Doralosophy (Blog) - Page 2 of 8

How to crochet a flat circle

December 12, 2020November 25, 2021

There are many crochet patterns which start by creating flat circles. From hats, to toys, rugs, baskets, and more.

If you like to improvise with crochet projects, then understanding how to create a flat circle by increasing evenly in the round, is a really useful addition to your crochet toolkit.

Once you understand the basic pattern you can use it with any of the basic crochet stitches, and more complex stitch patterns.

Crochet a Flat Circle

Crochet

My favourite crochet books: From beginner crocheter to designer

December 5, 2020February 10, 2021

I learned to crochet from a variety of sources. When I first started it was a leaflet from a kids kit I bought from amazon, and some help from youtube.

As I progressed, I began to buy crochet related books. I love learning online but am also attached to the printed page. So I thought I would share some of the books that have helped me out on my crochet journey.

Read the Best Crochet Books

Crochet

How to adjust row height to meet gauge using the golden loop

November 28, 2020April 9, 2021

I’ve talked a lot in the past about gauge and how important it is to check you are making tension when crocheting something that needs to fit. In this post, I want to break that down a bit further and look specifically at row gauge, i.e. row height.

How to meet row gauge

Crochet

The Anatomy of a crochet stitch

November 21, 2020November 20, 2020

Today I am going to take a look at the fundamental anatomy of a simple crochet stitch. Breaking it down into its basic parts, so you can really understand what makes your crochet work.

Crochet Stitch Anatomy

Crochet

10 things beginner crocheters need to know

November 14, 2020November 19, 2020

During 2020 I have seen a huge uptake in people learning to crochet which makes my heart happy!

So in support of all the newbie crocheters, and as a self taught crocheter, I thought I would take some time to share some useful nuggets of information that will help beginner crocheters everywhere.

A kind of “What I wish I knew when I first learned to crochet”.

Get the tips

Christmas Crochet

The best yarns for Christmas crochet

November 7, 2020November 6, 2020

Now that we are into November, I think Christmas crochet chat is fair game! So today I want to share with you a few of my favourite yarns that I use for my Holiday makes.

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Crochet

‘Breaking Waves’ crochet stitch pattern tutorial

October 31, 2020October 30, 2020

Introducing the brand new ‘Breaking Waves’ crochet stitch pattern. It’s a two colour (or more) pattern repeat which can be used for scarves, cowls, pillows or blankets.

In this tutorial, which includes written and video instructions, I will show you how to crochet it to make the Breaking Waves snood. I will also explain how you can adjust the stitch pattern to suit your project.

Learn the crochet pattern

Crochet

What’s the best crochet hook? Hook anatomy and styles explained

October 24, 2020April 17, 2021

If you’re familiar with this blog, then you will know that the designer in me loves to understand how things are put together and how that effects their function. (If you’re about to read your first Dora Does post, you’ll pick up on this pretty fast!)

Whether it’s examining the anatomy of a crochet sock, breaking down garment construction or looking at how a yarn gets it’s weight, I have this inbuilt need to understand how things work!

Today I am using that to go right back to the fundamentals and look at one of our two most important tools. The crochet hook. (The second being yarn btw!)

5 cosy crochet stitches for winter accessories and blankets

October 17, 2020January 14, 2022

As the weather gets cooler, it’s human nature to want get ourselves cosy, to build a den to hibernate in and to protect ourselves from the elements when we are out in the open. There’s something delicious about feeling cosy that’s hard to explain. Maybe it’s a safety thing?

I’m not sure but I’m certainly thankful that crochet has a multitude of cosy stitches we can make to create that feeling at home or outside.

Keep reading to get cosy

Christmas Crochet

How to crochet a decorative bow (ideal for gifts)

October 10, 2020November 27, 2021

I don’t know about you, but I love to add those handmade touches to gifts. I always think that kind of attention to detail shows the recipient that extra bit of love.

With that in mind, I have put together a crochet bow pattern which I designed as an adornment to add to gift wrap for a Christmas or birthday present.

click to make your bow

Crochet

How to crochet waffle stitch

October 3, 2020October 14, 2020

Waffle stitch was probably one of the first textured stitches I tried after learning to crochet. I love the texture, because who doesn’t like waffles right?

Learn Waffle Stitch

Crochet

How to crochet star stitch (written, video & photo tutorial)

September 26, 2020June 9, 2021

Star stitch is a beautifully patterned crochet stitch which creates a thick, cosy and squishy crochet fabric. It’s a yarn eater without doubt, but totally worth it!

Learn Star Stitch

Crochet

Crochet Sock Sizes and adjusting socks to fit your foot

September 19, 2020November 9, 2021

I’m in the midst of designing my 3rd crochet sock pattern. Whilst calculating the sizes, it occurred to me how many different sources I consulted and compared in order to create the size chart I use when designing socks.

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Crochet

How to crochet hidden button holes in ribbing

September 12, 2020September 12, 2020

In this post, I want to share a technique I developed to hide button holes when designing the (forthcoming) Adapted crochet hat and cowl set.

I wanted to create some button holes on the ribbing at the top of the cowl in order to attach it to the hat. But because the design also allows the cowl to be worn on it’s own or not attached, I didn’t want these buttonholes to be visible; i.e. I didn’t want ugly holes through the ribbing!

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Christmas Crochet

7 tips for crocheting amigurimi and softies

September 5, 2020September 2, 2020

Recently I’ve been having fun designing my Festive Crochet Friends pattern which are simple top down amigurumi*. It’s been a while since I made any of these little softies as they are sometimes called.

It took me a while to remember all those little tricks you use with crochet ornaments that you don’t tend to use in every day projects. I even learned some new ones!

I’ve found it really useful to remember these techniques, so I thought I would share my 7 most useful tips for working with amigurumi.

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Crochet

How to tie the magic knot (Russian knot)

August 29, 2020August 28, 2020

Sometimes called the invisible join, or the Russian knot, this is a fantastic technique to join new yarn quickly and without fuss. This post includes a video, written and photo tutorial on how to create it.

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Crochet

Yarn weights explained

August 22, 2020November 8, 2021

Working with different yarn weights in crochet is one of those pesky areas which can be really confusing. Especially when you’re new to the craft. It’s even more important to understand the yarn weight system when you’re trying to follow a pattern which you want to fit.

So today I want to take some time to explain it from the top. I’ll also address the common myths and clear up some of the grey areas. This is your ‘all the things you ever wanted to know about yarn weight but were afraid to ask’ post!

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Crochet

How to change colour (almost) invisibly in continual rounds

August 15, 2020August 28, 2020

This week’s post is a follow up from last week where I showed you how to make the invisible join. Today, I’m going to illustrate how it can be used to change colours more neatly, especially in your crochet projects worked in continuous rounds.

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Crochet

The invisible join and crocheting in the round (two ways)

August 8, 2020August 15, 2020

In this post we are going to look at a two ways you can crochet in the round and learn great joining technique, often referred to as the invisible join.

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Creative Living

How to use Pinterest for Crochet Bloggers and Designers

August 1, 2020June 12, 2021

I have been so lucky to meet some amazing crochet designers and bloggers since I started Dora Does. It’s a wonderful community full of amazing supportive people.

I love any chance I can get to meet up and chat with other makers, designers and bloggers. One thing that has come up in such meetings time and again is Pinterest. Usually followed by the sentence:

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