Friday, September 12, 2014

Crocheted Rose Pattern for the Beginner





At first glance, a rose looks like a complex crochet pattern, but it's very simply. Most beginners can crochet their first rose within minutes. There are only 3 steps:

1. Crochet a chain stitch
2. Crochet once back across the chain
3. Wind the rose into shape and sew through the base with a yarn needle.

You can use crocheted roses to embellish hats, scarves, headbands, and many other handmade projects.



How to Crochet a Rose for Beginners - Step 1

Crochet a Chain StitchChain 64.

(Unless this is your first project, you probably already know how to crochet a chain stitch. But, for those that are new to crochet, you can find more details here about "How to Chain Stitch.")

Crochet Back Across the Chain

How to Crochet a Rose for Beginners - Step 2

Petals Turn the work and crochet back across the chain.

Skip the first chain stitch from the hook. In the second chain stitch from the crochet hook:
Double crochet. Chain 1.
Double crochet. Chain 1.
Double Crochet. Chain 1.
Double Crochet. Chain 1.(You will have 4 double crochets in the second chain stitch from the hook making a "fan" effect.)

Skip the next chain stitch, single crochet 1 time. Chain 1.
(The single crochet draws the end of the double crochet stitches down into a petal form. This is your first rose petal.)

Continue this pattern across the entire length of the chain:
Skip a chain stitch, (double crochet and chain 1) 4 times in the same stitch.
Skip a chain stitch, 1 single crochet. 1 chain.





Form the Rose

How to Crochet a Rose - Step 3

How to Crochet a rose for BeginnersTie off your work and cut the working yarn to leave a 1 foot tail.

Beginning with the end farthest from the working yarn, roll the petals into a rose shape.
It's best to roll very loosely. I like to pinch the center of the rose tightly to hold it together and then roll the remainder of the crocheted petals as loosely as possible to create an open rose. If you look at the photo at the top one rose was rolled very loosely and the other tightly to compare the finished look.

Thread the working yarn through a yarn needle and use it to stitch the base of the rose in place.





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Wednesday, September 10, 2014

How to Make Custom Crochet Patterns

Make Custom Crochet Patterns
The art of crochet allows people to make custom crochet patterns. These custom crochet patterns can be used to make a rug exactly the length, width, shape and color desired or a doily the exact the right proportions and look for a coffee table. Creating custom patterns for a crochet project is not as difficult as it sounds.
 
Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

 

Things You'll Need:

  • yarn
  • crochet hook
  • scrap cardboard
  • ruler
  • scissors
  • pen
  1. 1
    Stitch Gauge
    Stitch Gauge
     Yarn and Crochet Hook

    The yarn and crochet hook you use will determine the "gauge" of the finished work. Gauge is the height and width of your crochet stitches. Begin by selecting the yarn and hook you wish to use for your project. Make a sample swatch and measure the gauge of your stitches. In the example, worsted weight yarn was used with a size H, or 5.00 mm crochet hook. A swatch of two rows of double crochets was made. Each row was 9 double crochets wide. The two rows measured 1 1/2 inches high, so each row of double crochets is 3/4 of an inch high. The width of the swatch was 3 inches, so it takes 3 double crochet stitch to make one inch in the pattern.
  2. 2
    Trace Crochet Pattern
    Trace Crochet Pattern
     Tracing the Pattern Outline

    Using an old piece of repurposed cardboard or paper, trace an outline of the area the finished crochet piece should fit. This piece will be cut out and used as a template.
  3. 3
    Pattern Template
    Pattern Template
     Laying Out the Pattern

    Using the template prepared in the step above, mark out the rows and stitches. For example, we know from calculating our gauge that each row of stitches is 3/4 of an inch high, so on the template draw rows every 3/4 of an inch. Label the horizontal rows as row 1, row 2, row 3, etc., down the template.

    Draw vertical lines 1 inch apart down the pattern template. When crocheting the project, each inch of width will equal three stitches based on our gauge. Count the number of squares in each row and record on the template how many double crochets are in each row of the template. In this example, each square in the row equals three double crochets, so the number of squares on the template times 3 would equal the number of stitches in each row.

    On a pattern template that isn't perfectly square, such as the example, some partial squares will occur on the edge of each row. Estimate the number of stitches needed for partial squares. One third partial square would be equal to 1 stitch.

    In the photo, each row was identified. Row 1, 2, 3, etc. Then, the number of double crochets needed in each row was recorded. This makes following the pattern easier. Enlarge the photo to see a sample of the rows and stitches per row recorded on the template.
  4. 4
    Crochet Project Layed Out on Template
    Crochet Project Layed Out on Template
     Crocheting the Project

    As you crochet, lay the project on the template periodically. Evaluate how the finished project fits the template. Adjust the crochet pattern if necessary.

Tips & Warnings

  • The increase stitch and decrease stitch can be used to increase and decrease the number of double crochet stitches needed in each row.
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Iron On Transfers for Embroidery

Iron On Transfers for Embroidery

When I was a young girl my mom transferred these patterns to tea towels and embroidered them. She also taught me how to embroider with these same iron on transfers. Later, when I became an adult and moved out on my own, she passed the towels on to me. I have always treasured them.
I was happy (and rather surprised) to see the Aunt Martha's iron on transfer patterns that we used in the 1970s are still available online! These transfer patterns can be used to embroider, or cross stitch, just about any kind of fabric including hand towels, quilts, and Christmas stockings.

How Do They Work?

1. Iron the image onto any fabric.
2. Embroider or cross stitch.
3. Wash. The image disappears.

Vote for Your Favorite Set

Which of Aunt Martha's sets do you like best?

Pick your favorite set.

  • There's No Place Like Home
  • Home and Garden
  • Days of the Week
See results without voting

Embroidered Tea Towel

Below is a photo of my 37 year old tea towel. It has seen better days, but few towels have ever been so loved and cherished as this hand embroidered towel from my mother.

Embroidered Tea Towel

Embroidered Tea Towel
Embroidered Tea Towel

All Things Domestic

This set includes 2 of the modern pattern books, rather than envelopes. The first book features images and phrases about the kitchen and cooking. The second book is all about sewing. The sewing book comes with an image to embroider custom tags. For example, you can embroider, "handmade by Mary!" on your latest creation with this iron on transfer.

Animal, Flower and Holiday Books - of Iron On Transfers

Aunt Martha's Clever Kitties Embroidery Transfer Pattern Book Kit
Aunt Martha's Clever Kitties Embroidery Transfer Pattern Book Kit
 Buy Now
 

Embroidery on Ebay

If you love embroidery, but you don't have time to do it, you can often find vintage embroidery for sale online. The sale prices are ALWAYS a steal for the time and effort invested. Support a crafter by purchasing someone else's handy work.

Which Do You Prefer

The Aunt Martha's patterns that I remember as a child came in the yellow envelopes. They are seen as "sets" above and sometimes sold individually. More recently, Aunt Martha's has started publishing their iron on transfers in books. Which do you prefer?
Which type of iron on transfers do you prefer and why?
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