Esme Crick - Mosaic Crochet Workshop: Modern geometric designs for throws and accessories

ESME CRICK

www.davidandcharles.com

I learnt to crochet out of necessity when my children were tiny. With their inquisitive little fingers into absolutely everything, my beloved sewing equipment suddenly transformed itself into a danger zone: pins, scissors, sewing machine, horror! It all had to be locked safely in the cupboard and, out of desperation to stop my brain turning to mush, I reached for a crochet hook. In the early days of learning my fabulously portable hook and yarn went everywhere with me: play groups, swimming lessons, childrens parties. And from the very outset I was fascinated by this crafts natural affinity with geometry. Stripes, squares, hexagons; so pleasing to the eye, so easy to achieve, so much simpler than negotiating with a three-year-old to get their shoes on. My crochet obsession was born.

It wasnt until a few years later that I saw a mosaic crochet blanket design and everything changed for me in that moment. To produce such a bold, modern, geometric design with just two colours of yarn and a hook what was this? Surely it would be incredibly complicated, with incomprehensible stitches and a million ends to sew in. As it turned out it was actually incredibly straightforward once Id worked out the basic techniques. And minimal ends to sew in (joy!) because this version of mosaic crochet works on a two-row method. Two rows with one colour, change to the next colour for two rows, carry the unused yarn up the side of the work. With a few basic techniques to follow, and with some squared paper to sketch my chart ideas onto, I fell down the mosaic crochet rabbit hole, and I remain there happily to this very day.

The chance to spend a whole year immersed in mosaic crochet, burning the midnight oil with my hook in hand to create the projects for a book, has been a dream come true! In Mosaic Crochet Workshop I aim to share my skills and passion with you, so that you too can create beautiful throws and stylish homewares whatever your crochet level. Its also a book about making these designs your own, exploring the possibilities of colour and being inspired to start your own design adventures along the way. The Understanding Mosaic Crochet section talks you through all the necessary information youll need, including a step-by-step guide to making a simple swatch (I wholeheartedly recommend you make this swatch if youre new to mosaic crochet or need to brush up on your technique). One crochet hook and two balls of yarn are all you need to get started.

Once youre happy with the techniques and terminology (and dont forget, I use UK terms throughout), there are 24 wonderful projects to dive into. Whilst I love all the designs there are a couple of projects that have taken on special significance for me: the Tea Lovers Tea Cosy is a firm favourite, because sitting with loved ones over a cup of tea became such a rare and precious treat in the turbulent year of 2020. Similarly, the wonderfully exuberant Yes Throw is very special its a symbol of positivity and hope, and it will always remind me to keep making and to keep finding the joy. Regardless of whether you recreate my patterns exactly, or use them as a starting point to go down your own mosaic crochet rabbit hole, I hope you find as much enjoyment in this beautiful craft as I do, and I wish you many hours of mosaic crochet joy ahead. And dont forget to share your finished masterpieces on social media with #mosaiccrochetworkshop.

Ill let you into a secret mosaic crochet is far easier than it looks! If you can work a chain, a double crochet and a treble crochet, then you can mosaic crochet. I know many enthusiastic beginners who have got to grips with this technique in no time, despite their trepidation to begin with. So dont worry if its all new to you; Im going to talk you through the basic principles, then youll find instructions for making a small step-by-step swatch if you want to practise before starting one of the main patterns. All patterns are given with full, written row-by-row instructions, and also in chart form, so you can work in your preferred way throughout the book.

This style of mosaic crochet works really well with two contrasting colours to show off the beautiful geometric designs, and it uses the simple two-row technique this means you use one colour for two rows, then change to the other colour for the next two rows, then back to the first colour for the next two rows, and so on. The yarn not being used just hangs at the side of the work, ready to be picked up again after two rows (dont run it along the top of the work, this is not tapestry crochet). There are minimal ends to sew in because you carry the yarns up the side of the work instead of fastening them off.

Before making a swatch, have a quick look through the Abbreviations and Repeat Formats to familiarize yourself with the main UK terms used. There are two special abbreviations that are essential for this style of mosaic crochet:

, change colour: to change colour, work the last double crochet (dc) of the row in the old colour up to the last two loops on the hook, then yarn round hook with the new colour and draw the new colour through the loops on the hook to finish the stitch.

mosaic treble crochet: work a treble (tr) as normal but work it in the skipped stitch of the same colour three rows below, working the stitchin frontof the intervening two rows of chain in the other colour. The chains will be visible and loose on the back of the work. All mosaic treble are worked on the right side of the work.

Look out for the symbol at the start of every pattern, which shows you how easy or tricky the project will be.

Easy

An easy project, suitable for a crocheter with basic skills

Intermediate

An intermediate project, this may have a more complex pattern which requires more concentration

Advanced

An advanced project, involving a much more elaborate pattern. In addition, some other skills such as sewing may