Do you guys remember my experiments with layered crochet stitches? In a previous blog post, I gave you a peek at how I used one version of the layered stitch to create a flower necklace.

I promised you guys a pattern for this, and now I have it ready. Well, to be more accurate, I actually have two patterns ready - one for the necklace band, and one for the flower. That way, you can easily use the flower pattern for other projects in addition to this necklace.

As I was writing the pattern up, I realized that this little baby is a bit more complicated than I first thought. I am a freeform crochet enthusiast, and in hindsight, I can see that some freeform-type techniques kind of crept into the design of this necklace.

I was initially thinking of this as a very simple project; it's basically made up of single crochet, chain stitches and slip stitches. As I wrote the pattern instructions, I realized that it isn't so simple after all, and that more in-depth tutorials would be helpful to show you all the little details.

I'm confident that, with the help of the tutorials, you'll be able to see each step of the process and follow along to create your own pretty flower necklaces.

More About This Necklace:

• Free crochet pattern for the necklace band
• Step-by-step tutorial for the necklace band
• Free flower pattern
• Step-by-step tutorial for making the flower embellishment
• Color variations for the crocheted flower necklace

Photos © Amy Solovay.

Possibilities Include Tunisian Crochet and Freeform, Among Others

In response to my crochet interests poll, a reader named Cardea posted the following comment:

I would like to see more patterns that combine knit and crochet. Don't know if you can do that here, though.

Thanks for the comment and suggestion, Cardea. I appreciate your input. Here are some of my thoughts in response.

There are a few different ways you can approach this. One method I plan to explore in depth on this web site is the technique of Tunisian crochet. Tunisian crochet has many similarities to knitting. I think of it as a sort of fusion of the two techniques.

Since so many people have expressed interest in this technique, I plan to make it a priority to create some Tunisian patterns. I hope you'll subscribe to the crochet newsletter (if you don't already) so you can receive updates when these, and other, new patterns are published.

One of my passions is freeform work, which is a totally different approach. In the past, I have created many projects combining knitting and crochet using freeform techniques. It's something I really enjoy doing, and I'd encourage others to try it too.

Freeform crochet is a technique I plan to explore on this site in the future. It isn't high on my priority list in the beginning, but if you stay with me, we will get there eventually.

My upcoming freeform articles will be written for crocheters, but the principles of freeform are applicable to both crochet and knitting. To anyone who is interested in combining knitting and crochet, I'd like to point out that you do not need patterns to do this. Freeform is a viable, and satisfying, way to create these types of projects.

At the moment, my main concern is supplying crocheters with free crochet patterns they can use. Once I have a huge library of free crochet patterns posted, perhaps I could consider collaborating on some combination knit and crochet patterns with Sarah White, our knitting Guide. While I do get excited thinking about all the possibilities, I hesitate to make any promises in that regard.

Thanks again to everyone who posted comments and poll responses. I am planning to spend some more time responding to comments and answering readers' questions in the blog, so please check back soon.

In response to my crochet interests poll, a visitor named Carol Ann posted the following comment:

I'm crocheting bowls and totes to be felted-much quicker than knitting and very satisfying. I would be interested in more felting projects.

Thanks for the comment and suggestions, Carol Ann. I appreciate your input.

Felting is a hot topic these days. For those of you who are interested in felting your crochet, I wanted to point out that About.com's knitting Guide, Sarah E. White, is an expert felter. She has written quite a few detailed articles about felting, which I think would also be helpful to crocheters who are interested in felting. Here are links to a few of Sarah's articles:

• How to felt
• Felting in a front loading washing machine
• Felting without a machine
• Make a felted swatch

I hope you will find this information helpful.

Now I'd like to open the floor for comments and suggestions from readers.

• Would you be interested in seeing patterns for felted crochet projects?
• Have you ever felted a crochet project?
• How did it turn out?
• Do you have any felting tips to share?

Thanks to all of you who voted in the Crochet Interests Poll I posted last week. I really appreciate it that so many of you took the time to respond. If you didn't already add your input, it isn't too late; I am going to leave the poll open in case anyone else wants to add responses.

I have enjoyed reading through all your comments. You all have so many fabulous ideas, and I am feeling really inspired by all your suggestions. I can't thank you enough! I appreciate all the insights you have shared, and I have been busy working on ideas for new crochet patterns based on all of your suggestions.

Over the next few days, I am going to devote some time to responding directly to your comments and questions, so please check in again soon.

If you don't already subscribe to the crochet newsletter, I'd like to invite you to sign up. When you subscribe to the newsletter, you'll automatically receive weekly notification about all the new crochet patterns and articles that I post here at crochet.about.com.

If you're interested in signing up, take a look at the top right hand side of your computer monitor. There's a spot where you can enter your email address to sign up. You will receive confirmation shortly after signing up. I think you will really enjoy receiving this newsletter, but if for any reason you don't, you can unsubscribe at any time.

Also, I'd like to remind you that we have an active, helpful, and friendly crochet forum. The forum is a free resource for you to use any time you like. It's open 24-7. You are invited to drop in any time! If you have a crochet-related question, you're likely to find people who can help you figure out the answer. I've been checking in as often as I can, but even when I'm not there, there are usually plenty of other experienced crocheters hanging around. We hope you'll come join in the fun.

Thanks so much for your interest and participation!

Hello crochet-loving friends,

I am really curious about your project interests. With that in mind, I've created a poll.

The poll lists some popular types of crochet projects. You are free to select more than one answer if you wish. I realize that the answers in the poll don't cover every base, so please feel free to leave comments if there are other answers that are more applicable to your current interests.

Thanks in advance to everyone who participates in the poll. I'd love to hear from you, and I look forward to learning more about what type(s) of projects you're interested in crocheting.

I just wanted to give you a little peek at my latest crochet project. It's a pink and black choker with a flower embellishment.

This necklace was inspired by a previous experiment with layered crochet stitches. I blogged about it awhile back, and received some helpful suggestions and requests to see the stitch in a contrasting color combination. Hence the black and pink. Thanks, Beth & Sara!

The flower is a variation of my crocheted frost flower. Instead of using worsted weight yarn, I crocheted the flower with embroidery floss and a size D hook. Then I raided my stash of scrapbooking supplies to dress it up a little with some faux flowers and a brad.

I like the direction this is going in, although I think it could be improved upon. This has potential, but I'm thinking I might mess around with it a bit more before writing up a pattern. You're invited to check back to see what else develops.

Photos © Amy Solovay.

I'm fascinated with the idea of constructing crocheted fabrics that layer stitches overtop of each other.

Here's a peek at a layered crochet swatch I am working on. The lower layer of the fabric is single crochet. The upper layer consists of arches of chain stitches and single crochet.

This idea is still a work in progress. There are so many different directions this could go in; different ways to work out the stitch repeat, different color combinations, different yarns to use...

I started crocheting this swatch with embroidery floss. I think that using a thicker yarn would make an awfully thick fabric, but I'd still be interested to try it and see what happens.

You might be wondering how to use this type of stitch in a project- what kind of project would it be well-suited for? That's a good question. At this point, the stitch is just an experiment. I have no idea how I'll use it yet.

I invite you to check back periodically to see what develops! If you have suggestions for what you'd like to see this idea made into, please comment! I'd love to hear from you.

Photos © Amy Solovay.

A few days ago, I blogged about the great deal I found on Fun Fur eyelash yarn.

Since I last posted, I wrote up a quick pattern for a Fun Fur Scarf. This one's a real no-brainer; it's a super-easy pattern, and it works up quickly. If you decide to try it, I really hope you'll enjoy making the scarf, and wearing it too.

Photo © Amy Solovay.

I just found a whole bunch of Lion Brand eyelash yarn at my local Dollar Tree store for only a dollar a ball. They had both Fancy Fur and Fun Fur in a variety of colors.

That's a significant savings; the Fancy Fur has a manufacturer's suggested retail price of $5.99, and the Fun Fur has a suggested retail price of $4.99. You can sometimes buy these yarns for less, but until now, I've never seen them sell for that much less.

I can't promise you that your local Dollar Tree will have this yarn, but it might be worth checking out if you are interested in shopping for eyelash yarn right now.

Pictured Above: On the left is Turquoise colored Lion Brand Fun Fur. On the right is Fancy Fur in the colorway called Stained Glass Black. Photo © Amy Solovay.

What happens if you crochet with two or more absurdly different yarns? This is one of my favorite design challenges. I never get bored with trying new variations of this challenge; the question can be answered in so many different ways.

These experiments often lead to interesting discoveries, although I admit that some of them result in a complete mess. Experience has taught me that my chances of success improve if I include at least one unifying element to make up for the mismatch.

Today's experiment involves crocheting with yarns that are completely different sizes. The unifying factors: both these yarns are cotton, and the colors complement each other well.

To make it even more interesting, I decided to pair a vintage thread with a contemporary yarn. I used Star Pearl Twist mercerized cotton in size 8, plus Lily's Original Sugar 'n Cream, a worsted weight 4-ply cotton yarn.

I made a swatch in stripes of single crochet, alternating two rows of the Sugar 'n Cream yarn with two rows of the Pearl Twist.

The size G crochet hook I used is an acceptable match for the Sugar 'n Cream yarn, although perhaps it is a bit on the small side. Under most circumstances, I wouldn't choose a size G hook to use with the Pearl Twist, but that's what I did here.

The result? The rows of Pearl Twist look almost lacy. I'd describe this as "Faux lace with single crochet".

I'm liking this, but I want to know what you think? In your opinion, is this experiment a keeper or a flop?

If you guys love it, I'll incorporate the idea into a pattern for you to crochet. If you all hate it, I'll move on to the next experiment. I look forward to reading any insights you want to share, so please don't be shy about commenting.

Photos © Amy Solovay