The early development of the craft of crochet is linked to the imitation of lace and lace making.

The word crochet comes from the French ‘croche’ or ‘croc’ meaning to hook.

In the 16th century nuns taught the craft to their students and it became a recognised accomplishment of a high-born lady. Crochet was considered to be suitable only for the rich with the poorer people having knitted items.

In the 1840s crochet instructions began to be published and so crochet became more popular. Before this time crochet had been handed down through families with each generation passing on the skills.

Many older patterns contained just a picture with just a few of the more complicated sections explained, as a consequence you were expected to work from the picture for the majority of the pattern!

Irish crochet is often considered to be crocheting at its highest expression and is done with the finest thread and hooks in intricate patterns, usually displaying a motif of leaves or flowers set in an open web-like background.

When trying to imitate lace very fine threads and hooks were used but nowadays it is more usual to use soft yarns to produce clothing, home furnishings and wall displays.

How to Crochet

When you begin to crochet you start with a slip stitch on a hook. However, unlike knitting, crochet uses this single starting loop to work a row of individual chain stitches. So each new loop is formed by catching the yarn and drawing it through the previous loop.

Then you work back along this series of chain stitches, each new stitch being looped through a stitch in the previous row.

Each stitch is completed when only a single loop remains on your crochet hook, and then the next stitch is worked. Although this may sound complicated in practise it is very easy to do.

By using various combinations of stitches it is possible to create a variety of textures and patterns. These combinations can have descriptive names such as pineapple and popcorn as well as the more usual chain, double, and treble.

An Ideal Craft for the Busy Person

Crochet can be done with the minimum amount of equipment and mess, and is very quick to tidy away.

This makes crochet an ideal craft to do when you’re travelling. There is only your yarn and a crochet hook, and possibly a crochet pattern, to carry. If you drop a stitch or make a mistake it is easy to pull the work back to a ‘correct’ single loop and restart from there.

Crochet Pattern e-books

Crochet pattern e-books are great value and very convenient. You can print out just the instructions for the pattern you are making.

This allows you to have only a page or two for your pattern and you do not need to carry a whole crochet book.

If the pages you’ve printed get damaged or lost it is easy to print the pattern again from the e-book allowing you to complete your project.

Crochet is an interesting hobby. You can crochet straight forward items almost immediately and once you’ve mastered the basics you can go onto the more complicated patterns when you fancy a challenge.

Catherine Calder sells crochet instruction videos that are ideal for beginners. These computer video files show the basic crochet stitches and all the stages to crocheting your first Granny Square. Visit http://www.learnanddo.com/crochet.asp

If you are in the market for sewing patterns, crochet patterns or quilt patterns you can find them online! Did you know that there are many websites that not only instruct individuals on the techniques of sewing, in all its forms, but that help supply you with the supplies you need? Advice can be found online and so can free patterns!

Are you interested in free cross-stitch patterns? How about free quilt patterns? Maybe you want are looking for crochet ponchos patterns? Maybe you would be interested in free knitting patterns? Whatever you are looking for, you can find it online! There are many that will offer advice to your questions. There are some that sell patterns and some that will tell you where to get them for free! Yes, free. Interested?

To find a website that offers these patterns for free, locate your favorite search engine. An engine like Google or Yahoo will work. Let us say you are looking for free knitting patterns. Type in "free knitting patterns" or just "knitting patterns" in your search box and go! You will undoubtedly receive a bunch of different places to choose from. Browse the list. You may be able to find places that you can go to download the patterns onto your computer to print off later. Forums are places you can join, mostly free of charge, and get to know fellow craftsmen. You will be able to ask questions and get advice. Also, you will get to meet people doing the same things you are. Maybe you will be able to answer their questions! These are great places to find information.

If you don't know what project you want to start, paging through the countless pages on websites will give you many, many options. You will see things you never thought of yourself. You may decide to make something that would look great on your couch or maybe a nice quilt for your friends that are visiting a cabin this winter.

About The Author

Mike Yeager, Publisher - http://www.a1-fabric-4u.com/

Crocheting is not only a craft but an art. Once you master the basic stitches you will be well on your way to creating masterpieces you will be pride to share with your family and friends. Anyone can learn to crochet as long as they put their mind to it.Before you run out and buy your crocheting supplies decide what you want to crochet first. According to the item you choose, you will need different size needles and yarn weight. All this information is with the patterns and you will see just how easy it is to achieve your goal of crocheting your first work of art.

You will be crocheting from toys to sweaters in no time. There are so many different items you can crochet. There are snowflakes for the Christmas tree, sweaters for your best friend, and house slippers for every member of your family. You can even learn to crochet baby bibs, blankets, and outfits.

No matter what you choose to crochet you will find everything you need on the Internet! No need to leave the house. Some websites provides you all the supplies for crocheting and knitting with just a click of your mouse. You will need crochet hooks, yarn, and sometimes needles. The crochet hooks come in several different sizes. The yarn is in different weights and you can find them all right by shopping online.

So, when you need to buy your crocheting supplies, come at Crochet Resources first. Save yourself some time and money by shopping online.

pierrebenoit is an Affiliate Marketer and a Webmaster: http://crochet-resources.cyber-boutik.com provides a selection of crochet information, news, supplies and resources and http://crochet-patterns.cyber-catalog.com presents a selection of crochet patterns for every occasion