Crochet Patterns

If you want to make anything other than a flat crochet square in one of the basic crochet stitches you are going to need crochet patterns. A pattern is a set of instructions that outline all of the steps you need to do to make a finished item.

Most patterns will have a number of sections and once you know the layout you should be able to follow pretty much any crochet pattern relatively easily.  Those sections will include:

• Details about the designer and conditions of use including the date the pattern was published and where copies may be purchased.
• A list of all of the abbreviations used in the pattern and in some cases, details of how to do the stitches.
• A list of all of the materials and notions required to complete the item in the pattern.
• The step by step crochet instructions, and
• Information on how to put your element together.

Where I Get My Crochet Patterns

ETSY

I buy a lot of my Amigurumi patterns from designers on ETSY. These patterns can be a bit expensive but to be quite honest they are worth it. 

Most of these patterns have very well written instructions complete with photos to show you what your item should look like at each stage. Many of them even have links to YouTube tutorials to help you with any of the trickier 'bits'. 

Ravelry

Ravelry is another good source of patterns.  Some of them are free and some are paid.  Most can be downloaded either directly from Ravelry or by clicking on a link to go through to the designers website.  I do have to say though, although Ravelry does feature some superb designers, you do tend to get what you pay for.

You might get lucky and stumble across a free pattern from one of the better designers (i.e., a loss leader pattern) but most of the free patterns will be from designers that might not be as experienced and as a result not all of the free patterns are well-written or easy to follow. But then they are free, so you will not necessary loss a lot but downloading them. Just be careful to read though the pattern and make sure you can understand it before you invest your time (and materials) on a pattern that may or may not work out the way you hope. 

Amazon

The patterns that I buy from Amazon are usually not single patterns but collections in a book or books. For example I have a book titled 3D Granny Squares: 100 crochet patterns for pop-up granny squares.  It is a kindle version of the book and has come in very handy at times for working out what kind of square I want to for a project. 

I also have a couple of crochet stitch books:

• Crochet Stitch Dictionary: 200 Essential Stitches with Step-By-Step Photos and
• Crochet Stitch Dictionary: Stitches with Step-by-Step : Crochet Stitches (Kindle Edition)

© Sarah Hazell

I also have a couple of crochet stitch books:

• Crochet Stitch Dictionary: 200 Essential Stitches with Step-By-Step Photos and
• Crochet Stitch Dictionary: Stitches with Step-by-Step : Crochet Stitches (Kindle Edition)

I have made a blanket for each of my grandchildren before they were born, each on is different and  draw inspiration from the boos I have purchased from Amazon.

These books might not be what you are looking for but nonetheless, Amazon is a good source for crochet books.

YouTube and Instagram

Then there are the Patterns I Create Myself...

There are times when I have checked out my collection of patterns and none of them are quite what I need but some of them have elements that might work for what ever project I am working on.  If the project is a one off, I just use the various bits and pieces or alter the pattern to suit so that I end up with the shape/design I want.

Other times when I am sources 'bits' from multiple patterns, and I intend to make more of what ever the finished item is, I will write out a full pattern.  Sometimes just for personal use, but sometimes to share with other crocheters. 

An example of that would be my beaded doll pattern.  The legs and feet are from two different patterns, the original pattern had folds at the knees and elbows and a thumb and a round fist like hand.  I added beads at the knee so that the dolls legs can bend.  She can sit or cross her legs.  I also used several patterns as inspirations for the hands, the next version had three fingers like cartoons do. 

The final version has all four fingers and the thumb with a small bead at the wrist and another (larger) bead at the elbows.  The head is borrowed from one pattern, the body from another - although altered to suit the doll I wanted her to be.  Her legs and arms are crocheted to the body and all pieces are crocheted in the round (i.e., in a spiral).