Tapestry Crochet – The Crochet Architect

Have you ever wondered if there are more techniques to learn in crochet? Have you ever wished you could work all right-side rows, but you’re not ambidextrous? I’m not, either. But I learned to crochet backwards so all the rows in my crochet project will be right-side rows.

You may ask “Why would you want to do that?” Well, I found a fabulous Tapestry Crochet potholder pattern by Raffamusa that I wanted to crochet, but I didn’t want the jagged edges of the design on the potholder. I wanted more smooth design edges. So I decided to give backwards crocheting a try! And I’m so glad I did! Here’s a look at this fabulous potholder pattern:

Nana’s Kitchen Potholder pattern by Raffamusa Designs

Here’s the potholder I crocheted with this fabulous pattern:

What do you think? Isn’t this a wonderful crochet pattern? You can find this pattern on her website here or in her Ravelry store here.

Anyway, I decided to do a YouTube video demonstrating how to crochet backwards. You can watch that video here.

I think this is a great technique to have in our crochet tool boxes! I wasn’t great at crocheting backwards when I started. But I improved with practice! And boy, did I ever get lots of practice! The first time I crocheted this potholder, I ran out of the blue yarn just 11 stitches before the end of the edging! I wasn’t that happy with my tension in the project because it got tighter towards the top and was loose at the bottom. Since I had this yarn in my stash for probably 10 years or so and couldn’t find the same dye lot, let alone the same color, I decided I’d better frog the whole thing and start again. But I decided to use 1 size smaller crochet hook the 2nd time so I wouldn’t run out of yarn. And it worked! I’m very happy with the finished potholder and I think it looks fabulous on the tile in my kitchen!

What are your thoughts on crocheting backwards? Have you seen it done before? Do you regularly crochet backwards because that’s how you learned? Did you know there was a difference in how you can insert your crochet hook (from front to back or from back to front)?

Please leave me a comment and let me know your thoughts on crocheting backwards.

Until next time!

Susan

I’m pleased to announce that I’ve just released a new crochet video on my YouTube channel to teach the Tapestry Crochet technique. This video was a lot of fun to put together! I really like this technique because it’s one of the techniques that uses more than one color in a row or round! Plus the designs you can create with it are endless! Check out my new Tapestry Crochet video here.

With this technique, you use 2 or more colors in each row/round. You change colors, according to a chart, and “carry” the unused color(s) underneath the stitches being worked. It’s a great technique to use when you don’t want to have long strands of yarn on the back of your work!

This new Tapestry Crochet technique video teaches you how to begin and end rows of Tapestry Crochet, carry the yarn, change colors and make the fringe. All while having fun making the snowflake coaster project that’s included in the video. The Snowflake Coaster chart is available for free on my Free Patterns page.

I love designing small projects for learning a new technique. There’s nothing like being able to finish a crochet project quickly, all while successfully learning a new technique! And small projects are great for practicing a new technique. If you make a mistake, your huge project isn’t ruined!

If you enjoy the this technique, you may want to make something larger than a coaster in this technique. That’s where my “Stained Glass Snowflake Scarf” and “It Takes All Colors Snowflakes Afghan” patterns come into play! Both of these designs use the exact same Tapestry Crochet technique that I’m teaching in this new video.

If you haven’t tried the technique before, what are you waiting for? It’s a wonderful technique with many fabulous projects that can be made from it! Check out my new Tapestry Crochet video here.

And speaking of Tapestry Crochet, I bought a new Tapestry Crochet book last week called “Colourful Wayuu Bags to Crochet” by Rianne de Graaf. You can see this book on Amazon here. Rianne has designed some really pretty bags in the Tapestry Crochet technique. These bags are so cool! Rianne even teaches how to make the straps and cords for the bags in this book.

I hope you’ve enjoyed this look at Tapestry Crochet and will give it a try. You’ll be glad you did!

Happy crocheting,

Susan

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