Crochet iCord

Mar26

Knowing how to make a crochet iCord is another great technique to have within your stitch file. It is a pretty simple repeat stitch pattern and you will find many uses for an iCord for your clothing, accessories, appliques, etc.

The basic concept is working with three chain stitches to form a tube. So to begin you would crochet three chains stitches, then insert your hook in the second chain from hook, yarn over (yo) and pull through loop. Repeat this step in the third chain from hook.

Made 3 chains, ready to insert into 2nd n 3rd chain from hook

Made 3 chains, ready to insert into 2nd n 3rd chains from hook

3 loops on hook, ready to begin making iCord

Now you want to slide off the first two (2) chains from your hook onto another holder like a knitting needle, chop stick, or a large tapestry needle. I personally have success using a bamboo knitting needle.

Sliding on to your holder, knitting needle

Two stitches on holder and one one crochet hook

Two stitches on holder and one on crochet hook

Once you have those two chains placed on your holder, you will begin making a chain stitch (*yo and pull through the loop) with the remaining loop on your crochet hook. Now slide your 1st chain stitch loop back onto your crochet hook, make a chain stitch (*) and then slide your 2nd chain stitch loop back onto your crochet hook, and again make a chain stitch (*).

YO ready to make 1st chain with loop on hook

Ready to make 1st chain with loop on hook, YO pull through loop

Sliding 2nd chain back onto crochet hook

Sliding 1st chain stitch loop back onto crochet hoo

You just keep repeating this process until your cord is the length that you want. To fasten off, just do a yarn over and pull through the three loops on your hook, now cut your yarn and pull it through the last remaining loop on your hook.

First row completed

You can create different size iCords by varying your yarn weight and hook size.

Various sizes of iCords you can make

HAPPY CREATING!!

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links – “small commission earned”

Variation on Crochet Seed Stitch

Mar12

Whether knitting or crocheting, the seed stitch creates a neat bumpy look to accent your project.

The crochet technique for making a seed stitch is usually based on alternating a single crochet with a double crochet, which creates a strong, dense looking pattern. My variation is created by alternating a half double crochet stitch and a treble crochet stitch. This gives a more open look to your crochet design pattern. Of course, type of yarn used and size of crochet hook will make different looks too.

1st row of alternating HDC and TR

For my sample, I used a Size H crochet hook and 100% cotton yarn. You want to begin by chain stitching an odd number of chains, (I chained 21 stitches in sample). Now make a HDC (half double crochet) in the 2nd chain from hook. In the next chain, make a TR (treble crochet), in next chain make a HDC, next chain a TR and so forth until to get to the end of your chain stitches. If you started your first row with a HDC, you will end with a TR crochet and have 20 stitches in your row.

Turn, make a SL stitch in first stitch, CH 1 (counts as your first HDC), then continue in pattern – TR, HDC, TR, HDC, TR, making last TR stitch in top of CH 1 stitch from previous row.

Go thru both loops of previous row to make your HDC and TR stitches

So your pattern is alternating HDC and TR within each row as well as alternating HDC and TR vertically. As you begin your next row, your first SL stitch and chain is your HDC made directly above the TR stitch made in the previous row. Continue crocheting in this manner, thus creating your seed stitch pattern.

Picking up CH stitch to create last TR stitch in row

Seed stitch pattern, close up

Another pic of several rows of seed stitch variation pattern

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links – “small commission earned”

HAPPY CREATING!!

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links – “small commission earned”

Crocheting Edges – Flour Sack Tea Towel or Pillowcase

Feb23

Have you recently received a “Save the Date” invite for a wedding or special anniversary get-together and would like to make a really wonderful keepsake gift?? Customizing a set of purchased pillowcases or simple tea towels with a beautiful crochet edging makes a lovely treasured present.

It is important that you have a good foundation stitch as your starting point. If your sewing machine has a buttonhole or blanket stitch built-in, this makes for a great beginning edge. Just sew this stitch along the edge of your item to create your foundation stitches that you will then crochet through. In my sample, I used a hand quilting thread by Coats & Clark with regular thread in bobbin to provide a good strong foundation.

Machine blanket stitch
4.0 length x 4.5 width

If your machine doesn’t have this type of built-in stitch, creating a buttonhole or blanket stitch by hand is a rather simple embroidery stitch to do for your foundation. OR you could embroider a chain stitch or stem stitch to use along the edge of your project to crochet through. Uh-oh, creative juices flowing here!!

Once you have established your foundation stitches, now you can begin making your crochet design. You will find different edging designs that will call for an odd or even number of crochet stitches to create your pattern. Therefore, I like to crochet my first row with just single crochet stitches along my foundation so I can make the necessary increases (if needed) to insure I have the correct number of stitches necessary to work with to complete my pattern.

Making SC in blanket stitching row

Here’s a very nice, simplistic crochet edging pattern to do. This design requires you to have enough stitches for: multiple of 4 + 1. Your first row: Ch 1, 1 Sc in each stitch, turn. Row 2: Ch 1, skip first Sc, then 1 Sc in each stitch across to end, turn. Row 3: Ch 1, skip first 2 Sc, 5 Dc in next Sc, skip 1 Sc, 1 Sc in next Sc, *skip 1 Sc, 5 Dc in next Sc, skip 1 Sc, 1 Sc in next Sc, repeat from * to end and fasten off.

Crochet with a Size 1 steel hook and Size 3
thread

TIP: Always have your work with the right side of the fabric facing you and use a heavy duty sewing machine thread, DMC floss, or your actual crochet thread for your foundation stitches. Try to closely match your crochet thread that you will be using for your design.

HAPPY CREATING!!

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links – “small commission earned”

Fabric Scraps for Kids

Feb11

If you are a sewer or quilter and have fabric scraphobia (can’t bear to throw away any leftover fabric) then maybe you should start a “scrappy” bin for that young child to use for their creative moments!!

I definitely have
SCRAPHOBIA!!

Nothing more exciting than rummaging through a big pile of fabric to pick out those special colors or textures to create with. Using scraps is a great way to introduce the sewing machine to a youngster with adult supervision close by.

Let them select about a dozen different fabrics and sort them out into two piles – light colors and darker colors. Then cut out a wide selection of squares and/or rectangles. Designing a template for them to trace their shapes onto the wrong side of the fabric helps with the cutting process.

Used an old file folder to make my template guide.

Remember to include a 1/2″ seam allowance on all sides of your template. Try to keep the fabric squares or rectangles a good workable size; something like 4″ x 4″ and 4″ x 6″. Easier for their little fingers.

Now begin sewing the fabric shapes together in whatever design that appeals to the child. Let them think “outside the box” and use their imagination for their finished scrap fabric project. They might want to create a blanket for a baby doll or stuffed animal or maybe their design will be a cool “shawl” for those dress up games!!

You could finish all the edges of the scrap fabric design with just a simple zigzag stitch. Or if your children is more experienced, cut out a light weight batting and backing; then stitch together on three sides (right sides together) with the batting in the middle. Turn to the right side and machine stitch closed to make a scrappy little quilt that they could tie together.

Have loads of fun! Exposing your child to new craft techniques makes for wonderful memories too!!

HAPPY CREATING!!

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links – “small commission earned”

Journaling – An Important Keepsake

Feb4

Journaling is one of those little things in our busy lives that can sometimes be overlooked. Yet, it can provide so much information about yourself , your projects and it can be a great teaching tool for young sewers/crafters. It is a super way to keep yourself organized!!

Fun idea for a crafter’s journal!!

It is never too late to begin keeping a journal of the different projects you have completed or are working on or have stashed away in a plastic bin waiting for the right moment to pull it out and start anew. Check out these other nifty ideas for a crafter’s journal!!

A simple composition book is a great way to keep a record of your projects or print out pages from the computer using a unique font and maybe some clip art to give your pages personality. Slipping your pages inside a clear plastic protective cover sheet will keep them in good shape and then place inside a 3-ring binder. Some examples to include on your page would be:

NAME OF PROJECT – Sweater for Uncle Joe

MATERIALS USED – I like to save the wrapper from a skein a yarn and staple it to my page showing all the necessary info, type/yardage of yarn, dye lot, laundry instructions, etc. Saving a small fabric swatch or yarn sample makes for easy future reference.

PLACE WHERE YOU PURCHASED MATERIALS – List a website if you purchased on-line or the name of the store you got your supplies from.

COMPLETION DATE – State your name and the month/year of when your project was done. Or show that it is Still In Progress!!

NEEDLES and/or HOOK SIZES – Again, great for future reference.

PATTERN INSTRUCTIONS – List the website if you used a pattern from an on-line source. If a sewing pattern, state the pattern name and number.

SIZE INFORMATION – What size did you use for your project.

PERSONAL NOTES – Show what your liked or disliked about the pattern. Would you want to make it again or was once enough!!

Adding a picture to your journal page is always a nice touch. Fun to look back and see how one has improved their skill level within a certain craft or just enjoy the memories of what you have accomplished and/or are still working on.

Journaling is a great way to share and pass on what has taken place within someone’s life. A wonderful keepsake to treasure and reflect upon.

HAPPY CREATING!!

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links – “small commission earned”

Stitch4eveR

A Needle In Time

Crochet iCord

Variation on Crochet Seed Stitch

Crocheting Edges – Flour Sack Tea Towel or Pillowcase

Fabric Scraps for Kids

Journaling – An Important Keepsake