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.

How to Journal About Your Crochet Ideas

Can you find my notebook in this project pile?

We crocheters are a creative bunch. With all the fresh yarn colors, new crochet hooks, free crochet patterns, and exciting crochet fashions on the runways, some days my problem is too much inspiration! A crochet notebook really helps. 

Do you already record your crochet inspirations somehow? If so, you know that there's more than one way to go about it. 

I used to use sticky notes of all sizes and then throw them into folders. 

I liked this because each design idea remained independent and

 recombinable; they were also easy to jot down anywhere at any moment. I still have sticky note pads in every purse, car, and throughout the house so that no inspiration is ever forgotten. 

The sticky note system is not ideal. I didn't like it because the ideas were less likely to evolve. They tended to remain just sparks, or seeds still needing to be planted. (Of concern to professional designers: no built-in intellectual property protection!)

I love my 8.5" x 11" thick spiral-bound blank notebook by Miquel Rius. I found it at the local Barnes & Noble. Its durable hard plastic looks good and protects well. The pages have faint graph paper lines. 

Here's my basic system:

• I number each page consecutively in ink.
  
• I reserve the 2 back pages for indexing by page number. 
  
• Each entry is in ink, dated, and initialed by me. 
  
• If I had to jot down something on a sticky note or scrap paper, it gets firmly taped into the notebook as a signed and dated entry. 
  
• No pages are ever ripped out.
  

I know what you're thinking: seems a bit formal. Hold that thought.

Other things that go into this notebook: 

• sketches, diagrams
  
• inspiring clippings
  
• samples of crochet stitches and patterns 
  

Not all of my swatching fits into a bound book like this but it's the ideal place to keep my thread crochet lace pieces. For sketches I've learned to keep colored pens nearby. Some ideas are just plain better drawn than written. Years later I especially enjoy looking at my quick sketches, even those that didn't seem like much at the time. 

At first this was a big change and did seem a bit formal to me, but it's an easy habit and well worth it. It's a fertile garden where I can watch the seeds that I've planted grow over time. The entry dating turns it into a lovely memory book. I love just paging through this notebook. A big bonus is that all of these steps help to protect my ideas as the intellectual property that they are.

Sometimes while crocheting I jot down into this notebook seemingly random thoughts or opinions I have that are in any way related to crochet--maybe about the yarn or hook or pattern or color I'm using. Later, these thoughts become useful. 

It's good for crocheters to recognize that what we naturally do generates intellectual property! Below are some links to descriptions of how design notebooks are used in other fields. I hope you are inspired to record your crochet stitches, experiments, observations, and daydreams.

I love seeing how Paul Hughes thinks in diagrams and sketches

A 3-ring binder system someone developed for home design ideas

College-level guidelines for creating design process notebooks, including graded evaluations, here and here. 

The Merits of Owning 10-Skein Bags

Today in the Crochet Partners forum someone wondered what would be a good amount of yarn to buy if one sees it for a good price but one doesn't have a project in mind. What a great question! Below is my reply, with some additional thoughts.
(Pictured: a delicious 10-ball box of Coats Opera #5 thread)

If I can, I'll buy the number of skeins it takes to make a full mill "bag", if I can get the yarn in its original bag. Yarn companies ship most yarns divided neatly into clear bags. Many of the yarns sold in local yarn shops (LYS) come in 10-skein bags. Some yarns carried in craft chains might be shipped in 3-skein bags or 6-skein bags. I've found that if I buy a 10-skein bag at a yarn shop or online, there are lots of benefits:

- If I change my mind down the road about using the yarn, it's very easy to sell a full 10-skein bag (in its original bag) on the internet, even long after it has been discontinued. Occasionally a LYS will take it back for store credit.

- An intact bag of 10 makes a great gift for a yarn lover!
(10-ball bag of Rowan Linen Drape at left; click pic to see the official label on the bag)

- It's easy to figure out in your head the total yards you have: 10 x yards in each ball = a good amount for a sweater (note that depending on the design, there might only be enough yarn for mid-length sleeves.) So, say each ball has 125 yards, you know that a 10-ball bag gives you 1250 yards total. Ten skeins gives me enough to experiment with some and still have enough to make a summer top, shrug, wrap, hat and scarf, tote, throw pillows, multiple gifts, or a matching set of something.

- It comes home in its own storage bag! 10-ball bags stack on each other well and slide under beds perfectly. The balls stay new-looking because they don't tumble around; instead they're packed neatly like sardines in their mill bags. I'm making two sweaters right now, both with stash yarns that I bought in 10-ball bags about 5 years ago. The yarn is so fresh it's like I bought it yesterday!

- The dye lot is automatically the same for each ball.

- It helps the LYS because they're not left with stray skeins of a dye lot. By the way, if you want to special order a yarn from a LYS, ordering 10 balls of it makes it very easy for the shop.

- Given these benefits, if you find 10-ball bags of a discontinued yarn, the closeout price is a true bargain. Consider my latest acquisition: Artful Yarns Fable, $55 for the bag. That's $5.50 per ball of a premium pima cotton & silk blend, all one dye lot, pristine condition; 184yards ea. = 1840 yds total!

Many of these benefits might also be true for the 3-ball and 6-ball bags at chain stores.
The Caron Pizazz at right came in 3-ball bags.

Jewelry Design Tips: Bead Organization, Simple Starts

Turns out that I must be able to see my newest and most favorite beads at a glance, just like I need to see my yarn to inspire new ideas. For years I have dutifully sorted beads into little compartments and packets and drawers. Many of my beads remain there, such as seed beads and recycled parts of old jewelry. But when I come home with a batch of fresh bead stash enhancement, I need to see them sparkle in the sun! (Photo taken at sunset, hence the pink cast.)
It's a thick, small cork board that I covered with felt. It's for macrame and so the pins are able to hold the weight of the larger glass beads. I can carry the board around to where I daydream and swatch up designs for them.

While I'm here, how about some tips* for creating your own metal-free crochet jewelry? These ideas come from a post I wrote for a Crochetpartners Yahoo group regarding crochet jewelry for a girl who's allergic to metal.

- I love crocheting my own metal-free jewelry fasteners and findings! Or, sew on a pretty button.

- Kids love Jelly Yarn® for jewelry.

- Take a bookmark pattern that you like and turn it into a bracelet or choker by make it longer, then add a button.

- Some belt patterns could make great bracelets or chokers if you use thread and beads instead of yarn.

- Take a pretty edging pattern and make it long enough for suspending a pendant. I'm often complimented on mine. I used size #20 crochet thread in modern colors.

- Just crochet a chain and feed it through big-holed beads. The craft stores have some exciting new beads and more of them now have big enough holes for crochet. Use thread that is strong and durable, and beads without rough hole edges. (A bead reamer--available at craft stores--will smooth the edges.)

- Take an interesting pattern from a stitch dictionary and do it in tiny thread; sprinkle in some seed beads. Sometimes just the first few rows of a fancy stitch pattern look beautiful as jewelry. Sometimes the opposite is true: many rows with just 1 or 2 or 3 stitch repeats in each row create a special jewelry look.

- Crochet some flowers and slide them onto ribbon. You can do this with any crochet motif, or vintage insertion pattern that is already designed to have a ribbon woven through the middle of it.

- When445t54ee you don't need your crochet jewelry to be metal-free, try any of the above with fine wire (28 gauge or finer) for a special effect and instant style.

Some of my jewelry blog posts:
http://designingvashti.blogspot.com/2007/05/my-shangri-la.html
http://designingvashti.blogspot.com/2007/10/rowanberry-pendant.html
http://designingvashti.blogspot.com/2007/12/icy-bling-for-warm-climes.html

*These tips are for readers who are making jewelry for private, nonprofessional, noncommercial use. For other uses, please consult current intellectual property laws in your country.

Swatch Management

This new Swatch Bank, founded in 2007, yields high interest and I can make speedier withdrawals than with other Swatch Banks I've tried.
I suppose this might look like a heap o' mess but this madness has a careful method. Not only that, despite how it looks the tags do not get tangled. Maybe I should try to take a better photo.
The gist of the system is, I have a huge closed metal ring, and smaller metal rings that click open and closed hang from the big ring. Each small ring holds swatches of a certain type. For example, 1 ring holds all variations of single crochet, another is for all variations for hdc, etc.; more swatch categories that work for me:
- trebles and beyond
- colorwork
- aran
- lace
Most swatches have hang tags (on very short leashes) that tell me the hook size, the stitch pattern or what pg. in which book I found it, maybe the yarn.

What do other people do?
- Some Victorians used to baste swatches to fabric pages bound into a kind of scrapbook. I find I need my swatches to be free agents--I need to compare drape, stretch, loft, etc. I also hate basting.

- Other Victorians made one long continuous strip and rolled it up. I like the look but it's even less usable as a swatch bank than the scrapbook method, and my swatches are not uniform in size or color.

- Some people join them into afghans. If I stop designing someday, I'll probably do that.

- Many probably do what I used to: store some with the design proposals or completed patterns and stash the rest of them into a big box. Sad--the swatches can't show off this way. It's a swatch account that yields zero interest with no easy withdrawals.

- Is there a method I've left out? At one time I toyed with mounting each swatch on a large index card then filing them. One time I experimented with covering big stiff felt pages with elastic bands so that I could slip the swatches under the bands and remove as necessary (like how some people informally display photos on the wall). The hang tags got all tangled in that system and it took up too much room anyway.

New Way to Organize my Design Ideas

It was a big job because I have too many ideas on postits and scraps, and when I brainstorm, I fill up full sheets of paper. I never forget a brainstorm and need to be able to locate those pages fast when I'm swatchin'n'sketchin'.

A big accordion file makes sense but the risk is Idea Death: I would use the contents less.

I'm very happy now: a clear plastic sheet protector for every meaningful category, and these go into a 3-ring binder. I used 35+ clear plastic sheet protectors. VERY happy! I can SEE everything, I can flip fast, I can add tabs. They naturally fall into 3 basic categories and below are 9 examples of the 35+ :

1. Ideas for Stitches and Techniques
- Love knots in pattern stitches
- Linked stitches
- Corner starts

2. Ideas by Project Type (often brainstormed in response to calls for proposals)
- 2-4 ball wearables
- Teens, tweens
- Boys, men

3. Ideas Specific to Fiber Type
- Wire
- Jelly Yarn
- Lycra content