Making a stich/pattern/motif encyclopedia

laynicrn wrote

on Jan 3, 2010 5:00 PM

For anyone who is learning crochet and wanting to learn more advanced techniques and combinations, this really worked for me.

I purchased a fairly large and comprehensive crochet "encyclopedia." It had step-by-step directions for all stitch types, as well as a large section in the back with pictures and patterns of stitch types, combinations and so forth. Things like seed stitches, post stitches, ripples, shells, popcorn, bobbles, picot and lace, as well as motifs, flowers, rounds and squares all had patterns and pictures for a square.

With a size I hook and some medium weight (4) "scrap" yarn, I worked up a square of each one. If I needed to make adjustments to make the pattern work (ie - it calls for 20 chains, but you work it, count it out and really need 22), I wrote those under the stitch pattern. Then I took the finished square and stapled it to the page under the picture. Now I can barely close my book, BUT whenever I want to try a combination of stitches or figure out how I did something last time, I just have to look at my own square using that stitch combination. I then took scrap book weighted paper and made my own pattern book, with the written stitch combination and a swatch that I crocheted stapled underneath.

I used the same weight yarn to work out lace, picot and mesh stitches, and stapled them to the pages as well. It is a LOT easier to try those tricky things with a larger yarn, THEN move to a smaller thread and be successful.

Layni from Texas

Ms.DitchDoc wrote

on Feb 8, 2010 11:39 PM

Awesome idea! I have something similar, but I don't have the samples attached, but do keep all of my sample pieces as I learn to work them in labled baggies. Also, I have all of the websites that worked best for me to learn each stitch or tips that I find that help for each stitch.