Learn to crochet?

I’ve got two CAL’s on the go and I had already started a vintage granny blanket.
I think I have a problem 😆

The rest of the WIP’s are stored away, so I don’t count them 🙈
 
John's new jumper and my winter hat WIPs had a lovely holiday to Spain and Portugal. Too bloomin hot to knit and i really need a folding lightweight chair with no arms, hot found a suitable one in 12 years of looking.
have 40+ year old blanket which is a WIP too a few UFOs somewhere.

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Hello everyone

I finished my crochet elephant just in time for the Diss Carnival on Sunday. Silly me, forgot to take a photograph ....doh!!
I am having a rest from crochet for a few weeks as my thumb is painful.

I picked up the pink cardigan I struggled with last November and, hooray! hooray! discovered the error with the front bands.
It's a cross-over style with a wide button band. What I had done in the shaping was K2tog instead of K3tog. That'll teach me to read patterns properly. I will post a photograph when it's finished.
 
snailtrailer said:
Hello everyone

I finished my crochet elephant just in time for the Diss Carnival on Sunday. Silly me, forgot to take a photograph ....doh!!
I am having a rest from crochet for a few weeks as my thumb is painful.

I picked up the pink cardigan I struggled with last November and, hooray! hooray! discovered the error with the front bands.
It's a cross-over style with a wide button band. What I had done in the shaping was K2tog instead of K3tog. That'll teach me to read patterns properly. I will post a photograph when it's finished.
Click to expand...
Aww, that's a shame about the elephant.
It's good to have a break and come back to something sometimes. Fresh eyes and all that. Glad you worked out cardi 🙂

I've had a little break from crochet but I have to finish my cal's....I've got 7 large square things to complete and they are a pain. I have to keep playing and replaying the youtube video cause it just isn't staying in my head!
 
Lisa said:
Aww, that's a shame about the elephant.
It's good to have a break and come back to something sometimes. Fresh eyes and all that. Glad you worked out cardi 🙂

I've had a little break from crochet but I have to finish my cal's....I've got 7 large square things to complete and they are a pain. I have to keep playing and replaying the youtube video cause it just isn't staying in my head!
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You’re not alone on rewatching videos over and over. I have to do exactly the same! Sometimes I watch and copy it down so I just have to refer to that 😊

Not crochet but I recently finished this for a Star Wars and Grogu friend of mine and he loved it thank goodness.
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I am currently working on another cross stitch which I am free handing for Pride month and crocheting myself a jumper with some yarn I have in my stash but have never used.
9464E69F-DFA2-4176-AFB0-5E4D012A43ED.jpeg
25420DC8-CE7D-481D-8B5F-25E829008593.jpeg
 
I am watching a different kind of video. Cribbage has recently restarted so Derek is out on Monday evenings leaving me with the remote control. Absolutely nothing for me on TV so I have started watching the Great British Sewing Bee right from the first series. What a difference, fewer contestants and two leaving each week and pinning the pattern to the material and cutting with scissors. No sewing weight and rotary cutters in sight, so far. Looking forward to Monday evenings, kit-kat and coffee, what a lovely way to spend a couple of hours.
 
snailtrailer said:
I am watching a different kind of video. Cribbage has recently restarted so Derek is out on Monday evenings leaving me with the remote control. Absolutely nothing for me on TV so I have started watching the Great British Sewing Bee right from the first series. What a difference, fewer contestants and two leaving each week and pinning the pattern to the material and cutting with scissors. No sewing weight and rotary cutters in sight, so far. Looking forward to Monday evenings, kit-kat and coffee, what a lovely way to spend a couple of hours.
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I am working my way through the current series! It’s seriously inspiring me to start making some of my own clothes again which I haven’t done for at least 20 years 😊

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I've been 'tubing too. I've got distracted from the blanket, looking into my next project. :blusher:
tbh I don't care for the sewing bee. I just don't like any competition program where they hype up the desire to win. Including 'strictly'. I do watch the actual dancing part tho cos I love to see how they adapt the costumes.
Congrats on sorting out the cardi snailtrailer :)
 
I like sewing bee as when there is an error I can say "Yep, done that!" I'd like to see the inside seams though.

There are a few patterns from the pattern challenge I'd like to have but I have no idea if one can buy them.

I think I will be making my own slopes and toiles though as I am such a not standard shape. Evening dresses I make using folk wear patterns which are very simple and quick - I alter by adding second layers and Indian sari fabric :)
 
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Mmm, maybe I should try watching again, and just sing 'lalala' through the fake/cringy bits.
I've started to make a slope for myself several times over the years, but each time has been accompanied by a significant weight change. It seems also, that while my weight is reasonably constant, I just don't have the time!

Puddleduck I'm very interested in that comment about 'folkwear'. My next sewing project is likely to be a kind of corset top based on medieval overdress. (I can't remember the proper name rn)
 
When I am on my laptop I will have a look for you. The patterns do come up on eBay from time to time, I am not sure if the original company is still going.

My daughter in law went to classes to make a boned corset which formed part of her wedding dress but I don't think it is that difficult - she had never touched a sewing needle or machine before that. The result was stunning by the way!!!!

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MarionK said:
Puddleduck I'm very interested in that comment about 'folkwear'. My next sewing project is likely to be a kind of corset top based on medieval overdress. (I can't remember the proper name rn)
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www.folkwear.com

Folkwear Sewing Patterns

Folkwear creates high quality sewing patterns for historic and folk clothing from around the world based on authentic garments, with special focus on embellishment details, history, with a catalog of beautiful folk and historic clothing, from dozens of countries and across hundreds of years...
www.folkwear.com www.folkwear.com

I find the patterns very simple to adapt and make as the shapes are simple. I draw "paper" patterns on non-woven table cloths similar to these Amazon product ASIN B07C2RX92V "but I get mine from a supermarket) as they are a lot more sturdy than tissue and drape somewhat if I want to check against my dressmakers dummy or even myself. I've even been known to tack the pieces together to try them on!
 
I've just done a bit of googling, and the proper name for the type of dress I was planning to make just the top of is kirtle, but googling folkwear, brought up a list of itmes, one of which is a "Polish top", which (minus the embroidery) is just what I want!

Puddleduck Thanks for the site link, I didn't actually spot in in google. It's very informative. :)
That's awsome, that your DIL made part of her own wedding outfit, and a corset at that!! I have thought about making a boned corset, but decided I'd need a decent toile first, and that's more easily done using medieval dress technique. Unfortunately dress-making is on a 'back burner' now, as I need to be able to 'drop it' at a moments notice as Mum is very needy lately. Crochet is my go to craft, as I can just chuck it in a bag, and it wont get ruined or unraveled. If the hook does fall out, it's just one stitch to pick up. :)

Oh and thanks for the suggestion of tablecloths although I still have a goodly quant of excellent paper from my pattern cutting class days. (No idea what it's called, and can't get any more from the same source, unfortunately but it's stronger than the usual packet stuff - and easier to draw on!) I'll try and remember paper tablecloths when the time comes!
 
I also think that if you are never told something is difficult or complicated then ignorance is bliss and you either manage or you don't.

Her dress was a deep purple and as she is tiny she looked stunning. I said like a Dryad but she may not have understood the reference.
 
I've tried all sorts of paper in the past to make patterns from the pattern paper sold in haberdashers yo wallpaper lining paper (too narrow and stiff) but I like the thick almost cloth like tablecloth paper sold in Asda best - it's a sort of yellow colour but all of the paper tablecloths are good. It also leaves the original pattern intact.

I also got a copy of this book in a second hand book shop

Amazon product ASIN 026305800X
I think it was £3 or less. I still have to make anything from it!!!!!!!!

My crochet is in a bag under the table (we are away in the van) and I might get some done later if I get some work on my Dad's estate completed this morning.

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I had been meaning to try my hand at knitting socks for some time now, so when I saw that my regular wool supplier also does rather gorgeous sock yarn, I bought a few balls. Unfortunately even though I can still knit pretty well, I can't pick up stitches . . .
So . . . What's good to crochet in 4 ply?
 
MarionK said:
I had been meaning to try my hand at knitting socks for some time now, so when I saw that my regular wool supplier also does rather gorgeous sock yarn, I bought a few balls. Unfortunately even though I can still knit pretty well, I can't pick up stitches . . .
So . . . What's good to crochet in 4 ply?
Click to expand...
Have you tried crocheting, as opposed to knitting the socks?
 
MarionK said:
lol That was a bit of a "d'oh" moment. I had been thinking lacy things. :blusher: Thanks. I can't find any pattterns but should be able to wing it.
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😁
Should be some on YouTube 😉

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Sugarnan said:
MarionK don't give up, bring your 4 ply to the crafty rally, hopefully I can sort your 'pick up'. (y)
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I frogged it already, twice actually! If I can find a pattern for plain but properly shaped socks, like my Grandma used to knit, I will have one last try. Ordinary stocking stitch is a lot easier to pick up than patterns with plain, purl, YO and K2tog's all over the place. The yarn is so nice, (variegated colour changes) it doesn't really need fancy knitting.
 
MarionK I have a book called "I can't believe I am crocheting socks" or something like that. Sorry I am not at home and limited internet or I would check it out.


Also check out 2 socks at a time toe up - again a book and NO grafting or picking up round the heel.

You might also want to look up spiral toes and heels???? I haven't used the spiral method as I have blocky heels not round heels so a traditional heel flap fits me better
 

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