just learned to crochet. looking for patterns, advice, etc

[SleepyMamaBear]

so, i just taught myself how to crochet by watching online videos over and over, and i have my chain and SC down pat, i can turn my work and not have it decrease, and i am working on perfecting my DC, i even made a picot edge
now i am looking for some online patterns that are easy to read, to make things for my family, to give as gifts, and just for around the house.
also, any help with increasing, decreasing, and crocheting in the round would be very welcomed.
knitting kills my carpal tunnel, so i am keeping that to a minimum these days, and crochet doesnt hurt at all so far, thank the stars. so its something easy to do while dd2 nurses for naptime.
anyone wanna be my online mentor???

[A Mom's Love]

I like this website: http://www.lionbrand.com/ and have crocheted items from several of their patterns there. Check out the tabs Free patterns & learning Center. There's also this website for a directory of free patterns: http://www.crochetpatterncentral.com/directory.php

Sorry, but I don't think I can describe increasing/ decreasing or working in a round myself, but if you're interested in a book, my favorite is The Crochet Answer Book: Solutions to Every Problem You'll Ever Face; Answers to Every Question You'll Ever Ask. I love it. It will teach you how to increase, decrease & work in a round.

[Melissaak]

Crochetville is a good resource http://www.crochetville.org/forum/index.php
Here's a mini tutorial for crocheting in the round
http://www.crochetville.org/forum/sh...ad.php?t=59504

Are you on Ravelry? You can find a ton of patterns and helpful forums there.

I love this person's youtube videos. Well done and helpful
http://www.youtube.com/user/tjw1963

Hope that helps!

[SleepyMamaBear]

thanks so much! those are great videos

[flapjack]

Don't think of it as increasing or decreasing- think of it as putting two or more stitches in one chain, or one stitch in two chains. That's the only advice I can give you, I'm strictly a beginner myself.

[kssinca]

I love Ravelry! I just signed up and just started exploring!

I found the online videos frustrating and learned how to crochet from the Teach Yourself Visually series. I made a scarf from one of the patterns and made my first baby blanket from this site.

I'm learning how to crochet a cap using a pattern from Paton but I'm having trouble keeping track of the stitches. I'm making do with a safety pin as my stitch marker for now.

[cristeen]

Originally Posted by flapjack

Don't think of it as increasing or decreasing- think of it as putting two or more stitches in one chain, or one stitch in two chains.

:

That's all an increase is... 2 stitches placed in a single stitch of the row before. A decrease is a little bit harder to explain, but basically you do half a stitch in one, and then half a stitch in the next, and then YO and pull through both loops, so you wind up with 1 stitch on top and 2 stitches on bottom, like an inverted V.

Crocheting in the round is different than knitting in the round... knitting in the round forms a tube, but crocheting in the round usually refers to a flat spiral. And basically you're just increasing enough to achieve your objective. I really recommend playing with it. I've made flat-bottomed bags with a drawstring by playing with crocheted spirals - without a pattern, just by being willing to make mistakes and tear it back (which is much easier than with knitting).

[SleepyMamaBear]

i did it!!1 i finished a project! and so quickly!
i LOVE to crochet :
i made a tam for dd1 in purple washable wool by moda dea.
i think it turned out great!
i am going to try and get pics up asap

[A Mom's Love]

: Hurray for you!! :