Technique Tuesday: Crochet

I like to use a lot of crochet embellishements in costumes.  Sometimes a well known stitch in a lightweight yarn is the perfect choice. If I'm making a coat or other garment, this is my usual method. Sometimes, though, I'm looking for a trim or small piece to add to a cloth-based garment.  For these purposes, I look for small-scale crochet that is easy to work and looks right with the garment.  I have a lot of crochet books and a Pinterest board, but something that looks good in a normal weight yarn may be too difficult or time-consuming to work in a fine thread with a tiny hook.  I have to experiment.

If you are a fan of crochet, you've probably seen a lot of pictures of the popular puff-flower grannies or African flower grannies.  They look great in bright colors and make an interesting textile.  Would I be able to use them in my work?  Let's see. I experimented with the puff-flower granny first.  I used these instructions.  I prefer diagrams, but couldn't find one anywhere.  My first choice is to use the largest yarn/hook combo that I think I can get away with.  Shown from top to bottom:

2 ply laceweight wool with a C/2.75mm hook
single ply laceweight raw silk thread with a C/2.75mm hook
size 5 perle cotton with a size 4/2.0 mm steel hook
size 8 perle cotton with a size 4/2.0 mm steel hook
size 8 perle cotton with a size 10/1.3 mm steel hook
N20 crochet cotton with a size 10/1.3 mm steel hook

Based on these results, I concluded that the only reasonable option was the second from the last.  Using the same thread/hook combo, I made an African flower granny (shown at right).  It looks good, although I wish it were smaller.  At this size, I would probably limit use to a single row or just one as a pocket. Although not as dramatic as when made with multiple colors, this is a nicely textured motif and I would make it in a single color.

The second experiment is dragon scale crochet.  This pattern popped up a few years ago and  is popular for potholders and tea cozies.  It uses a lot of yarn and makes a very thick and interestingly textured textile.  I think the stitch is too bulky for garments, but with finer thread could it be usable for my figures?  Let's see.  I found instructions in an unremembered book, but these are similar.

Shown from top to bottom:
fingering acrylic yarn with a D/3.00mm hook
Aunt Lydia's crochet cotton, size 3  with a C/2.75mm hook
single ply laceweight raw silk thread with a C/2.75mm hook
DMC Baroque crochet cotton with a 2.0mm steel hook
N20 crochet cotton with a size 10/1.3 mm steel hook

Based on these samples, I would use any of the last three.  I would not use this stitch to create an entire garment for a figure (well, maybe...), but I would use a row or two of scales as a trim along a hem or other edging.  I like the look of the stitch when made with thread.  I think the scales are well defined and have a crisp look - very clean.

One last comment.  Whenever possible, I experiment with white or off-white yarn/thread in natural fibers.  If I choose to use any of these stitches in the future, I would use the same yarn/thread.  The final step would be to dye the crochet to match the garment under construction.  This is far simpler than hunting down the color I need. 

Stay tuned for more techniques!