Introduction

There’s nothing like being able to sit down in a favorite chair for a while to catch up on some much needed down time, whether it’s in the evening after the dinner dishes are done or on a rainy afternoon. If you’re anything like me, though, you find it hard to just sit. This is when I like to get my crocheting out and sit and relax, but still be creative at the same time.

As with any new skill, practice makes perfect. Even after 30-plus years of working with a hook and yarn, I still learn new techniques and new ways to do old things. Mastering the basics is, of course, essential, and even if you’ve been crocheting for a while, it never hurts to review skills that may be a little rusty.

Crochet Patterns For Dummies was written so you can practice and enhance your skills in this time-honored craft, while at the same time create designs that are both useful and fashionable.

About This Book

The craft of crochet has been around for hundreds of years, originally developed out of necessity, and then continued throughout the ages because of the beautiful designs that can be created. I can’t even begin to count the variations of stitches that can be crocheted, but one thing I can tell you is that they all begin with the basics. For that reason, I give you projects in this book that allow you to develop a strong foundation of the most commonly used stitches and stitch patterns.

Patterns’ skill levels are categorized as Beginner, Easy, Intermediate, or Advanced, and some pattern books note the skill level using one of the following symbols:

I don’t include the symbols in this book because most of the patterns fall into the Beginner and Easy categories. I note which patterns are more advanced in the pattern introductions. Each chapter is organized so the patterns graduate from the least to the most complicated, so you can pick and choose where you want to begin.

Each part of this book focuses on a different aspect of crochet, and the parts are further broken down into chapters pertaining to specific information, such as

• Hook and yarn information, and how to choose the right materials
• Deciphering crochet lingo, reading a pattern, and understanding garment sizing
• A review of the basic stitches and stitch combinations, with a concise appendix containing step-by-step instructions for working these stitches
• Loads of patterns separated into chapters for specific skills used

To give you an idea of what the projects look like when they’re finished, I include photos:

• Each set of project instructions within the chapter includes a photo of the completed item.
• In the center of the book, you can find color photos of the projects. These photos also give you a better idea about the yarn colors I chose. (Of course, if you’re not crazy about the yarn I used, you can always branch out on your own and choose colors that are more suited to your taste.)

Some instructions also include illustrations that show you stitch diagrams or project dimensions. Some things are easier to visualize than read about, and these illustrations are meant to show you how stitches or sizes relate.

Some projects include a “Variation” section after the basic instructions. This can be as simple as how to substitute materials, or it can give you ideas about creating a whole new project from the original pattern. Read these sections even if you don’t want to employ them. They can expand your knowledge about crochet and how you can adapt designs and patterns.

The best thing about this book is that you don’t have to read it cover to cover. You choose where to start. If something looks interesting, go ahead and flip to that chapter. If you need a refresher on a certain skill used, go ahead and flip back, make a practice swatch, and then continue on with the project.

Conventions Used in This Book

The following conventions are used throughout the text to make the patterns consistent and easy to understand:

• New terms appear in italic and are closely followed by an easy-to-understand definition.
• Bold is used to highlight the action parts of numbered steps and for keywords in bulleted lists.
• When you see a set of bulleted (•) instructions in this book, work the stitches through once, and then go back and repeat them the number of times indicated.
• If a new skill is introduced that is not included elsewhere in the book, you’ll find it listed within that particular pattern under the heading “New skills.” In that section, you’ll find step-by-step instructions on how to work that particular stitch.
• The specific part of an illustration that relates to the step you’re working on is shaded dark gray. For example, if you’re inserting your hook into a certain stitch, only that stitch is shaded so you can clearly see where to go.
• The patterns included in this book are all written in typical crochet fashion, as you’d see in any publication. Crochet has a language all its own, most of it abbreviated. To brush up on the lingo, see Chapter 4.

Foolish Assumptions

My greatest hope is that, by picking up this book, you are looking to further develop the crochet skills that you already possess. If you have a working knowledge of the basics and are ready to take your skills to the next level, then you’ve come to the right place. This book does contain a little bit of very basic, beginner-level information to help jog your memory, but you should have at least some prior experience.

If you’re looking to learn to crochet from the start, then look around the bookshelves for Crocheting For Dummies, the companion book to this one. In that book, you’ll find in-depth information about crochet from start to finish. If you’re feeling really adventurous, pick up both books so you’ll have a complete set.

How This Book Is Organized

This book is divided into five easily identifiable parts, with a total of 17 chapters and two appendixes. Any brand-new stitches that are introduced within a particular chapter are illustrated in the “New skills” section. If at any point it seems that you need specific knowledge about a concept, I’ll point you in the right direction.

Part 1: Reinforcing Your Crochet Foundation

This part contains all the reference material you need to crochet your way through the rest of the book. It starts off with choosing the right hook and yarn, and then moves on to figuring out gauge. Information about reading patterns, sizing garments, and understanding stitches and their relationships to each other is included in this section. And last, but not least, you can refresh your memory about how to change colors correctly, increasing and decreasing stitches, and crocheting in a circle.

Part 2: Hook, Yarn, Action! Crocheting Simple Projects

Part 2 has five chapters packed full of patterns designed to get your fingers moving. Each chapter focuses on a different aspect of the basic skills. You can choose a project in which you concentrate on crocheting your stitches evenly, or one that has you shaping the design through increases and decreases. You can make great accessories while crocheting in the round, or you can crochet multicolored patterns designed to get you into the color-changing mode.

Part 3: Putting Your Skills to the Test

Ready to take your skills a step further? The patterns in this part of the book combine all of the basics and more. I include a whole bunch of sweater designs, as well as more home décor and accessories. You’ll use some slightly more advanced techniques, as well as see what it’s like to work with unconventional materials such as hemp and wire.

Part 4: The Part of Tens

Not to be outdone, Part 4 has loads of patterns as well. Included are quick ’n’ easy designs that are great for when you need a creative fix. I also came up with a whole bunch of designs with the younger set in mind. I hope these patterns get them crocheting, but they’re great for you to make as gifts for tweens and teens as well. This part also contains information on caring for your work after it’s done.

Part 5: Appendixes

When you get stuck, turn to this part for a little help. Appendix A walks you through how to do basic and not-so-basic crochet stitches. Appendix B provides yarn companies’ names and contact info that you can use when you can’t find the yarn you want in your neighborhood craft store.

Icons Used in This Book

To make this book easier to read and simpler to use, I include some icons that can help you find and fathom key ideas and information that are worth taking a second glance at.

This icon appears any time I provide information that can make your work a bit easier or show you a trick that experienced crocheters have developed over the years.

Any time you see this icon, you should know that the information that follows is important. It highlights different points in the skills or pattern that you should remember.

When you see this icon, be sure to read carefully the information that follows. It can help you avoid common mistakes and pitfalls that can lead to a disastrous finished design.

Beyond This Book

Whether...