What's Involved in Designing Crochet Patterns?

Documentation shows that crochet dates back to 16th century France and most likely developed as an offspring of the ancient Chinese needlecraft known as tambouring. Although evidence of crochet goes back to medieval times, I envision Neanderthal women gathered around the fire each evening after the little ones were all tucked snugly into their cave beds. I can hear the fire crackling and see the stress melt from their faces as they share their creations made from carved bone hooks and homespun yarn, while chat about the happenings of the day. Maybe that's just my writer's imagination getting away with me, but I've got to believe that crochet has been around longer than 500 years.

Because it's been around for a while and many stitches and patterns have already been created, I don't know how likely it is that we're creating crochet stitches and patterns that no one has ever thought of before. But that doesn't mean we shouldn't go on creating. We may only develop different variations or add our own twist to things. We might excitedly believe that we've invented something completely new...only to discover that someone else has posted the same thing on Pinterest. Yet for those of us who have creativity coursing through our veins, designing, developing and creating are as important to us as are breathing, eating and sleeping.

According to actor John Cleese, "Creativity is not a talent; it's a way of operating". I wholeheartedly agree. Each one of our lives is infused with creativity, even if those creative moments, ideas and outlets look nothing like anyone else's. There's creativity in the making of a peanut butter and jelly sandwich as much as there's creativity in the making of a new crochet blanket design. Most of you probably know the process involved in making a sandwich, so I thought I'd give you a glimpse into the creative process of designing crochet patterns before offering you some suggestions of how you can begin creating your own crochet designs and patterns.

Everything in existence started with an idea. Inspired thought and need are the springboards from which many of my creations are born, like the Scrapbuster Crochet Cat Toys I made for my furry friends so they would be entertained (and so I could use up some leftover yarn). Despite how it begins or ends, my crochet design process tends to go something like this:

1. An idea is born based on a need I want to fulfill or from inspiration. Inspiration comes from fashion photos, nature, from yarn play and from other crocheters.
2. Being the writer/researcher that I am, I immediately search the internet to see what others have made. Sometimes I find dozens of similar designs and that may lead me to alter my ideas. Most of the time, I like my ideas for specific reasons and go with my gut throughout the design process.
3. My supplies are gathered, and I begin to write out the pattern as I envision it. Along the way, I'll alter the written instructions to correspond with any changes I make.
4. I crochet, crochet, crochet...sometimes unraveling two, three or four times during the process. This is not the most fun part of the process, but it's necessary to end up with a beautiful, functional finished product. Keywords: beautiful and functional. One without the other will generally lead to a yarny object that sits unused in the closet or hidden on a shelf. I think crochet items should be used and enjoyed repeatedly.
5. Throughout the process I photograph and take notes, documenting the entire design process and pattern creation.
6. Finally, the most joyous step of all...the Big Reveal. I love showing, sharing and using the crochet items I design. One of the things I love most about the crochet community is how supportive and enthusiastic everyone is about each others work.

Some of My Crochet Designs

So, You'd Like to Try Your Hand at Designing a Crochet Pattern 

First of all, congratulations! Secondly, breathe in, breathe out. It's a lot of fun and, dare I say that once you design one crochet item, you're bound to do it again and again. Here are my recommendations to you:

1. Start with a crochet item you're already very familiar with. If you've made a lot of hats or love to make scarves, it makes sense to have your very first pattern design be one of these. You're familiar with the crochet process, your stitch options, yarn choices and possible embellishments. Go with what you know.
2. Determine who you're designing for. If you want to make something for a specific person, size may come into play and will impact your design. 
3. Choose your crochet supplies. To be honest, there have been times when I've created designs based on yarn I've found. But, most often, I have an idea first and then find the yarn for it.  This is where you'll decide if you want to use a cotton yarn, like Deramores DMC Natura Just Cotton yarn which comes in 50 different scrumptious colors, or something a favorite acrylic. You'll choose the hook size you feel is best and gather any other supplies needed.
4. Sketch, doodle or write your ideas. They are likely to evolve before and during the design process, but keep documenting your ideas, thoughts and steps in the manner that suits you best. If you save this for after your crochet item is completed, you run the risk of forgetting bits and pieces or of feeling overwhelmed by the process of backtracking. It's so much easier to document along the way. 
5. Begin to crochet. Using your ideas or pictures and the prior knowledge you've accumulated while crocheting other items, begin crocheting your design. If it doesn't look as you envisioned or isn't working, unravel back to the last point you were happy with and try again with an altered version of your plan.  Trial and error is the best way to learn when designing.
6. Be patient with yourself, focusing on your accomplishments instead of your mistakes. This is a biggy because, if you allow your mistakes to get you down, you're not likely to ever design another crochet item again. When I designed a poncho recently I miscalculated the measurements and ended up having to unravel the entire project...all 5000 double-crochet and V-stitches.  I could have been devastated, but instead I chose to focus on how beautiful I knew my poncho would be once I made it correctly. (And it was worth it; I wear it all the time and get lots of compliments.)
7. Celebrate with a "ta-dah" moment or "big reveal".  Your creation is finished! It may or may not be perfect, but it's yours and you designed it. Display or wear it proudly, knowing that you have indeed accomplished something special. 

 At this point in my crochet journey, I design more than half of the things I make. I guess you could say that designing has become as addictive to me as the act of crocheting itself. I encourage you to give crochet pattern designing a go. Start small or wherever you feel comfortable and don't be afraid to ask for help or input here or within your favorite crochet community.

Have you tried designing your own crochet pattern and items? What have you created? If not, what would you like to design and what inspired your idea? I look forward to hearing from you and am happy to have you reading this blog entry which is my submission to the Deramores Blog Awards 2014. Deramores is the UK's number one online retailer of knitting and crochet supplies.  

The Big Reveal: My Lazy Daze Crochet Poncho

Those who crochet or craft regularly usually spend the bulk of their time creating items and gifts for other people. If you're like me, you delight in knowing that you're investing your time, craft and heart into something that others will find use in. Because I'm so far away from family much of the year, crocheting things for them makes me feel closer. But in the midst of finishing a soft, cozy lapghan for the couch in my Chicago-area home and the last of four infinity scarves made for my recently released pattern eBook, I also found time to make something special for myself!

It all started when I spied this single skein of yarn...missing its label and slightly unraveled...in a bin at Hobby Lobby. After a bit of detective work, I discovered that it's Red Heart Boutique Treasures in Watercolor. Isn't that a scrumptious sounding name?

Although I was already up to my eyeballs in crochet projects, I instantly knew what this yarn wanted to become and added the project to my list. From start to finish, it was an inspired piece of work I've called my Lazy Daze Poncho.

I designed the Lazy Daze Poncho with my Q hook in mind, which I inherited from my grandma, because the yarn has an airy look to it. The combination of extra-large crochet hook, the yarn and a chunky stitch makes the Lazy Daze Poncho ideal for keeping extra warm in the winter or as a lighter cover-up during spring and fall. Here it is as a work-in-progress....

And now for the Big Reveal! Are you ready?! Drum roll, please.....

Big Reveal: Lazy Daze Poncho by Go Crochet Crazy

After having to completely unravel my first attempt (I miscalculated my measurements and made it too long), I've perfected my pattern directions and was able to have this finished and ready to wear after four days. It kept me warm on the flight from Chicago to Rhineland, Germany and I've worn it on a few other occasions. Each time, I've received compliments on the colors and design.

The Lazy Daze Poncho pattern is part of another upcoming crochet pattern eBook that I'm currently working on. Additionally, I want to encourage you to check out Red Heart's Boutique Treasures line because the yarn is to die for and their color combinations are gorgeous. I think, like me, you'll be inspired to crochet something beautiful that you can wear and enjoy often. 

Today I'm Linking Up With:

Crochet Addict What You Doing Wednesday?
Small Things Fiber Arts Yarn Along Wednesday
Oombawka Design Link and Share Wednesday
Krafty Inspiration Thursday Link Party 
Four Seasons Blog Hop 
Hello Little Home Birthday Link Party
Natasha in Oz Say G'Day Saturday

A Crochet Crazy Life on the Other Side of the Atlantic Ocean

Springtime was waiting for me when I arrived in Germany yesterday. After 3 1/2 years here, I'm familiar with the earlier arrival of spring, which comes about two months before its arrival in the Chicago area. The warmer temperatures, the green grass, spring flowers and flowering trees were an especially welcome sight after the cold, harsh winter I experienced in Chicago this year (more about that in this blog post).

Even though I don't sleep on the long flight over (I'm just not one of those people who can fall asleep in moving vehicles), I always make myself stay awake the entire day for a faster recovery from jet lag and a quicker adjustment to the seven-hour time difference. To keep myself busy yesterday, I went out to say hello to my favorite, familiar country walking path.

Narcissus and daffodils are blooming everywhere.

Front yard gardens made me smile with their colorful displays.

This poplar tree-lined path is a favorite, peaceful walking place.

The path around the old abbey is pretty no matter what the season.

The birds were singing in the cherry tree and forsythia in bloom across the creek.

Freshly tilled fields mean the farmers will soon be planting.

I wasn't the only one enjoying the fresh spring air.

Apple blossoms in bloom...what's not to love about that?

Even with a long trip from Chicago to the Rhine area of Germany, I still made time for crochet. Even if it's only for five minutes, I need to have a hook in my hand and work with yarn. Crochet is something I enjoy, but it's also part of who I am. Last night I finished a project I began last week in Chicago and also worked on in-flight -- a cotton infinity scarf for my daughter, S.

And I finally began my much-anticipated Cath Kidston inspired Giant Granny Rectangle Afghan! I've been drooling over the yarn I purchased and am delighted to show you the beginnings of the project.

Finally working with these skeins...

....ta-dah! The beginning of my afghan!

I've been here for about 30 hours (10 of which were spent sleeping) and now you can see what I've been up to....besides spending time with M, of course! What have you been doing the past couple days? Are there any signs of spring where you're at?

How Many Skeins of Yarn Fit in a Crochet Crazy Suitcase?

Oh my. Time to pack and head eastward toward the land of sauerkraut, Oktoberfest and medieval castles. On the other side of the Atlantic awaits my boyfriend M, who's been enjoying a very spring-like winter with extra motorbike rides while I've been freezing my tootsies off in Chicagoland. As hard as it is to leave my family, all good things must come to an end (including the Spring Fling Link-a-Long which closes tonight). I know I will return as soon as possible.

Packing is a problem when traveling between continents. My time in Germany has taught me to appreciate the little things even more and has opened my eyes to some of the things we all take for granted in life...like red and green-colored sugar for Christmas cookies, flavored coffee creamer and canned pumpkin (all things I must admit to having minor meltdowns about at one time or another). I've removed clothing from my suitcase to make room for baking supplies or other things I knew I wouldn't be able to find in Germany. Could I just use a second suitcase? Sure, but at $70-125 a pop, I choose to go the creative route and get it all into one suitcase under the 50 pound limit.

This time the packing conundrum is not over baking supplies or Christmas presents, but yarn. There have been times when I've sacrificed the yarn for other things (can you believe it?!), but I wouldn't DARE do that now. Yarn and crochet have become too integral to my daily life, my joy and sometimes my sanity to leave my new yarn purchases behind.

The brands I love in the US are not available in Germany unless I order them online at a much higher price plus expensive international shipping. Although I have found yarn there that I like, when you live in another country it's just nice sometimes...and very comforting...to have things from home.

Over the course of my visit here, I've purchased these scrumptious yarns for some fun crochet projects which I talked about here...

And now for the moment of truth. Here they are packed in my suitcase...

Leaving me just a little bit of space for my clothing, five pairs of shoes and my toiletry bag. Oh my. I'm intent on not leaving my yarn behind.

So, how many skeins of yarn fit into a Go Crochet Crazy person's suitcase? The answer is: 25. Now you see what happens when you Go Crochet Crazy!

As you read this blog post, I am either at the airport or somewhere between the Midwest and Germany. I don't say goodbye because that's too difficult; just "see you soon".

So, see you soon robins, redwing blackbirds, cardinals and downy woodpeckers who come to my bird feeders. See you soon furry friends, Alice, Ernie, Sophie and Patches. See you soon baseball field and nearby farms, and funnily enough, Walmart, where I can buy all the things I miss when I'm overseas. Most of all, see you soon family members friends. I will start missing you the minute I leave.

But my travels have taught me that after every "see you later", there's always a "hello". Soon I will say "hello" to the horses on the nearby farms and the myriad birds that flock to the fields for tasty morsels. I'll say hello to our small Mayberry-like town with the slower-paced lifestyle that reminds me of life here in the 1970s. I'll walk down the poplar tree-lined path that leads me past fields of flowers and whatever vegetables the farmers are growing this year, and say hello to the beauty of nature I feel fortunate to be surrounded by. And, most of all, I'll say hello to boyfriend M, who's been patiently waiting for me these last several weeks.

And, finally, to you...it's "see you in a bit!"...from a different time zone, but still the same me...going crochet crazy as ever.

Go Crochet Crazy "Spring Fling Link-a-Long"

If you heard any whooping and hollering yesterday, it was surely me welcoming in the first day of spring. With a snowier-and-colder-than-normal winter in the Chicago area, I've been "thinking spring" for weeks now just to keep my sanity intact. Finally, it's here, and I began the celebration by showcasing some lovely yarn colors and upcoming projects in yesterday's blog post. 

To continue the celebration, instead of the usual "It's Finally Friday Link-a-Long", today's link party (which runs through Sunday night) is a Spring Fling! 

Starting this week, I'm introducing a featured link from the previous Link-a-Long!..............

Last Week's Most Popular Link:

Cre8tion Crochet's Free Toddler Tank Top

Grab Your "I Was Featured at Go Crochet Crazy" Button to display on your blog!

Here's the Code to Copy & Paste:

<div align="center"><a href="http://www.gocrochetcrazy.blogspot.com/" title="I Was Featured at Go Crochet Crazy"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip35wLJ6m3RT6k7Bw-_p6vFqVCJSusqg8iIBXy5QY5JQdEYLxOdLKWiPK-cVlgsMLNu9NTbznQPiuqMx_T54wHmBaxP9GFiMmVm1dJwSLXmMDuxwgNmPpYXJFwiP0NepwbVkUZLMxgmaAs/s1600/I+was+Featured.jpg" alt="I was featured at Go Crochet Crazy" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

Who Can Join In?

Rather than focusing solely on crochet or other crafty things, I'm inviting anyone with spring-themed blogs, Pinterest pins, or linkable images to participate. Make sure that whatever you choose falls under the categories of crochet or other yarn creations, crafts, home & gardening, DIY, cooking and decor. It doesn't have to have bunnies, chicks, eggs or other overtly spring-y themes. If you would eat it, use it, wear it, make it or show it off during springtime, it belongs in this Spring Fling.

Before I get to the Spring Fling Guidelines, if you have any doubts that participating in link parties is okay, please read my blog post here. It will put your concerns to rest.

Go Crochet Crazy "Spring Fling Link-a-Long" Guidelines

1. Add links for up to three of your blog posts (not just your home page) using the ADD YOUR LINK button below.
2. Leave a comment on two other blog posts or pins, letting them know you found them through the Go Crochet Crazy Spring Fling Link-a-Long. If you're one of the first two to the party, you can comment on the last one or two from this Link-a-Long from last week. Please feel free to comment on more, if you like. We all LOVE to get comments.
3. Share this post through Google+, Pinterest, Twitter or Facebook...that's more exposure for everyone joining the link-a-long.
4. Let your readers know you've joined the Go Crochet Crazy Friday Link-a-Long by linking to this post in text on your blog. You can text link to this URL:
   http://gocrochetcrazy.blogspot.com/2014/03/go-crochet-crazy-spring-fling-link-long.html or the following badge:

Link-a-Long Badge Code

<div align="center"><a href="http://www.gocrochetcrazy.blogspot.com/" title="Join the fun at the Go Crochet Crazy Link-a-Long"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBYykansWrUE9YNv5X8IItpNDYLCUUlk7PjVQgLBxvx8lI4f-4Q1mbuvuw_eF1ZKGn3XVc1ayRM2Y_U0Nj7bwPH88Gk_ih-a_ONkk3bCWXP8wBx4o99PT7ortSw-M5JCuxGhAF86SmcO0C/s1600/Link-a-Long+Badge.jpg" alt="I joined the fun at the Go Crochet Crazy Link-a-Long" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

An InLinkz Link-up

This Week I'm Linking Up With This Weekend:

Easy Life Meal & Party Planning "Four Seasons Blog Hop"

Crochet Addict UK "I've Made Friday" 

Krafty Inspiration Thursday Link Party

Natasha in Oz "Say G'Day Saturday"

Life on Lakeshore Drive: 
http://www.lifeonlakeshoredrive.com/2014/03/its-bouquet-of-talent-party-time-and.html?m=1

The Low-Down on Link Parties -- Are Link Parties Okay?

The concept of link parties or blog hops was introduced to me shortly after I began my Go Crochet Crazy blog. Although I've been blogging for myself and clients for years, I was new to the concept of #linkups and immediately liked the idea. One of my biggest motivating factors for starting this blog was due to my desire to share my passion for crochet and connect with others who have a love for all things yarny or crafty. Link parties seemed like a great way to share in one anothers projects and encourage fellow bloggers to keep going.

As I result, I hosted one of my first link parties -- I call them Link-a-Longs -- with a theme of Free Pattern Friday.

Then someone on Google+ informed me that link parties were against Google policy, that they skewed search engine results and were generally not okay to use. I admit I was taken aback; I couldn't see the harm in encouraging fellow bloggers to share their work or provide me the opportunity to share mine. A second time I was told that link parties were against Google policy. At that point, the writer/researcher in me kicked in.

Are Link Parties a Violation of Google Policy -- The Short & Long Answer

The short answer is "no, they are not a violation of Google policy"; as long as you're using a link widget such as InLinkz or Mr. Linky, you are not violating Google's policy against link parties. In the long answer below, I'll provide you with more information about this so you can feel secure in hosting and promoting link parties or blog hops on your blog.

The long answer is that Google does not allow link schemes that can, in any way, manipulate PageRanks. These PageRanks have nothing to do with what "page" you show up on in a search, rather they're named after a man named Larry Page. According to Wikipedia, "PageRank works by counting the number and quality of links to a page to determine a rough estimate of how important the website is. The underlying assumption is that more important websites are likely to receive more links from other websites." You can read more about that here.

You might be wondering how the use of link widgets allows bloggers to host link parties without violating Google's policy. The answer is simple. Since I use InLinkz (you can check them out through this link so they know you found them through the Go Crochet Crazy blog), I'm basing the remainder of my answer on the information they supply their users.

InLinkz widgets are NoFollow; this is the only option allowed. What is NoFollow? NoFollow part of an HTML code that instructs a search engine not to influence the linked website's ranking in search engine results. There's more information to read here, if you like. But the point is, a link widget such as InLinkz or Mr. Linky offers a link party or blog hop option that IS compliant with Google's policy against link schemes.

Prior to doing my research, I was planning to stop hosting weekly Link-a-Longs. I was feeling pretty discouraged about not being able to encourage others to share and visit one anothers work...this is what a link-a-long, link party or blog hop is all about, in my opinion! But now that I know this method of hosting a party is compliant with Google's policy, I can excitedly go forth with my weekly Link-a-Long that begins each Friday and runs through the weekend. I invite you to join in each week if you're a crochet or crafty blogger. But this Friday, I'm pleased to announce, is going to be the Go Crochet Crazy Spring Fling Link-a-Long and anyone can participate with spring-themed blogs that fall under the categories of crochet, crafts, home & gardening, DIY, cooking and decor. I look forward to linking along with all of you, and now that this is all settled, we can get back to the business of crocheting, crafting, blogging and connecting!!

Four Infinity Scarf Patterns to Keep You Warm -- A New Pattern eBook

Amidst the three crochet projects I've been working on simultaneously, my blogging here and my regular writing work, I've been busy writing a new pattern eBook! The Twisted Infinity scarf I finished the other day was the last of the four patterns I wanted to create for my pattern book. With it finished and photographed, I can finally say "Ta-da!" or "Voila!" and present my next (but not last!) crochet pattern eBook.

This pattern eBook was a labor of love. As I created each pattern, writing it as I stitched, I made alterations along the way. I put myself in your shoes, carefully considering the projects you might enjoy and find useful, as well as those that offer a bit of challenge and a learning opportunity. My sincerest hope is that you will find all of the above in my newest crochet pattern book, Four Infinity Scarf Patterns to Keep You Warm. If you like, while you're browsing, you can see my other books here.

With that accomplishment crossed off my Crochet To-Do list, I'm going to diligently continue working on my Lazy Daze Poncho (WIP pictured below), which is just a thrill to crochet because I love the yarn I'm using.  Even the name of the color -- Watercolor -- fills me with yarny pleasure! The Lazy Daze Poncho will be my next published pattern, which leads me to a question...as a consumer, do you prefer patterns of single items or do you like a pattern book that offers a few crochet patterns in one? Your thoughts and feedback are most appreciated! Wishing you a Happy, Crafty Sunday!

Lazy Daze Poncho -- a Go Crochet Crazy WIP

It's Finally Friday Link-a-Long at Go Crochet Crazy

Yippee, it's Friday, and we're just days away from springtime! Although I'm a summer girl through and through, I find springtime to be one of the most inspirational seasons of the year. Doesn't the onset of spring make you want to do a little redecorating, start a new project or do something that says "New Beginnings"?

Speaking of new beginnings, my newly published crochet pattern eBook, Four Infinity Scarf Patterns to Keep You Warm, is now available (more on that in an upcoming blog post).

One of my greatest sources of crafty inspiration is seeing what you're crocheting and creating. Join in the fun and show us what you're up to in this week's Go Crochet Crazy Friday Link-a-Long. Yay, for Fridays!

Go Crochet Crazy Friday Link-a-Long Rules

1. Add links for up to three of your blog posts (not just your home page) using the ADD YOUR LINK button below.
2. Leave a comment on the two blogs before you, letting them know you found them through the Go Crochet Crazy blog. If you're one of the first two to the party, you can comment on the last one or two from this Link-a-Long from last week (this way everyone gets comments). Please feel free to comment on more, if you like.
3. Share this post through Google+, Pinterest, Twitter or Facebook...that's more exposure for everyone joining the link-a-long.
4. Optional: Let your readers know you've joined the Go Crochet Crazy Friday Link-a-Long by linking to this post in text on your blog.

An InLinkz Link-up

Off-the-Hook Thursday: Twisted Infinity Scarf

This week I learned an important lesson: crochet multitasking is not for me. I've been working on the last of four infinity scarves for a pattern eBook, a lapghan and a poncho pattern (get a glimpse of these WIPs here). While they're all wonderful, worthwhile projects, I haven't enjoyed them as much as I know I would if they were solo projects.

As I've hopped from one project to another, I've discovered that I feel pressured and unable to get lost in the joy of creation. And isn't that what crocheting and craftiness is all about? Relaxation and love of the craft are certainly amongst the reasons I crochet.

So it's with great pleasure that I take one of the three projects off the hook today!! The project that looked like this last week...

Twisted Infinity in Progress

Now looks like this....Ta-da!!!

The Twisted Infinity by Go Crochet Crazy

Now that the Twisted Infinity is finally off-the-hook, I'll be able to get my pattern eBook finished and published in the upcoming week. It feels good to finish projects, doesn't it? What are you taking or have you taken off-the-hook this week?