Archive for August, 2009

Crochet Art at the 2012 Olympics

Posted in Fun Ramblings, News on August 18th, 2009 by Rachel Choi – 8 Comments
I read somewhere on the web that 12 artist will be selected to make art work for the 2012 Olympics in London. One of the top artist that is being considered proposed to make three 30 feet tall crocheted lions that will be posed into athletic positions. 30 feet tall lions, that’s a lot of yarn!!! london 2012

I wonder how long it would take to make a lion that big, but at least the artist has until 2012 if selected. I can’t imagine crocheting anything that huge. I do hope that this artist is selected so that I can see giant crocheted lions. It would be awesome and great publicity for the art of crochet.

What do you think?

Crochet Pattern: Hamburger Coasters

Posted in Best Crochet Patterns on August 16th, 2009 by Rachel Choi – 13 Comments
This crocheted hamburger isn’t just fun to look at, you can use every single piece of the burger as a coaster! One hamburger contains 7 coasters, but of course you can add extra cheese or other ingredients to make your burger even bigger. This pattern set can be downloaded in the Crochet Spot Store. Download without charge if you are a Premium Pattern Member.

Skill Level: crochet skill level easy

Finished Size: 4″ (10 cm) diameter

crochet hamburger
Materials:
Medium Weight Yarn (small amount of each color)
Crochet Hook H (5.00 mm)
crochet yarn size 4

crochet hamburger coaster

By purchasing this pattern, you’re helping to support Crochet Spot in creating more tutorials and patterns that you enjoy on this site. Thanks in advance for visiting the Crochet Spot Store and for all of your support!

Crochet Pattern: Door Knob Pocket

Posted in Free Crochet Patterns on August 15th, 2009 by Rachel Choi – 22 Comments
This pocket is designed to be placed on your door knob for extra storage space or as a friendly reminder to take something with you before leaving your house. Place your keys, mail or other small objects into the pocket for safe keeping. Get creative and decorate with appliques or change colors as desired!

Skill Level: crochet skill level easy

Finished Size: 9 1/2″ (24 cm) wide, 9 1/2″ (24 cm) tall

Materials:
Medium Weight Yarn
Crochet Hook I (5.50 mm)
crochet yarn size 4
crochet door knob pocket

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Inspiration to Crochet

Posted in Fun Ramblings on August 14th, 2009 by Rachel Choi – 6 Comments
I’m often asked, what inspires you to crochet?

My Answer: I do it because it’s fun! When something is fun, I’m often inspired to keep doing it. I get inspiration just by doing everyday things, like watching TV and cleaning the dished. I’m always thinking of crochet things that I can use myself and that others may want to make too. Once I get an idea of something I want to make there’s no stopping me from making it (unless I run out of yarn). It’s like an addiction, but a good one.

Inspiration can come from anywhere! Where does yours come from? Maybe through charity work or just out of thin air?

Crochet Pattern: Casual Girl Version 2 Felted Purse

Posted in Best Crochet Patterns on August 13th, 2009 by Rachel Choi – 1 Comment
The Casual Girl Purse, which was added to the store during it’s grand opening, was designed to be compact, cute and suitable to hold a woman’s essentials. After a reader requested a larger version of this purse, The Casual Girl Version 2 was designed! This purse is slightly larger than the original Casual Girl, and also features a pocket inside for small items such as a cell phone, keys or loose change.

This felted purse pattern is now available in the Crochet Spot Store.

Skill Level: crochet skill level easy

Note: You can learn how to felt, if you don’t already know how!

Finished Size:
Not felted: 10” (25.5 cm) tall, 19.5” (49.5 cm) wide, 4” (10 cm) deep
Felted: 7 1/2” (19 cm) tall, 14 1/2” (37 cm) wide, 3.5” (9 cm) deep
Note: felted size may vary based on yarn used and felting method

Main Materials:
Medium Weight Yarn
Note: yarn must be 100% wool or other natural animal fiber in order to felt.
450 yards of main color
220 yards of contrasting color
Crochet hook I (5.50 mm)
crochet yarn size 4
felted purse
felted purse
felted purse
felted purse

By purchasing this pattern, you will be helping to support Crochet Spot in continuing to make tutorials and patterns that you enjoy on this site! Visit the Crochet Spot Store to purchase, become a Premium Pattern Member, or check out other patterns!

Learning to Crochet

Posted in Fun Ramblings, Tutorials and Help on August 12th, 2009 by Rachel Choi – 11 Comments
When I was in middle school, I saw one of my closest friends crocheting and I thought it was so amazing! The way a ball of yarn was being turned into a piece of cloth was definitely stare worthy. I ended up going home to ask my mom how to crochet and if I remember correctly she taught me how with a chopstick. Yea, we didn’t have a crochet hook and I really wanted to learn how.

I learned the basic foundation chain, single crochet and double crochet. At the time technique and making things look perfect wasn’t a priority so I learned those skill as I went along. I was just so excited about all the things that I wanted to make!

Today I’m pretty sure that I know more about crocheting than my mom who taught me, since I’m always learning something new from people, books and crochet tutorials online. So if you’re just learning to crochet, here are some basics to start with:

How to Hold a Crochet Hook
How to Hold Yarn in Crochet
How to Crochet: Slip Knot
How to Crochet: Chain (ch)
How to Crochet: Single Crochet Stitches (sc)
How to Crochet: Double Crochet Stitches (dc)

Don’t worry too much about perfection, it’ll come with experience. But here are “7 Tips to Establish Consistency in Crochet” if you feel you need them. Also, feel free to dig into the Crochet Tutorials Archives for more How-To’s!

Do you have a crochet learning experience to share?

Crochet Pattern: Fish in Ocean Bookmark

Posted in Free Crochet Patterns on August 11th, 2009 by Rachel Choi – 7 Comments

If you love fish, water, and reading books, then this bookmark if perfect for you! The little goldfish will keep you company as it dangles from the pages of your book. This bookmark is a fast, small project, so feel free to use your scrap yarns!

crochet fish and ocean bookmark

Skill Level: crochet skill level easy

Finished Size: 6″ (15 cm) long (not including fish), 2 3/4″ (7 cm) wide
Note: this bookmark can be made into any size you desire by following the directions within the pattern.
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Why Tunisian Crochet Curls and How to Get Rid of It

Posted in Tutorials and Help on August 9th, 2009 by Rachel Choi – 8 Comments

Tunisian crochet (also know as afghan stitch) curls, it’s natural. If you’re curious, here is the easy answer to why Tunisian crochet curls:

Tunisian crochet curls because of physics! Unlike ordinary crochet where the stitches are located on the top of the work, Tunisian stitches are located on the front of the work. Every time you make new stitches, they are slightly forward and not exactly on the top of your previous row. This is why your work will end up curling forward.

To uncurl Tunisian Crochet, here are some helpful tips:

  1. Blocking. In my opinion this the best thing to do. Blocking crochet is the one simple step to “mold” your work into the way you want it. Whether you choose to steam it with an iron or wet it and let it dry, blocking can be fast and easy to do. Learn more about Blocking Crochet.
  2. Use a bigger hook. Larger hooks reduce the amount of tension in your work. The less tension, the less curl there will be.
  3. Alter foundation chain. Try turning your foundation chain upside down and pull up your loops into the back ridge of each chain instead. The back ridge is located behind the two loops of the chain that makes the “V” shape.
  4. Use different stitches. Purl stitches are know to create less curl than other Tunisian stitch. By varying the types of stitches that you use, it can reduce the curl.

In my experience, blocking works the best! Do you have a tip to share?
If you want to learn Tunisian crochet, get started by learning How to Crochet Tunisian Simple Stitch.

Crochet Pattern: Pretty Lady Scarf

Posted in Best Crochet Patterns on August 7th, 2009 by Rachel Choi – 8 Comments
Designed with warmth and style in mind, the Pretty Lady Scarf is great for the cold winters but still dainty and delicate for a pretty lady’s style. This scarf is fast to crochet and simple to wear.

The Pretty Lady Scarf is now available in the Crochet Spot Store for download.

Skill Level: crochet skill level easy

Finished Size: 61” (155 cm) long, 4” (10 cm) wide

Materials:
Light Weight Yarn
Crochet Hook H (5.00 mm)
light
crochet pretty lady scarf

By purchasing this pattern, you are helping to support Crochet Spot in creating more tutorials and patterns you love. If you are a Premium Pattern Member, you may download this pattern for free without additional charge by logging into your store account. Visit the Crochet Spot Store and have fun shopping!

crochet pretty lady scarf

All support is greatly appreciated and if you need any help with crocheting this scarf, let me know and I’ll be glad to help!

What Do You Do While You Crochet?

Posted in Fun Ramblings on August 6th, 2009 by Rachel Choi – 24 Comments

These days, who doesn’t multitask? When I crochet I end up listening to music at the same time or watching a TV show. Actually I listen to the TV show. I’m not brave enough to crochet without looking. I’m afraid if I turn away, and then look back down, it’ll look like I crocheted with my feet.

But if I’m in deep concentration with a pattern that needs a tone of stitch counting I would crochet in complete silence. There’s something about crocheting that is so soothing that just doing crochet and nothing else is still satisfying.

Funny thing I can’t do while crocheting is talk, unless it is rows and rows of double crochet. I think it’s because I’m secretly talking to myself about what to do next in the pattern.

What about you? What do you do while you crochet?