What's this about? It sounds complicated…

Well, let's start simple. What's a stitch dictionary? Most people, I think, would say it's a reference book for crocheters. I'd make my definition a bit wider. To me, a stitch dictionary is a place where information about different stitches is collected. And, ideally,

this collection is a place where you can get ideas and inspiration for your projects.

There are a few printed stitch dictionaries in book-form on the market. Useful as they are, in my humble opinion, they all share the same flaw. They are the same for everyone. In reality, everyone is not necessarily interested in the same kind of crochet.

Some people want to make lace – doilies or small motifs, tablecloths, bedspreads, curtains, christmas tree ornaments or a million other things. Other people look for stitches that produce fabric, because they want to make clothes or accessories.

Also, over the years, your crocheting focus may change, and you may start to fantasize about home decor instead of sweaters.

As well as the instructions, obviously, the pictures in printed, ready-made stitch dictionaries are the same for everyone. The samples tend to be made up in light pastels, perhaps because they photograph most clearly. But this will not inspire you very much if you prefer dark or vivid colours, or want to work with a variegated yarn.

Generally, there is also only one picture for each type of stitch. So, it is only showed in one colour and one material. This also shapes the way you think about a particular stitch technique. You look at all these photographed samples of lacey stitches, and an inner voice murmurs "thread, thread, thread". It doesn't occur to you that some of these stitches may look great if made up with yarn, perhaps as a crocheted scarf, to wear in several cuddly layers around your neck on a chilly day, or as lacy sleeves on a top where the body is in solid fabric (crocheted or not, by the way).

Breaking free of all these limitations is a very good reason to build your own stitch dictionary.

It will be unique, perfectly tailored to your needs, and forever growing and changing (provided that you will spend a few minutes on it from time to time).

OK, but what is it?

Is it a store-bought book that you customize in one way or another?

Is it a binder, where you put print-outs from the Web (which are currently archived on the floor beside your bed, in your handbag, under the sofa and in various other locations)?

Is it a new, expensive invention of mine that I'm trying to sell to you?

No.

It's a box.

It's any box you happen to have lying around or stumble upon, provided that it's clean inside (so it will not soil what you put into it) and closes well enough to keep out dust and dirt.

And, as it often is with boxes, the important thing is not the box itself, but what you put into it. That, folks, is your stitch dictionary. Instead of pale photos or blurry print-outs, this dictionary will consist of real, three-dimensional crocheted samples of various stitches. Since you're the one who's going to make them, they will all be made up in yarns or threads that you like, in colours you enjoy. Some of your samples might not turn out as well as you expected – it's up to you to decide whether you want to throw them away or add them to your collection as a reminder of what you've learnt from them. (Personally, I stick to the second option. If not, I'm perfectly capable of starting over three months later, having forgotten all about my previous mistakes.)

So where do I start?

All you need, except your box, is some yarn or thread. Left-overs from earlier projects are perfectly fine and won't cost you anything. Neither will all the oddballs you've bought here and there, not knowing what to do with them but being unable to resist the urge to possess them. (You don't have any? Am I the only person in the universe with this strange addiction?)

You also need crochet hooks in various sizes, but you probably already have some.

And then, of course, you need ideas for your stitches. I don't expect you to invent them yourself from scratch.

Sources

Where do you find new stitches and techniques to try out?

Books are an obvious source. You don't have to buy them. With a book from your local library and scrap yarn or thread, you can fill your dictionary-box at virtually no cost at all.

Look at all kinds of books on crochet. Stitch dictionaries, of course, but also pattern books. Don't lock yourself up in categories. If your crochet focus is home decor made in thread, please, peek into those books on crocheted sweaters. You may find an attractive, solid stitch that will make gorgeous place-mats or a stunning, modern-looking table runner (in raffia?). If you only ever make garments in yarn, still pull out those books on lace crochet. You may find that you want to transform a doily into a shawl, or that some delicate motifs can be assembled into an edging which will spice up the bottom hem of the plain sweater you just made.

The Internet is another source, if you have access to it (and if you're reading this article, I bet you have!). Browse all the excellent crochet pages. Study free patterns, note how the stitch is made, and give it a try. There are plenty of crochet sites out there – delve into this abundance with an open mind!

Crocheted items. This is something we tend to forget about in today's world, where the printed word rules. We're always looking for a written explanation. But until very recently, crochet knowledge was not conveyed on paper. A crocheter saw an item with a stitch (s)he liked. Sometimes the person who had made the item was at hand, and could explain what (s)he had done. But if not, our curious crocheter picked up a hook and a thread or a yarn, looked very carefully at the stitch, and copied it.

You need a little experience to do this, so you can recognize the different stitches. But you don't have to be an expert by any means, especially if the stitch you try to copy is rather simple.

Give it a try. If it doesn't work the first time, try figuring out what is wrong, rip, and try again. You may hate doing this. In that case, stop and go back to written patterns. There are so many of them, you will never run out, I promise. But you may also find that you enjoy figuring this out, and that you learn a lot from it – and realize that a whole new world of possibilities is now open to you. You can recreate the lace borders found on old bed-linen and your grand-mother's shawl which is falling apart, not to mention the crocheted items in the textile collections of museums all over the world… (Even though I must admit travelling the world to visit these museums might slightly increase the budget for your stitch dictionary).

Getting some order

So here you are, with stitch ideas, material and hooks. Great. How do you avoid ending up with just a messy heap of samples?

The point of building your own stitch dictionary is to have a source of inspiration, somewhere to go to get new ideas (and remember old ones). You need to keep track of what you've made, so you don't have to figure the stitches out over and over again, and wonder endlessly about what yarn or thread you used to make the gorgeous sample you hold in your hand.

This is why you will label your samples. You can use any sturdy paper, like an index card of appropriate size (you're the one who decides what's "appropriate").

On one side of the card, write "technical information" such as:

Yarn/thread (brand, name, perhaps even colour)

Hook size

Stitch (either a simple description, or a reference to the book or the binder where you have the explanations).

You can also indicate if the sample is washed or not.

On the other side of the card you can jot down any ideas that sprung to your mind while making this sample, or while looking at it and fondling it once finished. Like:

"Try in cotton for a tank top"

"Try a bigger hook – shawl?"

"Baby outfit!"

"Menswear"

"Make tablecloth – crocheted stripes alternated with stripes of white linen"

"Make fish for the wallhanging of hand-painted yarn"

or whatever.

Punch a hole in the card. (Actually, it's better to punch the hole before you start writing. Otherwise, you risk punching this hole just where you have recorded valuable information. Please don't ask me how I know this!)

Leave at least one loose end of yarn hanging from your sample. Tie the card onto the sample by passing this loose end of yarn through the hole. Put it into the box.

And that's it.

You can start building your stitch dictionary very consciously and conscientiously. Or you can do it the haphazard way, making a few samples whenever you happen to see an appealing stitch somewhere, or when inspiration or boredom strikes. Any way, this simple box will rapidly grow into a treasure chest – your very own and unique stitch dictionary.

Continue reading -- Part II is here! It's worth it; I promise.