Free Crochet Patterns, Crochet Classes & Techniques

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Crochet a Scarf That’s Uniquely Yours – Free Online Course

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Design & Make an Elegant Crochet Scarf with Simple Motifs & Stitches

Starts Monday 4th March 2024.

Dive into the world of crochet design with an easy to follow, four-week course. You’ll learn to craft a stunning scarf or wrap using simple square motifs, incorporating easy stitch sequences and effective joining techniques. This course is designed to simplify the design process, making it accessible to intermediate crocheters who are looking to add a personal touch to their work without overwhelming complexity. Through step-by-step video tutorials, detailed photo guides and weekly support calls, you’ll gain confidence in your design and crochet abilities.

Join our community of like-minded crafters to share your progress, exchange tips, and enjoy the collective inspiration.

By the end of the course, you’ll have a beautifully designed scarf or wrap that’s not only a testament to your skill but also a reflection of your unique creative vision.

  • Free 4 week course.
  • Starts Monday 4th March 2024.
  • Suitable for crafters with basic crochet skills (not suitable for complete beginners).
  • Weekly live Zoom calls – these are recorded to view when convenient.
free crochet course - make your own scarf

Design & Make a Granny Square Sweater Course – Walton-on-Thames – Tuesday Evenings– Starting 18/11/25

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“Design & Make a Granny Square Sweater Course” is a 6 week, hands on, in-depth masterclass, spread over 9 weeks, which allows plenty of time to create a unique garment. This is the 8th run of my flagship course that I have been developing & honing since 2021. I will take you through my step by step process to create your very own, Granny Square sweater.

The course covers:

  • Sizing.
  • Swatching.
  • Blocking.
  • Layout.
  • Neck, hem & cuff options.
  • Limitations.
  • Calculating yardage.
  • Which joining method to use.
  • Colour placement.
  • Finishing techniques.

Design your sweater using the classic granny square pattern. Using either DK or 4ply/fingering weight yarn, you’ll learn how to get the right fit – whether you’re making the sweater for yourself or someone else.

Skill Level

You must be confident with basic crochet stitches & joining techniques – not suitable for complete beginners. Please contact me if you would like to do this course but are unsure.

PLEASE NOTE: after taking on board student feedback, I will no longer be teaching the joining methods as part of the course, instead, these are important enough to be taught as a separate course.
To get the most out of the sweater course, you should familiarize yourself with CJM (continuous join method) and/or JAYG (join as you go method). I am running a couple of 2 week, in-person courses for these techniques + an online option in case you can’t make the in-person dates:

Motif Joining Courses

  1. Thursdays 10:00am-12:00pm in Farnham – 18/9/25 & 25/9/25 – sign up here.
  2. Tuesdays 7:30pm-9:30pm in Walton-on-Thames – 4/11/25 & 11/11/25 – sign up here.
  3. Online, with optional What’sApp Group support running concurrently with either of the in-person courses – online starting 18/9/25 – or – online starting 4/11/25

Course Locations

IMPORTANT: Due to limited availability of the Riverhouse during December, please note that 2 of the classes for this course will be held at St. Erconwald’s in Walton-on-Thames.

Riverhouse Barn Art Centre (weeks 1, 2, 5 & 6)
Studio (in courtyard at the back of the Riverhouse)
Manor Road
Walton-on-Thames
Surrey KT12 2PF

St. Erconwald’s Church Hall (weeks 3 & 4)
22 Esher Avenue,
Walton-On-Thames
KT12 2TA

Course Dates

This is a 6 week course, running on Tuesday evenings.

Week 1: Tuesday 18th November 2025, 7:30-9:30pm
Week 2: Tuesday 25th November 2025, 7:30-9:30pm
Week 3: Tuesday 2nd December 2025, 7:30-9:30pm
Week 4: Tuesday 9th December 2025, 7:30-9:30pm
Week 5: NO CLASS – CHRISTMAS HOLS.
Week 6: NO CLASS – CHRISTMAS HOLS.
Week 7: NO CLASS – CHRISTMAS HOLS.
Week 8: Tuesday 6th Jan 2026, 7:30-9:30pm
Week 9: Tuesday 13th Jan 2026, 7:30-9:30pm

Cost

  • £160 or £130 for allumni students (if you have done this course before – limited spaces available).

What’s Included?

  • 6x 2 hour in-person sessions.
  • Class notes/photo tutorials for generic instructions.
  • Exclusive & extensive online resources, including detailed videos and/or photo tutorials.
  • Your design is checked & signed-off by the tutor before you start to help ensure a successful result.
  • Tutor support throughout the 9 weeks via a private community group.
  • Additional support via the community group for another 2 weeks after the course has finished.

Please note : the cost of materials are not included in the course fees.

Expectations & Student Requirements

The purpose of the course is to teach you how to plan out and implement the design, getting you started with the project, as well as cover some of the other key elements of making a granny square sweater. It is up to you whether you go at your own pace or attempt to complete the sweater over the 9 week time span. It goes without saying, that you will need to spend time outside of the classes making the motifs and other elements of the sweater.
You will need to have a way to access the online content for this course, either via a computer or tablet this is because:

  • We use Google Sheets to store all designs/layouts on a private Google Drive so that I can easily check all students work from one location. Do not worry if you are unfamiliar with Google Sheets or Google Drive, it’s very easy and I will provide support.
  • There are so many variables to the sweater designs for which I have created a large amount of video & photo tutorials, it is not possible to provide print outs of everything for each student. For content unique to your design, you will need to be able to access the class notes through the learning platform.

Curriculum

Here is a rough guide to the curriculum, this may change depending on how quickly we get through things and how much help people need for their individual designs.

Week 1 : Introduction and overview of the types of sweater you can make. Choosing a joining technique. How to create a suitable fabric and how to swatch.

Week 2 : Using your swatch & measurements to plan your sweater layout & approximate yardage.

Week 3 : Tutor will check and sign off your design. Finalize colour sequencing, neck shape, hems & cuffs. Start yoke/neck.

3 Weeks over Christmas: no classes – you’ll be using this time to make the bulk of your motifs & joins. Tutor support is provided via the community forum.

Week 4 : Neck shaping & seaming.

Week 5 : Cuffs and hems.

Week 6: Finishing techniques.

Materials Required

How much yarn will I need? – Unfortunately, it is a bit of a chicken and egg situation. If you already know what yarn you’re using, please bring it to the first class. If not, the first class will help you decide. During weeks 2/3 we work out the precise quantities.
Example: I am a size 12, for a regular granny square sweater, I usually need just under 6 x100g skeins of 4ply, that’s roughly 2000m or 2190 yds.

How many colours? – I recommend at least 5 colours, but you can use more or less depending on your personal preference.

Yarn thickness – my preferred yarn thickness for these kinds of sweaters is 4ply/fingering or sock weight yarn because they are very wearable and have good drape. However, you can use DK weight yarn but please be aware that this will create a reasonably bulky and very warm garment. I do not recommend yarn thicker than DK as it makes a very bulky, boiling hot sweater that may not drape well.

Yarn composition – I would strongly recommend natural yarns such as merino wool or cotton or blends thereof. Or at least yarns with less than 20% nylon/synthetic material. Acrylic yarns do not work very well in these types of garments because the yarn has no stitch memory and poor drape. Additionally, I try to discourage the use of acrylic since it’s a product of the petro-chemical industry, is toxic to manufacture and leaches microplastics in to the environment. Recent research also shows that microplastics from synthetic fibres are also absorbed into our bodies when worn next to the skin.

What to bring to the first class? – A couple of weeks before the course starts, you’ll receive more information about what’s required on the first session.

Hooks – You’ll need the correct hook size for your yarn. This will range from 2.5mm to 4mm depending on your yarn choice, personal gauge and again, this is discussed in the pre-course email and the first class.

Course Size

Currently the course size is limited to a maximum of 10/12 students depending on the mix of new and alumni students.

Student Resources

I have a dedicated student resource page with a login (which you’ll receive once you’ve signed up) where you’ll find all the class notes and an extensive collection of useful videos to watch at your leisure.

Enroll Now

Bookings are only secured with the receipt of a full payment. If you have any problems paying, please message me through the “Contact Me” page.

Tuesday evenings, 7:30-9:30pm - weeks 1 & 2 at Riverhouse, weeks 3 & 4 at St. Erconwalds, weeks 5 & 6 at Riverhouse.

Important – Cancellation & Transfer Policy

Should you need to cancel or transfer to another course, refunds & transfers can only be given up to 14 days before the start of the course and are both subject to an administration fee of £15. After this time, i.e. 4/11/25, I am unable to issue refunds or arrange transfers as I have already committed to the hire of the venue and it doesn’t leave me enough time to find a replacement student to make the course financially viable for me. Of course, full refunds will be given in the event that the course is cancelled due to the venue or me cancelling the course. Thank you for your understanding.

Parent & Child Introduction to Crochet Workshop – Walton-on-Thames 18/02/2024 – SOLD OUT

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SOLD OUT

Well that was popular! Did you want to do this course but missed out? Please message me via the Contact Me page and let me know! I’ll make sure you’re the first to hear about the next booking.

Due to popular demand, I will be running this lovely workshop for parents/grandparents/guardians and their children/grandchildren at the Riverhouse Barn Arts Centre, in Walton-on-Thames, Surrey!

This workshop is designed as an introduction to crochet. I’ve developed a small project that the parent and child (9+) can each make, learning together and includes a coffee/soft-drink and cake from our community cafe during our halftime break.

You’ll be making a small bowl which will teach you how to hold the hook and yarn, chain, make a single crochet (UK double crochet), how to slip stitch and fasten off. You’ll also have the opportunity to embellish your bowl to make it unique.

Please read the next section carefully before signing up. Parents/guardians are best suited to determine the suitability of the class for their child and hopefully an understanding of the way I teach my classes will help you make your decision!

Class Structure & Guidelines

  • This workshop is aimed at students aged 9 and above with a participating adult (parent or guardian aged 18+).
  • No previous crochet experience is required from either the parent or child.
  • This is a 2 hour workshop.
  • We will have a 15 minute break halfway through, in the cafe.
  • For this workshop, I will teach a maximum of 6 students (3 adults & 3 children).
  • We learn through demonstration, practical application and the use of our class notes & photo tutorials.
  • I am not qualified to teach students with severe disabilities and learning difficulties.
  • All students should understand that during the learning process we make mistakes and it takes repetition and a willingness to try again, in good faith, in order to progress.

What’s included?

As well as the tuition provided in class, the course also includes detailed class notes with photo tutorials, everything you need, including hook, yarn, needles & stitch markers. You’ll also receive a login so that you can access video tutorials of everything covered in class.

Additionally, the cost of the course includes a piece of cake and tea/coffee/soft drink for each student.

Parent & Child Crochet Taster Session – Sunday Afternoon 2024

Sunday 18th February 2024 2:00-4:00pm

Cost

The course costs £58 for both the parent and child and includes all materials, drinks, cakes and access to online resources.

What you might want to bring

  • Notepad & pen.
  • Scissors.
  • Drink.
  • Reading glasses if you wear them.

This is a great way to learn a new hobby in a friendly setting where you can meet other students with similar interests as well as supporting your local arts centre.

Venue

Riverhouse Barn Art Centre
Studio (in courtyard at the back of the Riverhouse)
Manor Road
Walton-on-Thames
Surrey KT12 2PF

SOLD OUT

Well that was popular! Did you want to do this course but missed out? Please message me via the Contact Me page and let me know! I’ll make sure you’re the first to hear about the next booking.

FAQ

Q: The dates of this course don’t suit me, will you be running another course and if so, when?
A: Yes, I run my beginners classes regularly. The best way to stay up to date with my courses is to sign up to my newsletter here: Mezzacraft Newsletter .

Q: What is your cancellation policy?
A: Please read about our cancellation policy in our terms and conditions: Terms & Conditions

Learn to Crochet Walton-on-Thames – Tuesday Evening Course – Starting 16/04/24 SOLD OUT

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Running on Tuesdays from 7:30-9:30pm at the Riverhouse Barn Arts Centre, in Walton-on-Thames, Surrey!

My beginners crochet course, consists of four, two hour classes where you will get to grips with all the basics needed to get you competent and confident in the art of crochet.

I have developed a special project that covers starting off, chaining, the basic stitches and joining motifs together for a finished item.

This course is for you if you are :

  • a complete beginner and you’ve never even picked up a hook.
  • someone that has dabbled in crochet but never really got to grips with it.
  • someone that may have crocheted many years ago but need refreshing on the basic techniques.
  • self-taught from the internet but want to make sure you’re not picking up any bad habits.

As well as my expert guidance and hands on practical work, the course includes detailed class notes with photo tutorials AND everything you need, including hook, yarn, needles, stitch markers and a handy project bag.

You’ll be making a small item which will teach you how to make a traditional and solid granny square.
You will learn all the essential techniques that can be applied to most basic projects such as:

  • choosing the right size hook and yarn
  • how to hold your hook and yarn
  • chaining
  • slip stitch, single & double crochet
  • crochet chart symbols
  • how to make a square
  • how to change colours
  • how to join motifs using sewing and crochet
  • how to make a cord
  • how to finish off

Learn to Crochet Course – Tuesday Evening Dates 2024

Week 1 – Tuesday 16th April 2024 7:30-9:30pm
Week 2 – Tuesday 23rd April 2024 7:30-9:30pm
Week 3 – Tuesday 30th April 2024 7:30-9:30pm
Week 4 – Tuesday 7th May 2024 7:30-9:30pm

Cost

The course consists of 4 x 2 hour session and costs £80 – this covers all materials needed & exclusive access to the online student resources.

What you might want to bring

  • Notepad & pen.
  • Scissors.
  • Drink.
  • Reading glasses if you wear them.

This is a great way to learn a new hobby in a friendly setting where you can meet other students with similar interests as well as supporting your local arts centre.

Venue

Riverhouse Barn Art Centre
Studio (in courtyard at the back of the Riverhouse)
Manor Road
Walton-on-Thames
Surrey KT12 2PF

Course Sign Up & Payment “Learn to Crochet Walton-on-Thames”

SOLD OUT

FAQ

Q: Why is the course 4 weeks long?
A : I have seen many day classes and classes that are a couple of hours long, promising to teach you to crochet. Of course there are some that can pick things up very quickly, but a key element of learning to crochet is muscle memory… this is very difficult to achieve in a short, one off class. In fact, a large percentage of my students had previously attended these kinds of classes and not quite managed to commit the techniques to memory. My immersive courses allow you to go home and practice what you’ve learnt in class and come back to me the following week for help with anything you’re unsure of. This 4 week structure really allows the skills to sink in and stick!

Q: I would like to attend your course but I am not able to make all the classes.
A : You can still get a lot out of the course, even if you have to skip some of the weeks, however,  Week 1 & Week 2 are mandatory. It’s very difficult for me to re-teach a whole missed class for one student and then fit in the content for the scheduled class. I have tried to do this in the past and ends up being unsatisfactory for the the student trying to catch up and also for the other students who didn’t miss a class. You will be sent class notes and videos (where applicable) for any classes missed and I’m happy to help via email/WhatsApp. The full cost of the course also applies, even if you can only make some of the classes.

Q: Is this class suitable for children (under 18s)?
A: This is not a straightforward answer, please click this link to read my full policy on teaching children.

Q: I do not need the starter kit as I have my own yarn and hooks.
A: After many years of teaching crochet to beginners, I have found that the hooks and yarn used make a massive difference to how easily the student picks up the technique and how much they enjoy the experience. Students that bring unsuitable equipment invariably end up frustrated so I have made the decision to provide and include all the materials in the cost of the course.

Q: I am a knitter. I’d like to crochet but I’m worried I won’t be able to.
A: Yes, I have come across this concern many times. There still seems to be a misconception that you either knit or crochet… of course you can do both! Often those with previous experience of knitting or other types of handicrafts can find picking up a new skill relatively easy.

Q: I use a wheelchair, is there wheelchair access to the studio?
A: Yes, there is a ramp into the studio. Please get in touch when you book and I will double check with the staff at the Riverhouse that everything is set up correctly for you.

Q: The dates of this course don’t suit me, will you be running another course and if so, when?
A: Yes, I run my beginners classes regularly. The best way to stay up to date with my courses is to sign up to my newsletter here: Mezzacraft Newsletter .

Q: What are your terms & conditions?
A: Please read our full terms and conditions here: Terms & Conditions

Important – Cancellation Policy

I have hesitated to implement this policy in the past, although it has always been in place as part of my terms & conditions. However, due to a high dropout rate for some of my recent courses, sometimes days before the course starts, I have been left in a situation where I am often not covering my costs and/or earning even a minimum wage. Therefore, I regret that I will now have to implement the policy so that I am able to continue teaching. Should you need to cancel, refunds for the course can only be given up to 14 days before the start of the course and are subject to an administration fee of £15. After this time, i.e. 2/4/24, I am unable to issue refunds as I have already committed to the hire of the venue and the purchase of all course materials and it doesn’t leave me enough time to find a replacement student to make the course financially viable. Of course, full refunds will be given in the event that the course is cancelled due to Riverhouse Barn or I cancelling the course. Thank you for your understanding.

Granny Squares & Join for “design and plan your own traditional granny square sweater” Workshop

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This is the motif we will be using as our starting point for the workshop – How to design and plan your own traditional granny square sweater which I am teaching at the Wooly Good Gathering in Edinburgh.

Important – why you need to make these exact granny squares & joins for the course

The step by step process you’ll be learning to design and make your own granny square sweater, can of course be applied to just about any crochet square, however for the purpose of the workshop, please use this exact pattern & join so that you can easily follow the instructions in our workshop.

Five Round Round Granny Square Instructions

Tools & Materials

DK yarn in the colours of your choice – a total of approx. 10m / 11yds / 4g per motif (cotton or super-wash wools work up best).
3.5-4mm hook – depending on your personal gauge, i.e. a larger hook if you are a tight crocheter or smaller hook if you are a loose crocheter. We are aiming for a granny square with a bit of drape to make the sweater hang properly, so please go up a hook size of your squares are coming up a bit stiff.

Key US terminology (British terminology in brackets)

beg – beginning
ch – chain
dc – double crochet (tr – treble crochet)
sl st – slip stitch
sp – space

Round 1: 4ch and join in 1st ch to form a ring; 5ch (counts as 1dc & ch2sp in this and all subsequent rounds*); (in ring – 3dc, ch2) 3 times; 2dc in ring; join with sl st in 3rd ch of beg ch5; fasten off.

*If this results in a larger space compared to the other 3 corners, you can switch to a 4ch at the start of each round, you’ll still end the round by making a sl st in the 3rd ch.

Round 2: Join new colour in any ch2 corner sp* – 5ch & 3dc in same sp; (in next corner sp – 3dc, 2ch, 3dc) x3; in first corner sp – 2dc; join with sl st in 3rd ch of beg ch5; fasten off.

*For this and all subsequent rows, it’s best to avoid the same corner that you finished the last round on.

Round 3: Join new colour in any ch2 corner sp – 5ch & 3dc in same sp; (between next 2 dc clusters – 3dc; in next corner sp – 3dc, 2ch, 3dc) x3; between next 2 dc clusters – 3dc; in first corner sp – 2dc; join with sl st in 3rd ch of beg ch5; fasten off.

Round 4: Join new colour in any ch2 corner sp – 5ch & 3dc in same sp; [ (between next 2 dc clusters – 3dc) x2; in next corner sp – 3dc, 2ch, 3dc ] x3 ; (between next 2 dc clusters – 3dc) twice; in first corner sp – 2dc; join with sl st in 3rd ch of beg ch5; fasten off.

Round 4: Join new colour in any ch2 corner sp – 5ch & 3dc in same sp; [ (between next 2 dc clusters – 3dc) x3; in next corner sp – 3dc, 2ch, 3dc ] x3 ; (between next 2 dc clusters – 3dc) twice; in first corner sp – 2dc; join with sl st in 3rd ch of beg ch5; fasten off.

Round 5 Join new colour in any ch2 corner sp – 5ch & 3dc in same sp; [ (between next 2 dc clusters – 3dc) x3; in next corner sp – 3dc, 2ch, 3dc ] x4 ; (between next 2 dc clusters – 3dc) twice; in first corner sp – 2dc; join with sl st in 3rd ch of beg ch5; fasten off.

Sew in all ends, except the final tail.

Make a Swatch with your Granny Squares & Join

Make a total of 4 motifs, joining in the 5th and final round.

You can use JAYG if you want a different colour for each final round or the continuous granny stitch join if you want the final round to be the same colour for all motifs.

Instructions for JAYGO can be found here (opens in new tab): https://youtu.be/tUhf46WwypY?si=OVk7ol2mV3KFGvNa

Instructions for Continuous Granny Stitch Join can be found here (opens in new tab): https://youtu.be/8Ab16zBWkQ4?si=FCCsa4HFv6M0MXx7

Wash, Block & Dry your Swatch

IMPORTANT : you must not skip this part! It’s a vital part of the design process.

Instructions on how to wash, block and dry your swatch can be found by clicking here.

Washing, Blocking & Drying your Crochet Swatch – Why it’s Important

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Why do you need to wash, block & and allow your crochet swatch to dry before you start making your sweater?

Swatching

Making a crochet swatch (at least 4 joined motifs) and then washing and blocking is a crucial step when making garments.

  1. Checking gauge – everyone’s gauge is different. Each student in the class could make the same motif with the same hook size and yarn and you could end up with 5 different sized squares. Even a slight difference in size, such as a mere 5mm extra per motif, can end up making a big difference overall. Imagine your sweater is 6 motifs wide… that’s and extra 3cm front and 3cm back and your sweater is suddenly 6cm larger.
  2. Making more than one motif is necessary because the size of the motif and how it behaves will change once it is joined to another motif.
  3. Very often, a yarn will change size after washing. Especially natural yarns such as wool and silk. A yarn with a wool blend will grow after washing. Imagine you have made a sweater with the most perfect fit… after the first wash however, it grows all over by 10cm – it’s now too baggy with excessively long arms!
  4. After your swatch has been washed, blocked & dried, you will probably find that your yarn has “bloomed” and even relaxed a little, into a drapier fabric. Again, this will give you a true idea of whether you will love the fabric that the combination of yarn, hook and motif create.

Blocking

There are many different ways to block your crochet swatch, such as spraying, steaming with an iron etc. For clothing, I prefer a full soak and wash in a mild detergent as this give the truest indication of what will happen to your sweater after its first wash.

Tip: Measure the crochet swatch and make a note of the size before washing & blocking.
It’s good to know how much the size has changed. Knowing this will help during the making of your sweater, especially when you are checking sleeve lengths etc.

Method

What you will need:

  • Clean towel*.
  • Blocking mat or clean towel.
  • Stainless steel dress-makers pins or blocking pins (they must be stainless steel or you will risk staining your swatch).
  • Ruler or tape measure.
  • A mild detergent or shampoo.
  • A suitable space.

*some hand dyed yarns can “bleed” the first time you wash them… I avoid using my best towels, in case they accidentally get stains!

Setting up the Space

Let’s talk about the suitable space. Your piece will need to blocked somewhere where it can be left to dry. Depending on your yarn & the atmosphere of your house, this could take 12 hours (for cotton) to 3 hours (4ply wools). I often block on the carpet in a spare room, somewhere people aren’t going to be walking through and inadvertently stepping on your pins! If you have a blocking mat (these are sometimes foam or like mine, felt) you can do it on any clear surface that fits your mat. I have also blocked with just a towel on the mattress of the bed in the spare room.

Some ideas:

  1. Custom blocking board – no towel needed.
  2. Folded up towel on the carpet.
  3. Folded up towel on a mattress.
  4. Felt blocking board – I like to use a towel, or in this case a flannel as it’s only a small swatch.

Wash

Use a sink or bowl and fill with lukewarm water. Water that is too hot could shrink and even felt your yarn if it has a high wool content.
Use a small squirt of mild laundry detergent, a sprinkle of non-bio powder, soap flakes or shampoo. Mix in well.
Add your swatch and make sure all parts of the fibre are soaked through. Do not rub the fabric together. Just swish it around and gently squeeze for a minute or so.
Rinse in cold water.
Squeeze out excess water – DO NOT WRING.
Roll up the swatch in a clean towel to remove some more moisture. We want the swatch damp, not sopping wet.

hand washing a crochet swatch

Block

Straighten out your swatch as much as possible on your chosen surface, evenly distributing the motifs. This will give you a rough idea of the size of each motif. Expect a bit of trial and error. Use a ruler to block to uniform sizes.
I initially tried blocking to 10cm per motif (figs 1 & 2). As you can see, this was a bit severe. We want to pin out the motifs to their full size, without overstretching the yarn.
I eventually settled on 9.5cm per motif.
Starting with the corners, I carefully went around, pinning and measuring. Once I was happy they were as “square” as possible, I proceeded to pin the edges too, using the ruler as a guide.

blocking crochet motifs made from cotton

Dry

Then I left it to dry. This will probably need to dry overnight as it’s cotton which takes a while to air dry.
You should generally allow at least 12 hours for your swatch to dry.

pinning out crochet motifs to block and drape after blocking and drying

Relax

Once dried, unpin your swatch and give it a couple of hours to relax into its final shape and size.

Ready to Measure

Now your swatch is ready to measure!

Claremont Crochet Motif

The motif used in this tutorial is the Claremont Granny Square.

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Traditional Three Round Granny Square – for Crochet Joins Course

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This is the motif we will be using to practice the crochet joins for my upcoming workshop “Joining crochet motifs for blankets & clothes”. I am teaching this course in Edinburgh at the Woolly Good Gathering.

Important – why you need to make this exact motif for the course

The joins we are learning can be applied to many motifs, made with any thickness of yarn and hook, in some cases with a bit of modification, however for the purpose of the workshop, please use this exact pattern & yarn thickness so that you can easily follow the instructions in our workshop.

selection of three round granny squares crochet in cotton with crochet joins

Traditional Three Round Granny Square Instructions

Tools & Materials

DK yarn in 3 colours – a total of approx. X per motif (cotton or super-wash wools work up best).
3.5-4mm hook – depending on your personal gauge, i.e. a larger hook if you are a tight crocheter or smaller hook if you are a loose crocheter.

Key US terminology (British terminology in brackets)

beg – beginning
ch – chain
dc – double crochet (tr – treble crochet)
sl st – slip stitch
sp – space

Round 1: 4ch and join in 1st ch to form a ring; 5ch (counts as 1dc & ch2sp in this and all subsequent rounds*); (in ring – 3dc, ch2) 3 times; 2dc in ring; join with sl st in 3rd ch of beg ch5; fasten off.

*If this results in a larger space compared to the other 3 corners, you can switch to a 4ch at the start of each round, you’ll still end the round by making a sl st in the 3rd ch.

Round 2: Join new colour in any ch2 corner sp* – 5ch & 3dc in same sp; (in next corner sp – 3dc, 2ch, 3dc) 3 times; in first corner sp – 2dc; join with sl st in 3rd ch of beg ch5; fasten off.

*For this and all subsequent rows, it’s best to avoid the same corner that you finished the last round on.

Round 3: Join new colour in any ch2 corner sp – 5ch & 3dc in same sp; (between next 2 dc clusters – 3dc; in next corner sp – 3dc, 2ch, 3dc) 3 times; between next 2 dc clusters – 3dc; in first corner sp – 2dc; join with sl st in 3rd ch of beg ch5; fasten off.

Sew in all ends, except the final tail.

How many motifs to make?

We will be covering 3 different joins. For this you will need a total of 12 motifs. However, you can also make a minimum of 4 motifs which you can re-use for each new join technique – this obviously requires frogging (undoing) the previous join, ready to try out the next one.

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Stitch Sampler Crochet Course – Make a Bolster or Cushion Cover – Thursday Mornings – Cheam – Starting 22/2/24

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During this 4 week course, you’ll learn some new stitches which focus on colour and texture.

Course Schedule

  • Weeks 1 & 2 you’ll be learning a series of stitch sequences.
  • Week 3 you’ll be planning your design.
  • Week 4 you’ll be working on your design.

Do not panic if you don’t want to create your own design – I will also have a pattern you can follow and make if you’d prefer.

Skill Level

You must be confident with basic stitches. This is a great next step for students that have taken my beginners course, whilst also being fun project for my more advanced students.

Materials

You will receive 2x50g balls of cotton aran yarn and a 5mm hook included in the course fees. This is enough for practising the sample stitches – the amount of yarn you require for your final project will depend on your design (you’ll get help working out how much yarn you need for your final project.)

Dates

  • Week 1 – Thursday 22nd February 10:00am-12:00pm
  • Week 2 – Thursday 29th February 10:00am-12:00pm
  • Week 3 – Thursday 7th March 10:00am-12:00pm
  • Week 4 – Thursday 14th March 10:00am-12:00pm

Venue

The Craft Cabin
Whichcraft Wools
17 The Broadway
Cheam, SM3 8BH

Online Resources

This particular in-person course does not have 100% video coverage for all techniques. It will include online resources for the stitches students need the most help with and I have provisioned in time to create one custom video per week which will be voted for by the students.

Course Sign Up & Payment

Bookings are only secured with the receipt of a full payment. If you have any problems paying, please message me through the “Contact Me” page.

4 Week Course (4 x 2 hour sessions) Starting at 10:0am on Thursday 22nd Feb 2024 at Whichcraft Wools Cheam. Starting materials included.
£0.00

Important – Cancellation Policy

I have hesitated to implement this policy in the past, although it has always been in place as part of my terms & conditions. However, due to a high dropout rate for some of my recent courses, sometimes days before the course starts, I have been left in a situation where I am often not covering my costs and/or earning even a minimum wage. Therefore, I regret that I will now have to implement the policy so that I am able to continue teaching. Should you need to cancel, refunds for the course can only be given up to 14 days before the start of the course and are subject to an administration fee of £15. After this time, i.e. 8/2/24, I am unable to issue refunds as I have already committed to the hire of the venue and the purchase of all course materials and it doesn’t leave me enough time to find a replacement student to make the course financially viable. Of course, full refunds will be given in the event that the course is cancelled due to Whichcraft Wools or I cancelling the course. Thank you for your understanding.

Stitch Sampler Crochet Course – Make a Bolster or Cushion Cover – Monday Evenings – Esher – Starting 19/2/24 – SOLD OUT

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During this 4 week course, you’ll learn some new stitches which focus on colour and texture.

Course Schedule

  • Weeks 1 & 2 you’ll be learning a series of stitch sequences.
  • Week 3 you’ll be planning your design.
  • Week 4 you’ll be working on your design.

Do not panic if you don’t want to create your own design – I will also have a pattern you can follow and make if you’d prefer.

Skill Level

You must be confident with basic stitches. This is a great next step for students that have taken my beginners course, whilst also being fun project for my more advanced students.

Materials

You will receive 2x50g balls of cotton aran yarn and a 5mm hook included in the course fees. This is enough for practising the sample stitches – the amount of yarn you require for your final project will depend on your design (you’ll get help working out how much yarn you need for your final project.)

Dates

  • Week 1 – Monday 19th February 7:30-9:30pm
  • Week 2 – Monday 26th February 7:30-9:30pm
  • Week 3 – Monday 4th March 7:30-9:30pm
  • Week 4 – Monday 11th March 7:30-9:30pm

Venue

Esher Meeting Room
3 Claremont Lane
Esher
KT10 9DP

Parking

Park for free in the Berguette car park across the road.

Online Resources

This particular in-person course does not have 100% video coverage for all techniques. It will include online resources for the stitches students need the most help with and I have provisioned in time to create one custom video per week which will be voted for by the students.

SOLD OUT

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Stitch Sampler Crochet Course – Make a Bolster or Cushion Cover – Monday Daytimes – Walton-on-Thames – Starting 19/2/24 – SOLD OUT

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During this 4 week course, you’ll learn some new stitches which focus on colour and texture.

Course Schedule

  • Weeks 1 & 2 you’ll be learning a series of stitch sequences.
  • Week 3 you’ll be planning your design.
  • Week 4 you’ll be working on your design.

Do not panic if you don’t want to create your own design – I will also have a pattern you can follow and make if you’d prefer.

Skill Level

You must be confident with basic stitches. This is a great next step for students that have taken my beginners course, whilst also being fun project for my more advanced students.

Materials

You will receive 2x50g balls of cotton aran yarn and a 5mm hook included in the course fees. This is enough for practising the sample stitches – the amount of yarn you require for your final project will depend on your design (you’ll get help working out how much yarn you need for your final project.)

Dates

  • Week 1 – Monday 19th February 12:30-2:30pm
  • Week 2 – Monday 26th February 12:30-2:30pm
  • Week 3 – Monday 4th March 12:30-2:30pm
  • Week 4 – Monday 11th March 12:30-2:30pm

Venue

Riverhouse Barn Art Centre
Studio (in courtyard at the back of the Riverhouse)
Manor Road
Walton-on-Thames
Surrey KT12 2PF

Online Resources

This particular in-person course does not have 100% video coverage for all techniques. It will include online resources for the stitches students need the most help with and I have provisioned in time to create one custom video per week which will be voted for by the students.

SOLD OUT

Please sign up to my newsletter to be notified of upcoming courses.

Complete My Short Crochet Survey to Win a Prize – Deadline Sunday 28th January 2024

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Calling all crocheters!

I’m looking to hear from crafters who enjoy crocheting their own, unique items but need some help with techniques, planning and design. I am creating something new that comes out soon and would love to get your input.

Please fill out the survey below by midnight (GMT), this Sunday 28th January 2024 for a chance to win two gorgeous skeins of hand-dyed yarn. I will ship worldwide!

Take the Survey

✓ Open to participants worldwide (your prize ships from the UK)

✓ Prize winner will be notified by email on Wednesday 31st January

Prize Draw Details

When you complete the survey and confirm your email address (you will receive an email once you’ve completed the survey, so please check your spam/junk folders just in case!), you will be entered into the draw for the prize.

The winner will be drawn live on Wednesday 31st January from my Facebook page. But don’t worry, the winner will also be notified by email so that you can let me know your shipping address.

The prize consists of:
1x100g skein of Lottie Knits Little Bird Sock RRP £20
1x100g skein of Twinkknits Sock Yarn RRP £15
And includes untracked shipping worldwide.

The survey deadline is Sunday 28th January 2024, midnight GMT (12:00am London time).
You can still complete the survey after this time but you won’t be entered into the prize draw.

Why I Don’t Sell My Crochet Creations for a Living: A Behind-the-Scenes Look

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I often get a lot of admiration for my crochet creations – especially the clothes, which I love AND appreciate. One of the most common, and well meaning comments I get is “You should sell these!”. Sometimes I explain why I don’t but a lot of the time I don’t bother, I just say, “I earn my living from teaching and designing crochet, not selling my finished items.”

Today, I was on a conference call that lasted 1 hour 20 minutes. During that time, I decided to join together 12 motifs with a continuous, join as you go, granny stitch border. In the image, you can see it’s the cream section of the work. For anyone that is interested in knowing why I don’t attempt to make a living by selling my crochet items, I will use this piece of crochet as an example to shed light on the reasons why I don’t crochet to sell!

Time and Minimum Wage

First of all, let’s address the minimum wage which is £11.98 p/h for London, UK. I have been teaching crochet and designing for 10+ years, there is no way I should have to, or want to work for less than £12 an hour with my skills and experience in the craft. However, for the sake of this example, I will charge £12 an hour.

I consider myself a quick crocheter, not mega fast but can certainly get up a good speed. If I was to charge £12 p/h for the cream border, that alone would be invoiced at £15.60. Each individual block takes me about 8 minutes to crochet. Already you can see the problem with this before we even extrapolate these numbers to factor in making an entire sweater.
I calculate roughly 6 hours 24 minutes for the motifs and 4 hours 48 minutes for the borders.
Total: 11 hours 12 minutes, round to 12 hours is £144

Material Costs

I haven’t even factored in the materials. Since I do my best to avoid plastics, I do not use acrylic and instead I use and advocate for natural materials. These tend to be more expensive. This cotton yarn is from Søstrene Grene and costs £2.28 a ball. The section shown, with 12 crochet motifs and borders is 65grams – which works out at about £3.00. I haven’t finalised the design yet, but my guess is I need about 48 motifs in total. So at least £12 in yarn alone. That’s actually one of my cheapest makes!
Total: £12

Design and Planning

I have not factored in the time it takes to design and plan the piece. The creative process involved in designing and planning each piece is hard to quantify, since a lot of it happens when I’m day dreaming, walking or driving. Bringing a unique and thoughtfully crafted item to life can involve a lot of trial and error with motifs, colour placements and the layout, construction and joins of the sweater. Let’s make a very conservative guess and say this part took me 2 hours.
Total: £24

Finishing Techniques

The finishing techniques – adding borders, cuffs, hems….sewing in ends, washing, blocking, drying…. these steps can add many hours and more yarn to the project. I’ll calculate 4 hours although this is conservative!
Total: £48

Distorted Expectations

Cheap, fast fashion has distorted people’s expectations of the cost of clothing, especially hand-made items. You can often buy hand-made and faux crochet garments for less than it costs me in materials to make the same item. Fast fashion is not only terrible for the planet but also creates and unfair competition for those that are trying to make clothes ethically. You can buy a similar sweater to the one I am making for £28 from one of the infamous online fast fashion sellers. For the sweater I am making, using my calculations above, I would need to charge at least £228!

Personal Well-being

I am not a machine. Contrary to popular belief, and what I jokingly proclaim, I don’t actually want to sit around crocheting ALL day and EVERYDAY. It would result in burn out, possible repetitive strain injuries and definitely postural and skeletal issues from the physical and mental toll of continuous crochet work. It would destroy my love of the craft.

E-commerce Insights

I have worked in e-commerce for many years. I know that selling a product isn’t just about selling the product! There is customer care, dealing with complaints…and with custom orders and handmade items you have a unique set of issues that arise. What happens if the piece doesn’t fit? What if they don’t like it? What kind of after purchase services are people expecting? For example, I have heard many horror stories where the handmade item has been mistreated by the buyer and they expect the maker to repair or replace at the makers costs! What happens if the item goes missing in transit? Yes, you can claim back the money paid but you can’t claim back the hours spent making the item or the replacement you may then have to crochet! These are all things I would find extremely stressful to deal with on a regular basis.

Passion for Teaching

I love teaching crochet – this is my main passion! To give you the tools and confidence to create your own unique items and for you to gain an understanding and appreciation of what’s involved in making a crochet garment. If I was trying to earn a living from crocheting clothes to sell, I would not have as much time for you and all of my beautiful community.

The Exceptions

Having said all that – there are rare occasions where I sell my crochet creations. These are sample sales and special custom orders.
I do accumulate lots of crochet items from teaching and making prototypes for designs. So, every now and then I will have a sample sale. Often times, these will not be priced to reflect the work that has gone into them – usually I just try to recovered the cost of materials as I know I would not sell them if they were priced accurately.
The other exceptions are when it’s for someone I know well, they understand crochet and the process and are willing to pay me fairly.

About the Crochet

The motifs in this post are what I call my Summer Grannies or Lite Granny Squares. They have less stitches in each cluster and more chain spaces. This makes for a more open motif that is lighter in weight, uses less yarn and is therefore a bit cooler! Especially when made in 4ply cotton like this.

Support me!

If you enjoy my content and have used any of my free patterns, please consider buying me a coffee via Ko-fi.– any amount, no matter how small is appreciated and helps me to continue creating free crochet content for you!

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