For any one looking for a very fast blanket stitch, Double crochet, chain one, and repeat. You’re stitching between the posts, going every other. It’s very “open”, blanket, almost net-like (it is warm, but so breathable.) Also, it’s not a “neat” pattern for any one that likes clean edges.
I’m sure grandma could have made them neat, she just didn’t care.
(I say the same about the yarn color ways. Great way to burn through yarn is to do a thermal stitch - but use a double crochet. instead of a single crochet. It’ll build faster but still have that bulk. Especially if you double up the yarn instead of going for a chunky yarn. Ugly blankets replaced ugly sweaters. And people do use them!)
Btw, a great project is a yarn basket- start with a round, put a slip stitch around the base (you’ll stitch over these to make the wall. It gives a bit of rigidity at the base without adding wire.). When you’ve slipped all thenlnway around, cut into the second to last row and begin crochet from there. Don’t do any increases, I did a spiral here instead of having a seam with chains.
(You can taper the spiral on both ends with a few slips. If you were going to double crochet, then you’d do a few singles, and a few half doubles and finally do doubles, I’d do the same number of each before doubles, and try to get halfway around before working doubles. Then keep track of where the “new” row starts and reverse the taper to make it flat. Once you’ve gotten to doubles, keep rolling around like an endless tube.)
Once you get to your height, tie off and leave a tail to tuck in later. Go back to that flange at the base, use a slip stitch to start again, and do a second wall. As you go, if you want walled-off pockets, work into the back wall. Alternatively, just use some yarn and sew them in later.
This is a great way to store hooks, but also I have a tin with my needles and stitch markers (okay, so that’s bits of left over yarn that I tie into a loop and girth hitch….)
Thank you for adding so much information! I haven’t gotten into crocheting at all, but it looks pretty fun. Do you have any recommendations for beginner resources/tutorials?
When I was teaching myself to crochet, I used Good Knit Kisses’ videos for the basic stitches. Her tut’s made it make sense. (she also does knitting, and loom knitting tutorials, and a few others. Patterns I like? the linen stitch is great, the thermal stitch is also useful (I made myself a neck gator using the thermal stitch… SOOO warm.), and certain people I know like the marshmallow stitch.
One thing about crocheting is that it’s very… adaptable. And it’s perfectly okay if it’s got that “handmade by a toddler” touch (okay, I keep telling myself that.)
Things aren’t going to be quite perfect, but focus on consistency more than being perfectly tight. Once you’re consistent, then focus on getting a tighter (or looser) stitch.
Some great projects to start on that aren’t scarves or hats (and no, I’m not knocking those, but, uh, there’s only so many you want to make,) are potholders (use 100% cotton yarn- lily and cream is a popular brand there,); or wash/dish cloths (scratchy acrylic is wonderful at getting stuck on stuff off a nonstick pan.). Mittens are also fairly easy to do, depending on how complicated you want to get. Gloves, on the other hand, are torture. (okay, maybe not torture, but, they’re significantly less easy.)
(IIRC, the square up there is a “granny Square” which you usually make a large number of then sew together to create a larger blanket. almost like a quilter’s block.)
If you’re feeling adventurous, or not worried about sticking with it, blankets are also great, and I’ve had a number of people ask after my laundry baskets . (for the record, in that video, you can see how she’s trippling-up on the yarn, that’s a great way to add bulk or make normal 4 weight yarn feel like heavier or “chunky” weight.) (Once you learn how to make a basket, it’s really quite easy to go up in size. or down. if you want a floppy basket, it’s the way to go. You can also make rectangular shaped bags by crocheting into the same stitch at the end of a foundation chain, and treating that like half-your round (but on both sides, so you get there eventually.)
Alternatively, you can always find patterns for stuffed animals. (Amigurumi- if that shows you how adaptable crochet is. If you’re looking to make stuffed anything, crochet is going to give you a lot more freedom over knitting. and if that tickles your fancy bumble bees are a very simple first project. (you could also do hacky sacks, or something. Do people still play with hacky sacks? Did I just date myself…?)
Just a heads up… the US and the UK have different (and confusing) terms for the basic stitches. What the UK calls a “Single” is what we in the US call a “double”. our “single” is their “half”. The primary difference between the stitches is how tall they are. GKK explains it quite better than I can.
Also as a side note, if you’re trying to save a buck… and you happen to know someone who knits or crochets… You could ask if they have scrap yarn. The answer will range from “yes” with a bag chalk full of old yarn… to “yes” with several bags. Depends on how long they’ve been at it.
I would highly recommend finding a local yarn shop, usually they’ll do knitting or crochet classes, and it’s a great way to meet people. Places like Hobby Lobby or Michaels will have what you need, but, they won’t have the selection of specialty yarns. (Which, if you want to do wearables, there’s lots of amazing wools. and there’s all sorts of other yarns that are just… Fun. I wouldn’t recommend anything too frizzy or wild when you’re starting out, so you can see what you’re doing, but, uh. yeah.)
Thank you so much for these tips! I’ve only been crocheting about a month now. I’ve also been using yarn bits as stitch markers! I’ve been planning on making a yarn basket, as well as a cave for the Little Bitty, so I’ll haveta try this
Faster, can’t you see her freezing?
For any one looking for a very fast blanket stitch, Double crochet, chain one, and repeat. You’re stitching between the posts, going every other. It’s very “open”, blanket, almost net-like (it is warm, but so breathable.) Also, it’s not a “neat” pattern for any one that likes clean edges.
I’m sure grandma could have made them neat, she just didn’t care.
(I say the same about the yarn color ways. Great way to burn through yarn is to do a thermal stitch - but use a double crochet. instead of a single crochet. It’ll build faster but still have that bulk. Especially if you double up the yarn instead of going for a chunky yarn. Ugly blankets replaced ugly sweaters. And people do use them!)
Btw, a great project is a yarn basket- start with a round, put a slip stitch around the base (you’ll stitch over these to make the wall. It gives a bit of rigidity at the base without adding wire.). When you’ve slipped all thenlnway around, cut into the second to last row and begin crochet from there. Don’t do any increases, I did a spiral here instead of having a seam with chains.
(You can taper the spiral on both ends with a few slips. If you were going to double crochet, then you’d do a few singles, and a few half doubles and finally do doubles, I’d do the same number of each before doubles, and try to get halfway around before working doubles. Then keep track of where the “new” row starts and reverse the taper to make it flat. Once you’ve gotten to doubles, keep rolling around like an endless tube.)
Once you get to your height, tie off and leave a tail to tuck in later. Go back to that flange at the base, use a slip stitch to start again, and do a second wall. As you go, if you want walled-off pockets, work into the back wall. Alternatively, just use some yarn and sew them in later.
This is a great way to store hooks, but also I have a tin with my needles and stitch markers (okay, so that’s bits of left over yarn that I tie into a loop and girth hitch….)
(Oh, also, that’s secretly a cat cave….)
Thank you for adding so much information! I haven’t gotten into crocheting at all, but it looks pretty fun. Do you have any recommendations for beginner resources/tutorials?
When I was teaching myself to crochet, I used Good Knit Kisses’ videos for the basic stitches. Her tut’s made it make sense. (she also does knitting, and loom knitting tutorials, and a few others. Patterns I like? the linen stitch is great, the thermal stitch is also useful (I made myself a neck gator using the thermal stitch… SOOO warm.), and certain people I know like the marshmallow stitch.
One thing about crocheting is that it’s very… adaptable. And it’s perfectly okay if it’s got that “handmade by a toddler” touch (okay, I keep telling myself that.)
Things aren’t going to be quite perfect, but focus on consistency more than being perfectly tight. Once you’re consistent, then focus on getting a tighter (or looser) stitch.
Some great projects to start on that aren’t scarves or hats (and no, I’m not knocking those, but, uh, there’s only so many you want to make,) are potholders (use 100% cotton yarn- lily and cream is a popular brand there,); or wash/dish cloths (scratchy acrylic is wonderful at getting stuck on stuff off a nonstick pan.). Mittens are also fairly easy to do, depending on how complicated you want to get. Gloves, on the other hand, are torture. (okay, maybe not torture, but, they’re significantly less easy.)
(IIRC, the square up there is a “granny Square” which you usually make a large number of then sew together to create a larger blanket. almost like a quilter’s block.)
If you’re feeling adventurous, or not worried about sticking with it, blankets are also great, and I’ve had a number of people ask after my laundry baskets . (for the record, in that video, you can see how she’s trippling-up on the yarn, that’s a great way to add bulk or make normal 4 weight yarn feel like heavier or “chunky” weight.) (Once you learn how to make a basket, it’s really quite easy to go up in size. or down. if you want a floppy basket, it’s the way to go. You can also make rectangular shaped bags by crocheting into the same stitch at the end of a foundation chain, and treating that like half-your round (but on both sides, so you get there eventually.)
Alternatively, you can always find patterns for stuffed animals. (Amigurumi- if that shows you how adaptable crochet is. If you’re looking to make stuffed anything, crochet is going to give you a lot more freedom over knitting. and if that tickles your fancy bumble bees are a very simple first project. (you could also do hacky sacks, or something. Do people still play with hacky sacks? Did I just date myself…?)
Just a heads up… the US and the UK have different (and confusing) terms for the basic stitches. What the UK calls a “Single” is what we in the US call a “double”. our “single” is their “half”. The primary difference between the stitches is how tall they are. GKK explains it quite better than I can.
Also as a side note, if you’re trying to save a buck… and you happen to know someone who knits or crochets… You could ask if they have scrap yarn. The answer will range from “yes” with a bag chalk full of old yarn… to “yes” with several bags. Depends on how long they’ve been at it.
Wow, thank you very much!
more than welcome!
I would highly recommend finding a local yarn shop, usually they’ll do knitting or crochet classes, and it’s a great way to meet people. Places like Hobby Lobby or Michaels will have what you need, but, they won’t have the selection of specialty yarns. (Which, if you want to do wearables, there’s lots of amazing wools. and there’s all sorts of other yarns that are just… Fun. I wouldn’t recommend anything too frizzy or wild when you’re starting out, so you can see what you’re doing, but, uh. yeah.)
Do you have any recommendations on filler for hacky sacks? I’d like to make some for my partner
polystyrene “beans” will be better long term (they can get wet/washed). They’re basically solid plastic pellets.
Alternatively, dried beans were the OG for any sort of bean bag. (But they can’t get wet.)
The other thing is to go down a size on the hook so your stitches are tighter. As small as you’re comfortable with.
Thank you so much!
Thank you so much for these tips! I’ve only been crocheting about a month now. I’ve also been using yarn bits as stitch markers! I’ve been planning on making a yarn basket, as well as a cave for the Little Bitty, so I’ll haveta try this
The yarn stitch markers are one of those “wait…. You’re allowed to do that?!” Things that are quite liberating!
I saw the mouse over in the crochet sub and thought it looked quite nice, btw.
Thank you! It was the first lil critter I tried to make
I’m going as fast as I can 😭