When planning out a crochet project, in addition to choosing yarn colors, you have to take into account the texture and functionality of different yarn fibers. Even if they are both worsted weight, for instance, using a bamboo cotton compared to an acrylic will change how your project turns out. What kind of yarn fibers are out there? What are the differences? Here is a general breakdown:

My acrylic stash, and some acrylic projects

A great way to add to your crocheting arsenal is to learn and implement special stitches. With special stitches you can make a plain scarf, blanket or washcloth more interesting and special. It’s easy to apply the instructions for a special stitch into your upcoming project.  Below are instructions for a few special stitches, some photos of the stitches and tips on using them in your project.  Check out the crochet abbreviation chart for help with abbreviations and symbols. read more »

Do you have sweaters you no longer wear? Afghans a-plenty in the closet? Ignore them no longer! If you have neglected crocheted items that you don’t have sentimental attachment to, perhaps it’s time to go on an unraveling binge. Recycling previously-used yarn is a great way to make use of those items again–by turning them into something else! Sometimes I find crocheted garments at thrift stores that are in good condition, but not what I’d want to wear. And yet, at $3 for a bulky wool sweater worth of yarn? Too good too pass up. Below I will tell you how easy it is to restore recycled yarn so that you can use it in your next project.

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Working front post and back post stitches in crochet is an easy way to give texture to a crocheted piece. Front post and back post refer to the way the crochet hook is inserted into the work when crocheting and can be done using different stitches, such as single crochet, half double crochet, double crochet, treble crochet, etc. Instead of inserting the hook into the front and back loops of a crochet stitch as one would normally do, front and back post stitches are made by inserting the hook around the post of the stitch.

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Most crochet patterns are written out line by line with abbreviations and numbers, such as “Row 1: ch 2; 5sc in 2nd ch from hook,” but there are also patterns that utilize color charts or graphs instead. The below chart is one such example. It may remind you of needlepoint and cross-stitch charts if you’re familiar with those crafts. How does one go about reading a color chart or graph? I’ll tell you!

Photo by Lion Brand Yarn

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One of the most frustrating and tedious elements of crocheting is getting to the end of a pattern or project and having to get rid of all the odds and ends.  For the beginning crocheter this can be particularly maddening, considering it’s not always known how to properly execute this task.

Annoying and ugly ends can ruin any finished project so take care to finish off appropriately.  The best way to do this is to use a yarn needle (also known as a tapestry needle).  A yarn needle is usually larger than other needles, has a larger eye and is most of the time made of plastic.
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When I was a little girl I was obsessed with my grandma’s crochet hooks. There were so many different sizes, colors and in a few cases, different shapes.  My favorite was a large size N aluminum hook in Gold.  I thought it looked more like jewelry than a tool for making afghans and also made for an awesome (and blunt) sword.

She quit crocheting when I was in my late teens due to arthritis and gave me all of her hooks and supplies.  I spent lots of days getting them out, looking them over and playing around with them, but never learned to use them.  Later, while on bedrest with my second daughter, I finally learned.

At first everything I made was completely incorrectly sized, mainly due to the fact that I insisted on using the shiny gold hook for every pattern I was trying to make¸ regardless of what size hook the pattern called for.  Soon I learned the difference between the hooks I found in the large tin box, and which ones I preferred over the rest.
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One way of crocheting in the round is to chain 2 and then make a certain number of stitches into the 2nd chain from the hook (you can do so with any kind of crochet stitch–sc, hdc, dc, etc.–but for this tutorial, I’ll be using sc. This tutorial is for both right and left handed people. For left handed pictures, roll your mouse over the image and it will change for you. When you have the desired number of stitches and you join to the first single crochet, you’ll notice a little something–a hole! Right there in the middle. The way around this? The magic adjustable ring, a really simple technique that prevents a hole from appearing.

Making a magic adjustable ring only requires a few extra steps and will give your  in-the-round projects a smooth start. For this one in particular, I’ll make a magic adjustable ring with 5 single crochet stitches. read more »

Crocheting has been passed down from generation to generation. While the basics of crochet stay the same, new techniques have emerged along with even more creative projects. As time goes on, it is important to make sure that crocheting continues to grow. Crocheting should not become a hobby that is overshadowed. Here are some easy and fun ideas that you can use to promote crochet within your community:
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