Can you answer "yes" to the following questions?
- do you know how to single Crochet?
- do you know how to double Crochet (US)[or treble Crochet (EUR)?
- do you know the difference between the front and back loop of a crochet stitch?
- do you understand the concept of a drop-stitch?
If you can understand anything I just wrote, the rest can be learned, and the answer is a resounding YES. Mosaic Crochet should be a project to try.
1. What mosaic crochet is, and how it is different from traditional Crochet?
When I google Mosaic Crochet, I get various answers as to what Mosaic Crochet actually is. (Fair Isle, Intarsia, Colorwork). While knowing the actual history of Mosaic Crochet would be interesting, it's not my objective here. Instead, my aim is to show you that it is not as scary as it seems. Instead, it can actually be fun! One of the articles I read was that Mosaic Crochet is basically a drop-stitch technique, and I totally agree with it. (Yes, you can disagree with me, and I am open to hearing anything anyone has to say about the subject as long as it is done nicely.)
In my opinion, the difference between mosaic and traditional Crochet is not a make-or-break decision. It comes down to your finished project. In classic Crochet, you work back and forth, front and back, and create your pattern. Mosaic Crochet is similar to Tunisian Crochet, where the design is created using the front only. It is like using an old-fashioned typewriter; you finish your row and return to the first stitch again. Traditional Crochet can get kind of "twisty" as you turn your blanket (especially as it gets longer). One of the most significant differences with mosaic Crochet is that each row is fastened off. Stop; breathe, don't run screaming from this just because of all the ends. There are options, and I will link you to those options. Mosaic Crochet can be a little more time-consuming because of the fastening off, but it can also create a more polished look for your project. Traditional Crochet can be worked faster because you don't have to fasten off each row, but it can also look a little less polished because of the back and forth motion. In the end, it comes down to what look you are going for with your project.
The benefits of using Mosaic Crochet.
I love mosaic Crochet because of the clean lines you seem to get from it. I especially like when I realize that I screw up a row or two down. Then, I can just undo the rows and pull them back to where it needs to be fixed. So instead of frogging, let's say two rows of 165 stitches, I pull back each of the rows to where I need to fix it. I enjoy using variegated yarns with solid yarns because it gives the mosaic pattern more interest. With traditional Crochet, there are times when you have to frog an entire project if you make a mistake a few rows down, which can be very frustrating. With mosaic crochet, you can quickly fix your errors without starting over from the beginning.
How to create a basic mosaic crochet pattern
While I recommend that you try Mosaic Crochet prior to trying pattern making, it's not a complicated process as much as a time-consuming process. Most patterns that you will find for Mosaic Crochet are charts. I like the charts, but I am used to a written pattern and, as of late, actually like color blocks.
There are various YouTube Videos out there about creating charts in Excel, Photoshop, etc. I use Illustrator. I make my design and then turn it into a PNG file, and then I import it into Stitchfiddle. It simplifies it for me, but each person has their own way of seeing the pattern. Stitchfiddle allows me the simplicity of having the chart, written instructions, and the colorblock.
Tips for working with different colors and materials
I use worsted weight yarn. Caron One Pounder and Red Heart Super Saver yarn. While you can use solid colors, I prefer to mix a variegated with a solid color. I use a 5.0 mm hook for the main project and a 4.0-4.5 mm hook for the border.
My first Mosaic Overlay Crochet Project
Where to find more information and inspiration
My favorite videos to watch and definitely very inspiring is Tinna Thorudottir Thorvaldar is one of the best, providing tutorials and the like for Mosaic Crochet. I highly recommend checking out her channel. (https://youtube.com/c/TinnaThorudottirThorvaldar)
Comments