crochet short rows Archives

You may remember that over the summer, I went to Interweave in Fort Collins, CO to film four classes. This was part of Interweave’s Online Learning video program. The first one, based off of Stained Glass Rug, was released a couple of months ago. The others, I’m happy to report, have just come out! Let me tell you about them!

Short Rows in Crochet: Learn Shaping and Texture Techniques for a Great Fit

This class is based on a method of working short rows that I uninvented. I’ve been using this technique for a while now, as I love the texture and look it gives crochet fabric. I also love how shaping can be achieved to create projects that imitate ribbing in knitting, or allow you to play with color.

This class has two free patterns that come with the download or video: Riverbend Skirt and Ski Slope Hat.

In addition to teaching you about short rows, this class also has a great tutorial about using the mattress stitch to seam together crochet stitches. I think you’ll love it.

You can purchase the class here, for $19.99.

Quick Crochet Vest: Learn Broomstick Lace, Short-Rows, Back Loop Stitches & More

I love my Pattern Crossed Arrow Vest, and I think it’s the perfect project for beginners looking to challenge themselves! Going into the class, the only skills you need to know are how to chain and single crochet. I take you through the rest.

What I love about this pattern is how, with very little shaping, you create a very flattering vest that works as a great layer piece. And the best part is, with a bulkier weight yarn, this project just flies by. With the video you get a free copy of Crossed Arrow, plus my instruction as I walk you through each of the steps to complete this project.

And if you’ve never tried broomstick, this is a great project to start on. You’ll get the hang of it in no time.

You can purchase the class here, for $19.99.

Crochet Barber Pole Cowl: Stranded Colorwork Techniques and More

My Barber Pole Cowl has been featured in several of my classes, and I’m now glad to bring it to video with Interweave. Like Crossed Arrow, this is a pattern that’s completely accessible to beginners: if you can single crochet and chain, I can teach you how to make this project!

With a lot of color options, this project is always popular around fall – a perfect pattern for working up in school or team colors, just as the air is getting nippy.

Here, I take you through learning how to crochet through the back loop (can you tell it’s one of my favorite techniques?) and also how to work stranded crochet – which is different than tapestry crochet! Stranded crochet creates a fabric that is warmer (because of the two layers of yarn) and much stretchier than tapestry crochet. It’s a fun and helpful skill to have in your arsenal. In the process of learning this technique, you also learn how to change colors in crochet without making a jog.

If you like the pattern and love my classes, I think you’ll get a lot from this one. You can purchase the class here, for $19.99.

Got questions about the videos? I’d love to answer them! And if you have bought the videos, how did you like them?

Riverbend is the final of the patterns I worked for Crochetscene 2015. Like Bow Wrap and Crossed Arrow, I had a really good idea of this pattern long before I turned it into a proposal. Unlike the other two, Riverbend’s genesis and maturing happened at a lot slower of rate.

Part of this was I was working on other projects, and part of it was wanting to let the genesis pattern have a bit of distance before I created something in the same vein.

Sketch for Riverbend

Riverbend became a design idea back when I was working on Victoria’s Riflebird. Victoria’s Rifebird is a wrap that should be familiar – it has very similar shaping to Riverbend! You could say they are siblings. Once I had finished Victoria’s Riflebird, but before I wove in the ends, Sweetness, one of the girls I nannied at the time, wrapped the wrap around her waist and gave a swirl. I realized then that a similar shape would work really well with a skirt – with some minor adjustments!

I love the idea of wrap skirts. I like the versatility and the sizing flexibility. When I was a kid one of my favorite skirts for about a year was a wrap skirt made of two layers of fabric. Now, I have another wrap skirt that I wear at least once a week in the summer and the fall. Riverbend is directly influenced by both those skirts.

Riverbend is also defined by the finishing details of this skirt: there’s a bold fun button in he same color of the wedges (a vintage one harvested from my great-grandmother’s collection), and another vintage button in the main color on the inside.

Riverbend, all finished and on one of my new models – this one being more full-hipped.

Riverbend is a wrap skirt, and sizing makes it super flexible. The subtle a-line of the skirt makes it great in multiple colors for a summery cover-up for every-day skirt, or do it in solid colors for a more professional look. The distinctive wedges are created using my special technique to work crochet short rows. (Keep an eye out, there’s a class on that with Interweave coming soon!) The ribbed fabric gives it a bit of a sexy silhouette – it hugs the hips just a bit before flaring out. Unlike my original sketch, which had the skirt looking a lot more full, math and practicality made the finished project a little bit less flared.

Riverbend, on my model that’s a bit less full-hipped, you can see the difference in the way the skirt hangs.

Riverbend is currently available in the newest issue of Crochetscene 2015. You can check out it, and my other three patterns, in the issue! Also check out my Ravelry page, where you can read my personal notes and the stats about the time I spent on this project!

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