Search Results for: star stitch class

Posted on by — 2 Comments

Crochet Mobius Cowl Wearing Styles

Simply add a mobius twist to an infinity scarf to multiply the ways it drapes.

A crochet mobius cowl pattern adds an easy mobius twist to a crochet infinity scarf (a.k.a. long loop scarf). This instantly increases the stylish ways to wear it!

Starlooper Ring Scarf: Turn it into an infinity scarf. Or not! Nine ways to wear it.
If you had to pick only ONE of these nine images, which would it be?

Have a look at this image I created for the downloadable new Starlooper Mobius Cowl crochet pattern. This montage of NINE images means I don’t have to pick just ONE wearing style to display.

I love a good crochet mobius cowl pattern because it flatters the face and neck effortlessly, no matter how it settles on the shoulders. Plus, of course, they offer easy warmth. You might enjoy an early newsletter issue I wrote called “A Fever for Crocheting Cowls” LOL!

For Starlooper I used a special kind of crochet star stitch pattern. It’s naturally a bit offset, reversible, and has accordion-like pleats. It’s also fast, soft, and warm for fall. (One of many star stitches.)

I’ve been learning ways to create draping montages like this image for years. Want to see earlier ones? Here’s Shakti Scarfythings. Check out Undaria!

Posted on by — 2 Comments

Post-Creeper Crochet Ideas

My giant Minecraft-inspired crochet Creeper project gave me some more ideas. Here are a few from my studio “vault.”

In the first three photos (top row), the head is partly assembled. On the far left I see part of a hood. For example, a muffler or wide scarf seamed at a right angle to the scarf sides to create a hooded scarf. In the middle photo I see what a Creeper backpack might look like, and in the rightmost photo, a square bottomed bucket-style tote.

Gamer crochet amigurumi: giant Minecraft Creeper
I saw other projects and uses before I finished the full-size Creeper. View full size image.

In the bottom left photo, I don’t know what YOU see but I see an ipad/laptop sleeve. I threw in the next photo so you could see what the individual pieces look like before seaming. They could be joined to create lots of useful items. Besides the obvious baby blanket, how about patches on jeans or pockets on sweaters? A bathmat might be just the way to startle awake first thing in the morning.

And finally, there’s the happy recipient in the last photo. He was 13 here. The completed Creeper head could double as a throw pillow, literally. (He threw it around a bit like he would while playing with a cubic ball in Minecraft.)

I love how big and sturdy it came out. Single crochet stitches are so versatile! (Double crochet in the UK and Australia). As with this Creeper crochet toy, it was the perfect stitch for Gallon Friend, a classroom aid for my son’s third grade teacher.

Posted on by — 1 Comment

Lab Experiment: I’m Customizing a Tank Top with Crochet

Pink Tank Top in Progress, Close Up

This is my first attempt at customizing a tank top with crochet, so I’m using a $4 scoop-neck tank top from Walmart (White Stag brand).  Update: It’s coming along well! See this followup post.

It looks dowdy on me straight off the store shelf, so I’ve drastically cropped it and turned the neckline into a deep V.

The crochet you see adds length along the bottom hem. I’m using standard sport weight yarn and a US/F (3.75 mm) crochet hook. The steel hook shown in the photo above is the largest sharp-headed crochet hook I have. I wish I had one that’s slightly bigger for pulling through loops of sport weight yarn.

The Real Reason I’m Doing This

Fancy triple-treble stitch clusters in a zigzag pattern add drama to the picot hem of the peplum I added to a storebought tank top.
Crocheting the bottom hem.
Armholes & neckline next.

What is it like to crochet DesigningVashti Lotus yarn onto t-shirt fabric? Is sport weight yarn a good match? (If I have to use lace weight yarns, I might as well just crochet the whole darn thing.) What does the texture of this yarn look like with a plain cotton machine knit fabric? 

I have mill ends of this “Pink Sugar” color; the dyeing looks more tonal than solid (not in this photo though). Do I like it? What is it generally like to pair Lotus colors with my tee shirt colors?

Can I use a super sharp crochet hook when customizing a tank top with crochet? I want to be able to start crocheting right onto fabric and get a result I like. Would I enjoy doing it more than sewing along the cut edges first? (I sealed the cut edges with an invisible permanent washable no-fray liquid.)

Customing a tank top with crochet to give it a well defined v-neck and picot-trimmed armholes.

How will it all hold up to wearing, machine washing and drying, and the Florida sun? Will the no-fray liquid add enough strength to the edges?

How will I like wearing it? Will I find I have a preference for customizing a tank top with certain kinds of crochet stitches? What if the crochet adds too much weight to the top?

Lots of what-ifs. Will I want to do something similar with my cashmere sweaters? ::gasp::

I have a few pullovers that I want to convert into cardigans. Ideally, give them a roomier fit while I’m at it. Heck, add beads. Cashmere love is a many splendored thing.

Electra Wrap

Elegant, weightless Electra Wrap is crocheted in a less common love knot mesh pattern. It’s edged with picot love knots as you go. Pictured wrap combines a fine sequined strand with one of mohair. Stitch diagram included.

I crocheted together two strands of fine celestial yarns to create this starry cloud of lover’s knot (Solomon’s knot) lace, all in one piece–no reattaching of yarn required for the picot edging. The original inspiration was a sequined Italian yarn called Crystal. Fun fact: crocheting it with a strand of fine mohair makes both yarns easier to use! 

This love knot crochet pattern is updated with a stitch diagram and more. The original edition appeared in the Summer 2013 issue of Interweave Crochet magazine. A stitch diagram essential because optical illusions are built into this design. Without a diagram, the stitch pattern is counterintuitive for some crocheters at first. Also, love knots serve as their own foundation chains and turning chains in this pattern. The yarns used contribute yet another (heavenly) illusion. 

Love knots are traditionally used to make a lacy square-holed net instead of this triangle-holed version. Please see issue #62 of my Crochet Inspirations Newsletter about this flower-like hexagonal lace structure. It’s reversible and warm because the bubble-like stitches create a lightweight web of air pockets.

Skill Level

Advanced Intermediate. The pattern may start off challenging for you until you get used to the optical illusions of this design! Instructions and links for how to crochet the love knot stitch are provided on page 3. I have written this pattern with few abbreviations. UK and Australian equivalents for American pattern terms are in brackets { }. 

View all love knot patterns here.

After using this pattern, you will know (if you didn’t already): 

  • How to crochet love knots (a.k.a. lover’s knot, Solomon’s knot, knot stitch)
  • How to understand the visual illusion of this starry type of love knot mesh.
  • How to reinforce their joining knots for this type of lace pattern.
  • How to finish the edges with picot love knots.
  • How to enjoy crocheting with fine mohair, and those tempting specialty yarns that have sequins and other notoriously tricky textures!

Finished Dimensions: 18″ {16.46 m} wide and 61″ {55.78 m} long.

Materials

  • Crochet hook: US H/8 (5 mm). Adjust hook size if necessary, see Gauge information below.
  • A stitch marker or two might come in handy.
  • Yarn needle for weaving in ends.
  • Yarns used for the project shown: 
  1. S. Charles Collezione Crystal (85% polyester, 15% cotton; 144 yd {131 m} per .88 oz {25 g}; CYC “#0 Lace Weight”): color #11, 3 skeins.
  2. S. Charles Collezione Luna (71% super kid mohair, 20% silk, 9% lurex; 232 yd {212.5 m} per .88 oz {25 g}; CYC “#0 Lace Weight”): color #25, 2 skeins.

Substituting yarns:  Choose a “#0 Lace Weight” or “#1 Super Fine Weight” yarn if you wish to crochet Electra with two strands held together. (The #0 weight category encompasses a range of yarn sizes, and mohair can make a #0 yarn appear to be a thicker #1 or #2.) Try pairing yarns that have recommended hook size ranges of 1.5 mm to 3.25 mm. 

  • If a yarn has mohair, sequins, or other fancy bumps like beads, crocheting two strands of it held together will neutralize its uneven textures. This makes it much more enjoyable to crochet with. Isn’t that a fun solution? I also find that love knots are much easier to rip out than other stitches, even when I use a mohair yarn.
  • To crochet this pattern with only one strand of a yarn, look for a “#3 Light Weight” (DK or light worsted weight) yarn. 

Our Lotus Yarn: ‘Snack’ size (85 yds/33g)

This is the same versatile DesigningVashti Lotus yarn in a mini ball. It’s one-third the size of a full ball. Watch Ellen Gormley crochet with Lotus in her yarn unboxing video! Explore each color in its own crochet album.

Designers Doris Chan and Vashti Braha carefully chose the Z-twisted plying and fiber blending of Lotus to optimize the crochet experience. It interacts beautifully with crochet stitches. Of course you will love knitting and weaving with it too.

Patterns & Project Ideas

For a few thousand more pattern choices (!), browse these self-updating search results in Ravelry for:

  1. Crochet only or knit only patterns that need no more than one Snack ball (85 yards of a sport weight yarn).
  2. Crochet only or knit only patterns that need no more than two Snack balls (86–170 yds of a sport weight yarn).
  3. A gallery of Lotus yarn patterns by all designers.

To find out when we add new patterns for Lotus, subscribe to the free Crochet Inspirations newsletter. Need advice about substituting Lotus for a specific crochet pattern? Visit our helpful forums in Ravelry: Doris Chan Crochet, Vashti’s Crochet Lounge.

How to Substitute Lotus Yarn with Your Favorite Patterns: If the crochet hook called for in the pattern is an F-5 (3.75 mm), G-6 (4.00 mm), or G-7 (4.50 mm), then look next at the type of yarn listed. If it’s primarily cotton or rayon (a.k.a. viscose, bamboo, tencel) and looks smooth, chances are great that Lotus will give you the results you’re looking for. (As for any pattern, swatch and damp block it. You’ll see its lovely drape too!)

Especially with lacy projects, Lotus may also work great with a pattern calling for an H-8 (5.00 mm) crochet hook. Doris Chan crocheted a lovely Jolimar Skirt with Lotus and an H-8 hook. (It was originally designed with the discontinued Naturallycaron Spa and an I-9/6mm hook.)

Especially with jewelry, bags, belts, and kitchen projects, Lotus Yarn works great in a tighter gauge, such as an E-4 (3.50 mm) crochet hook.

Machine wash and dry Lotus gently with like colors, although as with most fashion fabrics, hand washing and air drying will extend its life.