I’m excited for new session of in-person crochet class in Des Moines! Learn crochet stitches, how to read patterns and techniques as you make projects to wear or give as gifts! See what you can do!
Class: Learn to Crochet • Dates: 1/8/2025 – 2/12/2025
If that session doesn’t work for your schedule, join me after spring break:
3/26/2025 – 4/30/2025 •
What if you don’t live in the Des Moines are still want to take this course? Beginning in December you can register for the online class that will held on Tuesdays beginning January 7. We will cover the same material in a virtual classroom you can join from anywhere!
A crochet and coffee will be held Saturday mornings via Google Meet and in-person students can join online students to ask questions and chat about your projects in a virtual classroom setting.
I love to crochet hats for two reasons. They are fast and, for the most part, only use one skein of yarn. Keep in mind the larger the hook and thicker the yarn, the faster it will work up. This makes hats an ideal item for craft fairs and online shops. There’s a lot of room for creativity too. Colors, shape, design and embellishments all combine to make a unique project with a lot of personality.
This easy spiral single crochet beanie hat uses increases to create the shape of the hat. For smaller sizes, use a smaller hook and lighter weight yarn. For a free copy of this hat pattern with links to a video demonstration, email me at Victoria@crochetclasswithvictoriacarrington.com and say free hat pattern! Then be sure to share a photo of your completed project so we can see your own personal touches.
To crochet an increase, crochet two or more stitches into the (one) stitch below. The abbreviation for increase in inc.
An example of a pattern will read: two dc in next dc (two double crochets in the next double crochet stitch below)
Or
3 dc in corner sp (all three double crochets are done in the space created by chains created in the previous row in the corner).
I’m going to focus on reading patterns, and abbreviations that can make instructions confusing.
By combining double crochet and the chain stitch, a graph or picture can be crocheted.
The grid above shows a double crochet into the stitch below, followed by a chain stitch (and skip the next stitch below). A double crochet into the empty space fills in the grid.
In this project we follow a pattern – using either the graph and/or the written pattern. I like the graph patterns because they can be interpreted without language – much like sheet music
If we are uncertain of one, we can check the other to be sure. To expand this basic pattern into multiples, you will need to do a little math. The pattern consists of double crochet stitches and chains.
Each Light Square = Dc, ch 1
Each Dark Square= 2 dc
18 stitches = 1 row
9 Rows
The abbreviation for stitch is St
Example: Dc in next st
The abbreviation for space is Sp
Example: Dc in next sp.
The abbreviation for skip is sk.
Example: Sk next st. Dc in next st.
Right Hand Instructions on Video
Here is the video for left hand crochet.
This is the same basic patter written out as a pattern.
Ch 22 or a multiple of 18 + 4 (for first dc and ch 1) to achieve width desired.
Row 1: Work dc in 5th ch from hook. * ch 1, sk ch below, dc in next ch* all the way across 8 times. Note: Repeat from * to * for each multiple of 18. Ch 4 (counts as dc, ch 1), turn.
Row 2: Sk first sp, *dc in next dc, ch 1, sk next sp,* 3 times. Dc in next three stitches. *Ch 1, sk next st, dc in next dc* 3 more times. Ch 1. Dc in third ch of ch 4. Ch 4 turn.
Row 3: Sk first sp, dc in next dc, *ch 1, sk next space, dc in next dc* twice. Work dc in next six stitches (7 dc). Ch 1, sk next st, dc in next dc 2 more times. Ch 1. Dc in third ch of ch 4. Ch 4, turn.
Row 4: Sk first sp, dc in next dc, ch 1, sk next space, dc in next 11 stitches. Ch 1, sk next st, dc in next dc, ch 1, dc in third chain of chain 4. two more times. Ch 4, turn.
Row 5: Sk first sp, dc in next dc, Dc in next six stitches (7 dc). Ch 1, sk next st. Dc in next seven stitches. Ch 1, sk next st. Dc in third ch of ch 4.Ch 4 turn.
Row 6: Sk first sp, dc in next dc, ch 1, sk next space, dc in next 11 stitches. Ch 1, sk next st, dc in next dc. Ch 1. Dc in third chain of ch 4. Ch 4, turn.
Row 7: Sk first sp, dc in next dc, ch 1, sk next space, dc 7 stitches. *Ch 1, sk next st, dc in next dc* twice. Ch 1. Dc in third ch of ch 4. Ch 4, turn.
Row 8: Sk first sp, dc in next dc, *ch 1, sk next space, dc in next dc 3 times. Dc in next 2 st (3 dc). Ch 1, sk next st, dc in next dc 3 more times. Ch 1. Dc in third ch of ch 4. Ch 4, turn.
Row 9: Sk next stitch, dc in next dc, *ch 1, sk next stitch, dc in next dc all the way across (8 times) with final dc in third ch of ch 4.Finish off.
I’m so excited that Crochet Class will once again be offered by Des Moines Adult and Continuing Education beginning in January 2025! The class length was extended to six sessions to cover all of the beginning course material (learn all of the stitches, techniques and reading patterns) along with advanced material such as granny squares, circles, motifs and more! Check back to the website for more details and a registration link at http://www.crochetclasswithvictoriacarrington.com and share with friends who might be interested.. I look forward to working with you. See what you can do!
My visit to the Iowa Sate Fair always includes a visit to Fabrics and Threads to see the crochet exhibit. This 2024 display was devoted to filet crochet and provides some wonderful examples.
I recently added a filet crochet section to my beginning course because It uses just two stitches – double crochet and chain stitch.
Examples of filet crochet
The bottom photo uses increases and decreases as an edging on each side and is mounted on a dark background; the one above it to the left has an edging.
The only challenge with filet crochet is that is it most often uses thread and a smaller hook, which is a little trickier than a thicker yarn and larger hook. This type of crochet can use a graph as a pattern to create pictures and letters. The base grid is formed with one or more double crochet(s) followed by one or more chain(s), leaving an open space. The design is created by filling the space with double crochets.
.Although these designs are most often done from a graph, written instructions would be similar to below::
Basic Mesh:
Abbreviations: Double crochet = dc Chain = ch Skip = sk (sometimes, you will see skip abbreviated as sk)
To begin a row chain ch 4 (3 chains counts as a dc and one chain is the ch 1 sp). Skip next sp. 1 dc in next st, ch 1, skip 1 ch, repeat dc in last last stich
This is a pattern shown in a grid.
Filet pattern on a grid
Each Light Square = Dc, ch 1 Each Dark Square= 2 dc 18 stitches = 1 row 9 Rows
There are a number of filet designs and letters out on the Internet, and you can even make your own designs to crochet using graph paper!
Be sure to subscribe to see news about upcoming classes and workshops coming this fall!
