Crochet Chart “Patterns”!!
**Photo Found on Pinterest..Unknown Source**
Today we continue our adventure on the Many different types of patterns. When I first had the idea of doing this mini- series it did not occur to me that there is actually a few “chart” type patterns. Though these patterns are different in a few ways from each other there still is one very similar aspect between them. All use a graph of some type. I will be going over each of these chart patterns discussing what they are, how to read them, where to find them and recommend my favorite crochet bloggers that designs, uses and teaches these crochet techniques.
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First up is Crochet Charts…. These are the charts you see with just a million crochet symbols packed all tightly together and you think to yourself..WHERE the HECK is the starting point hahaha These charts has been around for atleast 100yrs if not more. I remember seeing magazines at my grandmothers full of these charts. I actually kept a few for many years. Though my grandmother wasn’t a Doily type person, that was my mother, They both would make intricate sweaters and cardigans out of these charts.
As I have stated before, I’m a big book person. I’ve had this book for awhile, it was a replacement to a book I had lost during one of our many moves. This book by Leisure Arts was the closest I could find to my Grandmothers original. Leisure Arts did a wonderful job with this book. They break it down step by step, have a very extensive stitch chart, break down on what the stitches look like and give a visual to each stitch and the content of the charts ranges from a easy Granny Square to a Intricate doily pattern.
Most charts you will find have a “KEY” the key is your guide aka ” cheat sheet” to the chart as it gives you what you need to know to do that particular chart. If there is no Key, knowing what each stitch symbol looks like is very important.
With any pattern your going to start with a Chain. We will use the above Granny Square chart as a reference for this. Looking at any chart your going to look in the center, or smallest area first for your starting chain. The chain will be the small, non colored in, oval circles, consisting of 2 or more in a row. Also each section of the chart “usually” is a different color so you know you will be moving on to the next “row”. Some charts do not have this option as they are usually copied from a book, etc. You will need to pay closer attention when working with these charts. The ending of a row will most likely end with a slip stitch which is represented by a single dot ( period symbol). Some Charts use a colored in Oval rather than the “dot”. The above chart also includes a starting arrow and ending arrow. THIS DOES NOT happen on 90% of the Chart patterns I have used or seen. Don’t get used to seeing this arrow, but it is great to find patterns like this to familiarize yourself before moving on to less instructive charts. Take your time, learning charts can seem overwhelming and/or even impossible but with practice they can open up your world of crochet to many many options in designing.
I recommend going and taking a peek at Kirsten’s tutorial for charts on her website.. Haakmaarraak.nl She has some beautiful work and her tutorial has more visuals than mine. You can also find charts on www.craftsy.com I’m not aware if they have tutorials but I’m gonna be bold and say they probably do. And ofcourse there is always Youtube.
Filet & Tapestry
Filet and Tapestry crochet… Similar in the chart process but completely different techniques.Theses types of crochet have also been around for a very long time. I had run across a site that had a magazine from 1899 on Filet patterns. I have personally never tried either. Below are the best descriptions I have found…
Filet…This type of crocheted lace is gridlike because it uses only two crochet stitches: the chain stitch and the double crochet stitch. Filet crochet forms patterns by filling in parts of a mostly chain stitch mesh with double crochet stitches. Filet crochet is usually constructed from monotone, but now a days can be colorful, crochet thread and worked in rows. Filet crochet is used for decorative applications such as window curtains, tablecloths, and place settings, etc.
Tapestry… Also known as jacquard crochet, intarsia, mosaic, fair isle, and colorwork, but today these terms usually describe different techniques. The yarns are switched back and forth to create motifs. Tapestry resembles more of a loom weave due to this technique.
These 2 types of crochet have been on my bucket list for many years, especially Tapestry as It reminds me of the beautiful purses and blankets I would see the Native American Pueblo tribes and Mexican woman make while on vacations in New Mexico & Mexico. These talented woman would weave these beautiful items with such easy. It was beyond inspiring. As I have not attempted these, as of yet, I have gathered a few Links for you to go to…..
For Tapestry Crochet. I highly recommend one of my favorite crafters. Not only does she do Tapestry she is also a Knitter, Crocheter and DIY Crafter. Her Name is Jessica, the owner and blogger of Mama In A Stitch !
For Filet Crochet tutorials were more on the “not ” so easy side to track down.
Craftsy has a small free tutorial. The Spruce has free patterns and some visuals. And theres a few youtube videos by The Crochet Crowd on Filet Crochet. When I get to start into working with these techniques and find any new links I will come back and update my post.
The Final Technique I will be covering is C2C crochet. Again this is accomplished using a chart but is worked in rows. There was no real definition I could find for Corner to Corner Crochet. I couldn’t even tell when C2C started and by who. To my knowledge I would guess its only been around for maybe a decade, but If you know please let me know. I know it had existed when I picked up my crochet hooks again a few years back and that about all I can tell you on the history of this technique. C2C is another Need to Try, as I haven’t as of yet. I’m not a big blanket person. My eldest daughter is a diehard C2C. She absolutely loves working this technique. She would tell how I needed to try it and I would just brush it off at the time. Then I ran across a crochet blogger who’s C2C grabbed my attention. I still want to make her design. I just need a reason to do so. It’s a too adorable for words blanket but I don’t have anyone to make it for and I’m alittle old for a blankie hahaha I’m gonna just have to mae it a summer project and maybe donate it.
Getting back on track… C2C is soo common and from what I have seen seems to be a very easy process it is by far the easiest to find patterns and tutorials. There’s just pages and pages when you google it. Below you will find a couple links…
I have a few “fav” crocheters .. the 2 listed below have tutorials for C2C.
#1 .. A Major inspiration and the designer of the blankie I’m wanting t try…
One Dog Woof…. Not only does she have the cutiest graph blankie she has other inspiring C2C. Her tutorial has step by step w/pic’s and a video for those that like to watch a tutorial. I love her other crochet work also. Simple and beautiful work.
Sewrella… Another great crocheter/ knitter/ crafter.. Her work is beautiful and her tutorials are always easy to follow. She has a couple C2C projects.. the link i provided goes to the cutest little pillow 🙂
Due to copyright protections and respect I have not included any photos of their work on my blog… You will just have to click on their names to go look 🙂
No matter what chart type pattern you decide to try. You will benefiting from learning a new technique. Each type of chart pattern still give you the control to make that pattern your own. Chart patterns whether Chart, Filet or Tapestry gives you the foundation of a part of the pattern. It’s up to you how to add them together, expand them, finish them in your own unique way. C2C gives you the opportunity to take a sketch, vision,picture, object and make it tangible. The possibilities of these techniques are seriously endless. Let your creativity run wild. Start a new trending pattern, bring back a “antique” style or meld the old with the new… that’s the beauty of creativity.
My Final post on this mini series will be next Saturday and will be going over Video patterns. Hope to see ya then.
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