Many crochet patterns start with the instruction to work a foundation chain followed by working either a single crochet, half double crochet or double crochet into each chain. Personally, I don’t care much for this way of starting a project: I lose count of the initial number of chains, the chain stitches are fiddly to insert your hook into and getting the tension right is just hard. I usually end up with an edge that is either too tight or too loose.
That is why when I learned about foundation rows, I never looked back. When making a foundation row, both the foundation chain and first row of your project are in effect made simultaneously. This makes it easy to keep track of the number of stitches worked and the tension just right.
A foundation row can be worked with a variety of stitches including (but not limited to) single crochet, half double crochet, and double crochet. The below tutorial focuses on making a Foundation Single Crochet or FSC. Please note that American crochet terminology is used.
In a pattern, you may find the following instruction:
Foundation single crochet: make a slip knot and place onto hook, ch 2, insert hook into both lps of the second ch from hook, yo and draw through, ch 1, yo and draw through both lps on hook, *insert hook in ch part of previous st, yo and draw through, ch 1, yo and draw through both lps on hook; rep from *.
Working foundation single crochet step by step
1. Make a slip knot and chain 2.
2. Insert the hook from right to left under the top strands of the second chain from the hook.
3. Yarn over and draw through those top strands indicated above.
4. Chain one stitch, make sure to make this one not too tight because here you create the “chain” part of your foundation row.
5. Yarn over and draw through both loops on your hook. This completes the first stitch in your foundation single crochet.
6. Insert the hook in the chain part of the previous stitch, this can be a tad hard to make out. In the below picture I’ve indicated that part with the arrow. On your hook are now 2 strands and 1 loop.
7. Yarn over and draw through both strands indicated above.
8. Chain one stitch, make sure again to make this one not too tight.
9. Yarn over and draw through both loops on the hook.
Repeat steps 6-9 as needed.
Hope you find the foundation single crochet as useful as I do!
Reminiscent of the soft colors of sea glass on a sunny beach, the Zeeglas Cowl warms the neck and shoulders like a soft cloud. The simple to work lace pattern is provided both charted and written out.
The various colors from the Adele’s Mohair Brushed Self Stripe Yarn used in the sample give this design added visual interest. When substituting yarns, choose either a sport weight brushed mohair type yarn or lace weight kid-silk type yarn held double for a similar result. This design is very well suited for stash busting odds and ends of mohair type yarn.
Pay what you want: (minimum €5.50)
€
Difficulty level
The Zeeglas cowl is knit in the round. Stitches used include knit, purl, sl1, k2tog, psso and yo. The pattern is suitable for the intermediate knitter.
Sizes and finished measurements
S (L), shown in the larger size. Finished dimensions: 37 cm (14 ½ inches) wide and 55 (110) cm (21 ½ (43) inches) circumference, measured after blocking.
Pattern details
Written for a gauge of approx. 13.3 sts / 17.7 rows = 10 cm (4 inches) over lace pattern, measured after blocking. Gauge is however not critical in this design.
Pattern languages included: English and Dutch (Dit patroon omvat zowel een Nederlandse als een Engelse versie)
Digital PDF has 2 pages (A4 size)
Materials
112 (223) m (122 (244) yds) / 28 (55) g Adele’s Mohair Brushed Self Stripe Yarn [78% mohair, 13% wool, 9% nylon; 203 m (222 yds) / 50 g ball]. Substitute any sport weight brushed mohair type yarn, or lace weight kid-silk type yarn held double for a similar result.
5 mm (US 8) 60 cm (16 inches) circular needle. Use needles appropriate for the yarn chosen.
Being a spinner, I not only have lots of lovely top and roving in my fiber stash, but also quite a few whole fleeces. A whole sheep worth of wool can get a bit boring color-wise. So, now with Easter all done, it is time to put that leftover Easter egg dye to good use and start dyeing wool!
Easter egg dye and other food coloring are perfectly suited to dye protein-based fibers and yarns. Wool, alpaca, and silk are lovely to dye yourself. These dyes, however, can’t be used to permanently dye acrylics and plant-based fibers like cotton.
Supplies needed
Wool or yarn: I’m using some lovely Lleyn wool, that I already scoured last year. If dyeing or over-dyeing yarn, make sure to skein the yarn if you have it in a ball put-up. Remember to tie the skein with some pieces of cotton or acrylic to make sure your wool won’t tangle beyond rescue.
Easter egg dye or other food colorings
Vinegar to change pH value and improve the dye take up by the wool
Non-aluminum pot and spoon
Let’s get started!
1. Fill the pot with hot water from the tap, add some glugs of vinegar (I know, very scientific this way) and put in the wool to pre-soak. Leave it like that for 10 to 15 minutes.
2. While waiting I made myself a cappuccino and pondered what colors to use. I decided to use red and blue to hopefully end up with purple.
3. Added the dye to the pot and put it on the stove until the water had reached a slow simmer. Then I put the fire out and let it be. Do not let it come to a rolling boil and don’t stir a lot or vigorously, we don’t want to felt our wool!
4. Checking the progress, you can see that the red dye has disappeared completely from the water. There is however still a lot of blue in the water and not in the wool.
5. A couple of hours later I’m satisfied with how much dye has been taken up by the wool. Other colors may need less time. Now it is time for a rinse. I have filled the sink with hot water and gently swooshed the wool around int it, to rinse out any leftover dye. Only use cold water, if your wool is also completely cooled down. Rapid cool-down can also cause felting. Therefore I always use hot water for rinsing, just to be sure I don’t accidentally felt my wool.
6. Then it is time to remove all the excess water from the wool. After a gentle squeeze, I use my dedicated salad spinner for this. You can, of course, also use a stand-alone spin dryer. When using the one in your washing machine, make sure it does not automatically involve rinsing as well, because that may again cause felting.
And there you have it: a nice crate full of purple wool! Dyeing wool is pretty fun, isn’t it? When completely dry I had even more fun carding the wool into batts for spinning, read all about it here.
The Schelp Shawl is a crescent shaped shawl design, inspired by the lovely shell shaped lace (“schelp” in Dutch) featured in the scalloped edge. Combined with the soft texture of the garter stitch body, the shawl will certainly keep you nice and warm in the winter and on other chilly days.
Work Schelp from the bottom up, starting with the border. Easy short row shaping creates the crescent shape. The lace pattern for the border is, of course, provided in both chart and written instructions.
Pay what you want: (minimum €6.50)
€
Difficulty level
This pattern features short rows. Stitches used include knit, purl, skp and yo as well as slipping and wrapping stitches. Therefore, this pattern is suitable for the intermediate knitter.
Sizes and Finished Measurements
168 cm (66 inches) measured along the upper edge and a depth of 39 cm (15 1⁄4 inches). Make this shawl larger or smaller by casting on more (or fewer) stitches. This will, of course, change the yarn requirements.
Pattern details
Written for a gauge of approx. 15.5 sts / 36 rows = 10 cm (4 inches) measured over garter stitch, gauge is however not critical in this design.
Pattern languages included: English and Dutch (Dit patroon omvat zowel een Nederlandse als een Engelse versie)
Digital PDF has 3 pages (A4 size)
Materials
The sample shawl was knit using 6 skeins of Katia Merino 100% in color 42 [100% wool; 102 m (111 yds) per 50 g skein]. Substitute any DK or worsted weight yarn for a similar result, or substitute sport weight yarn for a smaller shawl.
Circular needle size 5 mm (US 8), 80 cm (32 inches). Use needles appropriate for the yarn chosen.
The inspiration for the Flits Cowl struck when I had been spinning a gorgeous three-colored thick-and-thin singles yarn: the distinctive lace pattern changes direction whenever a color change occurs. Because of this, the Flits! design is not only perfect for yarns with a limited number of large color blocks, but also for stash-busting similar weight yarns.
Instructions for the lace pattern are provided in both written and charted format. This pattern also contains information on how to adapt the pattern to the amount of yarn for each color you have available, to make a truly unique Flits Cowl.
Pay what you want: (minimum €5.50)
€
Difficulty level
The Flits Cowl is knit in the round. Stitches used include knit, purl, skp, k2tog, and yo. The pattern is suitable for the intermediate knitter.
Sizes and Finished Measurements
Finished dimensions: 36 cm (14 ¼ inches) wide x 66 cm (26 inches) circumference, measured after blocking.
Pattern details
Worked in the round
Written for a gauge of approx. 17.5 sts / 27.5 rows = 10 cm (4 inches) over lace pattern, after blocking
Pattern languages included: English and Dutch (Dit patroon omvat zowel een Nederlandse als een Engelse versie)
Digital PDF has 4 pages (A4 size)
Materials
250-350 m (273-383 yds) fingering or sport weight yarn. The yarn used in the sample cowl was spun from fiber purchased from Dutch Wool Diva.
The Ayamaru Cowl, with its distinct texture resembling scales, is named after the Ayamaru rainbowfish. This cowl is designed to make the most of that one special skein of hand-dyed fingering weight yarn.
The diagonal scallop stitch featuring in the body of the cowl shows off the many colors often present in hand-dyed yarns. The garter stitch Latvian Twist edge gives a lovely finish and also prevents the fabric from rolling. Wear the larger size as a big loop to show off your yarn and stitching, or doubled up for optimal warmth. Pick the smaller size for a closer fitting cowl.
Pay what you want: (minimum €5.50)
€
Difficulty level
Work this cowl in the round, it also requires Kitchener stitch (grafting). This pattern contains a photo tutorial on how to work a Latvian Twist edge. Therefore, the Ayamaru cowl pattern is suitable for the intermediate knitter.
Sizes and Finished Measurements
Available in 2 sizes S (L) – finished dimensions: 22 cm (8 ½ inches) wide and 58 (116) cm (23 (45 ½) inches) circumference, measured after blocking.
Pattern details
Worked in the round
Written for a gauge of approx. 22 sts / 36 rows = 10 cm (4 inches) on smaller needles in Scallop Stitch pattern, measured after blocking
Pattern languages included: English and Dutch (Dit patroon omvat zowel een Nederlandse als een Engelse versie)
Digital PDF has 3 pages (A4 size)
Materials
50 (100) g / 204 (407) m (223 (445) yds) of fingering weight yarn
2 size 4 mm (US Size 6) 80 cm (24 inches) circular needles, one for grafting
Needles one size larger than size to obtain gauge, for cast on only
This pattern was originally published in I Like Crochet issue February 2015 as part of the “Downright darling: adorable baby patterns” chapter. In this issue, I’m presenting the Lime-Trimmed Cardigan. Photo courtesy of I like Crochet Magazine.
This pattern is now also available through La Visch Designs under the name Stip Baby Cardigan.
This little two-tone baby cardigan is a simple and elegant layering piece. Great for when the weather is still cold and a little extra warmth is much appreciated. With its eye-catching dot yoke and soft A-line shape, it is bound to become a timeless favorite
A lovely scarf in a simple and elegant lace repeat pattern, easily transformed into a cowl. Worked flat, the IJskristal Convertible Cowl/Scarf is available in one size, that can easily be made wider or longer, or both. With both written and charted directions for the lace, this convertible scarf knits up like a dream. Pair it with the IJskristal Slouchy Hat for a lovely coordinating set.
Pay what you want: (minimum €5.50)
€
Difficulty level
The IJskristal Convertible Cowl/Scarf is worked flat. Stitches used include knit, purl, skp, k2tog, yo and the centered double decrease sl2-k1-p2sso. The pattern is suitable for the intermediate knitter.
Sizes and Finished Measurements
One size – finished dimensions: 23 cm (9 inches) wide and 130 cm (51 inches) long, measured after blocking.
Pattern details
Worked flat
Written for a gauge of approx. 19 sts / 21 rows = 10 cm (4 inches) over lace pattern, after blocking.
Pattern languages included: English and Dutch (Dit patroon omvat zowel een Nederlandse als een Engelse versie)
Digital PDF has 3 pages (A4 size)
Materials
100 g / 320 m (350 yds) of DK weight alpaca yarn. The sample cowl/scarf features Ice Yarns Pure Alpaca (100% Alpaca; 160 m (175 yds) / 50 g). Substitute for an alpaca yarn of comparable weight for a similar result.
Needles in your preferred style in the following sizes (or to match gauge): Size 3.5 mm (US 4) and size 4.5 mm (US 7).
The Zoel Scarf is a very soft and delicate scarf knit using laceweight mohair yarn. It is a great pattern to learn some basics of lace knitting or to get familiar with using this type of yarn. Because of the simple two-row lace, this pattern not only lets the yarn shine but also makes for a wonderful portable project.
Pair it with the Zoel Hat to warm up a cold day in autumn or winter.
Pay what you want: (minimum €5.50)
€
Skills required
Stitches used include knit, purl, yo, k2tog and the double decrease sl1-k2tog-psso. The pattern is suitable for the beginning lace knitter.
Sizes and Finished Measurements
As written, the finished measurements of this scarf are 20 cm (7 ¾ inches) wide and 130 cm (51 ¼ inches) long.
The Zoel scarf can easily be made larger by using heavier yarn and/or working more repeats of the lace pattern. This will, of course, increase the amount of yarn needed.
Pattern details
Worked flat
Written for gauge of approx. 16 sts / 20 rows = 10 cm (4 inches) over lace pattern
Pattern languages included: English and Dutch (Dit patroon omvat zowel een Nederlandse als een Engelse versie)
Digital PDF has 2 pages (A4 size)
Materials
Yarn: 35 g / 192 m (209) yards) of Lana Grossa Lace Pearls [40% wool, 26% polyamide, 18% alpaca, 18% mohair, 8% glass; 137 m (149 yds) per 25 g skein]. Substitute any lace weight kid mohair/silk type yarn for a similar result.
Needles in your preferred style in size 4.5 mm (US 7)
Today my second interview with a fellow Indie designers participating in the Indie Design Gift-A-Long 2014. I’m talking to Tanja Luescher from Tanja Luescher Designs, also known as knittedinswitzerland. She joined me in the chat room of the La Visch Designs group on Ravelry:
First of all, I’m very excited to be having this interview with you and get to know one of my fellow Indie Design Gift-A-Long designers a bit better. So thank you very much for having this interview with me!
Thanks to you for interviewing me 🙂
Would you please tell me (us) a little about yourself?
I live in Switzerland with my hubby and two cats. I learned to knit in 2003, when I met my husband. We were living 600 km apart from each other, and every Sunday when he brought me to the station, and we waited for the train, he was so cold. So I decided that I wanted to learn to knit and make him gloves. Unfortunately, he almost never wears knitted things, but I knit on anyway 😀 I soon began to make up own patterns (Top Down Custom Fit Raglans, for example) to get something that fits me. In 2013 I published my first pattern 🙂
That is so romantic!
🙂 Yes… apart from the “he doesn’t wear knitted things” part 🙂
Mine also doesn’t wear my knits 🙂
They don’t know what they’re missing…
So right! When looking at your portfolio, the emphasis seems to be on lace. How did you start designing lace shawls and other accessories?
I took a two part course from Renee Leverington (GoddessKnits), Design your own Shawl and Advanced Shawl Designing. I hadn’t even knit much lace or shawls before, but I was completely hooked 🙂
For me, lace is the most beautiful thing you can create with knitting
How would you describe your design style?
Well… Lacy, I guess 🙂 I try to design things that keep me (and hopefully) others motivated, miles of stockinette would probably kill me. I love the look of a nice stockinette sweater, but I can’t knit it without adding a cable here or a little something there. 🙂
Besides (obviously) lace, what’s your favorite thing to knit? Shawls, hats…?
At the moment it’s definitely shawls, and recently I’ve fallen in love with cowls. I also love knitting socks, although I might have a little bit of Second Sock Syndrome…
Ah, the dreaded Second Sock Syndrome… I’m a victim of that too. To battle it I usually knit 2 socks at the same time. Which means that my latest pair of socks has been without top ribbing for the last 2 years 😉
LOL Yes, two at a time is one of the greatest inventions of all time 🙂
What is your favorite pattern of your own design? And why?
The shawls I made for special people in my life (my friend Eri, my MIL Margrit, my great-grandmother Betty and my friend Jolanda) are close to my heart, of course. I couldn’t choose one of them – that’s like asking which of my four-legged children I love the most. 🙂
I was wondering about the names of your patterns… Could you tell me more about the background of one of those?
Okay… In May 2013, my father-in-law died all of a sudden, and we took my mother-in-law, Margrit, to live with us because she has Alzheimer’s. She loves to see me knitting, she always says “Tanja, you’re an artist” or “Martin, you married an artist, you know?”. At that time I was knitting a Pi Shawl, and she kept telling me how beautiful she thought it was. When it was done, her birthday was just around the corner, so I named the shawl Margrit and gave her the sample for her birthday.
That is such a touching story… And I must say, the Margrit shawl is really gorgeous!
Margrit Pi Shawl
I’m curious, what do you do in your down time besides knitting?
I love reading, sometimes I play the piano and I love to play The Sims (2 and 4) 🙂
What is your taste in books?
Many different things… The last two books I’ve read were a crime story and “Radical”, the biography of Majid Nawaz. I also love absolutely everything written by Jasper Fforde. But then I can’t say no to all the knitting novels out there, either …
I must admit I’m not familiar with these writers. I’m more of an old-school sci-fi person myself. I love me some Asimov, Vance and Niven 🙂
I’m a Trekkie deep in my heart 🙂
Old or new?
All 🙂
A true fan! 😉 Are you doing any gift knitting this year?
Yes, I’m making a blanket for my daddy and if I can somehow make the days have 48 hours I’ll also make him a few pairs of socks. 🙂
Wow, those are not small projects either! I can see where the wish for longer days comes into play.
The blanket is made from bulky yarn, fortunately. 🙂
That makes a big difference!
Oh yes 🙂 But the GAL with all its tempting patterns doesn’t really help 🙂 But it’s fun to knit from someone else’s patterns for a while.
I very much admire the various sock yarn blankets that sometimes do their rounds over Ravelry, but for me personally that just is a no-go…
I’ve made one blanket from sock yarn held double, that was okay. Unfortunately, the cats have loved it to death…
For a very long time I’m now knitting a pattern form someone else and it so relaxing… Not having to think through every step 😉
So true 🙂 Just do what the pattern says, it will be alright 🙂 Tanja Luescher Designs
International cowl
Pick one of your own designs that you think makes the perfect gift and tell us why you think that.
I’d say International Cowl – it’s an interesting Estonian stitch pattern and a quick knit.
That is indeed a very lovely pattern. Do you intend to make it a set with (fingerless) mittens and/or a hat in the future?
Not at the moment, I have too many new ideas 🙂 But who knows…
I know the feeling!
Lovely! That’s it for my questions. Thank you very much for your time. I really enjoyed this chance to get to know a fellow designer a little bit better 🙂
Thanks, I’ve enjoyed it, too 🙂
Wonderful and thank you. Have a great evening!
Same to you, have a nice weekend 🙂 Tanja Luescher Designs Tanja Luescher Designs
