ThePulledStitch Index!

I have been blogging since 2017!
Do I sound shocked? I am! That's over 120 posts. You would think that I would be an expert by now. Sadly with a memory as bad as mine I frequently have to refer to my own articles to remember how to do things. It's very selfish that I should have my own secret list of contents to refer to. Unfortunately the blogging template that I am using doesn't include an Index. After much nagging, I have found a way to beat the system!

So here it is, an Index to ThePulledStitch database (as it were). I've divided it into sections which I hope will make it more user-friendly. I've left out the more esoteric posts which I am certain you never ever want to see again!

This is my New Year's Resolution to you. From here on you will find this post pinned in that top right hand corner of my blog👉 And, what's more I will keep it up to date. If you find any faulty links please let me know!

Fastening off...

Jan 2024

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Book reviews

Around the Corner, Crochet Borders by Edie Eckman

Blueprint Crochet Sweaters by Robyn Chachula
Convertible Crochet by Doris Chan
Crochet Lace Innovations by Doris Chan
Crocheted Bees, Bugs and Butterflies by Vanessa Mooncie
Crocheted Sea Creatures by Vanessa Mooncie
Custom Crochet Sweaters by Dora Ohrenstein 

Live Loop Cables in Crochet by Sue Perez
Japanese Wonder Crochet, Nihon Vogue
Stitch Dictionaries

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Crochet Skills

Back and Front loop stitches

    -back, front and other variations

Basket weave      

     -four stitch patterns using variations on Basket weave

Braid 

    – see Cords below

Blocking

    -an experiment in blocking to find out how and why to block

Boucle loops

    -a type of picot

Button holes

    -how to make button holes and button bands

Cables

    -crochet cable possibilities, see also Live-Loop Cables  

Chevron

    -all about zigzags, chevrons and waves

    -slip-stitch zigzags and chevrons 

Clone Knot

    -a type of picot

Cluster stitches

    -how to make puffs, popcorns and bobbles

    -how to make pineapple and raised pineapple stitches

    -how to make horizontal cluster stitches, including horizontal popcorn, wrapped stitches and slanting clusters,      

    -how to make crossed clusters and woven shell stitch

Circles

    -how to make circles, bowls and spheres

Colour changing

    -how to change colour mid row

Colour theory

    -how to choose colours using a colour wheel

Cords and draw strings

    -how to make crochet cord, including caterpillar braid

    -Lucet braiding

Crab Stitch

    -edging stitch

    -folded stitch sampler

Diagonality

    -a selection of stitches that create diagonal movement in a stitch pattern

Diagrams

    -how to read a crochet stitch diagram or chart

Decrease Stitches

    -how to work decrease stitches including invisible decreases 

    -in slip-stitches

Double Crochet Stitch variations

    -a selection of stitch patterns using just double crochet (UK) including slanted stitch

    -two more variants including extended stitch

 Extended Stitches

    -variations on making stitches with extra height

    -see also Herringbone stitch below

Folded Crochet

    -various ways of making folded stitches

    -Folded-crochet Hexagon Stitch Sampler

Foundation Stitches

    -two ways to make Double crochet (UK) foundation chain

    -how to make Treble (UK) foundation chain

    -an alternative foundation chain which gives a crisp edging

    -scalloped foundation edging- see also Mrs Escher's Scarf

    -foundation chain for lace using half hitches

    -tail-end foundation chain, a quick and easy solution

Hair Pin Lace -see crochet specialisms

Half treble stitch variations

    -a selection of stitch patterns using just Half trebles (UK)

    -an unexpected stitch variation 

Herringbone stitch

    -two variations on Herringbone stitch

    -The Time Travelling Rug, a rug made with Herringbone stitch

Horizontal Crochet

    -a selection of stitches that create horizontal movement in a stitch pattern

Increase Stitches

    -how to work increase stitches 

    -in slip-stitches

In the round

    -everything you need to work in the round

    -how to make circles, bowls and spheres 

Inverse stitches

    -how to make inverse Dc (UK) 

Joining Yarn Ends

    -seven different ways to join yarn ends

Linked Stitches

    -how to make linked stitches

    -how to join rounds of linked stitches

    -Welly sock, a free pattern which uses linked stitches 

Live Loop Cables

    -what are live-loop-cables? 

Lucet Braiding

    - a discussion on advanced techniques

Magic Ring

    -how to make a basic magic ring

    -how to make a super easy magic ring using chain two

    -how to make an advanced, double-looped magic ring

Mend

    -how to mend a crochet fabric

Needle Join

   - how to make a needle join

Nostepinne

   -how to hand wind yarn using a Nostepinne

Pattern

    -how to read a crochet pattern

Picots

    -various methods of making Picots in different styles and shapes

    -Tatted Picots

Post stitches 

    -variations

    -see also basketweave

Recycling

    -how to prepare yarn for reuse

Reversed Slip Knot

    -how and why to make a slip-knot back to front

Ribbing

    -various methods to create ribbing

Self-compensating crochet

    -why and how to work

Slanting stitches

    -with double crochet (UK)

    -with treble and half treble (UK)

Slip stitches- see Crochet Specialisms

Spheres

    -how to make circles, bowls and spheres

Spike Stitches

    -variations

Standing stitches

    -how to begin a new yarn without a slip-stitch and starting chain

Starting stitches

    -an alternative to making starting chain at the beginning of a row or round

Stitch Anatomy

    -how to understand your stitches

Stitch names, vintage

    -a guide to old stitch names 

Sweater Construction

    -a general discussion about the anatomy of crochet sweaters

WPI

    -what are wraps per inch? How to measure and use them

X-stitches

    -how to make a number of variations including overlapping and flat stitches

Y-Stitches

    -how to make a number of variations including overlapping and flat stitches

Yarn

    -an article about plant based vegan yarns

    -second article about wearable plant based yarns 2026 

    -an article about blocking based on yarn type

    -how to prepare yarn for re use

    -how to hand wind yarn using a winder or Nostepinne

Yarn-Under versus Yarn-Over 

    -a discussion about the differences and uses of each 

Zigzag

    -all about zigzags, chevrons and waves

    -Slip-stitch zigzag 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Crochet Specialisms

An introduction

    -a selection of 50 different types of crochet

Broomstick Lace

    -three methods for making Broomstick Lace and a variety of stitches patterns 

Cables

    -crochet cable possibilities, see also Live-Loop Cables

Continuous Crochet Motifs

    -how continuous motifs are formed 

Crochenit

    -a type of reversible Tunisian crochet worked with two yarn balls

Crochet Edging

    -about adding crochet edging and embroidery to a linen square

    -about adding crochet edging and ribbon embroidery to a linen square 

Crochet Tatting

    -how to crochet Tat

Double thickness fabric

    -a technique to create an extra thick fabric

    -Birds Nest Table Mat – a free pattern to make an extra thick circular mat or pad 

Fancy Braid Crochet

    - modernising a Victorian technique

Fidget Toys

    -fidget toy ideas  

Filet Lace

    -how to and a history of it's origins

Filigree Crochet

    -a discussion

Hairpin Lace

    -basic braid

    -advanced braids

    -frills and fringes

    -beaded braid, inc. berry braid

    -joining techniques

    -working in rounds

    -doily pattern

    -chained hairpin braid

Hyperbolic Crochet

    -an explanation of Hyperbolic crochet with examples

Interlinking Crochet

    -a discussion of ways in which crochet stitches can be linked but not joined

 Lace

    -an introduction to lace specialisms

    -a guide to lace styles and vintage crochet

    -a Victorian leaf lace pattern experiment

    -how to Broomstick Lace

    -about Bruges Lace 

    -how to Filet Lace and it's origins 

    -Filigree crochet

    -Hairpin Lace, see previous reference for list of posts 

    -Fancy Braid Cochet

    -Mignardise Medallions 

    -about Partial motif Lace 

    -how to make Slip-stitch Lace? 

    -about Short-row Lace 

    -how to Solomon's Knot

    -Teneriffe Lace

    -Victorian circles and scallops

Live-Loop-Cables

    -what are Live-loop-Cables? 

 Overlay Crochet

    -Barbara’s Borage, a free pattern for a small motif

    -Ruby’s Rue, a free pattern for a small motif

Painted Crochet

    -using multiple threads to create colour in a design

Rings, covered

    -some ideas for using metal or card rings in crochet 

Slip-Stitches

    -an introduction to Slip-stitches
    -how to Slip-stitch crochet, including all the basic stitches
    -a selection of stitch patterns worked in rows
    -a selection of stitch patterns worked in the round
    -how to create ribbing including elastic ribbing
    -how to create increases and decreases in Slip-stitch 

    -how to join Slip-stitch crochet ribbing

    -how to make Slip-stitch Lace

    -how to make Yarn Over Slip-stitch, inverse stitches, and twisted stitches 
    -The Vicar’s Tea Cosy – a free pattern using short row Slip-stitches and decorated with              surface chain
     -The Olive Leaf Rug
     -Double Helix Rug – a free pattern using Slip-stitches to form a circular rug 

Solomon's Knot

    -how to make it with a variety of stitch patterns
Surface Crochet
     -an introduction
     -surface chain stitch
     -twisted chain
     -surface double crochet
     -cut outs, add ins and button holes
     -loop and pile
     -surface crochet ideas
     -The Armchair Traveller’s Cushion Cover – a check cushion cover using surface crochet 

     -The Vicar’s Tea Cosy – a free pattern using short row slip-stitches and decorated with               surface chain 

Tapestry Crochet

    -How to work tapestry crochet in the round 

    -How to work Tapestry crochet in rows using inverse stitches
Tatting
     -Tatted picots and half hitches

     -how to crochet tat  

Teneriffe Lace

    -tracing the origins Teneriffe lace and related techniques

Topological Crochet

     -an explanation of topological crochet with examples
Tunisian Crochet
     -an introduction
     -how to work in a continuous spiral
     -how to work in joined rounds with multiple hooks

    -crochenit 
Vintage Crochet

     -a guide to all things vintage crochet

    -vintage Quick Crochet Suit, a pattern by Twilley's 

Waterfall Crochet
     -how to make waterfall stitches
Wire Crochet
     -experiments using wire crochet

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Design Skills

     Diagrams
    -how to draw a crochet diagram or chart
    -how to read a crochet diagram
    Patterns
    -how to read a crochet pattern

    -how to write a crochet pattern, making it uniform
    -how to create a template pattern 

 Sweater Construction

    -a general discussion about the anatomy of crochet sweaters

    -top-down sweater construction part 1 

    -top-down sweater construction part 2 

    -short row neck shaping

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Free Crochet Patterns
Armchair Traveller’s Cushion Cover, a check cushion cover using surface crochet
Barbara’s Borage, a mug mat or mini doily using overlay crochet 

Berry Braid, Hairpin Lace beaded Braid
Birds Nest Table mat, an extra thick circular mat or trivet using an unusual technique
Folded-crochet Hexagon Stitch Sampler, a large mug mat sized sampler featuring various folded and raised crochet stitches
Frost Star, a 5-sided overlay motif with a Christmas theme 

Hairpin Doily, a circular doily worked in Hairpin Lace
Jultrae Dreamcatcher, a Christmas themed mini dreamcatcher
Kimberley’s Rose, -a Tudor Rose motif, white Yorkshire rose or red Lancashire rose brooch
Mrs Escher’s Scarf , a lacy scarf pattern with a scalloped edging
Ruby’s Rue, a mug mat or mini doily using overlay crochet

Rugs, see below
Soap saver scrubby sock
The Vicar’s tea cosy, a slip stitch pattern decorated with surface crochet
Welly socks, crochet socks designed to be worn in wellington boots in three sizes

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rugs

Double Helix Rug, a free pattern for a circular rug using Slip-stitches
Semi-circular Doormat, free pattern
The Time Travelling Rug, made with Herringbone stitch
Tyre tread Doormat, free pattern
The Olive Leaf Rug, made with Slip-stitches

In Search of Advanced Crochet Techniques

It seems to have become a tradition that I write a somewhat off-the-wall post in December. It’s because I am in the throes of full-on panic at the time! Hey, why break with tradition?!

,

Ladybird book Series 634 1975

 I have been asked where I get my information, ideas and inspiration from. Perhaps you too are frustrated with the endless ‘How to crochet’ books and Amigurumi titles on sale. And yet there doesn’t seem to be any books which get you from being a beginer to being an expert. I don’t honestly remember why I started this blog; but whatever that reason was, it has evolved into being a repository for all the crochet knowledge that I can vacuum up.

So where do I get my information? Books! (sorry, I’m having a little giggle) Old books! You’re right it’s not quite that simple. Sometimes it starts with a book, a hint in a paragraph or a pattern, a weird tool or something I fall over on the internet, or in conversation. Sometimes it starts with a question I ask myself or a search that seemingly leads nowhere. At this point I say to myself; I need to write about this. Sometimes all the hints and the research make a post but sometimes I have to do the experimenting myself.

Let me break it down for you and show you what you may have been missing!

Hidden in a book you already own are all sorts of really interesting things. When I get a new book, I read it from cover to cover. You know those boring bits at the beginning and end that you rush past to get to the patterns, you need to read those bits!

There are some other hidden bits in the patterns themselves. Do you remember that post I wrote about crochet ribbing? The whole post began with this…

Doris Chan's Convertible Crochet

 

Even stitch dictionaries have hidden information. All of my posts about slip-stitch crochet, in fact my whole slip stitch adventure began with this little paragraph in Robyn Chachula’s Stitch Dictionary.

Some books require more effort than others.

From The Batsford Book of Crochet by Ann Stearns

The Batsford book of crochet is an absolute gem. You may have flicked through it in a second-hand book shop and left it behind. At first glance the instructions are impenetrable and the pictures opaque. It requires that you take time and patience. You have to sit down with hook and yarn in hand to try and decode the information.

 

If you want something even more challenging, Therese de Dillmont’s book, Encyclopedia of Needlework, is written in an archaic style that requires you learn a new language. Here are her instructions for Double crochet! (Sc-US)

"Plain or close stitch- Put the needle in, as shewn, from the right side to the wrong, under the two horizontal loops of a preceding row, take the thread with the needle, draw it under the two threads, throw the thread over the needle and draw it through two loops."  

Almost(!) all the information you need is there. Sometimes I have to write my own instructions and draw my own charts. Do you remember this?

I made it for a post on slip stitch crochet in the round, it was inspired by this...

It was presented without any instructions. To make it worse, the illustrator was clearly making it up as they went along. If you try counting the stitches or indeed just try to follow the rows, something very odd is happening!!

 

James Walters' Crochet Workshop

 

 Another great book is James Walters Crochet Masterclass. There is so much information in there that even if you read it cover to cover you may come out none the wiser. It’s the sort of publication you dip into, as a reference book, when you need help with a specific problem. Thankfully it has a great index! Most recently, it came in handy when I was writing my Hairpin Doily post.

 

Unbelievably, foreign language books must not be overlooked! My Danish friends have bequeathed me some fabulous books over the years. Unfortunately, they have a wicked sense of humour and have started sending me Danish language books. It’s actually not that hard to translate an Amigurumi pattern from a foreign language, because the patterns are so formulaic. Fortunately for you, Sarah's book is now available in English! 

Nihon Vogue, Continuous Crochet

Japanese books are just magic. The whole written language is based on symbols so they are the masters of expressing a pattern in terms of symbols and charts. What little actually writing there is, is easily translated just with a mobile phone.

Pam Dawson

Among the books I've been given are two 1970’s obscure publications for textile handicrafts. They include information that I have not found elsewhere. They gave rise to the whole Surface Crochet series. Personally, I would have overlooked these books as I do not knit or embroider. Our mothers and grandmothers knew value for money when they saw it!

Haberdashery! Next time you’re shopping for yarn check out the haberdashery section, waste some time in a flea market. Don’t forget to look in the Sale items section of your favourite online yarn shop. This is how my ‘Long hook Crochet’ series began. I found an out-of-print publication for Double ended crochet and a Tatting crochet hook.

To find out about Crochet Tatting I found a reference in another online shop that led me to this Harper’s Bazar article. I had to blow it up and print it out in sections to try to see what it said. Even when I knew what it said I had to combine the information with several other sources to decode and write my post.

The internet is almost too big now. To be honest I’m surprised you found me. It’s nice to see you by the way! The articles that wash up to the top of any search are not always the best ones. The problem is always how to describe what you're looking for. Too many words, may mean you miss the perfect source but too few words and you are overwhelmed by links that are not what you are looking for. Don’t you wish the world at large understood the difference between crochet and knitting. This is where having a friend with an inquisitive mind is invaluable!

The problem with crochet, I always think, is that it’s basically a self-directed study. Once you have learnt the basics, from your Nan, from a book or from a video, you’re on your own. What you learn next is entirely up to chance. I’m not suggesting it should be otherwise. I am a jack of all trades and master of non, it’s just what floats my boat. But wouldn’t it be nice to know what all the things are. I've made a start!

Can I finish on a gripe? I picked up a pattern recently that used the notation Fsc. No explanation, just Fsc. I know what that means, but I also know that I have written more posts about Foundation stitches than any other. Like I said, we don’t all learn the same things and certainly not in the same order! To be honest I need to remember this myself. So if you catch me making assumptions about what you know… well you can quote me now!

Time for me to sign off and wish you traditional seasonal greetings…

Peace and goodwill to all…

Fastening off…

 

Three books I would not be without:

The Batsford Book of Crochet by Ann Stearns

(Because our mothers knew best!)

The Crochet Answers Book by Edie Eckman

(In fact, you can’t go wrong with any book by Edie Eckman)

The Handbook of Crochet Stitches by Betty Barnden

(Not for the stitches but for all the invaluable information at the start!)

Crochet Stitches Visual Encyclopedia by Robin Chachula

(Because of the diverse stitch patterns, she opened my knowledge of crochet techniques and got me hooked on Slip stitch crochet.)