Granny Square Chicken Crochet Pattern

September 27, 2024 by ·

Granny Square Chicken Crochet Pattern

We’re calling it the Granny Square Chicken crochet pattern, but it’s really “Birds of a Feather” because there are 8 birds! Yep…we’ve designed 8 birds each made from 2 granny squares. We love the idea of the “emotional support chicken” but not limiting ourselves to just chickens! Other birds are sweet, adorable and equally supportive.

Granny Square Chicken and Other Adorable Birds

The chicken is super cute…but it doesn’t have to stop there. Changing colors in various places in the granny squares creates other equally stunning birds. This crochet pattern includes 8 total birds.

8 Birds in the Granny Square Chicken Crochet Pattern:

  • Sunflower Chicken
  • Bald Eagle
  • Blue Jay
  • Cardinal
  • Goldfinch
  • House Finch
  • Parakeet
  • Robin

Granny Square Chicken Crochet Pattern on Etsy

The Granny Square Chicken Crochet Pattern is now available in our Etsy Shop and includes all 8 granny square birds.

Available now on Etsy.

Buy the pattern on etsy

Materials Needed to Make a Granny Square Chicken or Bird

  • Yarn: Medium Worsted Weight (such as: Lion Brand Heartland or Caron Simply Soft)
  • Hook:     G / 6 / 4.00 mm
  • Needle: Yarn Needle for sewing
  • Stuffing
  • Safety Eyes: (2) 10mm per bird

Share the Granny Square Bird Crochet Pattern on Social Media

Share the love. Pin a picture or two on Pinterest and share on Instagram and Facebook. We appreciate it. Thank you.

About the Granny Square Chicken Crochet Pattern

As mentioned above, the supplies needed to make a crochet granny square bird are pretty minimal. Some medium worsted weight yarn (pictured in acrylic), a crochet hook, stuffing and safety eyes. Some of these birds are made with only 2 colors. Some are made with up to 4 colors. These are great projects for partial skeins you may have in your stash.

The granny square used in these birds is similar to a traditional granny square but it’s not exactly the same. You can see by looking at the birds that the granny square is not as holey as a traditional granny square. The pattern is nearly the same for each bird with the major exception being color placement. The pattern will tell you where to change color to create each distinctive bird.

A crucial element to creating these crochet birds is that the granny squares have a left and right side. You’ll stitch the left side, then need to create the mirror image or reverse the color order so that the striping lines up when the granny squares are stitched together. The pattern will give complete written instructions for creating both the left and right side.

The granny square chicken measures about 4″ long x 3″ wide x 3″ tall.

Goldfinch or Wolverine?

Is it just me or does the Goldfinch bear a striking resemblance to the X-Men Wolverine comic book character? The black mask, the yellow body and black accents – are you seeing it?

Yes, we have some superhero fans in the family, so the goldfinch is a popular bird with us.

Granny Square Cardinal Crochet Pattern

Cardinals are loved by so many people. Their bright red coloring is gorgeous. This would be a fun bird to gift to friends and family. It’s also a popular mascot for sports teams.

We love the cardinal pattern because we have family in Arizona. Go Cardinals! #BeRedSeeRed Of course, it’s not just the mascot to the NFL team in Arizona. It’s used by many schools around the country. That’s what makes this a great handmade gift for friends and family.

Granny Square Bird Christmas Ornament

The granny square birds are a fun size for creating ornaments. Simply tie a string from the top of the head and it’s ready to hang on the tree.

Check out how the granny square cardinal looks on the tree. So stunning.

As you can see, we’re super excited about this granny square chicken pattern. There is no end to the number of birds you can make with this pattern simply by changing the color. Sometimes the color change is minimal. Sometimes there are a few more color changes. But it’s always worth it to see the different varieties come to life.

Granny Square Chicken Crochet Pattern on Etsy

This Granny Square Chicken Crochet Pattern with 8 birds total is now available in our Etsy shop.

Available now on Etsy.

Buy the pattern on etsy
Filed Under: Adult, Animals, Boy, Child, Christmas, Crochet, Girl, Home Decor, Patterns for Sale · Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , ,

Shells and Lace Crochet Baby Blanket Set

August 12, 2023 by ·

The Shells and Lace crochet baby blanket pattern set is surprisingly quick to stitch, and it comes with 3 accessories making it a great baby shower gift. This pattern set includes a baby blanket, sweater, hat and booties for newborns.

The baby blanket measures 27″ wide x 36″ tall.

The Shells and Lace pattern looks great in so many colors. We’ve stitched one in pink and one in blue. They are so sweet! The main stitch of the baby blanket is corner-to-corner with a twist. The edging is stitched in 5 rounds and it adds a gorgeous finish to the solid center panel.

Corner to Corner – C2C In Rows!

Did I mention this is a fun pattern to crochet? Sooo much fun.

The main pattern of the baby blanket is like corner-to-corner but better! This is worked in rows without any decreases or increases. In fact, it has a one row repeat. It’s made in a rectangle rather than from corner to corner. No more worrying about when to make a corner. This C2C stitch is worked back and forth until you have the length needed.

The blanket is a great project to work on while watching tv or at a ball game, because you just need to glance down every so often to work a cluster.

Shells and Lace includes a Newborn Baby Sweater

Yep, you read that right. The Shells and Lace crochet pattern includes a newborn baby sweater. It coordinates with the baby blanket with a bit of corner-to-corner stitching.

The collar has a bit of the crochet shell pattern found on the edging of the baby blanket, too.

newborn baby sweater crochet pattern with some corner-to-corner stitch

Shells and Lace includes Baby Booties

Oh yeah. The fun continues with adorable newborn baby booties. The main body of the baby booties is single crochet, but the cuffs are similar to the shells edging the Shells and Lace Baby Blanket Pattern.

We’ve attached cute pink buttons, but we’ve also seen these dressed up with little daisy buttons, too. We recommend that you crochet the booties then take them to the store to select a pair of sweet and whimsical buttons.

baby booties with shell cuff crochet pattern

Shells and Lace includes Newborn Hat

The set wouldn’t be complete without a baby hat! This newborn beanie is stitched in half double crochet and edged with corner-to-corner stitch. Yep, corner-to-corner makes a great edging! Who knew?

newborn baby hat crochet pattern

Pin to Pinterest

Share the love, pin our pictures to pinterest.

4 in 1 Crochet Newborn Set Available on Etsy

The Shells and Lace Baby Blanket Set crochet pattern is available in our Etsy Shop.

Available now on Etsy.

Buy the pattern on etsy

4 in 1 Crochet Pattern includes:

  • Baby Blanket: 27″ x 36″
  • Newborn Baby Hat
  • Newborn Sweater
  • Newborn Baby Booties

More about the Shells and Lace Baby Set

Shells and Lace Crochet Baby Set was made with a size 3 light weight yarn.

  • Yarn: Bernat Softee Baby: Light Weight (3) Soft Red

Stitched in USA abbreviations:

  • ch = chain
  • dc = double crochet
  • dec = decrease
  • hdc = half double crochet
  • inc = increase
  • picot = ch 3, sl st in 3rd ch from hook
  • rnd = round; work in the round
  • sc = single crochet
  • sc inc = single crochet increase; two single crochet in the same stitch
  • sl st = slip stitch
  • st(s) = stitch(es)
  • trc = treble / triple crochet
  • *instructions* = repeat the instructions written between the ** the number of times indicated after the second *
  • [instructions] = repeat the instructions written between the [ ] the number of times indicated after the ]

About the Shells and Lace Crochet Pattern

The pattern was written as part of the Twins Face Off in 2015 where Deborah and Dana each made a baby set and asked people to vote for their favorite. The pattern has not been modified.

The pattern is not written as a beginner pattern. There’s nothing complicated, but the pattern is a bit abbreviated which a beginner may find confusing. We assume one stitch will be worked in each stitch and only specify if multiple stitches are worked in the same space or stitch. For example:

  • “8 hdc, 3 hdc in next st”
  • This means to hdc in each of the next 8 sts, then 3 hdc in the next st.

This abbreviated version of pattern writing allows you to read each line more quickly and condenses the pattern.

Get Shells and Lace Baby Set on Etsy

Purchase your copy of Shells and Lace Baby Blanket Set crochet pattern in our Etsy Shop.

Available now on Etsy.

Buy the pattern on etsy

The pattern is for your eyes only. We give you permission to give away and sell your finished projects with credit to Yarnovations.com as pattern designers.

Filed Under: Afghan, Baby, Crochet, Girl, Great as Gifts, Hat, Patterns for Sale · Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Miniature Pumpkins Revsied

July 27, 2023 by ·

Way back in 2015 we created a pattern for miniature crochet and knit pumpkins. We dubbed them “My First Pumpkin“. Since that time, we’ve added pin loom weaving and sewing to our crafting routine. Therefore, we’ve revised the pattern to include those as well.

Yep, this is a 4 in 1 pattern: crochet, knit, sewing, pin loom weaving.

pumpkin pattern for knit, crochet, sewing and pin loom weaving

Aren’t they gorgeous? I really can’t decide which is my favorite. I love the distinct look of each pumpkin…and they were all truly a joy to create.

And…drum roll please…there is a step-by-step tutorial available as well! Yep, there are pictures and written instructions for all four crafts: sewing, knit, crochet, and pin loom weaving.

Check out the updated and revised My First Pumpkin Pattern blog. Make one or all four or an entire pumpkin patch! These are fun to decorate your home and work place. They are also fun gifts because they are quick to make and so darn cute.

The blog has a free version of all 4 mini pumpkins. The printer friendly version has a TON of photos and lots and lots of tips; it’s available on our Etsy shop.

Head over to our blog to learn more: My First Pumpkin Patch.

Filed Under: Crochet, Halloween, Home Decor, Knit, Patterns for FREE, Pin Loom · Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Scrubby Dishcloths

December 17, 2019 by ·

Pros and Cons of Knit, Crocheted and Woven Dishcloths using Scrubby Yarn.

Though I enjoy using any of the scrubby dishcloths, there are definitely some pros and cons to each type. Let’s take a look at each one separately.

Knit

The Knit dishcloth was the easiest one to make. It was easiest on which to find the stitches. I made mine 25 stitches wide using the garter stitch with size H needles. I did not count the rows, so I’m really not sure how many there are, and it’s nearly impossible to count! It has the nicest drape and is stretchy. It is fairly thin and fits nicely in glasses and pots.

Crochet

The crocheted one was the fastest to work up. I also worked it 25 stitches across and the number of rows needed to make it a square using an H hook. It was very difficult to find the stitches, so I had to count my stitches every row. It was surprisingly not too difficult to pull out stitches if I missed a loop. It is the thickest dishcloth and has a moderate amount of drape. It feels bulky in comparison, but feels very sturdy for washing.

Pin Loom Woven

The pin loom woven dishcloth was the most difficult to make. I sewed four 4″ squares together. I wove the squares on the Zoom Loom, a 3-pin arrangement with 3 warp layers. The weaving needle often caught in the middle of a warp strand and was very difficult to pull through. I tried exaggerating the weaving motion, but that only helped a little. It was also very difficult to sew the squares together as it was hard to see the loops on the edges. The sewing needle often went through the strands and were difficult to pull through. It is the thinnest dishcloth and most static. It does not stretch. Because it is the thinnest, it fits into cups and bottles the easiest. And despite the frustrations to weave, it is fun to use.

*It might be easier to weave a 2-warp square, as there will be fewer layers around which to maneuver, though I’ve not tried this. Some weavers have found it much easier to warp the loom in cotton, and only weave with the Scrubby yarn. That would most certainly take away almost all of the difficulties I mentioned before. Continuous weaving would also be much easier, like on the Turtle Loom or other continuous weaving looms. Speaking of which, now I want to see how a hexagonal dishcloth works up!

All of the dishcloths were made using Red Heart Scrubby yarn. The woven one used the least amount of yarn and will make 11 squares, enough for 2.75 dischloths. The knit dishcloth used slightly more yarn and will easily make two dishcloths. The crocheted dishcloth used the most yarn, but you should still get two scrubbies of 25 stitches wide using an H hook.

Filed Under: Adult, Crochet, Dishcloth+ Series, Great as Gifts, Kitchen, Knit, Pin Loom, Review, Yarnovator · Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Crochet Stars!

June 18, 2018 by ·

Seeing (Crocheted) Stars!

You are a star! And now your projects can light up like them too, with these quick, fun and beautiful crocheted stars. They are so fun to make, you will want to put them everywhere! They are great for greeting cards, wall hangings, pallet art, and so much more! Add sparkle to your stars by using glittery or sequined yarn.

I’ve written the instructions for multiple sizes, so you can add stars to any project. No yarn size or hook size is listed as you should use the yarn and hook size that most fits the size project you are making. For the smallest stars, I recommend using crochet thread and size 2 hooks. Otherwise, I use size 3 or 4 yarn with a C-E hook. Medium stars are great for size 4 yarn with size F-J hooks. The large star looks great in size 4-6 yarn using hooks sized G and up. The size of yarn and hook really will depend on the project you are making.

These are 5 pointed stars, though you can make more points if desired. Because the stars are individual points, (as opposed to connected points), the points tend to curl. Pin and spray starch them to lay flat, unless you are sewing, gluing or stapling them to a project!

The large star uses a special linked stitch so there is not a big gap between the center circle and the bottom of the point. Linking the point is not necessary. I only linked it on projects where I didn’t want what appeared to be a hole.

Special Abbreviation

Linked double treble crochet (Ldtrc): YO 3 times, insert hook in stitch indicated, YO and pull through, YO and pull through 2 loops on hook, skip a stitch on Rnd 2, insert hook in next st of Rnd 2, YO and pull through and pull through 2 loops on hook, YO and pull through 2 loops on hook, YO and pull through 2 loops on hook.

SMALL STAR

Ch 2 or use magic circle/magic ring
Rnd 1: Work 10 sc in second ch from hook or in magic ring. Join with a sl st. (10)
Rnd 2: Make 5 points as follows: *Ch 4, work in back bump of ch sts, sc in second ch from hook, hdc in next ch, dc in next ch, skip a st on Rnd 1, sl st in next st* (on point made), repeat 4 more times. Fasten off. Cut yarn leaving a tail if sewing on a project.

 

MEDIUM STAR

Ch 2 or use magic circle/magic ring
Rnd 1: Work 7 sc in second ch from hook or in magic ring. Join with a sl st. (7)
Rnd 2: Work 3 sc in first st, work 2 sc in each st around. (15)
Rnd 3: Make 5 points as follows: *Ch 5, work in the back bump of the ch sts, sc in second ch from hook, hdc in next ch, dc in next ch, trc in next ch, skip two sts on Rnd 2, sl st in next st* (one point made), repeat four more times. Fasten off. Cut yarn leaving a tail if sewing on a project.

 

LARGE STAR

Ch 4, join with a sl st.
Rnd 1: Ch 1, 10 dc in ring. Join with a sl st. (10)
Rnd 2: Ch 1, 2 dc in each st around. Join with a sl st. (20)
Rnd 3: Make 5 points as follows: *Ch 7, work in the back bump of the ch sts, sl st in second ch from hook, sc in next, hdc in next, dc in next, trc in next, ldtrc in last st, skip a st on Rnd 2, sl st* (one point made), repeat four more times. Fasten off. Cut yarn leaving a tail if sewing it on a project.

Filed Under: 4th of July, Appliques, Crochet, Events, Holidays & Special Occasions, Home, Home Decor, Yarnovator · Tagged With: , , ,

Dishcloth and Plant Holder Pattern

November 24, 2016 by ·

Who says dishcloths have to be square? This month’s dishie pattern is a beautiful pentagonal cloth made from FibraNatura Good Earth distributed by Universal Yarns. Though I stopped with an 8″ dishcloth, it could be made in any size. It’s the perfect dishcloth for washing and scrubbing as well as gift giving.

This lovely dishcloth would also be great as a doily or as a hot pad.

thumbnail_star-dishie

I fell in love with this design so much, I decided to turn it into a plant holder! The plant holder starts with a pentagonal base, with the side supports crocheted around that. Because of the design, it can hold various sized pots a little smaller or larger than 1.46 quarts.

thumbnail_holding-plant

Plants make a house so homey. Plant some ivy or perhaps some spices. Turn your kitchen into a living space!

Finished Measurements:

  • Dishcloth: 8″
  • Plant Holder: 26 x 4 1/2″, holds a 1.46 qt pot

PDF Instant Download Now Available

The Dishcloth+ Series: Pentagonal Dishcloth and Plant Holder is now available in our Etsy Store.

Available Now on Etsy.

Buy Now on Etsy
Filed Under: Crochet, Dining, Dishcloth+ Series, Home, Home Decor, Kitchen, Yarn, Yarnovator · Tagged With: , , ,

Christmas Pin Loom Project Set

November 10, 2016 by ·

Pin Loom your Christmas decorations and gifts this year! All with only a 4″ square pin loom.

christmas-pin-loom-group1

These festive woven projects have you and your friends’ names written all over them. Who doesn’t love a gnome? Add a little snowman to your indoor collection. Decorate with a beautiful wreath and garden flag. Relax on these lovely pillows. It truly is amazing what you can create with squares with a little shaping and sewing.

  • thumbnail_christmas-pin-loom-group2

Each project is made with 4″ squares done in plain weave. (The pattern does NOT include how to plain weave.) Projects range from 1 to 38 squares, making them quick and easy to make.

The pattern includes:

  • Gnome
  • Pillow with Crochet Snowflake
  • Santa’s Belly Pillow
  • Santa’s Belly Wall Hanging
  • Snowflake Ornament
  • Bethlehem Garden Flag
  • Holly & Berry Wreath
  • Reindeer Squares
  • Snowman Squares
  • Santa’s Pants
  • Christmas Present
  • Miniature Snowmen
  • Step-by-step photos
  • Step-by-Step written instructions
  • Templates for the felt pieces

thumbnail_bethlehem-flag

Pattern also includes instructions on how to turn some of these things into magnets, little gift bags, greeting cards, and more.

Projects shown here are made with Red Heart Soft yarn. Not only is it soft, it also has a nice sheen. This is a great yarn for pin looming.

PDF Instant Download Available Now

The pattern and templates for the Christmas Pin Loom Projects are now available in our Etsy Shop.

Available on Etsy.

Buy Now on Etsy

Filed Under: Christmas, Crochet, Great as Gifts, Holidays & Special Occasions, Home, Home Decor, Patterns for Sale, Pin Loom, Toys, Yarn, Yarnovator · Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , ,

Pork Chop Pig Crochet Pattern

July 30, 2015 by ·

Hunting for Bacon?

Whether you need more bacon in your life or want to go on a boar hunt, this crochet pattern is PETA approved!

pig with collar

This pig can be accessorized with a sweater and a medal. He can be Wilbur from Charlotte’s Web, or a trophy piece for the hunters out there. We even made it in red for the Razorback fans!

I made several of the mounted pig heads for my students after we read Animal Farm. They loved them!

Pig Crochet PatternBe sure to download the free accessories pattern for the fun variations.

Pork Chop Pattern on Etsy

Pork Chop crochet pattern.

Pork Chop accessories pack (sweater, medal, Razorback).

Filed Under: Animals, Crochet, Father's Day, Great as Gifts, Home, Home Decor, Patterns for Sale, Pets, Toys, Yarnovator · Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Tips and Tricks: Faux Fur

April 22, 2015 by ·

Working with Faux Fur Yarn

There is no doubt that a little faux fur yarn can add a lot of pizazz to a hand crafted project. And with a little practice, one can learn to crochet or knit with it a little easier.

Tip #1: Crocht Double Stranded

It is nearly impossible to see the stitches when crocheting with faux fur. The furry strands nearly completely hide the stitches. That’s great on a finished product, but not so great when you have to work in those stitches. The problem is not as pronounced when knitting since the stitches are on the needle. If stitches have to be picked up, it will be difficult to find them.

Solution: Crochet with two strands at once, one faux fur and one non-furry yarn. It makes each stitch thicker and a little easier to see. If the non-furry strand is the same color (or nearly the same) as the fur, it almost disappears. The thicker stitches may still be difficult to see, but it is also possible to feel the stitches as you work.

A Furry Sitting

Crocheting with Vanna’s Choice and Fun Fur yarn made finding the stitches in this panda set much easier to find.

Panda Pattern Set available on Etsy.

Tip #2: Count every row.

Counting the number of stitches at the end of every row or round is generally a good idea, but it is almost critical when using faux fur. It is very easy to drop a stitch or lose  track of a stitch because it can be difficult to see. You might even add a stitch because it’s not always easy to tell if a stitch has been worked in already.

Tiger Striped Scarves Crochet Pattern

Keeping track of the number of stitches per row is crucial to keeping a neat edge in projects like the tiger striped scarves.

Tiger Striped Scarves pattern on Etsy.

Tip #3: There is a Right Side and a Wrong Side.

The little furry strands often get trapped within the stitches as they are worked. When working back and forth in rows, both sides will generally be equally furry. When working in the round, the inside tends to be furrier. For a furrier look, turn the project inside out when appropriate so that the furrier side is out.

A hat can often be turned inside out after it’s finished. Some items may need to be turned inside out before they are sewn together. Just note how furry the sides are before completing the project.

Monkey Hanging in Palm Tree with Banana

The parts of the monkey are turned inside out to keep the furrier side on the outside. A little faux fur on the tree makes the palm tree look more authentic too.

Palm Tree and Monkey pattern set available on etsy.

Tip #4: Not all faux fur is equal.

Faux fur comes in varying lengths. The furry strands can be short or long, coarse or smooth. The type of fur can significantly impact the look and feel of the finished product. Projects with the longer strands of fur tend to look fuller and are softer than the shorter stranded fur. The size and nature of the project may determine which fur to use. Generally speaking, the longer stranded fur costs a little more.

Houndstooth Trio

 La Furla from Trendsetter Yarns is long and soft making this houdstooth trio very luxurious.

Houndstooth Trio pattern set available on Etsy.

Tip #5: Notice yardage.

Some faux furs come in small skeins. Generally speaking that means more skeins of fur yarn will be needed than non-furry yarn. Projects with smaller stitches will use more faux fur than larger stitches. For instance, a project  crocheted using single crochet will use more than the same project done in double crochet. Because the faux fur hides stitches anyway, you might want to change the stitch to a taller stitch to save on yarn. The project will get done faster and still look good.

Halloween Trick or Treat Bags

One skein of faux fur will work for small projects like the trick or treat bags.

Trick or Treat Bags pattern set available on Etsy.

Filed Under: Accessories, Adult, Baby, Bags, Bean Bag - Pouf, Boy, Crochet, Crochet Technique, Girl, Hat, Knit, Scarves, Cowls & Shrugs, Tips & Tricks, Uncategorized · Tagged With: , , ,

Fair Isle vs. Intarsia

February 25, 2015 by ·

Fair Isle vs. Instarsia

Many knitting patterns involve color changes while most crochet patterns do not. Why is that? Having changed colors in knitted and crocheted projects I will say that it’s not because it’s easier to do when knitting. I actually found it easier to change colors while crocheting. There are two ways to change colors when knitting or crocheting, Fair Isle and intarsia. I have used both methods and the method I use depends on the project being made.

Fair Isle

Fair Isle, also called “stranded colorwork”, has several characteristics.

  1. It’s usually done in the round, like hats and sweaters.

    Flame Hats and Mittens

    Flame Hats and Mittens

  2. It traditionally uses only two colors per round. Other rounds may use two different colors, but each round uses two.
  3. The yarn is not cut but is crocheted over or dropped (to the back/wrong side)and picked up when needed. This leaves a strand of yarn on the back. For mittens, it is easy to snag the strands on the inside with a finger when putting the mittens on.
  4. The Flame Hat and Mittens are great for learning Fair Isle as the color work is only along the brim of the hat or the fingers of the mittens.

Mittens

Pictured left is a pair of mittens from our Flame Beanies and Mittens Set. The mitten on the right shows the wrong / inside of the mitten. Strands of yarn are carried along the inside until it is needed again.

As mentioned above, these are crocheted in the round. The beanies have a similar stranded look inside.

Flame Beanie and Mittens pattern available on Etsy.

Intarsia

Intarsia has several of its own characteristics.

  1. It’s usually done in rows on flat pieces.

    Panda Set

    Panda Set

  2. A ball or bobbin of yarn is used for each color section and is dropped and left dangling until is it picked up and used on the way back.
  3. The yarn is always dropped to the project’s wrong side. Because it is worked in rows, sometimes it is dropped to the back and sometimes it’s dropped to the front.
  4. The Bamboo Blanket has only two color sections, black and white, making it a great beginner piece for Intarsia work. That means there are only two skeins or balls to keep track of when crocheting. The bamboo stalks are crocheted separately and sewn on.

Panda Set pattern available on Etsy.

Both Fair Isle and Intarsia use charts/graphs instead of written out instructions. Generally one box in the graph equals one stitch. Graphed work looks best in single crochet though half double crochet can work, depending  on the graph. Keep in mind, stitches in crochet do not line up one on top of another like knitting does. When trying to make vertical lines and things like letters, they will end up looking a little wavy. The stitches will line up a little more when working in rows. A vertical line will tend to lean right when working in the round.

There are just a few other tips for creating a successful piece of color work.

  1. When changing colors, you should use the new color for the last YO that is pulled through the loops on the hook.
  2. Tension can be a problem. If part of the project changes colors and part of it does not, sometimes one section is tighter than another. Be aware that you may need to relax during the color changing section.
  3. It is also easy to make a tighter section if there are long sections where a color isn’t used in Fair Isle. Crocheting over the unused yarn every 2-3 stitches helps keep the tension relaxed. Imagine trying to put on a hat that has no give because the strands are too tight.

My first projects were hats and scarves. They were small enough to practice on and I could pull them out and try again if something wasn’t quite right. With a little practice, it is possible to get into a rhythm with dropping and picking up the different colors. There is no reason Intarsia and Fair Isle can’t be just as popular in crochet as it is in knitting.

For a fun Fair Isle project, try the Flame Hats and Mittens.

Flame Hats and Mittens available on Etsy.

For a fun Intarsia project, try the Bamboo Blanket.

Panda Set available on Etsy.

Filed Under: Crochet, Crochet Technique, Fair Isle, Tips & Tricks, Yarnovator · Tagged With: , , , , , , ,
Next Page »