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Crochet PDF

275 Pages·2014·41.591 MB·English
by  GilbankJune
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No one likes a know-it-all. Most of us realize there’s no such thing— how could there be? The world is far too complicated for someone to understand everything there is to know. So when you come across a know-it-all, you smile to yourself as they ramble on because you know better. You understand that the quest for knowledge is a never-ending one, and you’re okay with that. You have no desire to know everything, just the next thing. You know what you don’t know, you’re confident enough to admit it, and you’re motivated to do something about it. At Idiot’s Guides, we, too, know what we don’t know, and we make it our business to find out. We find really smart people who are experts in their fields and then we roll up our sleeves and get to work, asking lots of questions and thinking long and hard about how best to pass along their knowledge to you in the easiest, most-accessible way possible. After all, that’s our promise—to make whatever you want to learn “As Easy as It Gets.” That means giving you a well-organized design that seamlessly and effortlessly guides you from page to page, topic to topic. It means controlling the pace you’re asked to absorb new information— not too much at once but just what you need to know right now. It means giving you a clear progression from easy to more difficult. It means giving you more instructional steps wherever necessary to really explain the details. And it means giving you fewer words and more illustrations wherever it’s better to show rather than tell. So here you are, at the start of something new. The next chapter in your quest. It can be an intimidating place to be, but you’ve been here before and so have we. Clear your mind and turn the page. By the end of this book, you won’t be a know-it-all, but your world will be a little less complicated than it was before. And we’ll be sure your journey is as easy as it gets. Mike Sanders Publisher, Idiot’s Guides Crochet by June Gilbank A member of Penguin Group (USA) Inc. ALPHA BOOKS International Standard Book Number: 978-1-61564-459-9 Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 2014930977 Published by Penguin Group (USA) Inc. 16 15 14 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Penguin Group (USA) Inc., 375 Hudson Street, New York, New York 10014, USA · Penguin Group (Canada), 90 Eglinton Interpretation of the printing code: The rightmost number of Avenue East, Suite 700, Toronto, Ontario M4P 2Y3, Canada the first series of numbers is the year of the book’s printing; (a division of Pearson Penguin Canada Inc.) · Penguin Books the rightmost number of the second series of numbers is the Ltd., 80 Strand, London WC2R 0RL, England · Penguin number of the book’s printing. For example, a printing code Ireland, 25 St. Stephen’s Green, Dublin 2, Ireland (a division of 14-1 shows that the first printing occurred in 2014. of Penguin Books Ltd.) · Penguin Group (Australia), 250 Camberwell Road, Camberwell, Victoria 3124, Australia Note: This publication contains the opinions and ideas of (a division of Pearson Australia Group Pty. Ltd.) · Penguin its author. It is intended to provide helpful and informative Books India Pvt. Ltd., 11 Community Centre, Panchsheel Park, material on the subject matter covered. It is sold with New Delhi—110 017, India · Penguin Group (NZ), 67 Apollo the understanding that the author and publisher are not Drive, Rosedale, North Shore, Auckland 1311, New Zealand engaged in rendering professional services in the book. (a division of Pearson New Zealand Ltd.) · Penguin Books If the reader requires personal assistance or advice, a (South Africa) (Pty.) Ltd., 24 Sturdee Avenue, Rosebank, competent professional should be consulted. The author Johannesburg 2196, South Africa · Penguin Books Ltd., and publisher specifically disclaim any responsibility for any Registered Offices: 80 Strand, London WC2R 0RL, England liability, loss, or risk, personal or otherwise, which is incurred as a consequence, directly or indirectly, of the use and Copyright © 2014 by Penguin Group (USA) Inc. application of any of the contents of this book. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, Most Alpha books are available at special quantity discounts scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic for bulk purchases for sales promotions, premiums, fund- form without permission. Please do not participate in or raising, or educational use. Special books, or book excerpts, encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the can also be created to fit specific needs. For details, write: author’s rights. Purchase only authorized editions. No patent Special Markets, Alpha Books, 375 Hudson Street, New York, liability is assumed with respect to the use of the information NY 10014. contained herein. Although every precaution has been taken in the preparation of this book, the publisher and author Trademarks: All terms mentioned in this book that are assume no responsibility for errors or omissions. Neither is known to be or are suspected of being trademarks or any liability assumed for damages resulting from the use of service marks have been appropriately capitalized. Alpha information contained herein. For information, address Alpha Books and Penguin Group (USA) Inc. cannot attest to the Books, 800 East 96th Street, Indianapolis, IN 46240. accuracy of this information. Use of a term in this book should not be regarded as affecting the validity of any IDIOT’S GUIDES and Design are trademarks of Penguin trademark or service mark. Group (USA) Inc. Publisher: Mike Sanders Senior Designer: Rebecca Batchelor Executive Managing Editor: Billy Fields Indexer: Celia McCoy Senior Acquisitions Editor: Karyn Gerhard Proofreader: Jeanne Clark Development Editorial Supervisor: Christy Wagner Production Editor: Jana M. Stefanciosa Contents Part 1: The Basics . . . . . . . . . . . 3 1 Before You Begin . . . . . . . . . . .5 Choosing Your Yarn . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 All About Crochet Hooks . . . . . . . . .8 The Tools You Need . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 Holding Your Hook and Yarn . . . . .12 Crochet for Left-Handers . . . . . . . .14 2 First Steps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17 Making a Slipknot . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18 Making a Yarn Over . . . . . . . . . . . . .20 Drawing Up a Loop . . . . . . . . . . . . .21 Making a Foundation Chain . . . . .22 Working into the Foundation Chain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24 Working into Subsequent Rows . . .26 3 Common Stitches . . . . . . . . . .31 Single Crochet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32 Double Crochet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34 Half Double Crochet . . . . . . . . . . . .36 Triple (Treble) Crochet . . . . . . . . . .38 Turning Chains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 Slip Stitch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .44 4 Easy Finishing . . . . . . . . . . . . .47 Fixing Mistakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .48 Fastening Off . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .49 Basic Edging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .50 Weaving in Ends . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .52 Practice Project 1: Three Simple Washcloths . . . . . . . .56 5 Crochet-Speak . . . . . . . . . . . . .61 Identifying and Counting Stitches . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .62 Gauge (Tension) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .64 How to Read a Pattern . . . . . . . . . .68 Crochet Abbreviations . . . . . . . . . .72 Part 2: Beyond the Basics . . . 75 6 More Crochet Know-How . . . .77 Joining New Yarn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .78 Changing Colors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .82 Reading Charted Stitch Diagrams . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .86 Practice Project 2: Colorblock Potholder . . . . . . . . . . . 90 7 Increasing and Decreasing . .95 Increasing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .96 Decreasing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .98 Practice Project 3: Triangle Bunting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .100 8 Crochet in the Round . . . . . .105 Chain Start . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .106 Magic Ring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .108 Working in the Round . . . . . . . . . .110 Standard Increases . . . . . . . . . . . .114 Invisible Finish . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .116 Practice Project 4: Circular Coasters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118 9 Finishing Techniques . . . . . . 121 Blocking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .122 Joining . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .126 Caring for Your Work . . . . . . . . . .132 10 Easy Stitch Gallery . . . . . . . .135 Easy Stitch Patterns . . . . . . . . . . . .136 iv Idiot’s Guides: Crochet Part 3: Taking It Further . . . 141 11 Decorative Stitches . . . . . . .143 Shells, Fans, and V Stitches . . . . .144 Crossed Stitches . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .146 Post Stitches . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .148 Spike Stitches . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .150 Chainless Foundations . . . . . . . . .152 Linked Stitches . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .154 Practice Project 5: Pretty Headband . . . . . . . . . . . . . .156 12 Combination Stitches . . . . . .159 Cluster Stitches . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .160 Bobble Stitches . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .162 Puff Stitches . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .164 Popcorn Stitches . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .166 Practice Project 6: Puff Stitch Scarf . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .168 13 Squares and Motifs . . . . . . . . 171 All About Motifs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .172 Granny Squares . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .174 Solid Squares . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .176 Circle in a Square . . . . . . . . . . . . . .178 Granny Triangles . . . . . . . . . . . . . .180 Granny Hexagons . . . . . . . . . . . . . .182 14 Edgings and Adornments . .185 Flowers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .186 Fringe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .188 Reverse Single Crochet . . . . . . . . .190 Picot Edging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .192 Scalloped Edging . . . . . . . . . . . . . .194 contents v 15 Intermediate Stitch Gallery 197 Intermediate Stitch Patterns . . . .198 Part 4: A Gallery of Patterns . . . . . . . . . .207 Flecked Scarf . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 208 Cozy Cowl . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .212 Phone or Tablet Slipcover . . . . . . .216 Handy Baskets. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .220 Placemat and Coaster Set . . . . . .224 Rolling Waves Blanket . . . . . . . . . .228 Solid Stripes Bag . . . . . . . . . . . . . .232 Double Diagonals Shawl . . . . . . . .238 Front-and-Back Hat . . . . . . . . . . . .242 Front-and-Back Fingerless Mitts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 246 Glossary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .250 Quick Reference . . . . . . . . . .254 Index. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .256 vi Idiot’s Guides: Crochet contents vii Introduction is the book I wish I’d been given when I was learning to crochet, and I hope you’ll find it a Ever since I started creating and publishing my valuable resource, whether your goal is to learn to crochet designs at PlanetJune (planetjune.com), crochet, improve your crochet know-how, or find I’ve loved discovering and sharing new things fabulous new designs to crochet. about my craft with others. For me, the best thing If you’re new to crochet, I recommend you work about crochet is its versatility. It’s pretty amazing through Part 1 page by page. Then, as you learn that with just a hook and a ball of yarn, you can more techniques with each new chapter, try out combine a few simple stitches into infinite shapes the practice projects to put what you’ve learned and textures. From those, you can crochet a huge into practice. If you get stuck at any point, flip variety of items, from blankets and toys to gar- back for a quick refresher or make use of the ments and accessories. helpful appendixes at the end of the book to Even if you’ve never before taken hook to yarn, find what you’re looking for. With each chapter, you can learn how to crochet. In these pages, I project, and pattern, you learn something new you teach you how, starting from the very basics, with can take forward into your future crocheting—and tons of tips for making the learning process easier. grow in skill level and confidence. Lots of close-up photos guide you through every As you follow along with the lessons in this book, stitch and technique. For complete beginners, I’ve practicing the most basic stitches as you crochet created the clearest, most comprehensive learn- your first simple (but useful!) washcloth, you’ll be to-crochet tutorials. For those looking to improve building skills so you can crochet beautiful hats, their skills, I’ve distilled all the knowledge scarves, bags, lacy shawls, and more—all armed and tips I’ve picked up over my crocheting life with nothing more than your trusty crochet hook into these pages. To help you put into practice and a ball of yarn! everything you’ve learned, I’ve also included a collection of fun and stylish patterns—I hope Acknowledgments you try them all! Knit Picks graciously provided all the beautiful Learning to crochet shouldn’t be a struggle but yarn used in this book, and my bamboo-handled rather an easy, fun, gradual progression that Susan Bates crochet hooks are courtesy of Coats builds from absolute basics, and that’s what I set & Clark. out to create with Idiot’s Guides: Crochet. This viii Idiot’s Guides: Crochet

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