Crochet Diploma Modules 15, 16 and 17

Well that’s it I’ve completed it, these last 3 modules covered starting your own business. Venues (craft fairs, farmers markets, car boots) and Advertising, Online marketing, Social Media, Opening your own shop and monitoring each of these so that you know what’s working best for you.

It covered financing and budgeting from incomings v outgoings to pricing of items (always an issue for crafters) to gaining financial backing to start your own business.

Taxes / VAT and HMRC registering, and how to keep a record to make submitting taxes easier. Anyone registered with the HMRC for their craft? I tried to years ago but because I never actually make a profit to not bother registering till I make a profit of £1000, that is never going to happen so have never revisited it, anyone know if this has changed? I am always in the negative profit as I cannot resist that yarn or new book or new pattern and never charge what I should Ha Ha.

The module also covered how to write up a business plan, which is crucial if you intend to start your own business and require financial backing. This section was very informative and gave you simplistic breakdowns of each section and how to approach it.

So overall, even though I don’t plan to open a shop, or run a stall etc, I found these last three modules very interesting. So if you are planning to start your own business then it’s really useful.

Thanks for reading, stay safe, stay home

Take Care, Marie @ Cosy Crochet

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Crochet Diploma – Module 14

First Steps

Hi again, we are now into the business side of things, after this one I may group the final 3 together, I’m not planning to run Cosy Crochet as I business as I don’t want it to take the fun away from what I enjoy.

The module takes you through all the types of Crochet businesses and I definitely fall into the bespoke category and will make something if requested, otherwise I make what my heart wants to make and if someone wants it then brilliant.

• Bespoke
• Retail
• Pattern Sales
• Crochet Lessons

These are your four categories and I would like to do lessons one day, I think, I know how hard I found it when I first started so would like to pass onto others how easily it can click in place. Something for the future maybe?

The module did go into the value of finding your target audience and how you can narrow this down by giving you an extensive series of questions to ask to aide this. So if you are planing to make a business from your craft these are really useful.

It also covered Copy-write Do’s and Dont’s which was really good and you can find all the information you need on the Gov.uk website if you are unsure. It can be a really tricky nightmare for a crafter to know if they are allowed to sell items made from a pattern or not so it would be good to refer to this if you are unsure. The link above will take you direct to the page you need, if not search for Knitting & Sewing patterns in their search bar and it should come up ay the top.

I’m happy as I am at the moment, I enjoy what I do and don’t want any added business pressure to ruin that. I would NOT encourage others not to go for it though, if you can make a business from something you love then you should go for it, Why not?

Love to you all, bye for now,

Marie @ Cosy Crochet

Crochet Diploma – Module 13

Happy Monday, Hope you are all well?

Jumpers

This module was all about jumpers, not something I can confess to ever doing, and always avoided if I’m honest. The thought of working out all the schematics to get it to fit right terrifies me. I think I will always be a follower where jumpers are concerned and probably never design my own. Never say Never though right?

The module covered all different types of Jumpers

• Freeform
• Granny squares
• Openwork
• Drop Shoulder
• Dolman
• Raglan
• Set in Sleeve
• Yoke

Yeh you thought a jumper was just a jumper like me didn’t you?

It covered Yarns, Yarn Amounts and Tension required for each type, and gave you a handy little chart on the amount of yarn per standard size S-M-L for adult and Child.

The module took you through Designing and where to start and get your inspiration from, how to do your swatch, preparation and actually starting. Hints to write your pattern up, and a pattern for a drop shoulder jumper which apparently is the simplest to do, I’ll take their word for it on that one I think.

I am slightly worried that I hit submit answers and my final one didn’t register though, we had a wifi crash and when it came back it stated submitted so I may have failed this one, will have to wait and see. Onto the next one I go….

Stay Home, Stay Safe

Take Care, Marie @Cosy Crochet

Crochet Diploma – Module 12

Its in the bag

Morning all, how are you all doing today?

I decided to continue with my diploma course today as I only have a few more modules to go, so it’s the perfect time right now isn’t it?

This module was all about making bags, all the different type of bags, methods, stitches, tensions, yarn etc. It covered some neat tips and tricks for sturdiness of bags also, which has made me want to use up some my yarn stash and have another go.

I have made a few bags previously but now after doing this module you realise where you went wrong with them and how I can make them more durable.

There is a nice pattern to follow at then end of the module which I have printed off and will make so wait and watch this space for a blog to follow I’m sure it won’t be long with all this free time.

• 

• 

A couple I made a long time ago now

Have a lovely day, stay safe, stay busy, stay sane.

Love Marie @ Cosy Crochet

Crochet Diploma – Module 8

Wow – this one certainly got the brain working, I am not the best at maths, I’ll be the first to admit it and when it comes to x = y well…………..

This module was all about starting your journey as a designer, it opens with the following paragraph “Crocheters seem to fall into 2 groups, Those the will jump straight in and those that are hesitant” After covering this module I think I am more of a hesitant one now.

It covered inspiration and looking at everything around you with yarn eyes, take a minute have a look around you and focus on something. What yarn would you use to make it, what stitch / texture would best suit I, could it actually be make, or what would you use that design for, what could you turn it into. The world is full of inspiration it is all around us we just need to be open to looking at everything differently right?

It discussed carrying a journal with you, a design notebook if you like so that if you see something you can note it, draw diagrams, note colours and textures so that when you get back home you don’t forget that moment. Also good practice to keep a bank of ideas to draw on when you have one of those “what shall I do now?” moments, we all have them don’t we?

The module covered Draping and how to swatch for garments to find the best yarn to use for the desired result. Sizing and working with ease to get the best from your garments fit. Providing some handy guide charts so save for the future, all great so far loving it, Then……….

The Maths (shocked face)

The module moved onto shaping your garment and the calculations required to get the desired fit through increasing and decreasing, mind blown at this point and I put myself straight into the hesitant category of I’ll follow patterns for garments for the rest of my life, Ha Ha.

I won’t go into too much detail and scare you all off doing this course but I mean look

• Stitches per 2.5cm(tension) = t
• Desired circumference or width/2.5 = c
• Stitch Count at the start of inc = n
• Total inc = x
• In short t(c)-n=x

Got it? No? Me either not yet, I have more work to do I think. It doesn’t stop there as this is only the start from this you then go onto height which is whole new bunch of letters added to these already created. Hmmmmmmmm Help??????

It will click won’t it? Onto Module 9 it is then.

A very confused Marie (Cosy Crochet)

Have a great Sunday

Basketweave Stitch

Good evening all, yesterday I told you about what I covered in module 7 so thought I would give each of what I covered a go and write it up for you.

So here is the basketweave stitch, which makes a great texture and would make a fabulous baby blanket. I have never done this stitch before so thought I would try and I was remarkably surprised by how quick and easy this small patch was to make. Give it a go for yourself if you haven’t tried it before.

Abbreviations (UK terms)

• ch – chain
• tc – treble crochet
• FPtc – Front post treble crochet
• BPtc – Back pst treble crochet
• RS – Right side

Basic Pattern

Chain in multiples of 8 + 5 (so for this piece I did 16 + 5)

R1:- (RS) Miss first 4 ch’s, 1tc into each ch across, Turn.

R2:- 3ch (counts as first tc), miss first tc, *(FPtc) four times, (BPtc) four times; repeat from *to last st, 1tc, Turn.

R3: – Repeat row 2.

R4:- 3ch (counts as first tc), miss first tc, *(BPtc) four times, (FPtc) four times; repeat from * to last stitch, 1tc, Turn.

R5:- Repeat row 4.

Repeat rows 2 – 5 until desired length reached.

So there you have a basic basketweave pattern to use to start creating some amazing Afghans, definitely  going to have to give it a go soon.

Enjoy your evening

Marie (Cosy Crochet)

 

Crochet Diploma – Module 7

Hello everyone, hope you’re all ok? I haven’t done any of my course for a few weeks, or crochet for that matter and I’m starting to get withdrawal. How rude of the decorating to interrupt my passion!

So yesterday I decided that on the lazy Sunday I was having that I must try and get another module covered off, so I did, sat in my PJ’s until it was complete and my assessment submitted. (I passed module 6 by the way).

This module was all about Advance Techniques in crochet and how to make different textures from basic stitches.

It also gave you the base patterns for all of these and the multiples of chains required as a guide to whatever you plan to make. Very handy, as it covered Basketweave, Raised Circles, Chevron, Granny Lace (as apposed to the square), Picot Latticework.

Then went onto different finishing borders reversed double crochet (crab stitch), Picot, Arches.

Motifs were covered next, now I don’t know about you but I always thought a motif was something you added onto a piece or ironed onto jeans back in the 80’s lol, so yesterday I learnt these are the smaller pieces we crochet that eventually we will sew together to make a larger piece. Circles, Squares, Triangles, Hexagon’s etc.

It then went onto give you the basic patterns for 3 styles of granny squares, from the basic square to the circles in squares, I know you can get these readily from youtube now but it’s nice to have the base taught you to develop later should you wish.

I plan to follow all the instructions for each and write it up for you in later posts, now that I have a little time back that is.

I am still really enjoying the course and I am learning the little things that you always wonder about because they just seem to happen, and have so missed it these past few weeks. Onto module 8 it is then, anyone else working through the diploma? or any for that matter?

Have a great week everyone.

Take Care

Marie (Cosy Crochet)

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Module 6 – Crochet Diploma

Good Evening, finished module 6 at the weekend which pretty much followed on from module 5 and was entitled Care & Finishing. The first part of the module went into blocking again but in more depth this time. It covered different ways for different yarns and how they should be blocked and its importance. Again it started to make me think should I be?

The module then went onto making up your work, so joining seams together and the 2 methods of this,

What is your preference Crochet or Sew?

Crochet seams are no doubt thicker and stronger, this is what I normally choose, but it did give me different ways to do this to get a different effect. I have always double crocheted (sc US terms) through all loops and finished it that way but there are quite a few affects to be achieved.

Take granny square blocks for example

• Right Sides Together – the ridge is to the back of the blanket so hidden.
• Wrong Sides Together – The ridge will be visible on the right side of the blanket.
• Through Both Loops – crating a sturdy seam that hides the tops of the fabric.
• Through the front loops only – create a ridge either side of the stitches on the back side of the blanket.
• Through the back loops only – pushes the inner loops in causing a ridge on the right side.

I have to confess I didn’t know through front and back loops only was an option. So I am actually learning something you see ha ha.

Sewing – now this is a tedious process isn’t it? Different methods again were covered, the different stitches to be used for which effect. If you prefer sewing seams what stitch do you generally use and why?

The Module completed with weaving ends, now what a job this can be if you’re doing a multi-coloured piece.

The two options this gave was by Hook – Less Secure, Quicker, you can crochet the ends as you work but this does add bulk to your piece. Or you can use a needle (I use a needle) there is less chance of this method working free, it’s more time consuming and sometimes gets put to one side but this is my preference.

What method for weaving is most popular Hook or Needle?

The module kind of hints to a stepped care plan to finishing a project

1. Block
2. Seam
3. Weave
4. Wash
5. Block

Hands up, who skips all of this? Can you imagine with all the WIP’s we all have on the go and everything else we have to do, adding this as well!

Who has a jumper stone? I had never heard of one till this module, great idea. Those of you who have one will know (does it work?)

Anyway, going to go and continue another WIP now as I am dying to get it finished. Before I go I passed Module 5, got the results today, Happy Days, onto number 7 already.

Take Care Everyone, have a good evening.

Marie (Cosy Crochet) x

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Module 5 – Crochet Diploma

Good Morning, and what a lovely one it is.

So last night I completed module 5, I smashed module 4 btw ;-). This module was quite an interesting module as it covered tension and pattern reading. Which has posed a question to you lovely lot straight away.

Who makes a tension swatch before starting a project?

I can honestly say I never have, and after reading through this module maybe I should start? Never felt the need too before as never really made any clothes and always believed this was its main importance, apparently not.

There are more factors to a tension swatch than I realised, it’s not just about the size of the piece, but the hook size you should be using, the yarn weight are all factors for a tension swatch.

However I can see why we as crocheters don’t do them, because it’s so time consuming. Not only do you have to keep making one with different hooks and yarn if it’s not the adequate size, you have to block it properly by wetting it, pinning it, drying it then measuring it. Then if it’s not right you have to start the whole process again till you get the right hook and yarn weight ratio to the pattern specifications.

Jeeze, we just want to get started right?

So, who does this every time? or is everyone as eager as me just to crack on with a new project?

A great tip was given though, every tension swatch you make, keep, sew them all together and make a tension swatch Afghan, now what a fabulous idea this is. Come on someone out there has done this right? Please show us because in my head I can imagine some fantastic colourful blankets using these swatches.

The module also covered pattern reading, remember when you first looked at a crochet pattern? That string of abbreviations, numbers and letters, and you were thinking to yourself I need a degree to understand this, and now it’s just like reading a magazine. OK you might have to read through some a few times still but you do actually understand what it’s telling you.

Thats a skill in itself isn’t it?

It also listed all the common abbreviations that we read daily, and was very proud that I recognised all of them, Yes! I can do this ha ha. I won’t list them all on here today as there are too many but look out for future posts I may just cover them.

It also covered following a chart provided a table of what all the symbols represented which was quite handy for myself as I have never really followed a chart so I might try this method and see. It did both UK and US terms also which is handy for me as I do switch between both quite a lot.

Who prefers a chart to written patterns? if so why

Anyway thank you for reading, enjoy this beautiful day (UK) and the long weekend.

Take Care

Marie (Cosy Crochet) x

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Crochet Diploma – Module 4

Afternoon everyone I have just completed Module 4, Beyond the basics but before I continue I would like to say that I passed both modules 2 and 3, YAY.

This module covered Joining new colours to a project and different methods of doing this, now when I very first started to crochet I did the big No-NO, yes I admit I used to tie a knot in the yarn (oooops) I didn’t know at the time this would come undone in the wash, did anyone else tie knots when you started out?

What method of changing is the preferred way out there?

I always work new colour into the final stitch so that the new colour starts clean on the new row / stitch, this is my preferred way anyway. I then either weave the ends in or crochet them in as I go, depending on what stitch I’m doing.

Hands up, who hates weaving ends? I do, like really do so I will try and crochet them into the work as much as I possible can.

It also covered working in the front and back loops, front and back posts to create a ribbed effect, which if you’ve never done before can seem a little confusing when you are a beginner, especially back post because it just feels awkward in your hands.

Then went onto the differences between Clusters, Bobbles, Puff and Popcorn stitches, which was good to get a clear outline of the difference to each as they can sometimes be referred to as the same names depending on patterns, but there is quite a difference. I think my preference is Bobbles, Whats yours?

Well that’s my assessment submitted so fingers crossed and onto Module 5 it is.

Thanks for reading, Happy Saturday

Marie (Cosy Crochet) x