Trench - Cute & easy crochet: learn to crochet with these 35 adorable projects

cute & easy crochet cute & easy crochet Learn to crochet with these 35 adorable projects Nicki Trench Published in 2011 by CICO Books an imprint of Ryland Peters & Small Ltd 2021 Jockeys Fields, London WC1R 4BW www.cicobooks.com 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Text copyright Nicki Trench 2011 Design and photography copyright CICO Books 2011 The authors moral rights have been asserted. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publisher. A CIP catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library. eISBN 978 1 908862 27 3 ISBN 978 1 907563 06 5 Printed in China Editor: Marie Clayton Designer: Christine Wood Photographer: Penny Wincer Stylist: Alison Davidson. Additional styling by Rose Hammick.

Contents Im delighted by the latest enthusiasm for crochet and Cute & Easy Crochet aims to inspire and meet with current trends to entice and feed all levels with great patterns and designs. Modern colours and yarns have transformed crochet and shaken off any negative reputation. The granny square has emerged with glorious colours and luxurious crochet pieces have swamped the high streets with pretty scarves, cool dresses and elegant wraps. Crochet has now established itself as a popular contemporary craft with people flocking to classes to learn this traditional skill that has somehow missed a generation, while the previous generations took it for granted as a handed-down knowledge. In Cute & Easy Crochet, weve divided the projects into chapters that cover the various skill groups: Starting Out for the Beginner, Practice Makes Perfect for Improvers and Confident Crocheting for Enthusiasts. Weve used up-to-date wools and simple designs that will inspire you whatever your level; there is something in Cute & Easy Crochet for all.

Beginners will love the easy projects in Starting Out that need only the basic skills and stitches; see the gorgeous Rose Shopper (). Once youve gathered confidence, the Practice Makes Perfect projects start to introduce edgings and a little more intricate pattern reading, while still keeping things simple. See the Chunky Seashell Scarf (). ). If youre making for a baby, we have some lovely designs and easy projects: Baby Blanket (). Cute & Easy Crochet has an excellent Crochet Know-how section with clear illustrations that will show you exactly how to master the techniques used in the patterns.

Dont be put off by crochet abbreviations they are really easy to master and explained in each pattern. As soon as I was commissioned to write this book, I immediately rushed to my local haberdashery and bought ribbons and trimmings to use as my colour palette guide. I hope the light blues, yellows, pinks, greens and lilacs will evoke the atmosphere of spring and summer, even if youre crocheting in the middle of winter in front of the fire. Techniques In this section, we explain how to master the simple crochet techniques that you need to make the projects in this book. Making a slip knot The simplest way is to make a circle with the yarn, so that the loop is facing downwards. In one hand hold the circle at the top, where the yarn crosses, and let the tail drop down so that it falls in the centre of the loop.

With your free hand or the tip of a crochet hook, pull the tail through the loop and pull the knot, so that it tightens loosely. Put the hook into the circle and pull the knot gently so that it forms a loose loop on the hook. Holding the hook Pick up your hook as though you were picking up a pen or pencil. Keeping the hook held loosely between your fingers and thumb, turn your hand that so the palm is facing up and the hook is balanced in your hand and resting in the space between your index finger and your thumb. Holding yarn Pick up the yarn with your little finger in the opposite hand to your hook, with your palm facing upwards. Turn your hand to face downwards, with the yarn on top of your index finger and under the other two fingers and wrapped right around the little finger.

Keeping your index finger only at a slight curve, hold your work just under the slip knot with the other hand. Yarn around hook To create a stitch, youll need to catch the yarn with the hook and pull it through the loop. Holding your yarn and hook correctly, catch the yarn from behind with the hook pointed upwards. As you gently pull the yarn through the loop on the hook, turn the hook so that it faces downwards and slide the yarn through the loop. The loop on the hook should be kept loose enough so that the hook slides through easily. Chain Using the hook, wrap the yarn around the hook and pull it through the loop on the hook, creating a new loop on the hook.

Continue in this way to create a chain of the required length. Keep moving your middle finger and thumb close to the hook, to hold the work in place with the opposite hand that you hold your hook with. Chain ring/circle If you are crocheting a round shape, one way of starting off is by crocheting a number of chains following the instructions in your pattern, and then joining them into a circle. Some of the circles in this book have been made by creating a spiral, whereby you make two chains and insert your hook into the second chain from the hook (the first chain you made). Following the instructions in the pattern will then ensure the spiral has the correct amount of stitches.