qebo's 2023 crochet

Creating a thread here because I've been lurking in this group, and I've picked up crochet recently.

I learned how to crochet during the 1972 Olympics (I'm a bit surprised in retrospect, as my mother was never much for traditional domesticity but somehow that summer she conveyed enough to stick in muscle memory) and went through a phase 1-2 decades later of constructing shapes and such, but then I (a) acquired cats who got into things and (b) shifted into computer programming which is in my mind approximately the same thing. I tried quilting awhile back because I like the geometric shapes, but found that I dislike the process; hand sewing is hand-cramping and eye-straining, and machine sewing requires skill I don't possess and also I don't have a setup for it. I've tried knitting a few times but it never took. With crochet, mostly I've been experimenting with stitches and yarns. I went to a local big box craft store and got an assortment of yarns to try. So that's what you're likely to see here for awhile. I'm in a bunch of Facebook groups, seems every technique has enthusiasts. Also FB knows that I'll watch random crochet stitch videos so it force feeds me.

I now have bags of experiments...

There are three general techniques.
* Overlay : Two colors in alternating rows, always right to left (if right handed), single crochet in the back loop, double crochet in the front loop of the same color two rows below for the pattern, cut the yarn each row, hide the ends in an envelope border. I dislike the ends, and I dislike the front loop / back loop which feels insecure. I've tried in the round and this may be a reasonable solution to be rid of the ends if my skill improves.
* Inset : Two colors in alternating row pairs, right to left then left to right of single crochet, chain to create gaps, double crochet across the chain for the pattern. I like not having ends, but the two rows of single crochet makes horizontal lines thicker so for aesthetic reasons the overlay patterns don't translate as well as one might hope. Also requires more mental effort to create gaps in row n-1 preparing for double crochet in row n.
* Tunisian : There are various methods for this, which are the equivalent of overlay and inset.

Interlocking crochet has a similar effect and is intriguing but I haven't yet tried it.

This is an inset mosaic experiment. I created a pattern on graph paper just to see if I could, and that aspect was straightforward enough. Two types of yarn: the gray is acrylic, the teal is mercerized cotton. Each type of yarn has its merits, but they don't play well together; the gray is squishy, the teal is stiff. I like the pattern, but dislike the texture. The double crochet is slightly raised, but the pattern pretends that the surface is smooth. So I want to consider how to incorporate texture into the pattern.

Tunisian mosaic crochet. This was a tutorial in Tunisian Crochet Mosaic, not super great at explaining but got the job done.

I like the front. The double crochet is raised and in this case I like the texture it creates. However, I HATE the back.

This led me down a road of experimenting with plain Tunisian crochet.

This is standard Tunisan simple stitch. It curls, which is normal. Again, I HATE the back. The problem is different tensions, with some portions of the full stitch cycle looser and some tighter, and curling is the result. It's not me; complaints from newbies are rampant, everyone sez that's the way it is, and the solution is either blocking or using other stitches to counteract the curl.



But one FB response recommended this video which demonstrates a modified stitch: https://crochetkim.com/crochetkim-video-modified-tunisian-simple-stitch/ . This is the Tunisian flat simple stitch. The curl is significantly reduced, and the back is tidy. The front is different, one horizontal bar instead of two, which I actually like better. This is the same yarn and the same hook as the other.



I find Tunisian relaxing to do, more so than standard crochet. Something about paying attention on the forward pass, then zoning out on the return pass.

I have tried Tunisian mosaic with the flat simple stitch and the same pattern, and don't care for the result. The problem is the flat simple stitch has a jagged horizontal, and the pattern relies on smooth horizontal. I still like the idea though, so I'll keep experimenting. I think it's a matter of pattern design. Here are two small experiments, overlay (dark/light yellow) and inset (gray/yellow). I prefer the look of the inset, but it requires more mental effort. Also skipping a stitch = looping over the hook on the forward pass, which for multiple stitches lacks the structural coherence of chains.

I scanned through Tunisian Crochet - Vol. 2: Colored & Striped Stitches and found a color pattern suitable for my amateur efforts. It uses the Tunisian simple stitch with three colors, changing color every 1-1/2 rows (forward/return/forward or return/forward/return) so repeats every 9 rows. The yarn is cheap acrylic, not my ideal but I happened to have three colors in a drawer from years ago. I used the flat simple stitch and like the result. I made two squares to test whether I could achieve consistent size, and they're indistinguishable. The back, aside from my errors in carrying the color along the edges, is tidy.

Welcome Katherine! I love your application of the scientific method (and having had the pleasure of meeting you in person, I would expect nothing less LOL).

I am predominantly a knitter and have only dabbled in crochet, but I enjoy learning about all fiber arts. I'm involved in a fiber guild here in northern VA and get to hang out with spinners, weavers, knitters, crocheters, felters, etc. So much fun.

I'm impressed that you designed a mosaic piece, and it looks great! Your comments about the two yarns tell me you're teetering on the edge of another rabbit hole: learning about fiber, and how to choose yarns based on fiber content and intended use. I had to research this topic as part of Master Hand Knitter certification, and it explained some of my previous missteps -- like the sleeveless top made of wool that is always either too warm (wool) or too cold (sleeveless).

When you're ready, I would encourage a short road trip east on Rt 340 to visit yarn shops in your area. I've been to Lancaster Yarn Shop in Kitchen Kettle Village; the owner Wendy is lovely and she has her own line of yarn from local sheep. The shop hosts an online craft circle but it seems rather knitting-centric. The Speckled Sheep in Bird-in-Hand looks interesting too; I haven't been there but they acknowledge the existence of crochet on their website and even offer lessons. Either of these should be able to help you choose yarn for a project.

I can't wait to see what you make next ...

>8 lauralkeet: Route 340 is definitely the place for all things textile and fiber. I expect to mostly use plant fibers. Acrylic is OK for experimenting but I'm not wild about vast expanses of plastic, and wool makes me itch. I'm a little afraid to set foot in a real yarn shop; I like colors and textures, and a credit card makes it all too easy to stock up for future hypotheticals.

Hmm. Turns out there's a Mid Atlantic Fiber Association conference in Millersville (3 miles from me) in June, and a yarn festival in Lancaster (downtown? 2 miles from me) in August.

I'm not a crocheter (?) but I found your information interesting and those patterns are interesting also. Looking forward to see what you do.

>9 qebo: You're doomed ... (in a good way).

As someone who has carefully avoided crochet all these years, I have to say you have made it sound fascinating.

Waiting to hear your further adventures in texture, something that is important as >8 lauralkeet: says in knitting, and also in rug hooking.

That Mid Atlantic Fiber Association conference looks amazing. Maybe you could be a scout for us all?!

>12 SassyLassy:
you have made it sound fascinating
Well it has definitely progressed beyond granny squares and doilies.
Maybe you could be a scout for us all?!
Apparently I have 11 days to think about it... there's a day-tripper option, but also hefty penalties for non-members and late registration so I dunno.

Stunning crochet, qebo! I love the care you take with your "wrong" sides.

I was hoping to make it to the Maryland Sheep & Wool Festival a couple weeks ago, which I've heard is great, but the timing didn't work out. Maybe next year!

I find it interesting that all of your experiments are with crochet stitches/types that have a wrong side as so much of crochet work is usually reversible with no wrong side. I'll be keeping an eye on your experiments. :)

>14 norabelle414: Thanks for friending my empty Ravelry account. I tried to create an account for qebo and it was taken, I figured it had to be me but so long ago I didn't have a record, and it didn't recognize my current email address, so I set up another account. Then when I revived my Flickr account to upload the photos, I realized there was another email address that I used for such things, and that was the key.

>15 MickyFine: crochet work is usually reversible
That's what I'm familiar with, which is maybe why I care about the wrong side.

>16 qebo: Ah, the existential crisis of realizing you've been on the internet long enough to forget about a previous persona or two

https://www.interweave.com/yarnfest/lancaster/
Yes, I can walk to it.
Also they let you in cheap, it's the workshops that cost $.

Oh fantastic! I hope you're able to attend and I look forward to hearing all about it.

https://mafafiber.org/conferences/mafa2023/schedule/
And I stepped through registration for the MAFA conference expecting fees to be tacked on at some point, but the exhibits are open to the public and registration was free, which may mean it doesn't get me anything beyond public access but that's OK. Distance-wise I could walk to this one too, but the route is not pedestrian friendly.

My local guild (Fiber Guild of the Blue Ridge) is a MAFA member guild, so I was aware of the conference but didn't realize it was so near to you. The workshops are heavy on weaving and spinning, so they didn't suit me enough to register. One of our members, Melissa Dunning, is co-teaching a workshop, Worsted, Woolen, Woven about matching fleece to yarn for weaving. She and her teaching partner are also leading "Sheep and Wool in Story and Song" on Friday evening.

>21 lauralkeet: didn't realize it was so near to you
Lancaster is a small city, but it's easily accessible to southern Megalopolis and I'd suppose much less expensive than holding a conference in one of the major cities. Millersville U hosts other conferences during the summer (I'm most familiar with what used to be the annual native plant conference), and the (still controversial) downtown hotel / convention center was constructed about 15 years ago behind the facade of an architecturally significant department store and around the residence and office of Thaddeus Stevens.

>21 lauralkeet: heavy on weaving and spinning
Yeah, which is why I was ambivalent, but I want to see the exhibits, out of general curiosity, and also a friend who designs hats may appreciate photos of the hat exhibit.

I pictured Millersville U as being in the middle of nowhere. We visited the convention center a few years back for a woodworking event. I didn't realize it was controversial although I could see why it might be. It was our first foray into Lancaster the city, vs. the Outlet Mega-complex on Rt 30. The town is nice!

>23 lauralkeet: controversial
There's a book! Pressed: Public Money, Private Profit which I have but haven't read.

>24 qebo: Thanks for that, the detailed book description was enough to explain what happened.

Been awhile... but I haven't been idle!

Event photos first... I did not take any classes, just went to the public marketplaces.

MidAtlantic Fiber Association - Millersville PA (May 2023)
This was in the gym of Millersville University, where I'm familiar with (what used to be) the annual native plant festival, and it was sparse in comparison, both vendors and attendees. I wandered around but didn't buy anything. Some of yarn was quite attractive, but my skills wouldn't do it justice.



There was an exhibit of hats made with various techniques. The only crocheted hat is in top center of the 2nd photo.


YarnFest - Lancaster PA (August 2023)
This was in the downtown convention center, and filled the space... almost entirely with beads, and a few stray yarn and fabric vendors. The beads were incredible and I bought some, also fabric from https://gamafrobead.com/ where you can see a small subset in the 3rd photo.

This was an exercise in duration, about the size of a scarf. It's Tunisian flat simple stitch with alternating gaps to create a diagonal effect. I had a skein of experimental acrylic yarn that I didn't expect to use for anything else, so I just kept going until it was gone. Pulling yarn from the center went smoothly until about the final 10% when I spent more time untangling than crocheting; seems that acrylic fibers of the outer layers got stuck together.

The main lesson is that for now it's best to keep the projects small or maybe make small pieces to put together later. For one thing, I don't have a good setup for sprawling. For another thing, I make too many mistakes which I really don't want to discover 100 rows later. However, this exercise did prompt me to get stitch markers which I'd never used before and they are handy.

Shapes inspired by quilting. A useful exercise in decreasing on the left and right sides; watched videos and tried a few different ways before I settled on a preference. This was almost a full skein of K&C DK cotton yarn. I like the yarn itself, but it tangles, fibers stick together, and as this was an experiment I just gave up on one section and cut it.

So then the question of how to put them together. Lotsa options. Maybe I should start with squares...

https://www.allaboutami.com/pattern-wildrose-market-bag/
https://www.acrochetedsimplicity.com/motif-market-tote-free-crochet-bag-pattern/

This is apparently a standard style of bag, 13 squares arranged as a paired octagon with a hole in the top. These patterns both use Lion Brand 24/7 mercerized cotton, which was one of my original experimental yarns. It seems sturdy. Too dense for clothing. Too harsh for a blanket or throw. I considered following one of these patterns, but really all I want is squares because the task at hand is connecting them. 5"-6" squares are about right for a bag. So, 13 Tunisian crochet squares. They're just slightly more high than wide in their natural state, but stitchwise 18x18 and stretchy enough to transform. One square takes me 25-30 minutes, so they're easy to do in bits. I got 7 squares from a skein with comfortable room to spare, i.e. not yarn chicken though not enough remaining for anything meaningful. The yarn is easy to work with and doesn't tangle at all.


I drew squares on graph paper, cut out the shape and folded it, question of whether to orient all squares in the same direction (decision yes, anything else is too complicated), goal to create the longest possible continuous connections.

This is another standard bag made of four rectangles.



Again I drew the shape on graph paper and taped the sides together.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BEfAA7WHSo0&t=305s
https://tlycblog.com/tobago-bag-an-easy-crochet-summer-bag-pattern-made-from-hex...

I watched a video on Tunisian crochet hexagons, and made two along with a mitered square for a bag.

Front sides:


Back sides:

So then I felt more ambitious, although note that I haven't actually finished anything. This is sort of a sampler, roughly 22" x 60" for... a shawl? Again, not yet attached together. It's easy enough to make each section, doesn't get unwieldy but is substantial enough to see evidence of progress. The large sections near the center are a simple mosaic. The next section out is entrelec (I watched a bunch of videos and ran experiments until I settled on a technique), the outer section is the same as in >7 qebo:. The narrow in-between pieces are Tunisian flat stitch with diamonds of the same stitch as in >27 qebo:.



And now the pieces are stored away until I figure out how to attach things neatly and securely.


The yarn is Lion Brand 24/7 cotton. It's easy to work with, doesn't tangle. The different colors are slightly different thicknesses, which isn't apparent just looking at individual stitches, but I can feel it when I switch colors, and the result is slightly different heights for the patterns though the stitch count is the same. Also the mosaic is looser where I skip a stitch in one row and add a double crochet in the next, and the entrelec has an extra slip stitch between colors. So we'll see how this goes when I put them together. The goal was to get out of experimental mode, decide something and stick with it...

I'm loving your experiments! Finishing crafts is overrated, imo.

This was so fun to read. You're really going all-in, learning all sorts of techniques. Keep going!

It's really fun to read about all of your experiments. Tunisian crochet is fascinating to me but I'm not quite ready to dive in and try it.