The Best of 2020: Dora’s top fives

Let’s face it, 2020 has set the bar pretty low for 2021. But that’s not to say 2020 didn’t bring great moments of joy, achievement, positivity and resilience amongst the detritus.

There was also a lot of crochet!

So many new people discovered, or reconnected with crochet this year. Many using it as a way to help them through the incredible challenges 2020 threw at us.

That other people discovered what a tonic crochet can be brought me great joy in itself. I got into crochet as whilst healing so I understand it’s therapeutic value.

As a way to remind ourselves of all the good, instead of dwelling on the negatives, I want to take a moment to have a little annual review. Because whist we were stuck in doors, the crochet goodness still flowed

I wanted to share what you have loved the most, as well as some of my own favourite new nuggets of knowledge.

Top 5 Free Crochet Patterns of 2020

I’ve based this list on the most visited free pattern pages from the blog. It’s always so interesting (and a bit scary) to see how patterns are received. Sometimes patterns are way more popular than I anticipate, sometimes something I love does not go down as I’d hoped.

So, here are your top 5 favourite free crochet patterns, with the most popular at number 1.

1 Step on Socks – Crochet Sock Pattern

These have been super popular this year. I fell in love with making crochet socks right at the end of 2019 and have since done lots of digging into the anatomy of a crochet sock and the best way to size and adjust them.

The step on sock pattern is available free in one size and as a paid PDF in 6 sizes from kid to large adult. The pattern was in my top 5 list for paid patterns too, but I’ve only featured it once to avoid any repetition!

Safe to say that socks will feature in 2021 too.

2 Dora’s Hair Scrunchie – Free pattern

This is one of my earliest tutorials which continues to be super popular.

It’s a really simple hair scrunchie pattern that can be worked round a simple hair bobble using most yarns and the appropriate hook. A great stash buster too!

Given that I haven’t been to a hairdresser since January 2019, I should probably make some more of these!

3 Off the Rails – Free Crochet Infinity Scarf Pattern

This is a classic infinity scarf pattern made with super chunky yarn and works up in just over an hour.

I love the way that you can see the stitches with this yarn. It looks just as cosy and warm as it feels to wear.

It’s a super simple make and adjust to a length that suits, or even work it as a cowl or traditional scarf. This is a great pattern for making last minute gifts

This one was made with Cheeky Chunky Merino Wool from Wool Couture. I have to say, it has stood the test of time incredibly well – having been chucked in the washing machine on numerous occasions!

4 Christmas Gift Hat – Free Festive Hat Pattern

This one was this year’s contribution to my festive hat collection.

I love making fun designs that are a bit out of the ordinary and this was definitely one of those! It uses the stunning star stitch so makes a super warm hat which I’ve used to double as a Christmas Tea Cosy!

Full disclosure – this hat was only released in November, but was included in Marly Brid’s 24 days of quickies campaign which definitely bolstered the views to boost it into the top 5!

5 The Block Rocking Poncho – Crochet c2c Poncho Pattern

This is another stalwart pattern which continues to quietly engage crocheters in the background.

It’s a simple corner to corner poncho which can also be made with any yarn and for any size. I love the rhythm of working the corner to corner stitch. There’s just something so pleasing about the way it works.

I’ve used a graduated yarn here – two yarn cakes worked in mirror image – but it works with any yarn really. Go up a couple of hook sizes to get the drape!

I’m thinking of trying some mini c2c patterns next year so look out for thos if you’re a c2c fan!

I still wear this poncho a lot, though I’m gutted to admit that it has a couple of bleach marks on it… the mood for cleaning seems to take me when wearing inappropriate clothes…DO NOT WEAR HANDMADE TO CLEAN THE BATHROOM!

It occurs to me know that I should probably have listed these in reverse order to add a bit of drama, but I like to get right to the point.

Top 5 best selling crochet patterns of 2020

Now onto the most popular paid patterns. Typically I offer my accessory patterns for free, with the premium printable version of the pattern available to purchase as an extra option.

The work and maths that goes into creating a garment pattern in 7 sizes is significantly more than a scarf, for example, so I tend to offer most of my garment patterns as paid patterns only.

That said, there are a few exceptions such as the So what sweater, which is all about the joy of imperfection. I want everyone to have the opportunity to try making a crochet sweater without cost being a factor!

So here are my top selling patterns of 2020

1 Rainbow Smiles – Crochet Sweater Pattern

Rainbow Smiles is a top down v-neck raglan crochet sweater patter and is my best selling crochet sweater pattern to date. It was the first pattern that really took off as soon as it was released.

This design was a huge challenge for me as it was the first yoke sweater I ever designed and it’s not a typical shape, so the sizing was fun and games!!!

Here’s a little confession. By the time I had finished making it and remaking it, I was sick of the sight of it. Though I have since fallen back in love with it. It must be how a pop star feels singing the same hit over and again!

I’ve been wearing this a lot this year, paired with dungarees or pinafore dresses. It totally works!

It’s also the only sweater pattern that I offer a kids version for – the Cheeky Rainbows Pattern.

2 Any Yarn Will Do – Crochet Sweater Pattern

Any yarn will do is one pattern for a top down round yoke sweater, written for 5 yarn weights. So you can literally make it with any yarn.

This was a whole new concept in flexible pattern design, which is something I’m really interested in. You can read more about the thought behind the design here.

Below you see it in the 4 ply weight.

The pattern was only released in April so did pretty well to reach the number two spot given it missed a quarter if the year.

I learned a lot writing this pattern – or 5 patterns in one to be more specific. It was particularly popular with makers who had never made a garment before, which absolutely bloody delights me!

I think it is my biggest achievement of this year in terms of design and my mission to get makers trying garments.

I’ll let you into a little secret… I’m planning a raglan cardigan version for 2021! Shhhhh…..

3 Southern Pines – Crochet Sweater Pattern

I was really excited to see this one in the top 5 as it is one of the designs I’m most proud of. Based on the falling pines poncho, this pattern was the culmination of years of learning.

It’s a round yoke top down cabled pattern design which is on the intermediate side skill wise, but is a really enjoyable make once you get into the pattern repeat.

Here’s a fun fact about this one. It’s the only pattern to every get a one star review on etsy, which read as follows…

“I couldn’t make it work”. I’m not sure how I’m meant to respond to that kind if review (I messaged the buyer offering support but to no avail). I wish they had just asked me for help! This really upset me at the time, but I’ve come to accept that it’s just one of those things.

Please know that I offer full pattern support on paid patterns so you can always drop me an email asking for help!!

4 Christmas Pudding Beanie – Crochet Hat Pattern

This was the first of my festive hat patterns. I actually designed this one before I started writing crochet patterns. I made loads for friends and family at Christmas and they always went down so well.

This year a friend sent me a picture of his, nearly teenage daughter squeezing into the one I made her when she was about 6!

I knew that when I started Dora Does, I wanted to get this one out into the world and I’m so happy I did!

The pattern comes in 8 sizes from newborn to adult, with the toddler version free on the blog. It is complete with with Holly leaf and berries tutorial.

5 Everyday Hugs – Crochet Cardigan Pattern

This was my first ever crochet cardigan pattern and what really got me interested in garment construction.

I updated this pattern this year to align with the size range I now offer as standard (XS-3XL), so I’m pleased the refresh has given it some new love!

It has the oversized feel but is actually quite fitted around the shoulders, so it doesn’t slip off like some other oversized sweaters.

And it’s got pockets. I’m nothing if not practical!

I also made the cropped version below so I could add some photo guides to the pattern. This one works great with dresses.

Doralosophy – 2020 on the blog

At the beginning of the year, I set myself the challenge of writing one blog post or tutorial every week.

Consistency is important to me, and giving myself challenges is something that works well to keep me motivated.

I’m excited to say that I succeeded and, whilst I intend to continue to write consistent posts throughout 2021 and beyond, I’m probably going to take a couple of weeks off in January (more about that in the WiP Tip).

I have a bee in my bonnet about making sure I offer value so always try to write from a new perspective and never want to write for the sake of it.

It’s not hard for me to come up with ideas for articles, or tutorials, but some of them take a long time to put together or to research properly. Designing and blogging is definitely a full time job!

Throughout the year, I sometimes thought, Oh I’ll keep it short this week… those were normally the weeks with the 3000 word in depth articles!!!

I have really loved focusing on a lot of the crochet fundamentals which I never understood when I first started to crochet. So I feel like I’ve been working in reverse a little bit this year. In a good way.

I hope you have found this beneficial!

Dora’s Top 5 Crochet Tips of 2020

Continually researching has been a really valuable crochet education, so I thought that I would share, in no particular order, my biggest ohhhhhh moments / top 5 crochet facts.

Some of them I should probably have already known, but everyday is a school day!

1 How to measure yarn in wraps per inch (Wii)

I never knew what wpi stood for until I started researching my post on yarn weight. It’s a really valuable way (I think anyway) to compare different yarns with each other!

2 There is difference between Worsted weight yarn and worsted yarn

This one was another one that I talked about in my yarn weights explained article. (which was one of those posts that I thought would be quick and turned into an epic!)

I had seen the term worsted used in other contexts before, but never really thought about it until I started digging. You can read more about it in the faq section of the yarn weights post (if I can make the jumpy link work properly!)

3 How socks are constructed

I designed 2 pairs of socks this year (step on and cosy toes)and although I wrote about the anatomy of a crochet sock at the end of 2019, I learned a lot more about sock construction styles this year, such as the short row heel. I also dug deep into sock sizing and adjusting for fit.

Crochet socks seem complex but actually they’re just a tube with some shaping in. The trick is getting the stretch right.

4 What the Golden loop is and why it matters

For a while I had wanted to help those crocheters who struggled to meet row gauge.

I had heard the terms riders and lifters before but never really knew how I could use that to help.

Then, when writing my foundational post, talking about the anatomy of a crochet stitch, I learned more about the golden loop. Everything just kind of fell into place after that.

So I finally wrote the post about adjusting row gauge which gives you options!

5 What a Pi Circle is and how to use it

This is another one that I was vaguely familiar with but hadn’t really got my head around.

My last two posts of the year focused on how to crochet a flat circle using even increases with any type of stitch closely followed by an explanation of the pi circle method.

A question that had bothered me for years was “how many stitches should I start my circle with to keep it flat?”

I knew the count varied with the type of stitch but needed to do some proper thinking to get to the bottom of it. I address this in my first post about flat circles.

Yet another examine of what I thought would be a quick simple post turning into something a lot more involved!

The Pi circle investigation came as a side effect!

So there we have it. 2020 in top 5 lists.

52 blog posts, 22 new crochet patterns and 12 months more experience!

I’m sure that I will continue to reflect on this crazy year long into the next one, but I think that’s enough for now!

I’d love to hear what your favourite crochet thing is about 2020… a stitch you discovered? a project that was special to you? a gift you loved giving?

Drop it in the comments if you fancy sharing!

Thank you to 2020 for all you taught me and here’s to 2021

Happy New Years Hooking

Dx