitch can be used in mandalas, front and back posts look particularly good, as do shells, clusters and popcorns and they are commonly use in mandala designs.  Pattern repeats make mandalas easy on the eye and fun to make. Simple edgings add impact and a complete look to mandalas and this might be something as simple as two colours of dc’s (sc’s) using colours from the mandala, or one of my favourites is a final row of slip stitches with 1chain between.
If you are feeling a bit more adventurous and designing your own mandala make a few rows of simple stitches such as rows of dc’s (sc’) or a mesh as the centre of your mandala then add then add rows of flower motifs made separately and then joined together. Finish with a few more rows of your dc’s (sc’s) or mesh and add a pretty edging to finish.

Keeping your mandala in shape

Unless you are making a ruffle style mat then it is crucial to keep your mandala flat, if it’s pulling up add more stitches. If it’s ruffling up your tension is wrong try using a smaller hook or skip more stitches.

Colour

Try subtle shades of the same colour e.g. pinks ranging from pale to dark. Brights and clashing colours create a hot look perfect for summer garden furniture while pastels create a cooler more sophisticated look. Try combinations of brown and pink, red and pink, pale blue and lime, cream and grey for a classic look, with lime and sand, taupe and cream for a classy look.

Yarn

Generally the finer the yarn the smaller the finished mandala will be and the better the stitch definition.  Cotton is a traditional yarn for mandalas in 4ply or DK (light worsted) weight. Try also hemp blends, bamboo and acrylic yarns for a different look.

Choosing patterns

Written mandala patterns can look and can be complicated! Look for patterns with charts and good images to help you complete your mandala. 

Then it’s down to how you are going to display your finished mandala. I like to use mine on summer garden furniture, in garden rooms, conservatories and on garden furniture. They look perfect framed on embroidery hoops and displayed on walls. Mandalas as with any homemade crafts make lovely gifts.

Sirdar Snuggly Bouclette

Part of their baby range baby bouclette is super soft so not only great for babies but also for scarves and hats. The yarn is made with a twisted mesh of looped fibres that great the boucle bobbly effect. It’s a luxury yarn made up of 36% nylon, 37% wool and 27% acrylic that needs a gentle wash.

I used a 4.5mm hook and my favourite colour daffodil. There are twelve colours to choose from that includes, heather, powder, storm, spearmint, silver, soft lavender, lagoon, white, rose and ocean. Each 50gm balls produces 95m/104yards of yarn. Bouclette is not the easiest yarn to use but well worth the effort.

Using Specialist yarns in crochet projects

I like to treat these yarns as specialist basically anything that has significant different elements from plain yarn such as:

• Boucle
• Yarn textured with a slub
• With a metallic strip running through the yarn
• Any yarn with sequins added
• Faux Fur
• Recycled T shirt yarn
• Twine
• Mohair

If theory you can use different yarns together as long as they are the same weight, but combining e.g boucle with plain yarn in crochet projects will not only create a completely different look but can affect the tension of your project. Using specialist yarns either on their own or in combination is easier in more flexible projects such as scarves, cushions and throws. Combining and using specialist yarns becomes more difficult if you are making garments when size and tension is crucial. 

Specialist yarns are usually more expensive so it makes sense to use them for the borders and trims on scarves and cushions. This works well with boucle yarns and yarns with slubs. You can also use these yarns as the main motif of a throw and use a plain yarn for joining and this works well in baby blankets. It makes sense that whatever you are making try a sample first

Use textured yarns for stripes in scarves and cushions. You can do this with boucle, faux fur, sequined and metallic yarns.

Metallic yarns can be tricky to work particularly if they have sequins through the yarn, they work beautifully for crochet evening bags as the main yarn or as a trim.

Twine is the ideal yarn for crochet baskets and I love to combine them with recycled T shirt yarns.

Some of my favourites

• Sirdar Crofter
• Sirdar Alpine
• Sirdar Soukie with sequins
• Nutscene have a fantastic selection of jute twine and string, fluorescent to subtle colours and everything in between
• Wool and the Gang have a small but quality selection of recycled t shirt yarns
• Rico Essentials mohair is a lovely combination yarn

Planning a Summer Crochet cushion or Pillow

Summer cushions make lovely crochet projects and I love to crochet them sitting in my garden on warm sunny days. Handmade summer cushions are perfect for garden furniture, garden rooms and conservatories.

Make your summer cushion as simple or as complicated as you like. Even the simplest designs look stunning with the right choice and right combination of colours. Granny squares always make a lovely cushion or simple rows of dc’s (sc) with a few rows of popcorn stitches stitched with pops of colour look gorgeous. It’s often the colours you choose that make a design original to you and make it a stand out piece of work. 

The shape of your cushion also influences design and not every cushion or pillow has to be square. I love bolster cushions and they work really well for garden furniture and garden benches. Round cushions look very pretty and oblong shaped cushions also work well, but one of my favourite cushion styles is square oversized, they have real impact.

When it comes to yarns summer cushions work perfectly in cotton and cotton blend yarns and one of my all time favourites is Scheepjes Cotton fun. You can read a review of this yarn here. It comes in a whole range of beautiful colours from subtle to bright, giving you a fantastic choice for your summer cushion.

When it comes to colour for my summer cushions I love soft cream and whites with pops of colour or very bright throughout with clashing colours such as orange with bright pink, lime with blue. Somehow they look good on garden furniture on warm summer days.

Your summer cushion might be made with motifs or rows of crochet and you can make groups of smaller motifs stitched together to make a larger motif. see an example of this here. The simplest way to make a cushion is to create a rectangle whether this is made up of motifs or stitched row by row. When you have made your rectangle of crochet simple fold over to make an envelope style cushion and if you want to make it even simpler crochet together on the right side with a contrasting yarn.

Summer cushions don’t have to be for your garden furniture they make lovely housewarming gifts and cheery gifts for someone who is not well.

Find comfy crochet cushion patterns here.....

Choosing Yarn for your Crochet throw

The patterns, designs and styles you choose for your crochet throws are probably the first thing to inspire you, but the yarn you choose is as crucial to the success of your crochet project. For throws and blankets I like to use Acrylic blends they are hardwearing, soft and easy care. The blends I choose as well as including Acrylic depend on what I’m making. Wool for picnic blankets, nylon, cotton  and merino blends for baby blankets and throws for the lounge or bedroom.

Some of my favourites are Sirdar Snuggly, Sirdar Dapple and Sirdar No 1 and Scheepjes Cotton Fun . Both Caron and Sirdar have a wide range of acrylic blend yarns. Acrylic yarns and blends wash well and are hard wearing with some specifically spun for baby projects perfect for baby blankets and soft throws.

Cheap or expensive yarn what’s the difference? 
Cheap doesn’t always mean inferior, as a better guide, gauge the yarn content against what it is you are making. Important is the yardage on the ball band and bear in mind that not all yarns of the same gauge and weight per ball or skein produce the same amount of yarn. Some expensive yarns for example have a greater yardage than cheaper equivalents. Add one expensive yarn to your throw and it will lift the whole design.

Should you stick to the yarn recommended in the pattern?
There is no doubt that yarns of the same weight vary greatly in the finish they produce. I’ve experimented with different yarns of the same weight and the same pattern and produced very different results, from smaller stitches to different length and different widthways tension. If you want to use an alternative yarn to the one recommended in your pattern check your tension carefully and adjust your hook size as necessary.

Should you go for mass produced or independent spinner and dyer?
Hand dyed yarn is gorgeous  and usually produces unique colour ways. If your throw is a gift or something for a special occasion then buying from an independent dyer is the one to go for.

Colour choice 
Mass produced yarn ranges offer the greatest choice of colours. The more popular the yarn the bigger the choice of colours. Acrylic baby yarn blends usually come in a wide range as do economy yarn ranges. Are you going for brights, subtle shades or contrasting yarns. Look for a wide selection of colours such as Scheepjes colour crafter. Bonus yarns are a good choice for main colours.

What weight?
My favourite is DK (light worsted) weight. Crochet grows quickly and shows good stitch definition. Chunky and Aran weights grow more quickly but stitch definition is not as good. 4ply and lace weight yarns look beautiful but take a long time to make!

Find throw pattterns here.....