The Art of Crochet and other motifs

As you know, in between stitching I like to Crochet.

This is especially so in the late evening when following a cross-stitch chart is tiring.  I find that it can be quite therapeutic and relaxing to do and unlike cross-stitch, mistakes are easier to rectify.

When I  first started learning to crochet I used to get lots of books and magazines so that I could teach myself the basics (YouTube is also helpful for this).  Back at the start of 2010, a new weekly collection magazine hit the shelves called "The Art of Crochet".  Each issue is packed full of fabby patterns and tips, and comes with a ball of yarn (there are eight different colours).  The main project is a large throw and each week you get a pattern to make up the throw.

I've only just felt confident enough to start tackling the throw squares.  

Here's square #3 (a granny square):

Naturally, some are easier than others!  Getting the tension for each square right is awkward and I've been experimenting with different hook sizes.  Sometimes, if I'm unsure about a certain pattern, I'll have a go at making a swatch first.

Here is my attempt at square #18 (an alternative granny square):

This was actually easier than I thought it would be and the finished size is pretty much spot on!  (BTW, the colours are not representative of the finished square!)

I've set up a project for this on my Ravelry account and the plan is to post images of the different squares as I do them.  Most of the patterns get repeated over the course of the series, so obviously, I shall only upload one of each.

If you're interested in this project, you can follow it HERE.

***

Earlier this month, I talked about a new Crochet book I had bought called "Crochet to Go" and I featured a few pieces I had worked out of the book.  I have worked two more motifs (although one went wrong) -- here's the one I got right:

It's called "Rose Octagon"

Another reasonably easy project that I stitched pretty much in one evening, although I don't like how the colour arrangement turned out.  I will probably try this one again!


Recently, my fiance's aunty gave me some crochet mats in various geometric shapes (triangles and pentagons).  I've seen triangular patterns before but not pentagons.  I would love to have a go at making my own (especially at the pentagon) but no patterns were provided with the mats so I will probably have to try and write a pattern using the mat as a template.  It doesn't look all that difficult to do, it's just a question of getting the right number of chains for the corners!


I shall keep you posted how I get on with that!

So that's all for now, till next time ... Keep Kalm and cross-stitch! xx