How to Invent a Crochet Pattern: 12 Steps

2024 Author: Samantha Chapman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 09:13

You've been crocheting for a while now and you'd like to abandon printed paper by inventing your own patterns. Simply put, you'd rather create than read. It is not difficult to invent a model; it may have no shape, or be very mathematical, or somewhere in between, it all depends on your style and the goal you set out to achieve.

Steps

Step 1.

It's like learning to speak before trying your hand at reading a novel. Learn crochet techniques.

You don't have to know every single crochet stitch but you should know how to make a loop and chain stitch. You should also know single crochet, double crochet, slip stitch and how to increase or decrease with single or double stitches. There are many other stitches and combinations, but with these basic ones you can already do a lot and if you learn new ones that you like you can combine them together.

• Observe what each individual shirt does and if necessary practice with a pattern or two.

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  The chains are used to start a pattern, to change direction or can be used as elements on their own.

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  The slip stitches advance the work without making it much longer so they are used only in the closing rounds. You can also make a whole series of them around a corner to give it a cleaner, more refined look.

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  Double treble crochets are taller than high or low crochets but a work made with single crochets will have more thickness. A single crochet is roughly the same size in height and width. A double stitch is taller than a round of single crochet and is also used to create large spaces.

Step 2. Follow a variety of printed patterns, but don't just read and make them, try to understand as you make them how the stitches fit together and how the mechanism works

These are all elements that you can go back to using in your own templates.

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  Pay attention to how to make effects that you can go back to using, especially in basic formats. For example, to get a rectangular piece with straight sides you need to chain a chain at the end of each round, where single chain stitch rounds will require only one chain stitch while double crochet rounds will require three chain stitches. You should also learn how to make circular patterns, with or without the combination of turns. Do you think you can make a box with a square base but with the sides that increase upwards or a basket with a cylindrical shape?

• Be aware of the rules and shapes of your crochet work. For example, an amigurumi is worked in a circular pattern, with the elements connected through connecting turns. In many cases, if each row contains a multiple of six points, it is easier to keep track of how many points you have and where to add more.

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  You can also reuse or combine elements such as patterns and knit pieces. If you have made a crochet patchwork, you are probably used to making and combining different elements together, basically these are simple pieces of knitting joined together to create a single element.

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  You can join a series of square motifs together and make a sleeve or a tablecloth, depending on where you want to apply them.

Step 3. Learn to count stitches and rounds both while making them and after working them

It will help you along the way to visualize the work you are doing, to make a note of it and to reproduce the diagram in your own template.

• Remember that you can make a stitch anywhere you can fit the crochet hook. You can work inside a round of holes or around the hem (or a piece of paper), on the side of a knit or any other crochet work. Adding a decorative border to something, even a t-shirt sleeve or greeting card is a great way to improvise.
• You can also change direction at virtually any moment of your work by simply adding a chain or using it as if it were a starting chain. The chains are elements that can also be used alone.

Step 4. Experiment

Crochet doesn't take too long, and you probably have some leftover yarn from previous occasions that you can use to make mistakes with peace of mind.

• Look in the haberdashery for baskets with offers of yarns that are no longer current usually offered at very low prices. They are perfect yarns for trying on.
• Also try second hand stalls or clearance sales. Often for a few cents you can also buy remnants of yarn from private individuals.

Step 5. Try mosaic or free crochet

Mosaic is the process of combining small, shapeless pieces together to make larger works. It can be used for small decorative elements, such as the one in the photo, or combined together in large works such as a patchwork blanket. In addition to being an excellent solution for using yarn residues, mosaic is also an excellent practice of improvisation and innovation to create different shapes.

Step 6. Try to modify the pattern to fit custom sizes or different yarn and crochet formats

These half-fingered gloves should fit your size, whatever yarn and crochet size you use.

Step 7. Learn how measurements work

Stitches give you a dimension that depends on the yarn, crochet and your working technique. In this example, the stitches are 5 cm wide. There are many ways to estimate the measure.

• You can estimate and check how many points to score. Make a few stitches, measure the piece or try it on and if necessary adjust everything to fit the required size.
• You can adjust the number of stitches based on an existing pattern that already has its own size so that your pattern turns out to be the right size.
• You can calculate the number of points you will need to reach a certain measure. It's a simple proportion: multiply the points by the centimeters and you will know how many points you will need.
• If you want, you can do the same thing by imagining the number of turns it will take you to reach the desired height. Measure the height of a few turns in a sample model and calculate in the same way.

Step 8. Decide what you would like to do

A crochet work can have a practical function, or just a decorative one or both. You can make an Afghan blanket, a shapeless sculpture, or whatever may be in between. Perhaps a particular combination of yarns will inspire you. Or maybe you will be inspired by a need (like keeping someone warm).

Don't be afraid to make an outline of what you have in mind or to make a sample to test an idea. It lets you find out if that's what you want to do or if you should make some changes instead

Step 9. Start with something simple and small

Make yourself a scarf, bottle cover, or arm warmers. Then try designing a vest or shawl before you venture an entire sweater.

Step 10. Take notes as you work

If you want to be able to share the patterns with your friends, post them online or simply if you want to make the second sock or second mitten to go with the first one, you will need to take notes, whether they are simple or detailed it doesn't matter as long as they have a sense and, if necessary, you know how to translate them for a friend who wants to try her hand at the same crochet pattern.

Step 11. Learn how to combine the pieces to sew together

Crochet allows you to make items that have a certain shape (which doesn't have to be flat). Having a smattering of cut-and-sew will give you an idea of what shape the parts of a sweater for example should be.

• With crochet you can make things you couldn't do by cutting fabric. For example, if you are crocheting on a circular pattern, you can increase with each round and form a disc. If you increase less than it takes to stay on the counter, the result will be a plate or bowl. If you increase more than necessary, the work will curl. If you don't increase you will get a cylindrical tube.

  

  

  

Step 12.

Make a pattern or diagram of what you want to crochet.

If you can't visualize the model in your mind, draw on paper the outline of what you want to make. You can limit yourself to the basic shape scheme and then add the measures if you have them and also want to calculate the number of points.

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  One way to come up with a crochet pattern is to learn and use notes. The points will always have to combine together as planned, but the notes will give you some new ideas especially if the points are complex. You can also use the clipboard to keep an archive of your creations.

Advice

• Creating markers are very useful in helping you understand how many stitches you have made, especially in the case of rather large or round pieces. They are also useful for identifying where any decorative elements will be inserted.
• There are computer programs that help you figure out how many stitches are needed for certain jobs. If you have any particular crochet work in mind that you can't find any patterns for, you can try one of these programs.

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  Also try making a filet crochet, this is a simple pattern of stitches and holes that creates a flat image. If you are artistic you can start with a basic model and make your own design.