I'm Crocheting Slip Stitch Short Rows...

...and I hope every crocheter will try it. I now have a free pattern for you: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/slip-slope-scarf-free-pattern 

See the bumpy short row ends along the top edge?
You can make them melt (as they did in the 2nd photo below), or you can emphasize them as a decorative texture (see 4th and last photo below)

called "Slip Slope Scarf." Even if you've already tried crocheting short rows with other stitches like single crochet (sc or UK: dc) or double crochet (dc or UK: tr), give my slip stitch way a try. 

First set of short rows completed. As you can see in the top photo, they melted in nicely
as more rows were added. I should create a mini-video to also show how thoroughly
stretchy it is: not lumpy or tight where the short rows end.

I can't stop! It's an irresistible combo of: 

I love this color effect.
I think it'll become a design
called..."Slippery Fingers"?

• Fabulous fabric: solid - warm - soft - thin - extra-stretchy - reversible
• Fascinating color and texture effects
• Fun stitching progress: I get to stop in the middle of a row and turn around (instead of always going all the way across to the end). And it's easier. I don't have to manage lumps in my fabric like I do if I use taller stitches (by tapering the stitch heights or messing with the turning chains, for example.) I don't have to stop and figure out which loops to work into when I crochet over a short row (like I do when I've tried tapering rows of taller stitches). 

I just plain enjoy the look and feel of these crochet short rows as I go. Is it like this for you too? I hope you'll try it and let me know.

Slip Tectonics, a neck warmer using two kinds 
of slip stitches to create a self-shaping cowl.

See also my newsletter issue about crocheting slip stitch short rows. 


After I write this, I'll go over to my Crochet Pattern Companion blog and create a photo tutorial for the short row basics.


After Slip Tectonics, I have another pattern coming out using crochet short rows, so if you like the free pattern, keep an eye out for "Thaxton Hood."

Free Crochet Patterns by Vashti Braha: Index

New pdf format for my
free crochet patterns

This is the most current and complete clickable list of my crochet freebies. I'm in the midst of a website upgrade because the more official Free DesigningVashti Crochet Patterns section of my website needs to be reconfigured--I've learned this the hard way LOL. Giving (and receiving) free crochet designs is fun for me, but if I have to jump through a lot of hoops to offer them, they cease being fun and free! Get this: right now, if I add free downloadable pdfs to my website, Paypal tries to charge me a fee each time someone downloads one! If I add them as html pages, they don't print out for each person the way they should. If I host them only in my Ravelry store, then people leave my website!


My crochet patterns for "components" are included here--a flourishing pattern category in Ravelry for the building blocks of crochet projects. It's an important category because it's where a lot of the juicy bits of crochet can happen: cultural subtleties, skill refining, artful customizing, and creative problem-solving. Components are things like: stitch patterns, edgings, insertions, fastenings, appliqués, embellishments, afghan blocks, and miscellaneous tutorials. I seem to naturally enjoy designing these also, and have been putting them in my free biweekly Crochet Inspirations Newsletters.


A. Free Crochet Components (stitch patterns, edgings, insertions, fastenings, appliqués, embellishments, afghan blocks, miscellaneous tutorials, etc)

Limpets

Why & How to Crochet Limpet Stitches & Half Hitches: Issue #3 of Vashti's Crochet Inspirations Newsletter, "A Very Different Kind of Crochet Stitch." 

How to Crochet Three Valuable Alternatives to the Foundation Chain: Issue #18 of Vashti's Crochet Inspirations Newsletter, "Deep Crochet Research."

3 Slim Foundation Stitches

How to Do the Classic Single Crochet Version of the Double-Faced Stitch: Issue #6 of Vashti's Crochet Inspirations Newsletter, "Thick Enough Crochet (The 'Helena' Stitches)."

Twisted Front Loop Single Crochet (Twflosc): Issue #12 of Vashti's Crochet Inspirations Newsletter, "Twist Some Loops."

The Tunisian Yarn Over (Tyo), A Valuable Stitch to Know: Issue #10 of Vashti's Crochet Inspirations Newsletter, "Tunisian Crochet: Breaking Out of Ruts."

Twisted Loops

How to Do the Classic V-Stitch (with pointers to a few simple variations, and charts of increases): Issue #15 of Vashti's Crochet Inspirations Newsletter, "Unpacking the V-Stitch."

The Speedy Offset Filet Stitch: How to Crochet It and Graph (aka Chart) It: Issue #4 of Vashti's Crochet Inspirations Newsletter, "Graphing Waterlilies." 

The Popular 'Seed Stitch' and Elongated Sc Variation: How to Crochet It, and Graph (aka Chart) It for Colorwork: Issue #4 of Vashti's Crochet Inspirations Newsletter, "Graphing Waterlilies." 

B. Free Crochet Patterns for Projects

Eva Scarf (see photo at top left corner of this post)

This free pattern download is a great example of how I publish my premium crochet patterns that you can purchase at DesigningVashti and in Ravelry.

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/evas-ribs-scarf-slip-stitch-crochet-101
The scarf was first published as Ribbed Slip Stitch 'Classico' Scarf in Issue #9 of Vashti's Crochet Inspirations Newsletter, "Slip Stitch for Style."

Scrappy Posing as a Toy

Scrappy the Draft Snake
This free pattern download is also a great example of how I publish my premium crochet patterns that you can purchase at DesigningVashti and in Ravelry.

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/scrappy-the-draft-snake-updated

Love Knot Embracelet
The most popular free crochet pattern of this blog! I'm looking forward to publishing it in the new and pretty pdf format that I created for my premium indie-published designs. (See Eva Scarf for an example.) Ravelry Design Page

http://designingvashti.blogspot.com/2009/05/free-crochet-pattern-for-mothers-day.html

Cowl-Ready Stitch Pattern

Start a Cowl in the Round (How to Crochet an Easy Cowl): Issue #5 of Vashti's Crochet Inspirations Newsletter, "A Fever for Crocheting Cowls." 

Cowl-Ready Crochet Stitch Pattern #1, and Cowl-Ready Crochet Stitch Pattern #2: Issue #5 of Vashti's Crochet Inspirations Newsletter, "A Fever for Crocheting Cowls." 

Pampering Pebble Pockets

Pampering Pebbles Makeup Removal Pockets: Issue #21 of Vashti's Crochet Inspirations Newsletter, "Wee Pebbly Stitches."

Two Simple Clasps for Crochet Jewelry: Wavy Donut Button and Plump Star Button: Issue #1 of Vashti's Crochet Inspirations Newsletter, "New Crochet Talk (Inaugural Issue)." 

Spring Buds Cord

Beginner's Necklace Cord, and Spring Buds Cord, both in issue #17 of Vashti's Crochet Inspirations Newsletter, "Crocheting Fancy Cords."

Simple Jelly Yarn 'Braid': Issue #11 of Vashti's Crochet Inspirations Newsletter, "Spring Loaded Stitches."

C. Free Crochet Patterns for Kids and Their Parents at my ToyDesigningVashti Blog: 

Glee Worms

Glee Worm Cousins

The first free pattern I ever published as a blog post, in October 2006.

http://toydesigningvashti.blogspot.com/2006/10/glee-worm-tests-result-in-free-pattern.html 
Ravelry Design Page.

Hippie Hemp Teacher's Bracelets

http://toydesigningvashti.blogspot.com/2009/05/free-crochet-patterns-from-school-mini.html
Ravelry Design Page.

Book Bling Bungee

http://toydesigningvashti.blogspot.com/2008/12/holiday-frolic-with-jelly-yarn-free.html
Ravelry Design Page.

D. Caron Yarns Deluxe Free Crochet Fashion Patterns:

Tokyo Jacket

Tokyo Jacket

Ravelry Design Page.
Pattern page at naturallycaron.com.

Renaissance Tunic

Barcelona Jacket
Ravelry Design Page.
Pattern page at naturallycaron.com.

Baroque Tabard Tunic
Ravelry Design Page.
Pattern page at caron.com.

Renaissance Tunic

Ravelry Design Page. 
Pattern page at caron.com.

E. Remember the original Crochet me online crochet magazine? Here are direct links to my two patterns in the archived issues: 

Rosebud Shrug

Rosebud Shrug (March 2006)

http://crochetme.com/media/p/88817.aspx
Ravelry Design Page.

Wire Hotplate Doily (June 2005)

http://crochetme.com/media/p/88551.aspx
Ravelry Design Page.

F. Berroco Knit Bits newsletter:

Java Jammie (a coffee cozy that replaces those cardboard sleeves.) I think of the pattern as a "stitch game." Published in the Berroco Knit Bits newsletter issue #142 (June 30, 2006); scroll to the end for story and link to updated pattern page. (For some reason, these two links no longer link to the original Knit Bits issue: Ravelry Design Page and berroco.com/exclusives.)

G. Lion Brand:

Fancy Fur Kimono
Ravelry Design Page. (Ravelry page contains link which goes to the Lion Brand Yarn site, where you will encounter a sign-in page)

V-Stitch Cocoon Shrug
Ravelry Design Page. (Ravelry page contains link which goes to the Lion Brand Yarn site, where you will encounter a sign-in page)

I have plenty more free crochet patterns and I want to format them all into pretty pdf's when I can. I'll update this post as they happen, and of course let you know when I come up with an official database of all free DesigningVashti crochet patterns.