GAUGE MATTERS

As I pin and pin AND PIN, I have to keep saying to myself “GAUGE MATTERS” even as my fingers cry out STOP!

Okay, okay, blocking is not really so bad. Once you have done this vital step, you will know a lot more about your personal tension to details.

Blocking thread projects is a good idea because it opens up the beauty of your crochet work, straightening lines into squares to reveal the finished project beautiful symmetry.

You’ve worked hard to get here, do your blocking like a good crocheter!

So, I say “JUST DO IT”, you will be glad you did.

 5/5

So, you want to alter the current crochet pattern you are working on. You desire to change a stitch, add rows or rounds and change border design. Someone who does this is often called a DESIGNER. If you have ideas like these pursue them to the end! Create something that is uniquely you. Personalizing for someone you care about is a good thing.

CAUTION HOWEVER KNOW THAT YOU ARE ENTERING DANGEROUS TERRITORY

The simplest to more complex changes you want to make will effect the outcome of the pattern design you are spring-boarding from. Where will those changes likely take you? Will you put in a great deal of effort only to find out you will be frogging the entire project.

Think and plan out what you want to change, so you succeed or identify early on what to scrap. A Designer maps out concepts and changes throughout a design.

Stitches take up space both in width and height. A single crochet is short, a double crochet twice as tall and a treble even taller though all three might take up the same width space, they will not in height. If your working rounds, you will be adding a different amount of stitches so that your corners will lay flat….so if you change a round from sc to dc stitch you just changed stitch count.

Decisions decisions decisions I say MAKE them, but think about how that change may alter what comes next.

MOST OF ALL HAVE FUN AND ALWAYS CREATE

The start of a Pie Crust Crochet Obsession – part 2

I saw this pie crust and started thinking about creating a Granny Square in C R O C H E T.

As a crochet designer you have many resources like books and that’s where I started.

I hope you will follow my journey by checking back to see how I made my CROCHET PIE CRUST !

The start of a Pie Crust Crochet Obsession

Recently, I became obsessed with PIE CRUSTS! On Pinterest there are some of the most gorgeous designs I have ever seen!

If you squint your eyes can you see C R O C H E T? Can you see making something as gorgeous out of yarn? Let me show you what I made.

Materials I like to use when designing crochet projects with you in mind

PATONS	Silk Bamboo Yarn	70% Bamboo/30% Silk	hand wash, dry flat, do not bleach, do not iron, do not dry clean
CARON-Simply Soft Yarn ♥♥♥♥	Yarn	100% acrylic	machine wash gentle, tumble dry low
AUNT LYDIA’S Crochet Cotton ♥♥♥♥	Thread	100% mercerized cotton	machine washable warm water, no bleach, roll in towel to release excess water, block
LION BRAND Wool-Ease	Yarn	wool and acrylic blend	machine washable for easy cleaning
BERNAT	Blanket chenille-style yarn	100% polyester	machine washable and dryable
RED HEART—Super Saver	Yarn	100% acrylic	machine wash and dry
BERNAT Softee Baby	Yarn	100% acrylic	machine washable and dryable
BERNAT Baby Sport ♥♥♥♥	Yarn	100% acrylic	machine washable and dryable
BERNAT Handicrafter	Crochet Thread	100% acrylic	machine washable and dryable
RED HEART ♥♥♥♥	Bamboo Crochet Thread	100% Viscose from Bamboo	machine wash gentle cycle, warm water, no bleach, rinse well, roll in towel to release excess water, block
PATONS ♥♥♥♥	Grace Thread	100% mercerized cotton	hand wash. Lay flat to dry, no bleach, roll in towel to release excess water, block, do not iron or press, do not dry-clean
BERNAT	MATRIX (Railroad Yarn) Thread	62% nylon, 38% polyester	machine washable and dryable
LION BRAND	Metallic yarn	100% acrylic	hand wash, lay flat to dry
NATURALLY CARON	Yarn	75% microdenier acrylic, 25% merino wool	machine washable warm water, gentle cycle, machine dry low, delicate cycle
PEACHES & CREAM	Thread	100% USA grown cotton	machine washable warm water, gentle cycle, machine dry low, delicate cycle, no bleach
LILY SUGAR’N CREAM	Thread	100% USA grown cotton	machine wash or hand wash in cold water, mild soap, no bleach, roll in towel to remove excess water, tumble dry low/delicate setting, colors may run wash separately
PREMIER	Cotton Fair Thread	52% cotton, 48% acrylic	machine washable
LION BRAND	Fun Fur	100% polyester	hand wash, fluff in dryer

A yarn or thread will convey itself to a design and these are some of my fav’s! ♥♥♥♥

So, what happens when the design process of crochetin, froggin, changin, documentin is over? You go to your EDITOR of course!

Unless you are a master crochet editor its always best if someone other than yourself reads through your pattern. The reason for this is simple, when you review you are seeing your personal history of a particular design. A crochet technical editor draws on their vast crochet technical pattern language and experience.

In my experience using a crochet tech editor saves me time in the long run and gives me confidence that what I am publishing can be followed by YOU! This is a great lesson as you perfect your designing skills to use professionals when you can.

The designs I have been working on since my last post in July’2018 are headed to the Editor now, let’s hope she has time now for me – because I can’t wait to share these with you!

SCRATCHY YARN

How to soften up scratchy store bought yarn

Currently designing a Filet Butterfly gown and playing with the Bodice over a sheer dancing skirt. Really liking this Orchid #3 Thread too! Haven’t decided yet exactly on the skirt but have lots of ideas….open work, cables, granny squares.

Crochet and Cooking

Crochet Designer cooking is the same as a head chef, I think. Truly, that is what I am a chef and hook winder! Creating a meal menu with all its components is intricate. From planning the Menu, Purchasing ingredients, Prepping and Timing, all of the components as intricate as laying out a new crochet design. A chef will anticipate your first bite. A crochet designer will anticipate your first glimpse! Both of us anxiously await your reaction!

As a crochet designer, I ask myself many questions like: what thread or yarn, color or colors, technique of stitches to achieve texture, what will the texture be?

Very slowly and sometimes painstakingly, the form I desire begins to take shape. The numbers work out. The vision becomes a reality. My joy builds and my heart beats faster, driving the hook in my hand to the finish line. The finished piece becomes a reality.

Your comments and social sharing goes a long way to boost the inner joy of the designer, me, and I thank you. Many of my followers have written such lovely things about their crochet experience making one or more of my designs. See more on my website Pamela Veller Crochet and Pamela’s Patterns Etsy Shop.