Needlecraft SuperiorCrafts, sewing, knitting, crochet, clothdolls, embroidery, dressmaking

Planning To Crochet - Here’s some easy Patchwork Motifs

Something you can do for christmas gifts, to keep expenses down,
made with your own hands - a hand-made gift with love.

Crocheting is an art,caught up by people,who have a flair for creativity which is beautiful.

As a needle craft, crocheting has stood the test of time and, in fact, it has never been more popular
than it is today thanks to the resurgence of vintage-style fashions and decorating.

Crochet is used to make a variety of things, that range from doilies, table cloths,
mats, runners, baby dresses, bonnets and bootees, to name a few.

Scarves, bags, purses and belts also add to the choice of gifts you can make.

You can crochet necklaces, earrings and bracelets,some very nice thread available for this.
It is not a complicated thing and can be done with the simplest of steps.
You can also learn how to incorporate crochet with beads, embroidery and knitting.

You’ll be amazed at how easily it is to pick up the art.
Once you have picked up the simple steps, you can progress to the more complicated steps in crochet.

If not sure how to do the basic stitches in crocheting, check out.

CROCHET MESH STITCHES- How to Techniques!
One of my earlier blog in Needlecraft Superior - (dated 20 Jan 2009)

So now for those Patchwork Motifs:

Eyelet Square Patchwork Motif:

A simple centre motif surrounded by rows of double crochet, more interesting when worked
in two or more colours.
Round one is crocheted over a double yarn strand instead of the usual ring of chains.
Wind yarn twice around tip of index finger to form a ring.
Round 1: 16 double crochet in ring
Round 2: (1 double crochet, 10 chain, skip 3 double crochet) 4 times, slip stitch
in 1 st double crochet, fasten off.
Round 3: using new colour, (11 double crochet in the 10 chain space, 1 double crochet in next double crochet) 4 times, slip stitch in 1st double crochet, fasten off.
Round 4: Using new colour *1 double crochet into each of 6 stitches, 2 double crochet in next stitch to form the corner. 1 double crochet in each of the 5 stitches*, rep from * 3 times, slip stitch in 1st double crochet, fasten off.
Round 5: 1 double crochet in each stitch and 2 double crochet at each corner, slip stitch in 1st double crochet, Repeat round 5 as many times as desired for size, changing colours as it suits you. fasten off.

Flower in a Square Patchwork Motif:

Long chains are the flower petals.
Chain 5 join in a ring with a slip stitch.
Round 1: 12 double crochets in ring, slip stitch in 1st double crochet to close.
Round 2: (chain 11 stitches, slip stitch in next double crochet) 12 times.
Round 3: Slip stitch in each of 1st 6 chain of 1st chain loop.* chain 4, 1 double crochet in central stitch
of next chain loop, chain 4, 1 cluster in next chain loop [(yarn round hook, insert hook, draw up a loop, yarn round hook draw through 2 loops,) 3 times in same chain loop, yarn round hook, draw through all 4 loops], chain 4, 1 cluster in same chain loop to form corner, chain 4, 1 double crochet in next loop*, repeat from* 3 times
Round 4: 2 slip stitches in 1st 4-chain space, chain 3,(yarn round hook, insert hook in the same space, draw up a loop,  yarn round hook, draw through 2 loops) twice, yarn round hook, draw through all 3 loops,* chain 4, 1 double crochet  in next 4-chain space, chain 4, (1 cluster, chain 4, 1 cluster) in corner space, chain 4, 1 double crochet in next 4-chain space, chain 4, 1 cluster in next 4-chain space*, repeat from * 3 times, chain 4, slip stitch in top of 1 stitch cluster to close, fasten off.

If not sure what a slip stitch is : it’s a very short stitch used principally for joining, as in a closing of a ring or motif ring, or the seaming of two finished pieces. Though not used to produce fabric, it is sometimes worked along an edge to strengthen it and to minimize stretching.
Slip Stitch: Insert hook in chain (or stitch), catch the yarn, draw a loop through both the chain and the loop on the hook.

Eyelet Square Patchwork Motif - Flower in a Square Patchwork Motif

Needlecraft Superior!
Vintage Crochet Collar Inset

Before I continue with my second blog - I would like to make a special
tribute to these volunteers that I read about in a crochet article.
You are the best, it would be nice to think that there are a lot
more people living on this earth, that have some spare time or nothing
else to do, would take on this project (preemie baby hats) and help
all the innocent new born babies in this world no matter what part of
the world they are born in.
Here is a little peice taken from the item:

Pender women warm up preemie babies!
More than 2,000 knitted and crocheted preemie baby hats have been made
by the women of Pender Adult Services both at Topsail Senior Center in
Hampstead and Heritage Place in Burgaw, along with other volunteers
from the Pender and New Hanover County areas.
For the past two years, numerous women have worked on knitting and
crocheting brightly colored preemie hats.
The project started out as part of a national endeavor to help save
the millions of babies who die every year in underprivileged countries.
This project is a national endeavor that aimed to send 1 million baby hats
to Third World countries to needy babies in Malawi.- Under the coordination
of Hope Cusick, they continued to make hundreds of hats that were then sent
to other Third World countries.

VINTAGE CROCHET COLLAR INSET EDGING!
Here is a vintage crochet pattern, that I have had for many years and I am
sure that today with all those trendy young at hearts designing their own
fashion clothes these days,would like to add this to their lastest creation.

COLLAR INSET EDGING
1 ball selected colour No 60, Steel crochet hook No 5

Abbreviations: Ch. chain;  dc. double crochet; dbl tr. double treble;
ss, slip stitch.

FIRST MOTIF.
Commence with 10 ch, join with ss to form a ring * 4ch,
2 dbl tr into the ring, 4 ch, 1 ss into the ring; repeat from
* 5 times more (6 petals). Fasten off.

SECOND MOTIF.
Commence as first motif. 4 ch, join with ss into the top of
corresponding 4 ch on first motif, 2 dbl tr into ring on 2nd motif,
join with ss into top of corresponding 4 ch on same petal of first motif,
4 ch and complete motif as before.

Make 4 more motifs joining petals of one motif to corresponding petals
of next motif and forming a triangle.
Make another triangle of 6 motifs.

EDGING.
With right side of collar facing work a row of dc round outer edges having
a multiple of 8 plus 5 along fronts and back of collar, working 3 dc into
same place at corners.
Before working 2nd row of edging sew crochet triangles in position as shown
in the photo below.

2nd row; 5 ch turn, * miss 3 dc, 1 dc into next dc, 5 ch; repeat from * all
round working 1 dc into first dbl tr of each free petal of motifs, 1 ch, turn.

3rd row; 5 dc into first loop, * 3 dc into the next loop, 4 ch, 1 dc into top
of last dc (picot made), 3 dc into same loop, 5 dc into next loop; repeat from
*all round. Fasten off. Damp and press.

Compiled By Elsie Hagley, Urenui, New Zealand

NEEDLECRAFT SUPERIOR BLOG!
Welcome to my Trendy Corner of Needle Craft Superior.
Thanks for taking a interest in my hobby of crafts!

This blog on Needlecraft Superior is Crochet,
as it is a craft you can do no matter where you are, on holiday, at the beach,
traveling, on land, sea, flying, or just relaxing at home.

Needlecraft Joy’s with Crochet!

The great thing about handcrafted gifts is that they can be passed down from
generation to generation, as a great grandmother my grandchildren love these gift’s.

There are dozens of different crochet stitches and designs that you can produce.
Crocheting is a art form.
It takes talent and imagination to produce a beautiful baby blanket or afghan
or even a simple edging on a doily.
Not everyone can crochet. Just like any craft, you have to enjoy it and truly have
a passion for it, (which I have), even taught my 11 years old granddaughter.

How to Techniques: Learn Crochet!

Search the Internet for free crochet patterns. Choose your yarn and get started.
You just never know what works of art are hiding in your fingertips.
The basic idea behind crochet is to use a crochet hook (a needle with a hook at one end),
to pull a thread or yarn through knotted loops, thus creating a fabric from the thread or yarn.
There are quite a variety of different types of hooks available, and a number of ways of
performing crochet, and as a result, it is possible to produce a range of different fabrics
using crochet.

Creative Craft’s in Crochet Yarns!

Crocheting can be done with any string material from the finest cotton thread to raffia,
leather cords and fabric strips.

In Fact I have come across this the other day:
Bag Ladies Take Going Green To The Extreme - Women turn trash into purses.

Recycling grocery store bags,named Redneck Recyclers started crocheting and selling handbags
made from used plastic bags more than a year ago.
The finished purses are attractively soft and woven, bearing no resemblance to the cheap,
thin plastic bags that inspired them.
The women spend their free time cutting plastic grocery bags into strips and then using
crochet hooks, work them into lasting, creative handbags.

“These bags are going to live forever,and what better way to help the environment”?
To learn more about these Redneck Recyclers go to http://redneckrecyclersne.home.att.net

Below are same synthetic yarns which are traditionally used for crochet work such as edgings
and household items.

Pearl Cotton - Description:-Sizes 5, 8 and 12 loosely twisted, very high sheen, large colour
selection including shaded tones,  USES:- Edgings,Fashion Accessories.

Mercerized Cotton - Description:- Size 3 (heavy) available in limited colour range.
Sizes 10 heavy) available to 60 (very fine), very firmly twisted,
large colour selection including shaded tones.
Sizes 80 to 100 (extra fine) available in white only)could have changed now!
USES:- Tablecloths, dollies, place mats, bedspreads, trimmings and edgings,
baby clothes.
Rayon - Description:- Very fine yarn with a silky look.  USES:- Laces, edgings and trimmings.

Metallic Yarn - Description:- Blend of metallized polyester(20%) and viscose duracol(80%), washable,
will not tarnish. Limited colour range.  USES:- Evening wear,fashion accessories.

Boucle - Description:- Light to medium weight, cotton or synthetic summer yarn.
USES:- Fashion garments.

Knitting Cotton - Description:- Light to medium weight, pure cotton, for knitting or crochet.
USES:- Bedspreads, place mats, fine and lacy garments.
THIS IS TO THE BEST OF MY KNOWLEDGE AT THE MOMENT.

Crochet Hooks For Needlecraft!

Crochet hooks are made in many sizes and materials.
For example, a thin steel hook used with fine cotton or linen thread will produce a delicate,
lacy fabric suitable for edgings, collars and cuffs; a jumbo hook used with hand spun wool
will produce bulky, open fabric suitable for shawls and ponchos.

If you are following a commercial pattern, the hook size will be specified in the instructions.
If you are making up your own design, experiment with various hooks to obtain the desired effect.
In general the recommended sizes for working with wool are 1.50 to 10mm, with cotton, 0.60 to 3.50mm.

Crochet Designs for Learning Needlecraft Superior!

Some of the more popular designs and patterns found in magazines ranging from doilies and table clothes
to mats, runners, baby dresses, bonnets and bootees, to name a few.
Scarves, bags, purses and belts also add to the choice of designs available.

You will be amazed at how necklaces, earrings and bracelets too are crocheted.
This is not a complicated thing and can be done with the simplest of steps.
You can also learn how to incorporate crochet with beads, embroidery and knitting.

It is just amazing at how much you can learn from a crochet magazine or book and will come to depend
on it extensively.