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Home » HOW TO » Page 3

z. Foundation Row: MellowMe CastOn – my favourite way to start crochet

July 23, 2019 by Helena Asmus Lim Filed Under: Crochet - How To, HOW TO

MellowMe Cast On (MM Cast On) is my personal nickname for this crochet method of starting the foundation row in lieu of the standard chain cast on. The MM Cast On also makes a great crochet cord!

Actually there are 2 real names for the this method, depending on the function you intend to use it for. They are:

  • Crochet Long Tail Foundation Base Chain (CLTFBC) or
  • Perfect Crochet I-Cord (PCIC)

Too much of a mouth full even when acronymed don’t you think?

 

MellowMe CastOn

This method of starting a crochet piece was created by Melissa of MellowMe Creations and has been copyrighted with the US Copyright Office.

Sidenote (added Jul 20201): Since my writing of this, “MellowMe Creations” seems to have changed its name on YouTube to “Mandaloria”.  But I will stick with the MM CastOn nickname for simplicity.

I was initially a bit skeptical – yet another way of doing things to have to learn.  Waste of time, or so I thought.  But I finally took the time, and it is definitely my favourite way of starting a crochet foundation chain from that point on.

Here is her youTube video.

Main Benefits of MM CastOn:

  • much prettier and more solid than the Chain Cast On
  • less restrictive and stretchier than the chain on cast on
  • easier than the Chainless Foundation CastOn (my former favourite)
  • much faster than Chainless Foundation CastOn

I use this method everywhere I can, be it for long or short pieces of work.


Tip:

You need to have a “tail” to start the MM foundation row.  That is usually about 3 – 3.5 times the length of the final length you want.

 

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z. Invisible Join – Crochet Needle Join – How To

April 25, 2019 by Helena Asmus Lim Filed Under: Crochet - How To, HOW TO

The Invisible Join aka Needle Join (NJ) is a most useful and, in my opinion, a beautiful way to end a row of crochet stitches.  This is used in circular work (e.g. making crochet mandalas, overlay crochet) … whenever you have to end one colour at the end of a circular row and switch to another colour.

I prefer the name IJ (Invisible Join) because you don’t always need to use a needle to effect this join.  And it does produce an invisible joining stitch.  Basically it invisibly joins your ending stitch to your starting stitch in circular work.

How to crochet the Invisible Join/Needle Join

Let’s do it!

[Read more…]

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z. Circle Poncho, Overlay Crochet – Free Pattern, Part 2

April 8, 2019 by Helena Asmus Lim Filed Under: CREATIONS, Crochet - How To, HOW TO, Wearables

We now continue with the Circle Poncho.  We finished with at Row 49 in Round Poncho, Overlay Crochet – Free Pattern, Part 1.  Let’s start now with R50.

[Read more…]

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z. Round Poncho, Overlay Crochet – Free Pattern, Part 1

April 6, 2019 by Helena Asmus Lim Filed Under: CREATIONS, Crochet - How To, HOW TO, Wearables

Round Poncho aka Circular Poncho, Circle Poncho.  Shh … don’t tell anyone but I started this to be a bed poncho (to stay up in bed reading or just playing on the iPhone) … but it turned out as a full fledge poncho!!

Crochet Round Poncho; Free Pattern (CH0519 – n/a)

This is going to a fairly long post as I will offer detailed instructions on how to make this round poncho.  This pattern will be in 2 parts.

[Read more…]

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z. AFL Fingerless Gloves – Geelong Cats, Sydney Swans; How To

April 1, 2019 by Helena Asmus Lim Filed Under: CREATIONS, Crochet - How To, HOW TO, Wearables

AFL Fingerless Gloves – made by a non-sporty fan – me!!! (˵ ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°˵)

Geelong Cats & Sydney Cats AFL Fingerless Gloves (CH0518a-c)

[Read more…]

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Z. Reupholstered Chairs with T-shirts and Fabric Remnants

March 31, 2019 by Helena Asmus Lim Filed Under: CREATIONS, Home Decor, HOW TO, Misc - How To

So happy with our eclectic set of free reupholstered chairs.  And I only used unwanted t-shirts and fabric remnants.

The chairs were free (thrown away!!!), I got a chance to learn how to reupholster chair seats, and I managed to recycle from my growing stash of fabric remnants.  Who would not be happy?!!!

reupholstered-chairs-CH0516_2060

Colourful Re-Upholstered Dining Chairs (CH0516 – n/a)

[Read more…]

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z. Crochet Porcupine Pincushion – for all Needle sizes

March 24, 2019 by Helena Asmus Lim Filed Under: CREATIONS, Crochet - How To, Home Decor, HOW TO

This Crochet Porcupine Pincusion consists of a prickle of porcupines, and they can be pretty cute.  But perhaps more importantly, they are very useful, very practical.  They accommodate needles of many sizes and they help organise them most efficiently.

crochet porcupine pincushion

Crochet Porcupine Pincushion (CH0511) – n/a

 

[Read more…]

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z. Lacy Crochet Top – Summer Casual with Flare

March 23, 2019 by Helena Asmus Lim Filed Under: CREATIONS, Crochet - How To, HOW TO, Wearables

I thought I still had summer time so out popped this lacy crochet top. I wanted to create something that was summery and that could be worn casually as well as could be dressed up.

Lacy Crochet Top

Lacy Crochet Top (CH0510) – n/a

The necklace is also something I made: various beaded bezelled gemstones.  Unfortunately it appears I have been amiss again and failed to blog it!

[Read more…]

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Z. Beaded Crochet Tapestry – Hülya Özdemir inspired (CH0509)

March 22, 2019 by Helena Asmus Lim Filed Under: CREATIONS, Crochet - How To, Home Decor, HOW TO

My first full scale and framed beaded crochet tapestry.

BeadedCrochet_Ozdemir_CH0509_000Beaded Crochet Tapestry (CH0509) – Private Collection

[Read more…]

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z. Crochet Hanging Storage Bag; Marimekko inspired, DIY notes (CH0498)

May 20, 2018 by Helena Asmus Lim Filed Under: CREATIONS, Crochet - How To, Home Decor, HOW TO

 

Crochet Hanging Storage Bag – photos and how-to details.

This crochet hanging storage bag is one of many I have done. But this is the first one that includes feature to close the bag’s opening (requested).   The crochet bag is also influenced by Marimekko design (again requested by the friend).  I have designed the hanging loop in such a way that it can be hung up in multiple ways.  Details below …

Crochet Hanging Storage Basket; Marimekko inspired (CH0498 – Not for Sale)

[Read more…]

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