Author Archive

Crochet Pains

Posted in Tutorials and Help on May 24th, 2011 by Claire Ortega-Reyes – 34 Comments

When I really started getting heavily addicted into crochet, I started to to feel all sorts of aches in different parts of my body after lengthy crochet sessions. When you feel pain, obviously that’s bad–your body is trying to tell you that you’re doing something wrong. When you’re doing something you love (CROCHET!) though, you might become oblivious to it. We crocheters need to be more aware of our crochet habits, in order to avoid temporary aches (that might lead to a more permanent state).
read more »

Crochet Pattern: Flower Power Garland

Posted in Free Crochet Patterns on May 18th, 2011 by Claire Ortega-Reyes – 17 Comments
Pretty, festive garlands are traditionally made up of flowers. Let’s make a crochet version that won’t wilt!

Unlike other crochet garlands, this one is made in one go.. So, no making separate motifs (and no yarn ends to weave in!). Using worsted weight yarn and an H hook, this garland grows long, fast.

read more »

Crochet Pattern: Preppy Kerchief

Posted in Free Crochet Patterns on May 12th, 2011 by Claire Ortega-Reyes – 32 Comments
Kerchiefs are very versatile. They can be worn as an accessory, for the head or for the neck. They keep your hair away from your face and protect your tresses like a hat. And best of all, they look great on everyone!

This quick kerchief is made in one piece with just 17 rows of a modified mesh pattern. It’s easy to adjust the size, simply crochet less or more rows to decrease or increase the size. When you’re done, embellish it with your favorite flowers or bows or whatever you like. Or, keep it as it is! Enjoy!

read more »

Crochet Pattern: Red Alert Pocket

Posted in Free Crochet Patterns on May 7th, 2011 by Claire Ortega-Reyes – 20 Comments
No matter how wildly different they are from each other, women from every corner of the globe are bonded by that monthly event in their lives: the period.

What girl is unaware of the ups and downs this event brings? The most embarrassing part is when your napkin spills out of your purse at the most unexpected moment, thereby announcing to the rest of the world your current situation.

Fear no more, crocheting gals! Make this quick and easy pocket for your sandwich(es), for a more discreet storage option. This pocket is made using two squares with just five rounds each. Are you a maxi type of gal? Just increase the number of rows on both squares to make it larger. If done large enough, you can even use it for an actual sandwich, haha.

read more »

Crochet Pattern: Bow Peep Tote

Posted in Best Crochet Patterns on May 1st, 2011 by Claire Ortega-Reyes – 4 Comments

Ever wondered what Bo Peep would have toted to the beach? Well, aside from her sheep of course.

New in the Crochet Spot Store, this pattern includes directions for making this roomy striped tote and the ribbon brooch. So, you get not one, but two patterns! The sweet bag is crocheted seamlessly in one piece – no assembly or sewing required. The instructions for the optional bow brooch include step-by-step photographs for your convenience. This bow was actually used in a recent tutorial: How to Use a Safety Pin as a Pin Back for Brooches.

Click here to see pattern details!

All purchases help to support Crochet Spot and are greatly appreciated! Please log in or create a new account at the Crochet Spot Store to purchase this pattern. Premium Pattern Members may log into the store and download the pattern for free.

How to Use a Safety Pin as a Pin Back for Brooches

Posted in Tutorials and Help on April 29th, 2011 by Claire Ortega-Reyes – 11 Comments

Brooches make for very flexible accessories. They are both functional and eye-catching. Unlike appliqués which are permanently attached to an item, brooches are easily transferable. It can instantly jazz up a plain outfit, while holding two pieces of clothing together at the same time.

Crocheted items like flowers and other appliqués can easily be turned into cute brooches. Pin backs of varying sizes and colors are made just for this very purpose. But don’t dismay–any ordinary safety pin can also be used!
read more »

How to Do the Burn Test

Posted in Tutorials and Help on April 20th, 2011 by Claire Ortega-Reyes – 12 Comments

There are many ways to identify what kind of fiber or fibers is in yarn. Obviously, the label tells us the exact composition of the yarn (100% acrylic, 50% cotton 50% acrylic, etc.). But what do we do if the label is gone forever?

We can turn to texture. If the yarn is coarse, it should be acrylic; if it’s a little hairy, it should be wool; if it’s shiny and slippery it must be silk or rayon. Then again, modern technology has made acrylic yarn soft and shiny; there are even acrylic yarns that look like mohair yarn.

Enter: the Burn Test. When yarn is (quite literally) tested in fire, its fiber composition is seen more clearly.
read more »

Crochet Pattern: Ribbed Mitered Square Tawashi

Posted in Free Crochet Patterns on April 13th, 2011 by Claire Ortega-Reyes – 19 Comments
This useful item combines three of my favorite things in crochet: texture, miter squares and tawashis (hence its very straightforward name).

If you haven’t done a mitered square before, then you’re in for a treat. I love how it is worked back and forth in rows, and end up looking like a perfectly symmetrical square at the end of each row. So, if you’re not satisfied with the size you have, it’s easy to adjust the size–just stop whenever you feel it’s done!

So even if this pattern is for a tawashi, it’s easy to change into a dishcloth, potholder, or kitchen towel of the size you want–just add or decrease rows.
read more »

Crochet Pattern: Optical Illusion Tawashi

Posted in Free Crochet Patterns on April 8th, 2011 by Claire Ortega-Reyes – 13 Comments

The tawashi has gained much popularity over the years. Originally from Japan, today knitters and crocheters all around the world have joined in the fun. And who wouldn’t like the idea of making their own scrubbers, made of 100% acrylic (read:ridiculously cheap) yarn, and save the environment all at the same time? It can be used with or without detergent, too, so it not just helps save the environment, but gives your everyday budget a break, too.

Skill Level: crochet skill level easy

Finished Size: 5.5″ across (excluding strap)

Materials:
100% Acrylic Medium Weight Yarn in Main Color (blue) and Contrast Color (pink)
Crochet Hook H (5.00 mm)
crochet yarn size 4

Gauge: Not important.

Need help understanding the abbreviations and symbols? Check out the crochet abbreviation chart!
read more »

How to Crochet: Angel Wings Necklace Part 2

Posted in Free Crochet Patterns, Tutorials and Help on April 5th, 2011 by Claire Ortega-Reyes – 5 Comments
Here’s the continuation to the first part of the Angel Wings Necklace tutorial.

The first part of the tutorial shows how to crochet the first two rows of the pattern. This post shows how to crochet the third, and final, row. As with all the crochet tutorials here, mousing over the images shows images for the left-handed tutorial.

What are you waiting for? Grab that G (4.00 mm) crochet hook, and your half-finished Angel Wings Necklace.
read more »