#free-pattern — Public Fediverse posts

It's been a little over a year since this froggie hopped up to say hello!

Completely understandable, as he's the chosen one and has been quite busy on his quest.

(It's a freebie pattern!)

https://www.infinitybeardesigns.com/freebies?item=TheChosenOne

@fiberarts

#CrossStitch #Embroidery #Art #FediArt #MastoArt #FreePattern #Frogs

Deriving the obvious

It’s too hot to do anything at the moment other than lie on the sofa with a fan pointed at my face and think. What I was thinking about was crochet and amigurumi and how a simple flat spiral can become such an astonishing array of shapes. You just follow the pattern, making one knot after another and the whole thing just kind of folds itself up into the right shape. Or, if you are me, often, the wrong shape.

Lots of the patterns start in the same way: you make a little ring with six “single crochets” in it, then you go round and crochet two stitches into each of the crochets (known as an increase, presumably because it increases the number of stitches) in the first row, so now you have 12 stitches arranged in a flat circle. Then it gets a bit more complex (and this is where I start to lose count) because you have to alternate single crochets and increases till you’ve gone all the way around once again at which point you have 18 stitches. After that it’s 2 single crochets and an increase repeated over and over which gets us to 24 stitches.

Up till now the spiral of knots is still completely flat and one starts to worry that it will look nothing like the cute fox (or beaver or octopus or monster1) or whatever that is shown in the pattern2. Sometimes the pattern goes on this way for quite a while with the nth row consisting of six lots of n-2 single crochets followed by an increase. I just got done stitching a pattern that followed this rule all the way to 12th row at which point I had a pretty yet completely flat crocheted coaster, and not the jolly yellow sphere that the pictures promised me.

If you forget that you’re stitching in a spiral for a moment, and assume that the stitches are approximately square (with sides δ long), then for a flat circle, the circumference of the nth row is 2πδn and thus you have 2πn stitches in the nth row. Two lots of π is approximately 6 so this matches pretty neatly the typical pattern.

It’s at the point when the pattern deviates from this rule that the magic happens: On the 13th row and all the way up to the 22nd row, the pattern said to make 72 single crochets with no increases. This is the bit I like because you don’t need to keep count, you can just switch off and stitch3. You just need to keep track of where each row starts and ends which I do by keeping an old bit of yarn as a sort of bookmark.

Unfortunately, that frees the brain up for thinking, which is always a mistake.

When you stop with the increases, and just do single crochets, what you end up with is a cylinder, which isn’t a sphere either. Indeed, I’ve made amigurumi which were cylinders that followed this exact same pattern4 but ended up looking spherical.

What made them spherical (or approximately so) was the stuffing and the fact that there’s some tension and give in the yarn. Even if you start with a cylinder, once the stuffing goes in, the flat ends start to dome out and the straight sides start to bulge and because the whole thing is somewhat elastic, the doming top and bulging sides pooch out into a pretty good sphere.

This drives me slightly nuts.

I feel like the pattern ought to do more work so that the curvature arises naturally out of the pattern of stitches and not simply because a sphere is the shape that maximises the volume for a given surface area.

It’s not the only thing that bothers me. If you follow the pattern above, you don’t actually get a circle, what you get is more like a hexagon (see the grey crochet in the picture below). If there are six single crochets followed by an increase then the six single crochets prefer to be in a straight line and the increase, because it has two stitches in one, tends to put a bend in the row at that point. Some patterns align all the increases on consecutive rows, but this emphasises the hexagonal shape and we end up with something more like a distorted hexagonal prism.

The benefit of the hexagonal prism is, it’s easy to remember the pattern or work out what you should do in a particular row by counting how many rows you’ve done. It’ pretty simple to mitigate the hexagon effect by offsetting alternate rows (see the pinky beige crochet in the image above)

Crocheting gives you a lot of time to ponder and for quite a lot of that time I have been pondering how to pattern the stitches so that the resulting surfaces are naturally curved. To achieve that you need fewer increases, so that the surface starts to curve, but how many fewer5?

If we think of a sphere and assume that each stitch from the first to the last is the same size δ then each stitch makes an angle θ of around δ/r where r is the radius of the sphere. If we want a pattern with R rows then θ=π/R. Approximately, because the stitches are slightly different shapes depending on where they occur and what the neighbourhood looks like.

So the angle from the north pole down to the end of the nth row is nθ and the radius of the row is r sin(nθ) and its circumference is therefore 2πr sin(nθ) and that row will have 2πr sin(nθ)/δ stitches.

We can calculate δ because we know we want R rows and these need to fit in half the circumference of the sphere: δ = rπ/R.

Subbing everything in:

Stitches in row n = 2πr sin(nπ/R)/ (rπ/R) = 2R sin(nπ/R)

If we want 20 rows then the number of stitches in the first ten rows are (with rounded numbers in brackets and the standard pattern in square brackets):

1. 6.257378602 = (6) [6]
2. 12.36067977 = (12) [12]
3. 18.15961999 = (18) [18]
4. 23.511410092 = (24) [24]
5. 28.28427125 = (28) [30]
6. 32.36067977 = (32) [36]
7. 35.64026097 = (36) [42]
8. 38.04226065 = (38) [42]
9. 39.50753362 = (40) [42]
10. 40 = (40) [42]

The next ten rows are the same but in reverse order with zero stitches at the end of the 20th row because at that point we have reached the south pole.

It’s kind of nice that the first four rows come out quite close to the standard pattern6, but it already deviates at the fifth row with two less stitches which starts to give us the curvature. The sixth row has four fewer stitches and the seventh row, six fewer. After that I had the standard pattern stay at 42 and the more spherical numbers start to catch up (although they never quite get there).

The pattern is only slightly more complex. In regular notation7, the standard pattern is nice and simple:

1. 6sc in a magic ring [6]
2. 6inc [12]
3. 6(sc, inc) [18]
4. 6(2sc, inc) [24]
5. 6(3sc, inc) [30]
6. etc etc [6n]

My pattern is slightly less user friendly, particularly as one gets towards the equator of the sphere on the pole to pole trek. To show the pattern in the pattern, I haven’t staggered the increases to avoid it becoming hexagonal but that’s an easy modification8:

1. 6sc in a magic ring [6]
2. 6inc [12]
3. 6(sc, inc) [18]
4. 6(2sc, inc) [24]
5. 4(5sc, inc) [28]
6. 4(6sc, inc) [32]
7. 4(7sc, inc) [36]
8. 2(17sc, inc) [38]
9. 2(18sc, inc) [40]
10. 40sc [40]

After that you have to do the whole thing in reverse but substituting “decreases”, which combine two stitches into one, for increases.

Crocheting it is straightforward but requires a tiny bit more concentration (or more recounts of stitches) than the simpler plan once you get to row 8. Satisfyingly, the spherical curvature becomes apparent already in the 5th row. Annoyingly, it looks slightly too “pointy9“, but stuffing sorts that out.

It’s still not quite right: each crochet based on a magic circle is a kind of big long not-quite spiral and not not-quite concentric rings. The stitches aren’t quite square and can vary in size and shape depending where in the process they appear and how tightly you crochet. Still, it’s a slight improvement – in some indefinable sense – and I now have a spreadsheet so that I can make spheres of different sizes.

None of this is revelatory in any sense and certainly nothing new. Looking through the patterns I have, some use the sphere pattern I derived (or part of it or something close to it), others don’t. I just like knowing why things are the way they are.

-fin-

1. Recently, there has been much discussion of the El Nino that is brewing in the tropical Pacific and the forecasts of its possibly stupendous magnitude. People have struggled to find appropriate vocabulary. El Nino events are most often classified, somewhat drily, as weak, moderate, or strong, but definitions and thresholds vary. The forecasts suggest something might be necessary beyond this simple scheme. The word “super” has been used – super El Nino – but it has unfortunately positive connotations: this El Nino will be just super. Others have groped around for an appropriate metaphor and happened upon beasts both real (a 800 pound gorilla) and mythical (Godzilla – brilliantly in this extract from the Houses of Parliament website). A 800 pound gorilla has, from a scientific standpoint, a pleasing specificity even if it is expressed imperially. Godzilla is another matter. Fictional Godzillae vary dramatically in size. I know this because one thing the internet has in astonishing plenitude is images comparing the sizes of monsters. All are horrifyingly big, but some are more horrifyingly big than others and some are frankly ridiculous. When I was younger and dinosaurs of increasingly staggering sizes were being unearthed, I developed the notion that there was no actual upper limit on how big they might become, and ignorance of this important matter was maintained by our mistaking the bones of the larger specimens for mountain ranges and other geographical features. Anyway, Godzilla is clearly an unscientific term for an El Nino. All of which considerations were going through my head during an interview on Irish morning radio and there is an alternative universe – if certain theories are correct, an infinity of them – in which these images gained the upper hand over strict decorum and I entered into a long discourse about El Nino involving an 800 pound gorilla and a water bed while a producer somewhere in Dublin was busy pulling agitated faces and making throat slashing gestures at the bewildered interviewer. ↩︎
2. Sometimes, of course, the pattern is wrong. I got a crochet kit at the kind of shop that has huge boxes full of random stuff that wouldn’t sell elsewhere and I suspect that the pattern was written by an AI. It was complete nonsense. Ho hum. AI: ruining even the simple pleasures in life. ↩︎
3. or knot or whatever… I do not know the lingo. ↩︎
4. OK, generally with one minor modification that the point at which you transfer from the top to the sides, the stitches aren’t regular crochets, but only go through the back loops of the stitches. This puts a break in the surface where the tension along the rows is maintained, but the tension between rows is reduced. This gives a sharper edge than you would otherwise get. ↩︎
5. If you go the other way and add more increases, you get crazy frilly patterns but that way lies hyperbolic geometry. ↩︎
6. The math above can be handy for improvising too. If you want a flat disk starting at any point, then all you need to do is take however many stitches there currently are and add 2π stitches – so 6 basically – to work out how many should be in the next row. It’s then just a matter of spreading the 6 increases out evenly along the row. ↩︎
7. There are several regular notations. In this case, sc is single crochet and inc is increase. A magic ring is grrrrrr. Different notations in different languages don’t necessarily map neatly onto each other which I learned the hardway by having to unpick several hundred stitches I just spent several hours sitching. ↩︎
8. Just start every other row half way through the first lot of sc’s and make up the one’s you missed at the end of the row. ↩︎
9. I suspect that this is cause by the fact that the number of stitches in the first and second rows have to be rounded down from slightly less than 12.5, and for larger spheres (above 100 rows) the second row has slightly more than 12.5 stitches, so 12 gives it a slightly pinched quality, but the effect is small and the stretch in the yarn covers it and I can’t entirely discount my cruddy crocheting skills as the cause. ↩︎

This little chick always finds the most cozy spot.

Both of these cute cross stitch patterns are freebies!

https://www.infinitybeardesigns.com/freebies

@fiberarts

#CrossStitch #Embroidery #Art #FediArt #MastoArt #FreePattern #Cats

What Will Crochet Look Like in 2040?

Every generation thinks they’ve reached the peak of technology.

Then twenty years later they’re explaining to confused children why they used to print MapQuest directions or carry CDs in giant binders.

Crocheters are no different.

Right now, we’re pretty impressed with ourselves. We have digital patterns, online yarn shopping, stitch-counting apps, and video tutorials for every project imaginable.

But what will crocheting look like in 2040?

Nobody knows for sure.

That won’t stop us from wildly guessing.

Smart Hooks Will Judge Us

Today’s crochet hooks are simple.

In 2040?

Your hook will probably connect to your phone, count your stitches automatically, and gently inform you:

“That was supposed to be a double crochet.”

You’ll argue with it.

The hook will be correct.

You’ll frog three rows anyway.

Some things never change.

AI Will Design Patterns

Artificial intelligence is already writing patterns. I didn’t say they were good patterns…but you’ve likely stumbled upon a few in your day-to-day on the internet.

By 2040, you’ll probably be able to type:

“Make me a cardigan inspired by my cat, my favorite coffee mug, and the emotional trauma of trying to learn foundation stitches.”

Thirty seconds later you’ll have a complete pattern.

Will the sleeves match?

That’s another question.

Yarn Will Become Ridiculously High-Tech

By 2040, yarn companies will stop asking whether they can and start asking whether they should.

Spoiler alert:

They won’t.

Mood Yarn

Changes color based on your emotional state.

Halfway through a project you’ll discover your sweater contains:

• Optimism Blue
• Mild Frustration Orange
• Pattern Rage Red
• Existential Crisis Gray

Future therapists will diagnose stress levels by examining unfinished blankets.

Accountability Yarn

This yarn knows how many unfinished projects you own.

When your WIP count reaches double digits, it starts asking uncomfortable questions.

“Shouldn’t you finish that cardigan first?”

Nobody needs that kind of negativity.

Predictive Yarn™

Using advanced AI, this yarn knows what projects you’ll start next month.

The replacement skeins arrive before you’ve even convinced yourself you need them.

The accuracy is unsettling.

Competitive Yarn

This yarn tracks the progress of nearby crocheters.

Your blanket reaches Row 45 and suddenly receives a notification:

Karen finished hers three days ago.

Smart Yarn Labels

Current labels:
“Machine wash cold.”

Future labels:
“Based on your previous projects, I recommend you buy three more skeins.”

“You’re not going to skip swatching, are you?”

“We both know you’re making modifications.”

No matter how advanced yarn becomes, there will still be one universal truth:

A crocheter will stand in front of a closet containing 147 skeins and say:

“I don’t have anything to work with.”

And somehow, even in 2040, that statement will feel completely reasonable.

Virtual Crochet Circles

Instead of meeting in person, some groups may gather in virtual reality.

Picture it:

You’re sitting in your living room wearing fuzzy slippers.

Your friend is in another country.

Your crochet buddy is on vacation.

Yet somehow all three of you are sitting around the same virtual coffee table complaining about yarn prices.

Honestly?

That part already feels realistic.

Self-Counting Stitch Markers

The most commonly lost item in crochet history may finally evolve.

Future stitch markers might:

• Count repeats
• Track rows
• Flash when you miss a stitch
• Send notifications

Current crocheters lose stitch markers inside couch cushions.

Future crocheters will lose them after forgetting the password.

Progress.

Pattern Reading May Become Optional

Instead of reading a pattern, you may simply wear smart glasses.

The glasses highlight:

• The next stitch
• Where increases go
• Which row you’re on
• How many stitches remain

Future crocheters may never know the joy of discovering they’ve been repeating Row 14 instead of Row 15 for an entire evening.

Project Bags Will Get Smarter

Today’s project bag:

A bag.

Tomorrow’s project bag:

• Built-in lighting
• Charging ports
• Yarn management systems
• Automatic row counters
• Emergency chocolate storage

Actually, let’s hope that last one becomes available much sooner.

The Great Granny Square Revival Will Continue

Let’s be honest.

No matter what technology does, granny squares aren’t going anywhere.

Crochet trends come and go.

Yarn brands come and go.

Hooks change.

Styles change.

But somehow granny squares survive every decade.

If archaeologists uncover a crochet project in the year 3000, there’s at least a 50% chance it will involve a granny square.

Future Crocheters Will Laugh at Us

Imagine a crocheter in 2040 saying:

“Wait… you counted stitches manually?”

“You downloaded PDF patterns?”

“You had to search for yarn substitutions yourself?”

“You bought yarn without scanning it with a smart fiber analyzer?”

We’ll sound ancient.

Which is exactly how we sound when we hear stories about crocheters copying patterns by hand from magazines.

Final Thoughts

Will any of these predictions come true?

Probably some.

Definitely not all.

But one thing seems certain:

In 2040, crocheters will still buy yarn they don’t technically need.

They’ll still start new projects before finishing old ones.

They’ll still play yarn chicken.

And they’ll still insist that this next project will only take a weekend.

Some technologies are destined to change.

Crocheter optimism is not one of them.

If you could invent one futuristic crochet tool or gadget, what would it do?

Po & Tato :)

Mi versión esta tejida con agujas del 4,5 y Mondial Merino Aran.
Patrón gratuito de https://youtu.be/4IbWGtM0nns (tenéis versión en circular y en plano y el patrón escrito en la caja de comentarios)

Ahora voy a tejerles unos jerseys a juego.
#knitting #amigurumi #freepattern #teddy #bear #punto

I’ve created a mix of designs, including both traditional styles and some more nerdy options too.

Read more 👉 https://bit.ly/4kfRKtD

#ValentinesDay #CrossStitch #FreePattern

Crochet Dog Pattern @Yarntopia1101 on YT!

#crochet
#freepattern
#fiberarts
#crafts
#yarncrafts
#crochetpatterns

Que cosas.

Hace medio año me teji mi primer par de calcetines, patrón de pago (Petiteknit) y me parecieron un coñazo.

Ahora estoy tejiendo unos con un patrón gratuito, que encima hay que tejer más porque son de media caña y me estan gustando mazo, tanto el resultado como el proceso (y estoy aprendiendo tecnicas nuevas).

https://youtu.be/jDHu8CcyDOs

También tiene patrón escrito en la caja de información.

#knitting #knit #socks #freepattern #tejer #calcetines

Added a small free cross-stitch pattern to the shop! Enjoy! #CrossStitch #Embroidery #FreePattern
https://ko-fi.com/s/c9ae05745f