Reading Vintage and UK patterns

By Erin Burger – August 18th, 2010 6 Comments

I was recently bestowed with a large number of family and family accumulated patterns, mostly handwritten and mostly impossible to decipher. I have shared some of these patterns in previous posts, The Starburst Throw, Star Washcloths in Two Sizes and the Giant Granny Square Blanket with Clusters.

Reading and figuring out these patterns has been both wonderful and enraging at times; some of it is hard to read because of age and some of it takes a lot of deciphering due to language and abbreviation barriers. I became aware during the process that in some cases the patterns were written using UK abbreviations and then I realized why I had been so confused! Here is a quick chart to familiarize you with the differences. Click Here To Read More »

Collecting Vintage Crochet Patterns

By Emilee Gettle – August 17th, 2010 13 Comments

I have a secret love for vintage patterns. I can spot them aisles away in flea markets and antique stores. Their creased covers and penciled in notations from years ago give them such a sweet, homey appeal. I not only love the patterns, some of which are elegant and others rather funky, but also the fun illustrations throughout.

I can spend hours flipping through their dogeared pages laughing at the crocheted bikinis and cooing over the sweet baby layettes. It just goes to prove that crochet has kept the hands of women busy for many years turning a skein of yarn into innovative pieces of functional art, and at times funny finished projects.

Do you collect vintage patterns? If so, what is the most absurd or elegant pattern you’ve found?

Crochet Pattern: Tea Party Set

By Rachel Choi – August 15th, 2010 10 Comments

Crochet this cute amigurumi tea party set for a child to play with! This set includes patterns for the teacup, saucer, and teapot with removable lid. The “tea” is crocheted into the teacups and teapot to appear full. Feel free to mix and match colors to customize your tea party set.

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How to Crochet: V-Clusters and Clustered Chevrons

By Erin Burger – August 14th, 2010 9 Comments

Clusters are a great tool for adding texture and fun to any crochet project. Some patterns call for a ‘cluster’, others use clusters that are involved in a more intricate stitch. Below are two sets of instructions for two cluster stitches and some photos to help you accomplish the specific clustered look. Check out the crochet abbreviation chart for help with abbreviations and symbols.

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.

V-Clusters

V-Clusters Click Here To Read More »

How Do You Pronounce Skein?

By Rachel Choi – August 12th, 2010 83 Comments
While hanging out with a bunch of crochet folks I realized that there are many ways that people pronounce the word “skein”. Perhaps it’s due to the region we’re from or the crochet influences that we’ve been around. The most common pronunciations that I’ve heard are “skane”, “skeen”, and “skine”. According the dictionary (yes, I looked it up), the proper way is to pronounce it as “skane”. Personally, I say it as “skeen” and any other way just sounds funny!

So which way do you pronounce “skein”? Skane, skeen, skine, or maybe just ball?

How to Choose the Right Crochet Hook

By Emilee Gettle – August 11th, 2010 3 Comments

Now that you’ve decided on your yarn you need to find the perfect match in a hook. Your crochet hook is like a magic wand turning a skein of yarn into a crocheted masterpiece. It can become your best friend and once addicted it will be a tool you simply can’t live without.

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Crochet Pattern: Giant Granny Square Blanket with Clusters

By Erin Burger – August 10th, 2010 11 Comments

Vintage Crochet Pattern Series: Week 3

“That’s the reason they’re called lessons, ” the Gryphon remarked, “because they lesson from day to day.”-Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland

Clusters are a big theme in vintage patterns and this one is no different. It uses the modern and trendy idea of making a blanket like one big granny square, but uses clusters to create a bit more texture. The original handwritten pattern was so vague it was almost impossible to decipher! Instructions went like this: 1,four clusters. 2,increase clusters by x2 each round. 3. make increases each corner 4. add double increase in middle. add border finish off

This pattern calls for three colors but you can change the number of colors or the order of the color changes to make your own unique creation! Not sure how to change colors? See How to Change Colors in Crochet for help!

Giant Granny Square Blanket with Clusterscloseupgrannysquare border

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Crochet Spot Gift Certificates

By Rachel Choi – August 8th, 2010 3 Comments

Due to an overwhelming number of requests, Crochet Spot now has gift certificates! If you need a quick gift to give a crochet lover, you can now purchase a gift certificate to the Crochet Spot Store. Gift certificates can be for the amount you choose and can be printed out from your computer or emailed to the recipient. Gift certificates do not expire and do not require maintenance fees. To learn more about gift certificates, or to purchase one for a loved one, use the button below.





The button above will also show you a sample gift certificate with instructions on how to use it and walk you through customizing it!

Crochet Pattern: Placemat Set – 4 Shapes

By Rachel Choi – August 6th, 2010 2 Comments
This pattern set includes 4 different placemat patterns to crochet: circle, oval, square and rectangle. Each placemat is crocheted seamlessly in the round. Feel free to mix and match colors while crocheting or add your own border to customize each placemat to match your table.

Finished Sizes:
Circle and square placemats: 14” (35.5 cm) wide
Oval and rectangle placemats: 18” (46 cm) wide, 13” (33 cm) tall

crochet placemats
Skill Level: crochet skill level easy
Materials:
Medium Weight Yarn (approximately 150 yards for each placemat)
Crochet Hook H (5.00 mm)
crochet yarn size 4

Download:
This pattern can be downloaded in the Crochet Spot Store. To learn more about the store click here. All purchases help to support Crochet Spot and are greatly appreciated!

If you need help while crocheting your placemats, don’t hesitate to contact me!

Crochet Pattern: Star Washcloth in Two Sizes

By Erin Burger – August 5th, 2010 22 Comments

Vintage Crochet Pattern Series: Week 2

“Anyone who stops learning is old, whether at twenty or eighty. Anyone who keeps learning stays young. The greatest thing in life is to keep your mind young.”-Henry Ford

This pattern was originally a giant mercerized cotton oven mitten, made with 6 strands of heavy weight cotton and a heavy fiber lining, this oven mitt would have weighed a good five pounds!   In keeping with the theme of modernizing vintage patterns the following pattern is now for a soft and adorable star washcloth, while still using the basics of the original pattern.

Fun for a child’s bathroom or in the kitchen, a set of these washcloths, a bottle of baby soap and a ribbon would also be a great baby shower gift!   The pattern below uses sport weight 100% organic cotton, but since gauge and color isn’t important please feel free to experiment with colors and yarn weights! Keep in mind cotton (or bamboo) are the best types of yarn for bathroom and kitchen use!

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