Welcome to Rainbow Valley

There are many different types of crochet, some you can do with yarn, some you can do with thread and most you can do with both.

Apart from your basic stitches, there are such techniques as Tunisian (called Afghan Crochet in the US), Hairpin Lace and Crotat which all use different types of hooks or additional tools. These, and others, are on the Techniques with Tools page.

I am trying to cover as many as I can, with links to Tutorials (mainly US) where possible.

More Techniques will be added as and when I either get permission to use more pictures or crochet the samples and take the pictures myself.

Basic Stitches
There are six basic stitches including the chain and slip stitch along with these shown here. These are all in UK terms.

Double Crochet Half Treble

Treble Crochet Double Treble
There is a UK tutorial on

with the relevant US terms included.

There is a US tutorial for left handers on Ambar Enid Alcalá's site

Other Basics
These can add a touch of class or fun to your work without much expertise.

Making a fringe

Picture By Ambar Enid Alcalá
Other Basic Stitches
By Ambar Enid Alcalá

TIPS

By Bonnie Pierce

Filet Crochet
Uses only a basic trebles and chains for a great effect.

looks like

Pictures by Kateryna Madsen

There is a step-by-step tutorial at

Filet Crochet is made in thread, usually from a graph. It can be as simple or as complicated as you want to make it. Modern filet has become quite adventurous.

I made this is from a Filet Crochet-Along by Ferosa.

Thread Painting
Use with almost any other technique.

Thread Painting using double crochet.

This is a technique which can be used with almost any other technique.

You use three strands of thread or yarn as if they were one strand. You then change one strand at a time into the next colour.

This gives a shaded effect rather than a sudden change in the colour.

Thread painting using Filet.

Tapestry Crochet
Use only dc to create these patterns.

Tapestry crochet is normally worked using double crochet with a tight tension and two or more strands of yarn or thread at the same time to create a colourful fabric.

Front

Back

It is normally working in rounds and only the front of the stitches are seen.

Unlike regular colour changing crochet, the stitches are worked over the unused strands. The finished pieces look almost woven instead of crocheted.

Although there is no actual tutorial, there is more about this form of crochet, including brief instructions and free patterns, at
TAPESTRY CROCHET

FreeForm Crochet
Do whatever you please!

Freeform is exactly that, do anything you want to and make it all up as you go along.

Picture By Bonnie Pierce at
Elegant Crochet

If you don't have the confidence to just jump straight in, try Bonnie's Tutorial at

Picture by Bonnie Pierce at
Elegant Crochet

Thank you to those who have allowed me to use their pictures. If your picture has been used in any way you disagree with, please email me immediately and I will rectify it.

Web Page Designed by Enfys.
©Enfys and Rainbow Valley 2003-2007
Last Updated: December 11, 2008

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