Expanding Our Crochet Skills

[AmyS]

Have you learned a new crochet stitch or technique? Experimented with a new yarn?

Have you done anything else to expand your crochet skills or knowledge?

Tell us all about it here!

[Nikka_hotpinkpixy]

Oh this is just the thread I have been looking for :D When I first joined the 'ville I was an SC newbie. I knew the basics of DC, HDC, and so on and so forth. But, I just finished with a 12 inch square pattern, for the K.I.S.S. Swap. It involved the Extended Doubble Crochet, and I found that all my experience was actually paying off! I cant WAIT to try some more complicated patterns :D

[wiz3283]

I love miniature crochet. Even though my eyes aren't as good as they used to be I just love anything miniature and I love just winging whatever pops into my head. Sometimes it is a disaster but most times its really a beauty. It pushes me to try new and creative ways to get just the size, shape and textures I want for my creations.

[Cliffnote]

I just did my first felting project. It is a crochet hook holder. It came out pretty good, except when I dried it, it came out with lint from the clothes I dried it with. It felted nice, but the lint is a pain to get off. I like felting and I think I will do it agaiin!

[LondonLaura]

I made my first adult wearable where I did things like adjusting sleeve length etc to make it fit ME :) Very exciting stuff!

[quietheart]

I learned the diagonal box stitch! Now I'm addicted.....

Hugs
Kath

[miranda]

I learned to make bobbles! It was a lot of fun to crochet, but it used loads of yarn. I used it on a scarf, but I would like to try it on a bag or purse.

[celiawinters]

Mine is not a new stitch but more newer threads to me. I have avoided crocheting with the finer yarns and thread but I want to do a tablecloth in the near future and I am getting better. My doilys look better than when I started. I can sure tell a difference. I want to master like a 20 thread but haven't past size 10 yet but that is my goal.

[imanurse55]

I have learned the shell stitch and the half double crochet (may sound simple to most) but I've just begun......

[Michiganirish]

I did my first graph pattern last month - have been crocheting for 40 years and it took this long. Thanks to this website - I knew I could do it. Looking forward to more firsts. Thank You:hug

[quietheart]

Maybe folks can put links to what they learned if there are any? To the books, to the free patterns or tutorials? That would make this topic even more fun!
Here's mine!
http://www.crochetcabana.com/stitches/diag-box-st.htm

Hugs
Kath

[Amethyst Mist]

Instead of expanding my skills right now, I'm going straight to the beginning and improving. :)

[Jempast]

I am learning how to make socks this month.

[Happiness]

I bought some Tunisian crochet hooks and I'm happily experimenting with them.

[Daugherty4inNC]

I crocheted dishtowels with an afghan hook for a gift and am trying to get the hang of crocheting on a double ended crochet hook, but there aren't a lot of free tutorials out there. And I have all the books and DVDs so when I get the time I am going to teach myself to knit.:eek

[LondonLaura]

Maybe folks can put links to what they learned if there are any? To the books, to the free patterns or tutorials? That would make this topic even more fun!
Here's mine!
http://www.crochetcabana.com/stitches/diag-box-st.htm

Hugs
Kath

That's a great idea for people to add links where possible!

Thanks for yours, it looks really interesting. I can't wait to try it!

[starryeyed24]

:crocheting I am learning to make Amigurumi I have made a few simple ones so far but am trying my hand (or my hook):hook at some more complicated patterns. It is loads of fun:yay

[auntbubbels]

I am watching online videos to learn broomstick lace and will be taking a C'ville online class this week.

I had no idea what it was and I am getting nervous but I will give it a try and I will also let you know how it goes

http://www.stitchdiva.com/custom.aspx?id=222

[Hookin Catluvr]

I'll be learning to make socks with the online class this month!

[kenjones4]

Saw a video tutorial for make a shell stitch hat:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LfCjVZOxMgc

[HorrorRetro]

I learned how to do a granny square tonight by watching and following along with this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=11Wh7IOT9BI&feature=related :hook

[~Elise~]

Doing filet crochet piece for my swap partner. Of course, being me, I had to start with a LARGE piece--but it was perfect (I think) for her so there really wasn't a choice.

Elise

[AG mode]

Just yesterday I received the hairpin lace loom, so soon than later I'll give it a try. :yay

[fc1123]

I'm expanding my skills I am working on an amigurumi bear my first attempt at it next I'm on to working with cables this should be fun

[~Elise~]

I not tried amigurumi yet...I told my step-daughter (who is 25) that I would try to find her a dolphin pattern. No luck yet, though.

[Stephanie]

I decided for National Crochet Month that I would learn a new technique. So, I signed up for the Cro-hook class. I bought some cool hot pads from a garage sale (newly made) and have wanted to make them for my Mom, but out of kitchen cotton. It's about time I learned the technique given that I have a book or two on Doubled Ended crochet. :eek

[AG mode]

I received a Hairpin lace loom a couple of days ago :yay and I' m playing around with it, a real challenge!

[gbabesmom]

I taught myself to crochet a while ago and recently I enjoy making amigurumi. Working in rounds used to be hard for me, but I find it much easier than working rows. :think
I am interested in learning Tunisian crochet. I saw it on an episode of Knit and Crochet Today. It looks like fun. :hook

Laura

[idagammy]

I'm working on a baby blanket using the front post double crochet. Next i'll try to figure out the back post double.

[texasredhead]

I would love to learn more because I am such a visual learner. But, I don't have any close friends that crochet. Where I can just see them in person and sit and make something that they could help me with in person. For this reason, I just don't venture out of my comfort zone because I am afraid I will get stuck and have to frog it all!! At JoAnn's we had a group of ladies that came on Saturdays, but it was called Sit and Knit....so you know what they were doing!!! Just can't seem to find crocheters who want to meet. I tried to get some on Craig's List to come and meet, but no takers. Only one lady who wanted me to teach her to crochet. Which I did, but I saw her only twice and she was on her way. I feel like I have stagnated for years with crochet. I did go to the LYS but all they did was knit and so I felt left out and quit going.

[hooklady]

I want to experiment with slip stitch crochet using David Burchall's method on his blog http://ayarnifiedlife.blogspot.com/2008/02/slip-stitch-crochet-project-pictorial.html . I'm going to start with a dish cloth and see how it goes.

[a1crochetmom]

Hey Texasredhead.
"I would love to learn more because I am such a visual learner. But, I don't have any close friends that crochet. Where I can just see them in person and sit and make something that they could help me with in person."
Youtube has videos you can watch & replay to learn a stitch. Stitchguide.com used too, also, but I'm not sure if they still do. I know how you feel. My Grandma used to crochet but I learned when I was in hospital for 5 weeks. Stichguide helped me a lot and I have tons to learn, but I have started making toys & am happy with learning how to assemble them without showing seams! LOL Don't give up! I will do dome checking & see if I can find some sites for you.
:-)

[_Stacy_]

I've just learned entrelac, using this link (http://mylifeinknots.blogspot.com/search/label/Entralac%20Afghan)as a tutorial. I love it! I haven't actually made anything yet, just playing with color and so on, but it sure is fun. :hook

[tani-lai]

I just learned how to do front and back post dc's! I love the way they look, and can't believe how long I resisted them because I thought they would be too hard to learn. :D:lol

[Priszm]

I actually learned two new stitches this month! One was a tunisian that looks more like a knit (the little v's) and the other is the Solomon's Knot. I'm using that to make a wrap out of Paton's Rumor and it's the perfect stitch for that yarn.

[jonsey]

I am working on my first graph-ghan. Girraffes, of all things. Of course, I started my girraffes with the a double crochet in the WRONG loop of the previous row. I didn't realize my mistake until the end of row 43 of 143! Oh well, if all rows are the same it looks all right. I'll be prepared for my next graph-ghan. That's right! There deffinately will be another one. The problem? So many to chose from...so little time...lol

[CrochetinClara]

I just learned the basketweave (front post/back post)...super easy..don't know why I haven't done this before!

[lynned1952]

I have to share this, I am so proud! I work the overnight shift so I get to crochet alot, it makes the 10 hour shift go pretty fast. Anyway, 6 months ago a co-worker needed something to help past the time so he asked me to teach him how to crochet. He wanted to make hats and scarves for christmas for his wife and 2 little daughters....well since then, everytime he saw one of my projects, he wanted to make them too. From double stranded afghans, to striped draw string valentine candy bags to haekelbeutel bags to c'ville tote type bags. So now he's experimenting on his own and last week he made a large double stranded cotton tote bag for his wife and on the inside he made a huge zipper pocket on one side and 2 smaller pockets w/buttons on the other inside. All hand sewn. He has made many things for his family and his wife's friends. He is also a basketball/football coach at a local high school so I tease him and say there's a crochet dude and a crochet guy and now a crochet coach! Who knows, maybe some day I can get him to join C'ville!

Lynne

PS: I just did my very first "carry the yarn" along for my latest onion bag project!

[Ninn]

I just started designing bags this winter. Now I'm learning how to line them and install zippers. Thanks to the support I get here, I'm even designing baby dresses for my granddaughters now. I can't wait to post pix of my most recent work-most of them are my own designs-one is a pattern I purchased.