Have you always wished that you could do more of the advanced techniques in crochet? Just think about where you would be in your crochet skills if you learned one new technique each month in 2015. This is a 12-month guide for crochet skill-building.
Here is how to use this guide:
Bookmark the list and check back on it every month to find the suggested technique.
Learn the crochet technique for that month if it’s new to you.
Work on advanced crochet patterns for that technique if it’s a skill that you already know.
Share your progress on social media to highlight your newfound skills!
If there is ever a technique that doesn’t interest you, replace it with another crochet technique that you’d like to learn. Find a list of 30 popular crochet techniques here.
January: Thread Crochet
Thread crochet can be so intimidating if you’ve never tried it before. The steel hooks used for this crochet technique are so tiny. The threads appear so thin. The work is so intricate and detailed. Even experienced crocheters cower in the face of this vintage technique. However, it’s a lot easier to learn that you might think. Mastering this skill can boost a crafter’s confidence and open up a whole new world of options for crochet projects.
Learn this technique from our Ultimate Beginners’s Guide to Thread Crochet.
Thread crochet patterns to practice this technique:
Snowflake Appliques free crochet pattern
Curlicue Necklace and Earrings
Thread Crochet American Flag
Mod Flower Necklace
Go Incognito Masks
February: Filet Crochet
Filet crochet uses a simple combination of dc stitches and chain spaces to create beautiful graphic patterns. This makes it a simple technique to learn but one that a lot of people don’t know because it is worked using charts instead of reading written instructions. Filet crochet is often used to make vintage-inspired crochet items and it’s a great choice for frilly, romantic Valentine’s Day projects. Filet crochet is often (but not always) worked with crochet thread so you can continue expanding on January’s skill with this technique.
Learn this technique from our Ultimate Guide to Filet Crochet.
Filet crochet patterns to practice this technique:
Shimmery Hearts Scarf
Filet Crochet Bunny Blanket
Quilt Block Filet Crochet Pillow
Rose and Lace Doily
Filet Crochet Bookmark for Mom
March: V-Stitch Variations
The crochet V-stitch is a really easy technique that only requires knowledge of the double crochet stitch. However, there are a lot of variations on the V-stitch and you can play around with those variations, as well as with different yarns and color combinations, to create very unique V-stitch crochet projects.
Learn how to crochet class V-Stitch and V-stitch variations here.
V-stitch crochet patterns to practice this technique:
V-Stitch and Scallop Shawl
Rickrack Stripes Throw
Flowered Cowl
April: Broomstick Lace
Broomstick Lace is a beautiful historic crochet technique in which you apply traditional crochet skills to pulling loops up over a dowel (or “broomstick”) to create a beautiful openwork fabric. It’s a look that you can’t get using any other type of crochet technique so it’s a great skill to learn. It’s a lot easier than many people think it will be when they first see how it’s done.
Learn broomstick lace from this video.
You can also learn broomstick lace from Tammy Hildebrand’s book Crochet Wraps Every Which Way.
Broomstick lace crochet patterns to practice this technique:
Broomstick Lace Baby Blanket (pictured above)
Sampler Broomstick Scarf
May: Tunisian Crochet
Tunisian crochet is a technique that combines crochet and knitting skills. It is worked with a special Tunisian crochet hook and the result is a fabric that has a knit look. Many crocheters like to be able to achieve the texture of knitting while working with a crochet hook. Tunisian crochet has gained popularity in recent years so there are many different projects and patterns available to help you explore this technique.
Learn to make the Tunisian Knit Stitch here.
Learn to make the Tunisian Crochet Afghan Stitch here.
Tunisian crochet patterns to practice this technique:
Tunisian Color Block Throw (pictured above)
Easy Tunisian Baby Vest
Timeless Tunisian Crochet Blanket
June: Solomon’s Knot (AKA Lovers’ Knot)
The Solomon’s Knot, also called the Lovers’ Knot, is a lacy openwork crochet technique. It takes the regular skills that are used in basic crochet but extends the length of the stitches to create tall, open shapes. The tall stitches are held together with knots. The result is an airy finished product. You can vary the height of Lovers’ Knots for different designs, which is something fun to practice as you’re learning this technique.
Solomon’s Knot crochet patterns to practice this technique:
Love Knots and Leaves Wrap (pictured above)
July: Crocodile Stitch
The crocodile stitch is a beautiful, highly-textured stitch that will make friends “ooh” and “aah” when you create with it. It is worked using double crochet and post stitch skills. It takes a little bit of getting used to because it requires turning your crochet work in ways that are different than the norm as you work. That said, it’s a repeating stitch pattern that can be picked up with just a little bit of practice.
One reader recommends using Stellar Yarn to create a crocodile stitch crochet cowl.
August: Hairpin Lace
Hairpin lace combines the use of a loom with the use of a crochet hook for a variation on traditional openwork lace crochet designs. It’s a great technique to add to your repertoire for when you’re seeking to do something a little bit special with your crochet skills.
Learn to make hairpin lace here.
Hairpin lace crochet patterns to practice this technique:
Hairpin Lace Shawl (pictured above)
Hairpin Lace Vest
Hairpin Lace and Flowers Scarf
Waverly Place Throw
September: Bead Crochet
A very popular technique for making crochet jewelry is to incorporate beads into the crochet design. This can be done when making crochet jewelry with yarn and thread or when making it with wire. Crochet jewelry is a great gift for someone in your life and can also be an easy way to enhance your own look.
Bead crochet patterns to practice this technique:
Pearly Crochet Jewelry
Bead and Pearl Earrings (pictured above)
Dangling Flower Earrings
Casual Crochet Bead Necklace
Easy Beaded Bracelets
October: Post Stitches
Post stitches create beautiful textured items and are great for warmth and comfort as well as design. There are both front and back post stitches and there are post stitches of varying heights (most commonly dc and tr). Post stitches are used to make crochet cables so once you have mastered the basic stitch you can move on and learn cables as well.
Learn how to crochet post stitches and cables here.
More crochet patterns to practice this technique:
2014 Checkerboard Textures CAL
Post Stitch Throw Crochet Pattern
Zig Zag Post Stitch Throw
Branches and Berries Throw
Basketweave Diamond Throw and Pillow
November: Tapestry Crochet
Tapestry crochet is a colorwork technique in which you change colors mid-row to create beautiful graphics. Some yarns are carried across the work while others are worked into the design and this is alternated to create the stunning visual impact of tapestry crochet. This technique has been made popular by crochet designer Carol Ventura who learned it from Guatemalan artisans during her travels in the 1970s.
Learn colorwork and tapestry crochet here.
More crochet patterns to practice this technique:
Tapestry Flower Pot Cozy (pictured above)
December: Tassels, Pompoms and Fringe
Wrap up your year of crochet lessons by learning some techniques to accessorize all of your various projects. Tassels, pompoms and fringe can add a pop of color or texture to accessories and other items. These are also items that you can add to gift-wrapped packages to make any gift that you’re giving this holiday season just a little bit more personal.
Learn how to make a tassel here.
Learn how to make pompoms here.
Crochet projects to practice these techniques:
Christmas Tassels Fun Craft Project (pictured above)
Crochet Triangle Shawl with Large Tassel
Pompom Garland
Pompom Headband
Fringe Vest
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