Self Taught Crocheter Needs Help!?

Question

I can't follow patters to save my life and am totally self taught..... anyone else in this situation? How do I advance from blankets and scarves? Any mentors out there? I am a willing student!

Answer 1

This site has all kind of tutorials to help, along with video and free patterns everyday.
I also taught myself years ago from an encyclopedia and unable to read a pattern, learning to read patterns isn't that hard and I have enjoyed making the creations of others, without the frustration of making my own pattern.

http://www.anniesattic.com/

Answer 2

if you know the abbreviations
sc single crochet and what that is ... the patterns are fairly easy.
you just need to learn to break it down into steps (don't look at the whole row all at once.

so if a patter says ex: ch 6, ss to 1st ch on hook to form a ring = chain 6 and slip stitch to the first chain

ex row 2: ch 3 counts as first dc, 11 dc in ring or ch 6, 2 dc = chain 3 and 11 double crochets which would equal 12 doub. croc

ex row 3: ch 3 counts as first dc, 2 dc, ch 2, (3 dc, ch 2) 3 times, ss to top of ch 3 - 12 dc, 4 ch 2 spaces = ch 3 then 2 doub croch cch 2 (3 doub croc, chain 2, 3 doub croc, ch 2, 3 doub croch, ch 3) anything in parenthesis is done the amount of time following ( __)3 times in this case, slip stitch to top of chain 3
**** in this case you would have the start of a granny squar so it would almost look like a plus sign with 4 sets of 3 dbl croch and 4 ch 2 spaces.

If there is a * * you follow that instruction as many times both symbols could be used in one row ... it's used for repeating a pattern and a pattern within a pattern.

There are sights but sometimes it's best to find a person who can sit and walk you through this ... did my best to help hope it gives you some clues. or at least a start

Answer 3

What do you want to make? There are interesting books out there, though sometimes you have to wade through stacks of instructions on how to make doilys and toilet roll covers to find them! *grin*

There actually are books with patterns written in plain English, though there are not too many, and you honestly would be better off learning the abbreviations...It looks daunting, but once you get them down, it is not nearly as hard as you might imagine...

Though it has to be said that if you know all the basics, you can do whatever you want in crochet with no pattern, designing it yourself as you go along...

Please feel free to let me know if you have any specific questions...

Answer 4

I completely feel your pain. Right now, I'm limited to anything with straight lines and granny squares. Its so frustrating! Just keep trying the pattern. From the few I've attempted, I've found that writing the pattern out long-hand helps a ton in not making mistakes. Just don't let yourself get frustrated with it..you can teach yourself the pattern, its just a matter of practice. I'm working on my first sweater now, and after I got over my pattern-phobia, it wasn't nearly as hard as i expected. Good luck!

Answer 5

It just takes practice to learn what the letters mean. Each pattern should come with a legend telling you what the abbreviations mean. The codes are typically universal.
sc = single crochet
dc= double crochet
tr = treble crochet
st = stitch
yo = yarn over

There are LOTS more. Any specifics you don't understand?

Answer 6

i am self taught too and have never followed a pattern myself....lol i have been crocheting blouses, hats and even the chistening gown of my first grandbaby.

a good idea is to learn other designs and not just straight across. try to do a round tablecloth for a small table.

you start by creating a small single link, about 8 links and connect it together to make a circle.

then do a single stitch and loop it around the link until it is all filled up and then connect it together when the single stitch meets the first single stitch you made. that will give you the first row.

then the second row, you can start inventing your own designs and go around and connect again......important! make sure that when you are making your circles, you make enough stitches so when you put it flat on a table, the circle is flat and spread evenly.

if you notice that it is curving, that means you need to add more stitches. so to do that, for every row you are starting, use to stictches for every loop that is in the previous row.

in other words, if in your first row, you count 10 stitches, the second row make extra stitches so they will total 20 total stitches. to do this, in every loop in the first row, you insert two on it.....
III III III III III III II II II II II II II II add more
II II II II II II II or II I II I II I II I II add more to loosen circle
I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I double & loop together
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - single & loop together

this is just an example of how you can add more stitches over the previous row to spread it like a fan or make a flat plate shape
work.

the opposite to it is to reduce as you go to the next row and this will enable you to make a cup shape so it gets smaller as you go to the next rows...
I II I II I II I II
II II II II II II II II
III II III II III II III II

to do this you have to skip a stitch to reduce the number of double stitches you make.

so if your previous row has 10 stitches when you go to the next row, make to double stitches to start and then jump over one of the stitches under and do 2 more doubles and then skip again and jump over one stitch and continue. you will notice that in your design it will look like this
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | ||
|| | || | || | || |
|| || || || || || |
|||||||||||||||||||||

just estimate it as it is trial and error until you get experience how to add stitches or subtract stitches...once you learn this you can come out with your own designs.

you start start by making a pull over cap.
at the beginning you make your circle loop, start adding stitches so you can make the top of the hat were you will fit your head,.... then start reducing the stitches to curve the hat to make it snug around your hear. then..... you can just stop reducing or adding so it gets longer and you can make a little flap and fold it over.

i wish i could explain to you better than this....it is kind of hard ... i hope you understand a little what i am trying to say....lol

go this web site
http://crochet.about.com/library/weekly/aa052398.htm
and choose Circle, Basic (With Open Center)

that is the circle you start with.....then look at the other examples and follow them.....it will help you a lot.

Answer 7

try the big book of crochet it will tell you all you need to know or get some videos or go to a local craft shop that will teach you

Answer 8

I find it easier to watch someone else. Maybe join a group or club!