In The Loop

  Blue layering crochet Top  This top is definitely my most tremendous crochet success so far. I have received many compliments on it, and people have even offered me money to make them one. I have begun replicating this pattern in a two-tone pink design however I still think the blue is the coolest.  I think that the most critical aspect of this top is the choice of yarn, the yarn can not be chunky or fluffy in any way but still be thick enough to hold defined triple crochets. I opted for the  Paintbox Cotton Aran Yarn  in shades: Marine Blue and Kingfisher Blue. Although this top would look cool with any two-tone shades of yarn. This top is definitely a layering piece and not one which is to be worn on its own. I have picked two ways that the top can be worn: above is how I wore this top to a club night with a bikini top more as a statement piece and below is how I styled it to a work night out with a white cami top on underneath. Pattern: 1)Begin using the darker shade of yarn and c

  This was actually the first top that I made as a practice piece however trying it on a few days after I made it I think it is quite a cool top.  I think the yarn I used was maybe a bit too rigid and didn't stretch enough to my body, in hindsight I should have used a yarn like  Cascade Yarns Fixation  to make it more flattering. But all in all, I think this top turned out well and would look cool on a night out with a pair of cargo trousers etc. The pattern for this top is pretty much the most simple pattern you will come across. It will have different dimensions for each individual and their own personal sizes so keep this in mind if you attempt this pattern. Materials - two balls of  Pattern: Chain 85 (this will depend on how much of a gap you wan at the back of your top, you should hold the chain to your body just under you arms and see from here if you want more or less stitches) Chain one and single crochet back into your chain from here you will repeat the same single croche

  When I began crocheting, my main driver was the cost-saving element and the creative aspect was secondary but as I continue to crochet I can see my motives changing. Crochet and Sustainability The business course that I am currently studying has made me aware of the UN`s sustainable development goals and the abundance of issues surrounding fast fashion. Participating in a method of slow fashion is very important to me and allows me to feel as if I am making a difference in the current climate where change is necessary.  I now own a few wearable crochet pieces that I have made and can confirm that I look for excuses to wear them a lot more than my other clothing pieces, the heightened sentimental value definitely makes a difference and the sense of personal gratification when being complimented on my pieces. I look to purchase my yarn from ethical suppliers and ideally small businesses, https://lindehobby.co.uk/ is my go-to website as a lot of the yarn is recycled and the customer s

Following the success of my last wearable piece my  green crop top  I decided to make another but this time using the correct yarn and a slightly altered pattern. I think this top turned out to be a really great success, as a layering piece I think this is perfect for winter. I am still definitely a beginner and have issues with squint stitches and the ends not being very pretty but I think the next time I make this pattern it would be up to scratch. Cream crochet crop top pattern: 6mm hook - DROPS Paris Cotton Aran Knitting Crochet Yarn 017 off white https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/265098668991  1)Chain 83 and tie together (ensure it fits over head-if not then add more chains) 2)Press ends together and add 4 stitch markers, 2 mm in from ends on each side  3)Chain 4, skip the next chain and double crochet into the chain after, chain one and skip a chain, repeat this until you reach your first stitch marker  4)Here you will add one increase stitch, then return to repeating the pattern (in b

Out of skintness, I decided to make my first-ever top for an upcoming night out. By the time the yarn arrived, I only had 2 days to make this top so I was under a lot of pressure as I had no other clothes I wanted to wear. The yarn I used for this top was Yarns Cotton DK - Lime Green (429) from Lovecrafts Despite accidentally ordering the wrong yarn I think this top worked out very well, the thinner yarn gave the top more of a mesh vibe.  !You need to wear a bralette under this top (I chose a bikini top) if you plan to wear it out in public! This pattern is perfect for any kind of club night out or if you are wanting to wear it to a slightly more formal occasion it would be ideal for layering. Linked below is the free crochet pattern for this green crop top. This is a very easy crochet pattern and is great for beginners.  Green mesh crochet crop top pattern: 6mm hook - Paintbox Yarns Cotton DK in Lime green crochet yarn 1)Chain 85 and tie together (ensure it fits over head-if not then

  I picked up this yarn from flying tiger on a whim as well as a 5.0mm crochet hook. Despite it only costing £2 for both the yarn and the hook, I realised quickly I had made an error, the yarn was far too fine and kept on getting knotted. This is when I turned to google and found that you have to pay attention to hook size vs yarn weight, I have compiled the information I discovered for other beginners much like myself: Having researched the appropriate size yarn for the hook I was using I ordered DK 100% acrylic yarn off from eBay in shades Lipstick and Clematis As a visual learner, I figured youtube would be a good place to begin learning the basic patterns. These are the videos I used to create my first proper crochet creation : https://youtu.be/GcOzdAzmtNM - starting point (slip knot and chain stitch) https://youtu.be/80YEYnyw11w - first crochet stitches (double crochet UK) Once I had enough practice with this I decided I would expand and create a blanket using my pink and red y