Crochet Heroes - Dedri Uys

The next important landmark on my learning journey was when I made Sophie's Garden in No 10 crochet cotton as a gift for my Mum.This was my introduction to overlay crochet. On my 'what-do-I-like?' journey, it was the flowers that really attracted me. Sadly I forgot to photograph it. (Note to self-stop doing this!)
I started following Dedri Uys' Blog after that. What an amazing lady, I have no idea how she manages to achieve so much.

I started looking for something similar to work on and at that time there was little overlay crochet so of course I ended up making the Enchanted Garden Tote Bag, which is based on Dedri's design. Once again it was a gift that I didn't photograph!


I kept putting off Sophie's Universe, I'd never attempted such a large project and didn't have an excuse. In the end I made it for my Mum from Scheepjes ColourCrafter. Mum is now in a care home and trying to find something for her is very difficult. So this was an ideal gift. I chose the colours that I thought Mum would like.

The following year I used the Enchanted Garden pattern to make her a pair of cushions and yeh I remembered to take a snap!

Crochet Heroes - Frank O'Randle

At Art College we were told that we should always know WHY we liked or didn't like something. On my crochet journey so far, I made a few leaps forward when I got to Frank O'Randle's Mini Rings Of Change pattern.
Leap One
I came to the realisation that I hate repetition. The pattern is called rings of change because every round is different. While I love patchwork style throws I could never make one myself. I couldn't sit and make the same design over and over and over again!
Leap Two
At the time I was looking for a rug design and I realised that the size the pattern comes out depends on the size of yarn and the size of hook used. I wanted a rug that would stand up to my dogs and would be washable, so I chose to make my rug using  PEPPERELL-Bonnie Macrame Braid Craft Cord which is 6mm thick. 

Leap Three
I really wanted an oblong rug but couldn't find a pattern I liked. Just as necessity is the mother of invention I worked out how to use the pattern I already had. If I did this again I'd do it a bit differently now but it was a big leap forward for me then. It gave me the confidence to customise! (Sadly the only photo I have of it has Nicks feet sticking out in the middle and as this was some time ago the rug is now looking a little the worse for wear!) How I did this was to start with an oblong of trebles in the centre instead of a circle as above.
 

I hope this gives you an idea, anyway. It's amazing how many things I've made that I've failed to record. (It just shows how we under value our own skills!)

Interlude - All about yarn and hooks.

I was going to start telling you about my crochet heroes but I distracted myself by thinking about my journey so far and the initial learning curve. 

If I could pass on one thing it would be this.  

There is no wrong in crochet!

If you find a new or different way of doing something, then you've probably just invented a new stitch or technique!

So there's no wrong way to hold the hook or yarn. This worried me for ages. As long as it feels comfortable then it's OK and it may well be that you change things depending on what you're working on.

How the 'non hook' hand holds the yarn effects the tension.

For something really thick like Bonnie Macrame Cord then a loose tension and a long strong handled bamboo hook is perfect.

For fine work with Cotton Crochet Thread you'll need a lot more tension and a steel hook. I'm currently using the Prym Soft Handled, but I'd like to play with the Clover Armour steel hooks.

For everyday work I like the ergonomic Clover Armour. It helps the hook to stay at the right angle and is very comfortable to hold. Nan Jan disagrees with me on this. So my advice is to play with as many hooks as you can get your hands on before you spend a lot of money. 

Often a project begins because you like a particular yarn. I've messed up on this one quite alot! As I'm allergic to wool it reduces my choices quite alot. I was about to say simplifies it but that's not true. What yarn to use as a substitute is a whole other blog that I'm not yet qualified to talk about!

What I can say is this:

• Cotton and Bamboo are great to work with. They have good stitch definition and wash well. On the down side they're heavy and take forever to dry.

• Acrylic yarns are cheap, wash easily and dry fast, but they can bobble and stretch.

• Wool is great to work with and looks good. (As long as you're not allergic to it or a vegan!) but it tends to be expensive and is easily shrunk or felted, or both! 

Of course there are other choices like linen, silk, nylon, polyester. and bamboo. 

The best solutions for me are Softfun and Stonewashed which are combinations of cotton and acrylic, producing a soft light weight fabric which retains stitch definition and washability.

If you're in the UK looking for Crochet Cotton Thread, I go to Purple Linda she has a great selection.