Reading and Writing Crochet Patterns


Lots of people have been asking me where I get my ideas for my crochet dresses.  When I started this (and even a still!) I couldn't read crochet patterns very well.  So I had to make things up, or not make them at all. 

My mom gets a flyer in the mail for Annie's Attic.  They sell lots of cute crochet, and craft items.  She would save the flyers for me, and I would search through the pages.  I also started looking at Etsy.com for ideas.  I wanted to try everything!

I never copied a dress, but I got lots of great ideas.  Sometimes I would like a specific stitch that they used, or I would like the way they did the bodice.  I still like to look at other people's work for inspiration. 

My first dress I made was so simple, yet people thought it was amazing!  I was so encouraged to try more.  The next dress I made her looked even better.  I had learned how to crochet a  flower, and that added a lot.

Now that my daughters are too old to wear the dresses (12 and 7), I find neighbors and friends to give my dresses to.

 My favorite was the mauve, pink, and white striped newborn dress.  It is so full and just looks amazing - yet it is so simple.  (I kept that one - maybe for a grandbaby!)

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Whenever I really wanted to read a crochet pattern (there are lots of free, un-copyrighted ones out there) I had to go to my mom's house.  She would sit beside me and tell me how to do each row.  I knew what all the abbreviations meant, and I knew how to do all the stitches, but my end product never turned out like the picture.

I have been working on how to read and write a crochet pattern for many years now.  I bought several patterns to try and learn from.  Most were written so poorly, they may have been written in a foreign language.

I thought, there must be a better way to write a crochet pattern - that's not so confusing!  I worked a long time writing a pattern for my new dress.  I wrote it so simply, that I think any beginner could understand. 

So don't give up, keep trying to expand your talent : )

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I started this blog as a way to share my crochet dresses.  Trying to make a dress just from the video is difficult, because you have to keep stopping it and rewinding it.  I have received so many requests for the written patterns for my dresses.  So I hope all my wonderful subscribers like these patterns.


Not all my patterns cost money, I will post free ones, too.  They will be located on my "Free Patterns" page.

 Go to Etsy, and search for my store "BlankeyDresses" or click on the link
https://www.etsy.com/shop/BlankeyDresses?ref=search_shop_redirect
 
They are available as instant downloads for only $2.99.





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