Freeform Crochet and Knitting Fragments
Scrumbles are little fragments of knitting and crochet, made without rules or patterns, although I did follow a set of instructions to make the fragment pictured opposite. But I'm a beginner!
All you need for scrumbling are crochet hooks or knitting needles, some yarn, a little crochet knowledge (or a book with a good bank of crochet and knitting stitches) and your imagination.
Make a chain of stitches, crochet into them, double crochet into them, learn some fancy stitches, make a bobble, crochet a circle - whatever tickles your fancy!
The fragment opposite was made from the instruction in Jenny Dowde's book - Freeform Knitting and Crochet.
All you need for scrumbling are crochet hooks or knitting needles, some yarn, a little crochet knowledge (or a book with a good bank of crochet and knitting stitches) and your imagination.
Make a chain of stitches, crochet into them, double crochet into them, learn some fancy stitches, make a bobble, crochet a circle - whatever tickles your fancy!
The fragment opposite was made from the instruction in Jenny Dowde's book - Freeform Knitting and Crochet.
This piece was one of my first attempts at just starting to crochet and not worrying about using a pattern.
I wanted to make a cover for my Filofax with some yarn I'd handspun.
As I'm not an expert at spinning, my yarn has come out with huge variances in the thickness and the amount of twist I added in - but this gave it a really interesting quality when I started to crochet with it.
I'm not terribly experienced with crochet so when I attempted to make bobbles from a set of instructions it went slightly wrong but I love the walnut or pineapple-like shapes that I got instead.
I wanted to make a cover for my Filofax with some yarn I'd handspun.
As I'm not an expert at spinning, my yarn has come out with huge variances in the thickness and the amount of twist I added in - but this gave it a really interesting quality when I started to crochet with it.
I'm not terribly experienced with crochet so when I attempted to make bobbles from a set of instructions it went slightly wrong but I love the walnut or pineapple-like shapes that I got instead.
Freeform Crochet by meltedrachel
Design Postcards at zazzle.co.uk
Crochet Hooks
Clover Takumi Getaway Soft Touch Crochet Hooks Gift Set, 8 Sizes
Amazon Price: $33.22 (as of 06/03/2012)
My First Attempt to Make a Crochet Fragment
I wasn't sure what I was doing when I made the piece below.
I decided to just crochet a shape and then work the white into ruffles around the edge, as I had in the piece above.
It didn't turn out very special!
I think it's important to learn a few more stitches before attempting freeform - I needed to know the rules before I could break them.
I might still work into this piece afterwards rather than discarding it.
I decided to just crochet a shape and then work the white into ruffles around the edge, as I had in the piece above.
It didn't turn out very special!
I think it's important to learn a few more stitches before attempting freeform - I needed to know the rules before I could break them.
I might still work into this piece afterwards rather than discarding it.
Knitting Fashion
I adore this really old book. A friend gave it to me after she was clearing out a classroom and it's perfect for anyone wanting to know the basics of crochet and knitting. There also some great patterns in there for crochet in particular.
Knitting Fashion
Amazon Price: $0.48 (as of 06/03/2012)
If you can find this book it'll tell you everything you need to know about getting started with knitting and crochet. There are a lot of stitches featured that I hadn't even heard of.
The patterns featured in the second half are so old that they're probably back in fashion - or could at least be considered vintage.
Bobble Stitch
I made the bobbly sample, below, following instructions from "Knitting Fashion".
Freeform Knitting and Crochet
This is a wonderful little book that's given me the kickstart I needed to start scrumbling.
Freeform Knitting and Crochet includes instructions for 4 different crochet and knitted fragments and 2 knitted fragments.
Why would you need instruction for freeform crochet?
Well, when you're starting it can be a little intimidating to just "start" so it's nice to have a base to work from.
I've started making fragments from the instructions and when I feel a bit more confident I'm going to start making up my own scrumbles. Perhaps first I will start with the instructions but then do something different - take out the bits I'm not comfortable with or add in some of my favourite stitches.
Freeform Knitting and Crochet includes instructions for 4 different crochet and knitted fragments and 2 knitted fragments.
Why would you need instruction for freeform crochet?
Well, when you're starting it can be a little intimidating to just "start" so it's nice to have a base to work from.
I've started making fragments from the instructions and when I feel a bit more confident I'm going to start making up my own scrumbles. Perhaps first I will start with the instructions but then do something different - take out the bits I'm not comfortable with or add in some of my favourite stitches.
Freeform Knitting and Crochet (Milner Craft Series)
Amazon Price: $6.25 (as of 06/03/2012)
This is an awesome book for anyone who wants to start freeform knitting and crochet. It's packed with ideas, examples, finished pieces, special effect stitches and patterns.
There is even a section on crocheting with wire.
My Crochet Fragment 1
This is my attempt at making "Crochet Fragment 1" from Jenny Dowde's book.
I used yarn that I'd handspun myself. The fragment is a little warped in places due to the thickness of the yarn changing - but I love it!
I used yarn that I'd handspun myself. The fragment is a little warped in places due to the thickness of the yarn changing - but I love it!
My Crochet Fragment 2
I made the second fragment using a mixture of acrylic yarns - I still like it, but prefer the pieces I made with my handspun yarn.
I'm not sure I followed the instructions properly but I guess with freeform it really doesn't matter.
I'm not sure I followed the instructions properly but I guess with freeform it really doesn't matter.
My Crochet Fragment 3
I love crochetting circles so I think I will make another piece that has more of the circular parts in it. I love that this piece looks like some sort of "at the bottom of the garden" fragment.
Leaf
This is a leaf that I crochetted, following instructions from Jenny Dowde's book. I'd love to make a whole heap of these to decorate a shrug or shawl.
The edge of the leaf is decorated with picot stitch.
The edge of the leaf is decorated with picot stitch.
Spiral
This spiral is also detailed in Jenny Dowde's book "Freeform Knitting and Crochet". I think these would look beautiful along the edge of a neckline or cuff.
Starting with a Magic Circle
One thing I know how to do is make a magic circle.
With the round piece below I started with a magic circle and then increased every stitch by two. Originally my intention was to make a flat circle, but because I don't know how to do that I ended up with this crazy piece that was curling in on itself.
I started to decrease the stitches for one round and then used the same amount of stitches and played about with that until I ended up with the interesting puckered shape below - I love it!
With the round piece below I started with a magic circle and then increased every stitch by two. Originally my intention was to make a flat circle, but because I don't know how to do that I ended up with this crazy piece that was curling in on itself.
I started to decrease the stitches for one round and then used the same amount of stitches and played about with that until I ended up with the interesting puckered shape below - I love it!
Another Increased Magic Circle
I think this piece is going to be more like the hyperbolic crochet shown in the video below.
I've been trying to decrease this circle, like I did with the one above, but it's not working so well - I think because I'm using a much smaller crochet hook - it's taking a lot longer to work.
I've been trying to decrease this circle, like I did with the one above, but it's not working so well - I think because I'm using a much smaller crochet hook - it's taking a lot longer to work.
DPN Knitting Needles Set
Carbonized Patina 7" Double Point Bamboo Knitting Needles 14 Sizes (70 Pieces)
Amazon Price: $28.00 (as of 06/03/2012)
What Can You Use the Fragments for?
I want to use all of these fragments to make a shrug or something similar to what I've doodled below.
I'm not sure how it's going to work yet, but I'm going to try pinning all the pieces to my mannequin as I go so that I can see how they all fit together and how many I'm going to need.
I'm not sure how it's going to work yet, but I'm going to try pinning all the pieces to my mannequin as I go so that I can see how they all fit together and how many I'm going to need.
My Inspiration for this Freeform Project
Don't Have Your Own Mannequin?
Scrumbling Links
- Scrumbling Worksheets
- Worksheets to download to help you start scrumbling.
- Scrumbles Free Form Crochet & Knitting
- A Flickr group for Scrumbles.
- A Scrumble a Week
- A blog by Prudence Mapstone.
- Knot Just Knitting
- Prudence Mapstone's beautiful freeform website.
FREEFORM: Serendipitous Design Techniques for Knitting & Crochet
FREEFORM: Serendipitous Design Techniques for Knitting & Crochet
Amazon Price: (as of 06/03/2012)
Freeform Crochet and Beyond
Freeform Crochet and Beyond: Bags, Cushions, Hats, Scarves and More (Milner Craft Series)
Amazon Price: $13.80 (as of 06/03/2012)
Tunisian Crochet Set
DENISE INTERCHANGEABLE CROCHET HOOK SET
Amazon Price: $39.95 (as of 06/03/2012)
My Other Knitting, Crochet and Yarn Related Lenses
How about Fabric Scrumbles?
Index
Quick links.
- Crochet Hooks
- My First Attempt to Make a Crochet Fragment
- How to Crochet
- Knitting Fashion
- Bobble Stitch
- Freeform Knitting and Crochet
- My Crochet Fragment 1
- My Crochet Fragment 2
- My Crochet Fragment 3
- Leaf
- Spiral
- Starting with a Magic Circle
- The Magic Circle
- Another Increased Magic Circle
- Hyperbolic Crochet
- DPN Knitting Needles Set
- What Can You Use the Fragments for?
- My Inspiration for this Freeform Project
- Don't Have Your Own Mannequin?
- Scrumbling Links
- Tunisian Crochet Set
- How about Fabric Scrumbles?
Share Your Thoughts
Reader Feedback.
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earthybirthymama
Jan 30, 2012 @ 3:18 pm | delete
- I wanted to add, you had me at "scrumbles"
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earthybirthymama
Jan 30, 2012 @ 3:13 pm | delete
- Love this.... I'm a beginner/intermediate at crochet. This lenses inspires.
Cheers
Grace
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Twmarsh
May 17, 2010 @ 11:46 am | delete
- I really like the way you put this lens together. Nice photo examples and use of vids. Thumbs up rated!
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MeltedRachel
May 17, 2010 @ 12:12 pm | delete
- Thanks so much :D
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About Melted Rachel
Textiles Artist.
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MeltedRachel
I'm Rachel, a textiles artist from the southwest of England.
I love using recycled materials to create one-of-a-kind:
textiles art pieces,
handbags,...
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