Crochet: Crochet for Beginners: Learn Crochet Quickly. Improve Your Creativity, Craft Skills and Start Designing Clothes (crochet, crochet patterns)
Authors: Gunsan Svenson
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Introduction
I want to thank you for downloading the book
,
“
CROCHET: Crochet for Beginners: Learn Crochet Quickly. Improve Your Creativity, Craft Skills and Start Designing Clothe
s”
.
This book contains proven steps and strategies on how to learn how to crochet. It provides detailed information on how you can begin crocheting.
This book also contains useful information regarding what crochet is and why you should learn how to do it. It even tells you about the history of this craft as well as the advantages that you can get from it.
Thanks again for downloading this book, I hope you enjoy it!
Copyright 2015 by Gunsan Svenson - All rights reserved.
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Table of Contents
Chapter 2: Techniques, Materials and Patterns
Chapter 3: Benefits of Crocheting
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Crocheting has been around for centuries. The term crochet originated from the words
croche
or
croc
, which is French for
hook
. It is relaxing, fun and simple enough that even beginners can learn it. It is also an ideal hobby for people who want to create decorative and fashionable projects, including hats, tops, scarves, ponchos, bedspreads, doilies and tablecloths.
You only need two things to crochet: a ball of yarn or thread and a hook. All stitches are created by wrapping the thread or yarn around the hook. At first, you may find it a bit confusing or difficult to do. However, as you continue to do it, the entire process will be easier for you.
Most patterns begin with a series of loops, also called chains, or a slip stitch. Nevertheless, you can easily learn how to create a foundation without using a standard chain. Projects are typically worked in rows wherein you have to stitch back and forth, with every row over the previous row. You can also stitch in rounds wherein you work around a ring of chains and create a geometric figure, such as a circle, hexagon or square. You can also use a motif or a geometric piece to stitch together and form your crochet project.
The History of Crochet
Annie Potter, world traveler and crochet expert, said that crocheting started in the 16
th
century. Back then, it was called
chain lace
in England and
crochet lace
in France. In 1916, Guiana Indians’ descendants were visited by Walter Edmund Roth. He found examples of crochet.
Lis Paludan, a writer and researcher from Denmark, had three theories. She said that crochet may have originated in Arabia then spread westwards to Spain and eastwards to Tibet, eventually making its way to Mediterranean countries. She also said that crochet’s earliest evidence was found in South America, in which a primitive tribe was claimed to have used crochet adornments during puberty rites. Her third theory states that early forms of crochet, particularly three-dimensional dolls, were found in China.
Paludan added that there aren’t any convincing evidence as to how old crochet may be or where it really originated. It was not possible to look for evidence in Europe before the 1800’s. A lot of sources also claimed that crochet has already been known as far back as the 1500’s. It was called
nun’s lace
or
nun’s work
in Italy because it was used by nuns for church textiles.
Another theory was that crochet was directly developed from Chinese needlework, which is an ancient form of embroidery known in India, Turkey, North Africa and Persia and has reached Europe in the 1700’s. It was actually called the
tambouring
, which came from
tambour
, the French word for drum.
In this method, a frame is used to stretch the background fabric while the working thread is held beneath it. A hook with a needle is inserted and a loop is drawn through the fabric. While the loop is still on the hook, the hook is inserted farther along the fabric and another loop is drawn up to form a chain stitch. Tambour hooks are as thin as needles, which is why very fine thread has to be used.
By the end of the 18
th
century, tambour evolved into
crochet in the air
. It involved the background fabric being discarded and the stitch working on its own. In the early 1800’s, crochet started to become prominent in Europe, especially after being popularized by Mlle. Riego de la Branchardiere, who was known for her talent in taking old designs and turning them into crochet patterns that are easy to copy. She has published a lot of pattern books for women to use. She also claimed to have invented the Irish crochet or lace-like crochet.
The Irish crochet was actually sort of a lifesaver for the Irish people. It delivered them out of the potato famine, which lasted for five years. They sold their crochet work to well-off people abroad. During this time, they had a hard time working and living. So, they crocheted in the day in between chores. When the sun has set, they use candlelight to see their crochet patterns.
However, keeping their crochet projects had been quite a problem for most of them were living in squalor. They did not have a place to store their work. Keeping their crochet projects under their bed only made them dirty. Good thing, these things could be washed. However, most of the buyers from other countries were not aware that their delicate cuffs and collars were made in poor condition.
The Irish workers, including children, men and women, were organized into cooperatives. They formed schools to teach individuals how to crochet. They also trained teachers and sent them to different parts of Ireland so they can teach more people how to crochet. Soon enough, the workers were able to design and create their own crochet patterns.
Even though a lot of people died in less than ten years, they were still able to survive the potato famine. More than one million Irish citizens perished, but many families were still able to make it through, thanks to their crochet projects. The money they made from selling crochet work allowed them to save up and immigrate to other countries. A lot of them actually went to America, taking their crocheting skills with them.
It was believed that two million Irish people went to America between 1845 and 1859 and four million more went there by 1900. The American women were busy with weaving, spinning, quilting and knitting back then, but they were still influenced by the Irish to crochet. This explains why the Americans have also become adept at crocheting.
Crocheted Projects
In the early centuries, it was the men’s job to create their own handiwork. Fishermen and hunters, for instance, created knotted strands of cords, strips of cloth, or woven fibers to snare birds or fish and trap animals. They also made fishing nets, knotted game bags and cooking utensils. They created things that have practical uses.
Eventually, they expanded their handiwork to personal décors. They used these things during special occasions, such as celebrations, religious rites, marriages, and funerals. It was common to see ceremonial costumes that featured crochet-like ornamentation as well as decorative trimmings for the wrists, arms and ankles.
During the 16
th
century, wealthy people and members of the royal family of Europe wore jackets, gowns, headpieces and lace-trimmings. The poor people cannot afford such lavish clothing; hence, they used crochet to make their clothing more attractive. Crochet became their imitation of expensive lace.
Fast forward to the Victorian era, crochet patterns were made for bird cage covers, flower pot holders, card baskets, lamp shades, lamp mats, tablecloths, wastepaper baskets, tobacco pouches, antimacassars, purses, caps, waistcoats, and rugs with foot warmers.
From 1900 until 1930, the women became busy crocheting slumber rugs, Afghans, traveling rugs, sleigh rugs, chaise lounge rugs, car rugs, coffee cozies, teapot cozies, hot water bottle covers, and cushions. During this time, potholders were popularized and became a staple in every repertoire.
During the 1960’s until the 1970’s, crochet became a free-form way of expression. This is evident in today’s 3-dimensional sculptures, clothes, tapestries, and rugs that depict the realistic scenes and abstract designs of yesteryears.
It can be quite interesting to compare the crocheting methods of today and yesteryears. From 1824 until 1833, both the hook and the yarn were held in the right hand. The yarn was passed over the hook with the right hand’s forefinger. According to crocheting books published in the 1840’s, the yarn is held in the left hand while the hook is in the right hand.
In an 1847 publication, it was said that a person should keep the same level of tension all the time. She should either crochet tightly or crochet loosely; otherwise, she would not be able to achieve good texture.
If you are not working in the round, you should break off the yarn at the end of every row. This will allow you to achieve a finer finish. The patterns available today typically instruct people to work both the wrong and right sides of the fabric. Such change was implemented at the beginning of the 20
th
century.
Old patterns and instructions that date around the mid-1800’s showed that unless instructed otherwise, the hook had to be inserted at the stitch’s back half using a crochet stitch. Inserting a crochet into the stitch’s back half was said to be useful in creating table runners.
Nonetheless, inserting a hook through both loops can be used to crochet shoes’ soles and other things that have to be thick. At present, it is common to go through both loops, unless instructed otherwise.
Materials and Tools
The techniques for working with netting, needle-knitting, weaving, knotting, braiding and twisting have been called different names all throughout history. These include knotless netting, needle-coiling, looped needle-netting, cross-knit looping, Coptic knitting, vatsom, naalebinding, tambour, Tunisian crochet, needle lace, tatting, lace making, shepherd’s knitting, macramé, and sprang.
Throughout the centuries, various materials have been used for crocheting, such as grass, reed, animal fur, hemp, wool, flax, hair, silk, cotton thread, linen thread, metal thread, mohair, novelty mixtures, chemille, cotton yarn, wool yarn, and strands of silver, copper, and gold. Today, you can find a wide range of silk, wool, cotton and synthetic yarns. You can even crochet using unusual materials like plastic strips, copper wire, fabric scraps, unspun wool, jute, sisal and dog hair.
As for the crocheting tools, most stores sell hooks made with steel, plastic and aluminum. These hooks are also available in over 25 different sizes. In the past, people only used what they can find. They used hooks made of wood, metal, animal bone, fishbone, old spoons, horn, comb teeth, brass, walrus tusk, ivory, tortoiseshell, copper, silver, agate, steel, ebonite, vulcanite, and mother-of-pearl.
Books and Patterns
Before people started writing down crochet patterns, they merely copied the work of other people. They made samples and sewn them onto pages. Then, they bound these pages like scrapbooks. They either sew patterns on large fabric pieces or kept them loose in a box or bag. They also crocheted different stitches in long and narrow bands. The earliest patterns were found to have dated back to 1824 and were used for purses. They were made with silver and gold silk threads.
Crochet books, on the other hand, were found in numerous countries. They were mostly translated into different languages. Mlle. Riego de la Branchardiere is perhaps the most notable crochet expert, having published over a hundred books on crochet. Most books on crochet from the mid-1800’s were small, only measuring about four inches by six inches. They featured woodcut illustrations as well as patterns for cuffs, caps, insertions, lace-like collars, purses, caps, and slippers.
The materials used for white crochet, such as edgings, insertions, mats, and underwear trimmings, were spool yarn, cotton thread, hemp thread, and linen thread. The materials used for color work, on the other hand, were wool, chenille, and silk yarns. Silver and gold silver threads were also ideal. Then again, the early crochet patterns were not that accurate. This is the main reason why a lot of people had a hard time following them. For instance, an 8-pointed star may turn out to only have 6 points.
