I don't believe you can start crocheting too young, so I am starting my granddaughter (see photo at above right) early.
I hope this site will be useful to other people who crochet. In view of this desire, I am adding several links to sites I have found helpful or where I have found free patterns (something we all love, right?) See the links
CROCHET HINTS
STIFFENING AND BLOCKING
"There are a few liquid products on the market which are made specifically for stiffening lace, doilies, ribbon, and other soft items. When using a stiffener, be sure to saturate your crocheted piece thoroughly, and to remove as much of the excess stiffener as you can before drying. Read the instructions on the product you select.
Baskets and other shaped, free-standing pieces should be prepared with full-strength stiffener. For a softer look, suitable for doilies which do not need a lot of shaping, stiffener can be thinned up to 50% with water.
Forms for shaping can be many things. Styrofoam shapes and plastic margarine tubs work well for items such as bowls and bells.
For shaping doilies, make a pinned board from a 24" square of corrugated cardboard. It is helpful to mark the board in 1" squares, and to draw a series of widening circles out from the center of the board.
Place the dry crochet piece over the form to check fit, remembering that it will stretch more when wet. Cover all surfaces of forms or board with clear plastic wrap, securing with tape.
For saturating, place the crocheted piece in a zip-close plastic bag. Pour on stiffener, work into crochet before closing bag. Add more stiffener if needed, and squeeze bag to thoroughly saturate crochet. Lay bag flat, press our excess air, and seal bag. Allow to stand for at least 15 minutes, so stiffener can be further absorbed. Squeeze out excess stiffener and blot thorougly with paper towels.
Stretch, shape and pin over form or on board, continuing to blot excess stiffener from small holes in crochet. Allow to dry. Unpin when dry, and brush off excess stiffener flakes with an old toothbrush. If a flat piece buckles in the middle of drying, it can be reflattened by ironing between two dish towels. Remove towels and lay flat to cool.
A stiffened piece may be cleaned with a damp cloth. If it becomes badly soiled or dusty, it may be washed in warm
soapy water and restiffened."....ABC's of Crochet
Free Patterns
If you would like a free casserole carrier pattern that I designed please go HERE.
If you would like a free Toilet tissue doll pattern that I designed please go HERE.
One request, these patterns are free for your use, but please do not make copies of them for distribution and if you want to link to it, please link to this site instead of posting to your own. The pattern is copyrighted, and not available for commercial use or for use in making profit. Thank you.
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