Sewing, Knitting and Crochet

[BoardHostBecky]

I crochet some, am not an expert by any means, but I do enjoy it.

BUT, I'm not a big fan of following a pattern.  I will follow along to learn a new stitch but then I like to make my project my own way.

Do you like to follow a pattern or create your own?

[karlinann1]

I've always liked to create my own.  I used to do cross-stitch and my eyes would get so bleary trying to follow the pattern that I finally just started doing it free-hand.  I was pleased with the results and it didn't need to be perfect for me.  It's art, right?

[BoardHostBecky]

karlinann, I totally agree. It is art and we should feel free to create our own.  I'm glad I'm not the only one who doesn't like to follow patterns.

[kprice2823624]

Becky, you underestimate your skills. I have seen your work and you do beautiful work. The sampler afghan you did is so pretty.

Now me, I am a single and double crocheter. Never really mastered many of the other stitches.

Used to love to do embroidery though.

Kathy

[BoardHostBecky]

Thanks for the compliment, Kathy.  I did learn several new stitches on that sampler. 

And then I had to make my own design on another one by incorporating what I learned! LOL


I've never tried embroidery.  I have done counted cross stitch but not for a long time.

[lavatera123]

No, I don't use a pattern either.  I look at what I would like to do, and read the pattern, and then do what makes sense to me.  It always works for me.  The last time I had to follow a pattern, was when I was in junior high.  Enough said.

lavatera

[beansidhe9]

So how do you all figure out sizing and such? Do you use a general reference for figuring out, for example, how to do a shawl collar versus a notched collar? If so, what reference? How do you graph out tricky cables? Do you invent your own lace or cable patterns or do you use stitch dictionaries?

I design knitwear, so am always curious about other people's processes.

[BoardHostBecky]

beansidhe, I'm not  talented enough to make collars or clothes.  I would have to follow a pattern for anything that complicated! 


I can't imagine how challenging it must be to design knitwear! 

I hope someone else with more experience will respond.  I'd love to read about how such complicated patterns are created.

[Eleven77]

I have made some beautiful things  shawls, capes, capelets, afghans, C'mas tree skirts, doilies and etc but I always follow a pattern...

[BoardHostBecky]

Evelyn, I wish we could see pictures of the things you've made. I'd definitely have to follow a pattern to make anything complicated!