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The 3 Types of Crocheter

by Alison Stapleton

Are you the type of person who only has cable TV in your home so you have to watch adverts and a canned newsreel?

Do you ever buy the specialized channels and perhaps pick up the BBC or the science channel even though you have to pay for them?

How about Netflix? Would you pay $8 a month for a vast array of movies and no commercials?

 

Value

You can see straight away if you appreciate the value in paying for something, over getting it for relatively nothing (but with strings – the ads).

Value is the difference between what a casual crocheter, or hobbyist crocheter and a professional crocheter provide.

You can get a crocheted hat at your dollar store for $1, or you can pay $30 for a similar hat at the mall, or you can pay $75 for a well-known designer hat.

But the expensive hat probably does the same thing, it keeps your head warm and looks trendy, or does it?

If you can see the value in buying better things, made with better materials and crafted in a better fashion, and having good, or even the best things in your life that you can afford, why would you settle for the bottom of the range?

Do you choose basic or do you want something else?

The 3 Types of Crocheter

There are three types of crocheter; the casual crocheter, the hobbyist crocheter and the professional crocheter. Each of the three types can be clearly defined if you look at how they handle money and value

You can see which type of crocheter you are by reading below.

The Casual Crocheter

The casual crochet is where we all start when we begin to crochet. You start with one hook and a ball of yarn. Over time you make things and you enjoy the process. That’s why you do it.

You may leave crocheting for a time and then come back to it. There is no pressure to complete things it is simply a leisure activity.

As a casual crocheter you:

  • Buy your own yarns
  • Pick and choose what to make as it takes your fancy
  • May use the finished item yourself or
  • Give it away to someone as a gift
  • No money changes hands and you do not make a profit

The Hobbyist Crocheter

If you are a hobbyist crocheter you buy your own yarn and make items or garments. These items can be to order if say, your sister wants a hat just like the one you are wearing.

You buy the yarn and make the hat and your sister gives you money to cover the cost of the yarn, and perhaps also covers minimum wage (around $8.50 and hour) for the labor (this is “for your time”), or your labor is free.

Your sister pays you, but it just about covers the yarn and maybe an hourly rate.

As a hobbyist crocheter you may barter your skills and maybe make a hat to swop for babysitting your kids on Saturday night or some other trade off.

If you are a hobbyist crocheter you:

  • Do not advertise or promote that you crochet
  • Make a few crocheted items each year
  • Sometimes you get reimbursed for the costs
  • Make things at cost
  • Get a nominal amount “for your time”
  • Barter crochet for other services or goods

Although some people will give you money (and you may tell yourself you are in “business”) you are not in business, and you do not make a profit.

The Professional Crocheter

The first two types of crocheter (casual and hobbyist) are entirely different to the professional crocheter.

As a professional crocheter you are in it to make money and not just cover the cost of the yarn and your time.

You keep accounting books and know what it has cost you and what you have taken in each day or month.

At the end of the month you have profit. The money that you have over when you have paid for your overheads (computer, phone, advertising, materials, postage etc. and your labour costs) and all business related items is your profit.

You are a professional crocheter if you:

  • Have a crochet business name
  • Have your own crochet business cards
  • Own your crochet domain name (YourCrochetBusinessName.com)
  • Run a current website and post every week
  • Promote to all social media channels that work for you (examples: Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram)
  • Have a growing mailing list of clients and potential clients
  • Have a fan base of readers, clients and followers (weak fan base = less than 200 fans, medium fan base = less than 2000 fans, strong fan base = more than 2000 fans)
  • You know your niche, stay in it and own your niche
  • You know who you are (and who you are not), what you do (and what you don’t do) and can recite your elevator pitch in less than thirty seconds and under one hundred words
  • Have multiple income streams from your crochet business
  • Buy yarns carefully (wholesale and online) to maximize profit
  • Price your goods fairly for wholesale, retail and your custom work (bridal etc.)
  • Have a crochet business plan for the next 12 months
  • Use an editorial calendar
  • You keep financial records (this can be as simple as money in vs. money out)
  • Your income covers your business costs (web hosting, printing, labels, postage etc.)
  • You make a profit each month and each year (of course this profit can be small but it is still a profit)

Do not confuse yourself between a hobbyist crocheter and a professional crocheter. This is why hobbyists charge so little for their garments it is because they can.

A professional crocheter is in business to feed their family and will charge more because they typically have a much large setup and can provide continuity in their items and inventory.

 


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Pattern: Cozy Headband Trio

  • Ashford Headband
  • Brighton Headband
  • Cambridge Headband

Inspiration

Looking at the wonderful old cable patterns with deep texture inspired me to make this collection of three cozy cable headbands for you.

These headbands can be used as ear warmers as well.

I live in Vancouver, Canada where the winters can be rainy and cold as the temperature drops down to around zero on some chilly evenings.

Purchase this pattern now on Etsy

What You Will Need

Vanna’s’ Choice or similar [4] weight yarn, similar to double knitting yarn (DK).

One ball in colourway beige – 123 (cream) or another colour of your choice. One 100g ball will make three headbands.

Crochet hook 4.25mm.

Your label (optional).

Crochet Terminology 

As we are based in Canada, this pattern uses USA or Canadian crochet stitch notation and not the UK or South African terminology.

Double Crochet (dc)

This means that a double crochet (dc) is made as follows: Yarn over, and insert the hook into the stitch, or gap, pull through (three loops on hook), yarn over and pull through two loops on your hook (two loops on hook), yarn over and pull through the last two loops on your hook. Only one loop remains on your hook and the double crochet stitch is complete.

Measurements

Headband measures, width 8 cm (3 inches) x folded length 24 cm (9½ inches).

Gauge / Tension

14 stitches and 7 rows to 8 cm (3 inches) x 8 cm (3 inches).

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Weekend in the City Blanket Scarf Crochet Pattern

Designed by Alison Stapleton

This is a crochet pattern for a beautiful blanket scarf.

I wanted to make a soft and cozy blanket scarf for winter. 

A blanket scarf is the same length as a normal winter scarf, but about twice as wide. It covers your ears and neck beautifully on a chilly day. 

We don’t have many really cold days in Vancouver, but it does get below zero for many mornings and often in the evenings here in the city. 

A blanket scarf has to be long enough to wrap around your neck and so the tails can both hang down at the front.

Purchase this pattern on Etsy

Weekend in the City blanket scarf crochet pattern

What you will need

Lion Brand Jeans yarn or similar weight yarn [4].

Four balls; one ball each in topstitch (gold), stonewash (light blue), classic (mid blue) and brand new (dark blue).

Crochet hook H (5.25 mm).

Measurements

78 inches x 13 inches (114cm x 33cm).

close up

Stitches Used

Chain

Single Crochet

Double Crochet

US/Canadian Crochet Terminology

This pattern uses USA or Canadian crochet stitch notation and not the UK or South African terminology.

This means that a double crochet (dc) is made as follows:

Yarn over, and insert the hook into the stitch or gap, pull through (three loops on hook),

yarn over, and pull through two loops on your hook (two loops on hook), yarn over and pull through the last two loops on your hook.

Only one loop remains on your hook and the double crochet stitch is complete.

Help us Grow

If you loved using this original designed pattern, help us grow. Please promote, like, and share with photos of your finished items.

Use the hash tag #OECpattern.

Terms of Use

We would love to see your completed creations.

You may sell the finished items you create from this pattern.

By purchasing (or being gifted) any Old English Creations patterns, you are not just buying (or receiving) a copy of a pattern; you are buying far more: a perpetual single-user licence for the pattern.

Your single-user licence entitles you to:

Unlimited customer support from the pattern designer (that’s us Alison and Lynn).

You may make as many items from the pattern as you wish.

Do whatever you wish with items you create from the pattern. If you do choose to sell your finished products, please give us credit as the pattern designers.

Single User Licence

Your licence is non-transferable. Old English Creations patterns may not be shared, passed on to others, re-sold, or redistributed in any other way.

If your friend needs one of our patterns they can download their own copy.

This original pattern may not be reproduced by photocopy, posted on the web or sold without written permission from Old English Creations.

Please respect the craft of the artist.

Alison Stapleton – Crochet Designer

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Springtime Wash Cloth Crochet Pattern

by Alison Stapleton

To have cotton washcloths, or flannels in your home is kind to the environment.

Make some for every member of your family in different colours.

I typically use my washcloth once and then launder it in the washing machine.

Every day freshness guaranteed.

What You Will Need

Bernat Handicrafter Cotton or similar weight yarn [4]. More on yarn weights here.

One ball in the colour of your choice.

Crochet hook G (4 mm). More on crochet hooks here.

Gauge

14 stitches and 7 rows to 4″ x 4″ (10cm x 10cm).

Measurements

8 3/4 inches x 8 3/4 inches (22cm x 22cm).

Crochet Terminology

This pattern uses USA or Canadian crochet stitch notation and not the UK or South African terminology.

This means that a double crochet (dc) is made as follows:

Yarn over, and insert the hook into the ring, stitch or gap, pull through (three loops on hook),

Yarn over, and pull through two loops on your hook (two loops on hook), yarn over and pull through the last two loops on your hook.

Only one loop remains on you hook and the double crochet stitch is complete.

Springtime Washcloth Crochet Pattern as a PDF download

Buy this pattern on Etsy US$2

More For You

Free patterns here.

Free-for-now patterns here.

Paid patterns here.

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Temperature Blanket Update

It is mid-December and I want to share with you the progress on my 2018 Temperature blanket.

I make one square every day of the year. The color I use each day depends on the high temperature here in Vancouver.

Each row is 18 squares wide and will end up at 21 squares long. There will be a couple of odd fill in squares as 365 does not fit neatly into a rectangle.

Colour Palette

My color palette is:

Zero and below white, 

1C to 2C cream, 

3C to 4C taupe, 

5C to 6C light blue, 

7C to 8C teal, 

9C to 10C green, 

11C to 12C lemon, 

13C to 14C yellow gold, 

15C to 16C orange, 

17C to 18C pink, 

19C to 20C hot pink, 

21C to 22C red, 

23C to 24C magenta, 

25C to 26C violet, 

27C to 28C purple, 

29C and above black, 

Temperature blanket stash of colours.

I can’t wait to finish this this year. 

Will you make a temperature blanket in 2019?

#crochet #crochetersofinstagram #yarn #design #craft #makersgonnamake #hook #create #crocheters #crocheting #crocheted #crochetbusiness #handmade #handmadeincanada  #crochetpattern #patterntester #yarn #crochetstories #crochetyarns #indie #crochetastherapy #crochetalong #crochethooks  #crochetblog #crochetdesigner #easycrochet  #temperature blanket #temperatureblanket2018

Close up of the joining of the squares by the “crochet in gap” method.
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Crochet Temperature Blanket – Week 1 Progress

by Alison Stapleton

2018 Temperature Blanket Details

This year I am making a temperature blanket.

Each day will be represented by a three-row granny square in the colour of the high temperature that day where I live in the city of Vancouver in Canada.

I started on January 1, 2018, and make one square every day until December 31, 2018. That will be 365 crochet granny squares in all.

Size

I want my blanket to lay on my king sized bed and run in vertical rows for each set of 18 days.

My design is to make this blanket 18 squares by 21 rows as that makes a squarer blanket than the usual 14 squares (or two weeks) by 21 rows which result in a long, narrow blanket more suited to a single or twin sized bed.

I plan to make some extra white squares at the end to square off the blanket and on this can embroider the date for the year (2018). Here I may do MMXVIII just to be different.

The Details Up To Day 9

I know it says “week one” on the title of the post but it was actually Day 9 before  I got this published.

For the first week, the temperatures in Vancouver remained between 5C and 6C for the highs.

In a way, it was annoying to have to do the light blue for day after day and on into Day 9!

But, I think it will soon get a little colder as we move into late January and February is typically the coldest month.

My Progress

I like that I can do one granny square just after dinner each night while watching TV and chatting with my family. It is very doable and once the day’s square is completed that is all I have to do. So, there is a feeling of satisfaction in completing the single motif.

I do not feel the need to do more crocheting but I do have other projects on the hook that I will work at over the weekends.

I will post again when I reach week 2 and share wyouyrou just how good the blanket is coming along.

This is like a crochet along (CAL) and all the squares are the same.

Temperature blanket Day 9

Temperature Degree Colours

I have the colours already decided listed here.

Temperature blanket stash of colours.

Zero and below white

1C to 2C cream

3C to 4C taupe

5Cto 6C light blue

7C to 8C teal

9C to 10C green

11C to 12C lemon

13C to 14C yellow gold

15C to 16C orange

17C to 18C pink

19C to 20C hot pink

21C to 22C red

23C to 24C magenta

25C to 26C violet

27C to 28C purple

29C and above black

I bought the yarn (which is Vanna’s Choice [4] weight yarn) on January the first at my local yarn store (LYS) in downtown Vancouver.

I am using a 5.25mm crochet hook.

Instagram @OldEnglishCreations

Follow my daily progress and tag me with your temperature blanket images all year.

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Crochet Stories and Yarns – Calling all Crochet Writers

Crochet Writers

If you would like to share your crochet story with us drop us a line and send your story or yarn to us.

Your story may be featured here on the blog as part of our collection of crochet stories.

What to Write

We accept all crochet stories and pieces on your journey to learn how to crochet.

You can write on how crochet has changed your life either by the money you earned from crocheting, the new friends you made or the healing properties of crochet.

We love uplifting stories and those yarns that can help our readers. We also love humour and writing to lighten our and your day.

 

File Formats

Write your story with a minimum of 500 words and use a Word document so we can read it.

Add your optional fifty-word mini bio in the third person showcasing your crochet life.

You can send an image or illustration as a JPG if you like.

Acceptance

When you send your story you accept publication on the Old English Creations blog and give one-time publishing rights for Old English Creations Media for possible future publication.

You always retain the rights to your work.

You work may be lightly edited.

If you have any questions please use the contact form below and we will get back to you shortly.

 

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The Crochet Wars

by Alison Stapleton

The war between knitters and crocheters continues unabated.

If you are not a knitter or a crocheter you may not be aware of the subtle war that rages on in parlours and coffee shops across the land.

I was chatting with my friend Nicole at Canadian Frost Apparel the other day about this very issue.

Like most wars, there is a pointless tension between the knitters and the crocheters. No one knows when the animosity began, but it crept in and is seemingly here to stay.

Let’s get straight to the point.

Knitters

Knitters use two needles with points. They may use a circular needle with points at both ends and a wire joining them, or, just to get tricky, they could use four double pointed needles for socks and tube-like things.

They have many stitches on their needles at once and sometimes hundreds for a large piece.

If they drop a stitch and it runs, it takes serious effort to retrieve it. Yes, knitted stitches will run away from their mistresses.

Knitters often feel superior to crocheters as though to knit is to be better in some way. Crocheters never look down on knitters but they see them as their crafty cousins. Both use the same yarns and buy their supplies at the same store.

You can have a “knitting bag” but who has heard of a “crocheting bag” I mean really.

Crocheters

Crocheters use one hook and yarn. The hook can have a thicker handle to aid tired hands and make the act of crocheting easier for extended periods of crafting. This feature on hooks makes crocheters calmer and relaxed.

Crocheters have one stitch on the go at once.

Crocheters can easily make a circle, square or any three-dimensional shape. In fact, crocheting has been used to demonstrate the Möbius strip-like in the March Möbius cowl, hyperbolic crochet and other spatial concepts.

If you can knit and crochet be careful in which camp you pitch you tent.

Myths surrounding Crocheters and Knitters

  • Knitters are better looking than crocheters. False
  • Crocheters only use one hand. False
  • All knitters can crochet but not all crocheters can knit. False
  • All crocheter are old ladies and that’s why they have “granny” squares. False
  • All knitters are young and hip. False

Craft Groups

I once joined a knitting and crochet meetup group. When I arrived the eight women there were all knitting. As I took out my crocheting there were gasps of horror from the assembly.

Who was this woman? What was she doing here, and with a hook?

One pleasant looking woman turned and said to me, “Oh, can’t you knit?”

I replied, “Yes I can knit, but not tonight. I’m enjoying my crocheting time.” Gulp.

I can knit and crochet. But, these days I prefer crocheting. It is easy and quick. I can do small squares everywhere I go and take them home to create a beautiful blanket or lapghan.

Out and About

I can crochet in the car or trapped in an aeroplane seat at 35000 feet. Here I have to use bamboo hooks as they get twitchy these days. But you can’t knit in a plane even with bamboo needles. It’s the point of the needle that annoys the authorities.

In the end you have to do what you like. Don’t be knitting because your mother did. If you prefer crocheting then forsake knitting for a while.

If you prefer the rhythm of knitting and can do it without looking then let that be your therapy.

Do what you love and love what you do.  It will permeate into your items and the love will shine through your completed items whether you used a hook or needles. 💛

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Triangle Shawl Crochet Design

by Alison Stapleton

Shapes

Wraps are rectangles and shawls are triangles. This is the general consensus. You can get semi-circle wraps as well. But in this post I’m discussing the structure of crocheted triangles.

Triangles

A triangle has three sides and three corners. Typically there is one long side and two shorter sides both the same length. This is known as a scalene triangle and is the most popular shape for triangle shawls.

Crochet Designs for Triangle Shawls

If you are making a shawl in a solid piece as opposed to granny squares or other motive shapes then it will be made in one piece.

The starting point sets the stage for the design and there are only a few ways to construct a triangle shawl in crochet.

Any type of stripe or pattern stitch can be used but the way the shawl grows will be the same.

Point Up – Horizontal

This is a popular method where you work from the bottom point and go up in rows which increase each row. In this design you can stop or keep going once the size is suitable.

An example of this design is the Lancashire Shawl.

Wide Top Down – Horizontal

In this design the full-width of the top side is set, typically as a chain length, and cannot be adjusted later. Here you work rows down towards the point. Each row is shorter than the previous as you decrease at the start and end of each row.

Here you work rows down towards the point. Each row is shorter than the previous as you decrease at the start and end of each row.

 

Center Top to Sides – Both Diagonal

In this design you start at the center top and make a triangle immediately. This can be seen in the half granny style. Each row adds to the sides and the point grows downwards.

 

The center top to sides design can be adjusted when the size is reached or you can continue to add more rows.

The Cumbria Shawl is a good example of this design.

 

Left to Right – Vertical

In this design you start at the left side and work vertical rows towards the right side. Which increases on one side only and the top side remains the same. At the

At the point you start to decrease on the lower side again and the rows get shorter.

The image below is the first half of the shawl as the rows grow vertically towards the point. When I’ve finished it I’ll get the completed image in here for you.

Centre to Sides – Vertical

Here the base chain is from the top center to the point. You work first the left side to the side point and then the right side to the side point. Care needs to be taken to get both sides the same.

Each row is vertically from the center chain and reduces at the bottom whilst keeping the top edge straight.

In this design the depth of the shawl is determined at the start but you can make the width wider if you do a shallower decrease.

Your Choice

All shawl designs have their pros and cons. Personally, I like the point up and the center top to side methods as the triangle shape it set from the start.

It is a personal choice and the stitch pattern and the colour choices used will help determine the type of design you should choose.

Alison

 

 

 

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Carleton iPad Cover – Crochet Pattern

by Alison Stapleton

Tech Essentials

I’ve had an iPad for several years now and I’ve been frustrated with the big bulky and clunky hard cases sold in the Apple Store. They are not neat and they make the whole item seem bigger than it is.

If the iPad designers made such a sleek and smooth piece of kit why would you want to hide it all in a nasty plastic flap thingy?

You are probably like me and you need the information and connectivity the Ipad gives without the bulk of junky covers.

I take my iPad with me most days and slip it into my bag. In fact these days I don’t buy a handbag or tote that will not fit my IPad.

I had worked on several prototype designs made in crochet for my IPad cover but they all had the same problem that the sleek pad would just slip right out.

This was not good.

Carleton Nip and Tuck iPad Cover

This new design is based on the simple pillow case method where the case is snug (nip) and then you ease the inner flap (tuck) over the end so the iPad will not slide out.

Our Carleton iPad Crochet Cover has no external flaps or buttons to catch on other things.

 

No matter who you are or how you crochet you will likely have an iPad. If you are a crocheter you can make this easy breezy iPad cover in less than three hours.

And if you don’t have an iPad I bet your grandkids do.

 

Materials

Made from Vanna’s Choice by Lion Brand or any other 4 weight yarn.

2 x 50g balls, one in black and one in pink.

Size 5.25mm crochet hook or the hook required to match the gauge.

Your label (optional)

Yarn needle to sew in ends.

Stitch marker.

Gauge

15 stitches and 12 rows to 4″ x 4″ (10cm x 10cm).

Measurements

Width 17cm, height 23cm.

Note: When resting and by that I mean when the iPad is not in the cover, the cover is slightly smaller than the actual iPad.

Pattern Notes

This cover is worked in the round and after the first row the work spirals up and is not round by round. There is no seam.

The fit is a snug fit to grip the iPad the cover will stretch a little as you insert the iPad this is normal.

Colour choices

The pattern here is for the black/pink version but I am also showing you the gold/cream colourway.  When you use colour in crochet it changes the feel of the item.

The black/pink is vibrant and businesslike and the gold/cream is lighter and has more whimsey.

 

Stitches used

Chain – ch.

Slip stitch – sl st.

Single crochet – sc.

Learn more about the five basic crochet stitches you need to know.

Pattern

Please note: This pattern will be free for just over a week and then be available as a PDF download for a nominal fee.

Body

Foundation chain: With black ch 24.

Rnd 1: Ch 1 (as 1st st), 1 sc in every chain to end (24 sts), 2 sc into same st (as side corner), 1 sc into every st up the other side, 2 sc into same st, (52 sts). Do not join with sl st. Place a stitch marker into next st.

Rnd 2: Immediately make the next st into the first st of rnd 1 and continue in a spiral from here.

Work until completed 12 rnds and end at stitch marker side. Leave black (do not cut),

Join pink, work 1 sl st into next 2 sts then continue in sc, complete one rnd, leave pink, pick up black and work 1 sc into each of the sl sts from the rnd below and then continue.

From this point you will have two spirals (one pink and one black) with two thread in use. Continue until you have five pink and five black rnds completed. End at the stitch marker side. With black make 1 sl st into the next 2 sts. Cut black and fasten off.

With pink continue and work every st and go over the 2 black sl sts with sc all the way round. Continue spiral in pink for twelve more rnds. End at stitch marker side. Turn.

Inner flap

Row 1: 1 ch (as 1st st), 1 sc into next 24 sts, turn (25 sts).

Row 2-8: Repeat row 1. Fasten off.

Finishing

Turn item inside out. Fold flap down and neatly sew down both sides making sure not to go through to the front. Weave in ends. Turn right side out.

Sew on your label at the right hand side bottom 1cm in from the corner (optional).

 

 


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