Freeform Crochet Fun & Frivolity Crochet-a-Long

In April 2010 a group on Ravelry started a Crochet-a-Long with weekly instructions submitted by different designers. I'd participated in a similar project earlier in the year & thought it was a great way to go about crocheting. I completed the first four weeks. Then, as I was packing up to leave Shanghai for the summer it was just too much to fit in my suitcase. So I washed it, cut it up, felted it and cut it up some more and ended up using the pieces in a bag.

Following are the instructions as they appeared on the Ravelry site and pictures of what I did. My notes are in blue.

The 2010 International Freeform Guild's Show: Somewhere in My World

My entry into the International Freeform Guild show.

It’s kind of boring for freeform. It did serve my purpose of figuring out how to build up crochet into a form. And it is reminiscent of the hill I see out my window.

The main page of the exhibit is quite intriguing and the variety of techniques used and approaches to freeform is truly inspiring.

Crochet Spiral Motifs

3 Color Spiral Motif

Instructions:
Form an adjustable ring by looping the end of A behind itself putting the yarn tail behind the working yarn (the yarn coming from the skein); hold the end against the loop and insert the hook in the center of the ring. Work stitches over both strands of yarn.


Round 1: With A, CH 1, (SC, HDC, DC) in ring, remove hook from loop (pull loop long so stitches don't unravel); join B to ring and CH 1, (SC, 2 HDC) in ring, remove hook from loop; join C to ring and CH 1, 3 SC in ring, place marker in last stitch to mark the end of the round (9 stitches). Do not remove your hook from C. Pull the yarn tail to tighten the ring.


Round 2: Continuing with C, [2 SC in next stitch] 3 times, remove hook from loop and reinsert in loop of A; with A, [2 DC in next stitch] 3 times, remove hook from loop and reinsert in loop of B; with B, [2 HDC in next stitch] 3 times (18 stitches). Note that a pattern has been set up: You will always work C into A, A into B, and B into C. It is very useful to mark the last stitch of the round, because the end is actually in the middle of a section of a particular color.


Round 3: Continue as above using DC - with 1 or 2 DC in each stitch as needed to keep piece lying flat. Continue until desired size. To finish each color, do 2 HDC, 2 SC and slip last stitch.

Apostrophe Crochet Motif

Begin with a sliding loop. Chain 9. 1 sc in 2nd chain from hook. 1 sc in next chain. 1 hdc in each of next 2 chains. 1 dc in each of next 2 chains. 1htr in next chain. 10 tr in next chain (the sliding loop). Now, going back up on the other side: 1 htr, then 2 dc, the 2 hdc, then 1 sc, then ss in the top stitch. Tie off.

I made the motifs above with a variety of yarns, all using an "F" hook. Sizes vary from 3 1/2 x 1 7/8 (variegated chenille - the really dark one at the top) to 2 3/4 x 1 1/2 (smallest blue one).

This a great motif to incorporate into freeform pieces because it is very flexible & conforms to different shapes. It can also form the basis of a paisley shape by adding additional rounds and decreasing on one side to pull the top around.

How to do a Jogless Join When Knitting in the Round

I can never remember how to do this, or find the instructions when I'm looking for them. Here are notes I copied up from a project I can't now find on Knitty. (Yes, the primary purpose of this blog is to get me organized in some sort of fashion...)


You may want to do the famous "jogless join" to avoid that little "step" that happens when you switch colors while working in the round. To do this, work one round in the new color. On the first stitch of the second round, pull the stitch below that first stitch (in the old color) up onto the left needle and knit it together with the stitch in the new color. Keep knitting in the new color. Lovely.

Crochet Stitch Instruction - Woven Stitch

This is an easy stitch that produces a crocheted fabric that is sturdy with an interesting texture. I can imagine it making a great handbag or tote; or for the house it  a sturdy cushion or floor mat. The texture would be good on a wash cloth or dish rag. And it's thick enough to be a good coaster. I used the stitch in a potholder that provides enough thickness to protect my hand, but isn't so bulky that it's difficult to handle.




Chain an even number of stitches.

Row 1: SC in 2nd ch from hook, *1 CH, skip 1 ch, 1 SC in next ch, repeat from * to end, turn

Row 2: 1 CH, skip first sc, *1 SC in 1 ch sp, 1 CH, skip 1 sc, repeat from *, ending 1 SC in 1 ch, turn

Repeat row 2.