Designs for hooks & needles


About these pages: I've taken the opportunity to display clothing and novelty items of my own design here. Some of the patterns are available to all at no cost, others are available for purchase; there seems to be an equal number in knit and crochet. Please respect my time and work; use the designs I provide for no cost for your own creative endeavors, but do not re-distribute them without my permission. I will also ask that the graphics and pictures here (also my own designs) not be linked to, copied or distributed. I am likely to give that permission if asked, I need to know just where my creations will be used or displayed. About my patterns: Sizing: Patterns or directions for clothing will, for the most part, be sized in inches or correspond to the conventional "Small", "Medium" and "Large" for men, women and children. Most commonly, I will provide whatever charts and graphs I used and created for the design(s). It is your responsibility to check your gauge and choose a yarn most closely similar to what was used in the original article. I would like to provide the patterns in all sizes, but that is not always possible, or necessary. Here's more on gauge; if you need to change the sizing for a particular article, you'll need it's finished gauge. Then determine the measurements of the finished size you want, top to bottom and side to side. Divide the number of rows in the pattern by the measurement you want and that will tell you the number of rows you'll need for that other size. Do this for the number of stitches also. Be sure to compare areas that correspond.	Click the picture that interests you - A larger picture and/or description will display with the pattern if available, or purchase information if applicable.
The formula is: stitches/rows ÷ measurement = gauge. The point is, my work is a different gauge than yours, or your neighbor's. The pattern I have worked up will not come out the same unless the gauge is the same. Think of this in terms of cooking. If every stove was a different temperature when set for 350 degrees, then how would that affect recipes? I hope that has made this more clear. Gauge: Make a 5"x5" swatch, using the recommended yarn type and needle/hook size. Measure carefully; if you have more stitches or rows per inch, then your stitches are smaller than called for and you'll need a larger hook/needle. If you have fewer then you'll need a smaller hook. After you begin your work, it's a good idea to check gauge while in progress, since some of us have different knitting or crocheting styles at different times and gauge varies.
Here are the facts: there is no escaping it, the patterns here (or anywhere else for that matter) are useless.....unless you check gauge. I know, I know, you're anxious to get going on a project and checking gauge is going to hold you up. Take it from me, if there's a corner that can be cut, I'll be first in line, but omitting a gauge swatch isn't a cuttable corner. Purchase: Orders for patterns are most easily processed through PayPal with email delivery and is my preference. Orders can be processed with a personal check but delivery (electronic or otherwise) may not be made until the check is received and clears. If delivery is made via snail-mail, please add $1.00 for envelope and postage, thanks. Occasionally, a finished item is for sale. When that happens, this availability is mentioned on the item's page and will only last until the quantity is exhausted. Shipping charges will be extra. All pricing is in US funds.
About me: I have been crocheting since my grandmother tried to teach me when I was about 7 yrs old. I just couldn't learn from anyone, they always wanted me to make what they wanted, so I went off on my own and finagled around with yarns and hooks and came up with my own things. The same thing happened with sewing and knitting. The end-all was that eventually I was able enough and prolific enough to sell my patterns to publishers and I did that for several years. I also custom created for hire, however I do not often do that now but I have always been involved with some needlework project. I consider myself an accomplished crocheter, and a fair knitter; I'm a pretty good seamstress as well. I have also done quite a bit of embroidery, needlepunch, needlepoint and a dozen or so other crafts like candlemaking and beading. I have never been patient enough for cross stitch and it doesn't look like that's ever going to happen; my daughter picks up my slack there.