Tag Archive | magic loop

Valentine’s Day Heart – Updated Pattern

Jan18
Here’s another quick (a little different) version to my fun, little crocheted applique heart pattern. SONY DSC My example here, I have used a size G crochet hook and some acrylic yarn. SONY DSC With this pattern, I began by crocheting the “magic loop” and making 12 HDC. SONY DSCSONY DSC Slip stitch in the 1st HDC to join your loop making a circle.  You can pull a little bit on the magic loop tail but don’t pull it totally closed until you  have completed your heart. SONY DSC Make another slip stitch (SL) in the next HDC stitch.  Chain 4 and crochet 2 treble crochets in that same space. In 3rd HDC ~~ crochet 3 treble crochets In 4th HDC ~~ crochet 1 half treble crochet then 1 double crochet In 5th HDC ~~ crochet 2 double crochets In 6th HDC ~~ crochet 2 double crochets SONY DSC In 7th HDC ~~ crochet 1 half treble stitch, 1 treble stitch, 1 half treble stitch (this creates the bottom point of the heart) In 8th HDC ~~ crochet 2 double crochets In 9th HDC ~~ crochet 2 double crochets In 10th HDC ~~ crochet 1 double crochet then 1 half treble crochet In 11th HDC ~~ crochet 3 treble crochets In 12th HDC ~~ crochet 2 treble crochets, chain 3 (this is one chain less than the beginning chain which will help create a better curve for the top of your heart), and 1 single crochet. SONY DSCSONY DSC Cut your yarn and pull it all the way through the stitch leaving a yarn tail on the right side of your heart.  Now flip your heart to the wrong side and slipping your hook through the very first slip stitch that you made, pull your yarn tail to the back. SONY DSCSONY DSCSONY DSCSONY DSC Now you want to take the tail from your magic loop and pull that tight to your liking.  Make a square knot with your two tails and weave in the ends. SONY DSCSONY DSCSONY DSC What I love about this pattern is that it lends itself to almost any time of yarn and size hook.  I hope you enjoy this pattern as much as I do and send some pictures of what you have done with your hearts 🙂 SONY DSCSONY DSC Please remember that this is my pattern not for your use to reproduce or redistribute in any way!!  Crocheting your own hearts can be used in any way you want but it would be greatly appreciated if you could give me credit for the design ~ www.stitch4ever.com.    Thanks so much 🙂

HAPPY CREATING!!

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How to crochet The “Magic” Loop

Jul8

I really like the “magic” loop crochet technique.  There are many patterns that begin the project with this technique but you can also convert a pattern that begins with a joined circle to a magic loop if you so desire.

Here’s my version of a magic loop with close up pictures which I hope will help those of you learning to do this technique.  This is how I weave my yarn through my fingers to get ready to make the loop.  SONY DSC

Now you want to form the circle or “loop” that you will be crocheting inside of.  You need to form a counterclockwise loop with the tail or end of yarn heading down and on the bottom side of the loop and the yarn pulling from the skein off to the side and on top of  the loop.  Hold this loop join between your middle finger and your thumb to keep in place ready to make your first stitch.

counterclockwise loop

counterclockwise loop

SONY DSCInsert your crochet hook through the loop and pick up the yarn pulling from the skein and pull it through the opening of the loop.   Yarn over and pull through completing first stitch which is actually your slip knot.  Be sure to keep holding the loop (the tail yarn and loop) between your middle finger and thumb so it doesn’t come apart.   Now crochet your pattern designated circle stitches.  I am showing double crochet (dc) stitches inside loop.  Once you have a completed dc, your loop is pretty secure and it isn’t necessary to keep holding it securely between your middle finger and thumb.  One thing you want to make sure of is to keep your tail yarn (which will be the yarn you will pull to tighten your loop) along the outside edge of the loop.  It will want to twist around the loop as you make your stitches and it won’t be easy to close the loop if twisted.

picking up first loop

completed first dc, untwisted yarn tail to keep along outer edge of loop

completed first dc, untwisted yarn tail to keep along outer edge of loop

pulling loop through magic loop making slip knot

pulling loop through magic loop making slip knot

completed 3 dc

completed 3 dc

Finish the required stitches according to your pattern, my sample I am showing 6 dc stitches inside loop, now you will join with a slip stitch (sl) into your beginning stitch.  Not the first loop which was actually a slip knot but your first actual stitch.  Once you complete the slip stitch (sl) join, pull securely on the tail yarn to close the loop as tightly as you want it.

joining into 1st dc with sl stitch

joining into 1st dc with sl stitch

completed "magic" loop

completed “magic” loop

Now you are ready to begin your next round according to the directions of your pattern.  I personally really like to do the “magic” loop and I hope you find these directions helpful too.

HAPPY CREATING!!

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