There was an AMAZING book published in the late 1970s called Modular Crochet by Judith Copeland that takes ideas just like yours and goes crazy with it--not just for cardigans but all sorts of wearable pieces. What's amazing is that her designs still look fresh today because they are classic. One thing she emphasizes in that book is the use of the technique of crocheting in the back loop to give crochet some stretch, making it more comfortable. She wanted to make crochet as popular and accessible as knitting (I've always found crochet to be easier, personally). I got this book at a thrift store. I don't know how widely available it is, but I think you'd LOVE it. I'd love to see your ideas bloom even further. :) Edited to add: apparently this book is still available as it was purchased by the Dover publishing company and re-released in 2015. It's still available on Amazon so you can take a look at it and see what I mean. :)
@@elissanova I'm so happy that other people are enjoying the book too. I did more digging and found that this book is considered to be just as important as Elizabeth Zimmerman's books and Barbara Walker's (both for knitting).
I made my cropped Cardigan by myself..... My knit skirt was 100sts fitted and I did it in one piece! So I knew How I wanted it to fit! I love it....I want to make different colors! And this is coming from a person who did not like regular cardigans!
@@bellscreate Thank you so much, It's so friggin cute! I now prefer making more wearable pieces! Things I would actually wear and have for a long time and not just trendy pieces!
Oh good on you! I'm starting my first jumper and I started to get annoyed so switches to knitting but knitting was hell sl I'm swapping back to crocheting instead. It's a rainbow wool so that makes it less boring. I am just doing a very simple stich because I want to colour to go along in a long line and if I do a full crotchet it stops the colour half way through a line ...I just want to be warm and a wool jumper costs 90 euros whcih I cannot afford. It might be next winter before I get it finished 😂
I love how you’re explaining this in such a conversational way. You’re saying everything really clearly but I love that it’s not super rehearsed but how a friend would explain it to you
I’ve been crocheting for about 10 years, and when I watch RU-vid videos explaining the method for making cardigans or pullovers it’s always so unnecessarily complicated. I really appreciate the concrete explanation with visuals. I also love the fact that you just got right into the topic instead of talking for like five minutes about how easy it is lol! I am so excited to try this method!!!
Thank you for supporting the creativity and empowerment of crocheters!! This will save folks time, money & hours of frustration buying & following long, confusing patterns!
I've not tried it, but somewhere, I read that you could take a commercial paper pattern and use that as a guide to shape your crochet or knitting. Probably, a pattern for knitwear would be best since the ease would already be taken into account. Right now, I'm deep in the hexi cardigan concept. Just completed one for a baby, and it came out very nice.
As a visual learner, this is so incredibly helpful. I’ve accidentally made three incredibly long rectangles that I am struggling to make into sweaters but now I have lots of different ideas on how to put it all together. Thank you.!
that's such a cool video! I love crocheting without a pattern or change patterns to fit the style I want better, so this video will definitely help me with my next projects
You are disgustingly amazing for this. I'm self taught and have done sweaters with patterns. It feels more dragged out. This is amazing secrets to share! Thank you! ❤
I have looked at patterns and though hell no I can't commit to that! This looks doable. Also I won't end up with one sleeve here and another sleeve there and forget where I put em😂
I have wanted to crochet a cardigan for years now and I've always been a little afraid because I'm a beginner and sometimes the patterns seem a bit complicated. After watching this I feel like I'm ready to try something. This seems like an excellent way to make a cardigan!
This was SO useful, helpful, straightforward and easy to follow! Loved your visuals. You are now my favorite person on the internet (I’m prob your granny’s age, and I was taught to crochet by my 5th grade teacher, a nun 😊) 🧶🪢🪡
These are the best tips for cardigans I have ever seen! I think this can work for knitting cardigans also. Thank you for the tips. I look forward to checking out your other videos.😊
You're my hero for making this video!! I want to make cradigans for my baby but hate following patterns and can never find a baby version of what i want to make!
I do them this way.... The one and only problem is ... THE COST OF YARN HAS GOTTEN OUTRAGEOUS!!!! but i dont let that stop me... When i was a kid (60s)id buy my yarn at a store called WOOLWORTHS.... 15 cents a skein.... ❤😂😂😂😊
I just came across your RU-vid. I've been crocheting for years. I've made plenty of sweaters and cardigans, but I've never made the connection the way you explained it. Wow! RECTANGLES! Thank you for simplifying my next project cardigan. I'm looking forward to following your next crocheting project. ❤😊
I'm making my first cardigan right now and I'm following a written pattern. But I'm really intrigued by what you've presented here and the idea of just being able to make my own.
It took me 6 months but I'm finally on the finish line (just going to add 2 pockets). Thank you for this video it really helped me to understand the basis!
Excellent video! I crochet for my mental health, it helps me relax and takes my mind off of things. I recently made a sweater for my sis and it made me so happy that she loved it. I'm looking forward to browsing your channel 😊
Hahaha crotchet is relaxing but knitting is so stressful 😂 I gave up on my knitting machine and I'm just going to go tiny crotchet by tiny crotchet in might take me till next winter. 😂
Finding your channel is the best thing that could’ve happened for my crochet game❤ I’m an accidental hooker lol. My husband loves elephants and I impulsively bought a crochet a stuffed elephant kit back in December and planned on giving it to him for Christmas. For some reason, I really thought I could just read the directions and crochet it. I knew nothing of crochet 😂 let’s just say, the elephant wasn’t ready for Christmas but this sent me down an absolute hyperfocus trying to learn crochet. I’ve made so much progress and have made quite a few plushies since. I just freehanded a back pack ( it’s not super beautiful but I love it and it’s my first freehand) I was like “ what’s next?” I started thinking about wearables. I have a good good while before it gets cold here in Florida( if you can call our cold cold). This is what I want to make. I’m glad I’ve found your channel and I’m currently binging! Happy hooking ❤
I have been making sweaters/cardigans for about 18 months and I've made a ton of them. The best thing I have done in all that time is measure myself or the person that will wear the sweater and keep those measurements close by along with a retractable measuring tape. Also I tend to drag clothes out of my closet and measure my favorites so that I have a good idea of what size to make the rectangles. The method you have here also would apply for other clothing besides cardigans. It's usually rectangles for pullovers, pants, ponchos etc.
yes that is a good point and great advice, i remember one time i made a cardigan for my grandmother and measured her made the chain the measurement and then did double crochet and the length literally doubled it was huge, and i had to start all over😂
@@bellscreate Yes I’ve done that too. It’s crazy how much I refer to my measurements note on my phone. Now I carry a tiny measuring tape in my purse and use it all the time. I measured everything I can think of; around my neck, from neck to shoulder, from neck to hem in front and back and for different lengths (like to my waist, hip, mid thigh etc). Around the wrist, from shoulder to wrist and elbow, from arm pit to bottom hem and to wrist. You won’t believe how much you’ll refer to all of these. Especially if you start making fitted garments.
Ugh, I wish I could like this more than once! I’m just starting out with crochet and my Autistic brain absolutely loves this kind free-form versatile approach 😍🥰❤
Not any cardigan. I prefer fitted cardigans with v-neck, armscye and tapered sleeves. That's why I knit. But your method surely works for the squares and rectangles.
Great info, but how do you know how much yarn to buy?? I have made two cardigans already with the same principal, but I followed a pattern in RU-vid, they cane out great. I might try using up all my left over yarn. I have subscribed today👌👍🍀x
awww yay welcome to the family, i don’t always know specifically how much to get i usually get 2 caron pound yarns or like 4 or 5 380yd skeins, and usually have some left over
Thank you ! Thank you ! Im a medium level slash started ten years ago took a break to have write surgery but here we are you have sparked my love for crocheting !!🎀
I have been wanting to do a cardigan sooooo bad. I started a granny square one that I really like, but only got the back panel done before I got the new project itch and haven't picked it back up since. Love this type of tutorial where you are showing how to build a project vs. laying out a step-by-step pattern! It's more like a formula I can follow which gives me lots of room for creativity. Good to know about the sleeve length thing - will definitely keep that in mind!! Thanks :)
My issue with the "back rectangle and front rectangles" method is that it doesn't fit my bodyshape. Basically my boobs ruin it. So the front squares go out, then down, and therefor looks shorter than the back square. So I usually have to make the front longer than the back if I want the lower ends match (for example when I want to add ribboning at the bottom).
I wish she wouldn’t do all the flashing to random pictures of stuff. A bit confusing. I don’t know why I’m looking at a sun room of plants. I don’t need a video of someone picking up scissors, or a cup of coffee. Far too much unnecessary visual noise. Will check out her other videos. She is adorable.
Hi, Miss,, Anna, good morning, I am, blind, and I’m trying to learn how to make garments. I do not like making panels. Can you do some more explanation about how to do the neck opening please cause I can’t see, so I do everything by touch, I love your channel. Thank you so much for a great tutorial. Can you also do sweaters.
Great ideas! Thank you. I have done something similar to the second idea, except that I did the sleeves by going round and round the armhole and used alternating front post and back post double crochets for the ribbing. Still I like your first idea, so I’m going to try it (as well as check out your channel).
How do you handle the curve is the neck in the back and front, if you don’t want the cardigan right up against you neck in the back and “choke-y” at the front?
How do you handle the curve is the neck in the back and front, if you don’t want the cardigan right up against you neck in the back and “choke-y” at the front?
This is awesome. Thank you. I have a feeling I’ll be going back to this quite a bit. Just subscribed and I’m looking forward to seeing more of the videos you’ve shared already! Much love
Watching from Jamaica 🇯🇲 love. What you doing to support the crochet creativity,, it making a big upsurge in fashion trend again thanks to wonderful people like you🙏🌹🥺🌹 Love you totorials❤
Working on a duster now (my FIRST wearable - outside of beanies). Until now I’ve only crafted blankets, throws, pillow cases, and a few rugs. So excited for the final look!!!!
I sew fabric cardigans and I’m now getting into crotchet cause I loveee knit cardigans ! & this was explained so well and so simple !! Thank you for the video
what'd you mean by "cut in half" for the second sleeve in the first method? i get doing the first sleeve, front and back halves and neck, but then how the hell do you get the second sleeve? you'd end on either end of the panels, so you'd have to cut the yarn, then reattach the yarn where the other sleeve should be?
yes, once you finished the first sleeve and the body cut the yarn, and put the sleeve aligned where the first sleeve is, what i mean by cut in half it helps count from the center to find where you should start the sleeve, for example if my sleeve is 60 stitches wide, i count 30 away from the center and then crochet 60 stitches it just makes it even
Loved the video and learned. Lot!! You mentioned you're a student athlete. I'm guessing you're a runner. My son runs XC and track at college in TX. Anyway, loved the video! Thank you!
❤Your a life saver. Been making my own crochet design c2c Gillet. Already did the sleeves but didnt know how to join everything up. Bit of de frogging and I'll be back on tracks. Thanks a Million 😂❤❤❤❤ 12.30 am lol wont be going to bed now Im on right track again haha. Much love Dotty UK.
I have made two chunky cardigans from a pattern, but the pattern was just the same as you describe, you explain so well. Thank you for sharing this. I am going to try your method using all my left over yarn. 😚
Wow! If only I had your advice when I took on my first cardigan! Awesome video, great tips, I love your vibe. I was wondering about the gorgeous top left cardigan on your thumbnail- I would LOVE to recreate a version for myself. Can you pretty please tell me the source so I can get some good reference photos to work from? Thanks, keep being awesome
Maybe, maybe, the RU-vid fairy brought you to me. No, no, it was the crochet fairy. 😂 Either way, bless you my fellow fiber artist. May you find a yarn haul you can barely haul. 🙏🏽 😂🎉
When making rows of the half double crochet, do you place your hook above the horizontal bar or below ? I’m doing two rows of half double , then two rows of single and then two of half double .
This is so helpful! Making cardigans always seemed so daunting but this really breaks it down and makes it feel less scary 😆 How do you know how much yarn to buy?
girllll i literally love you now, i have this hugeee project i'm hoping to start soon with the back of the sweaters being tapestry pieces, and you just helped me out sm
This video was so helpful. Thank you. I've been crocheting for 50 years and never have had anything explained so well. Time to make me some cardigans!!! Thanks again! You're great!
It’s the easiest way,when you explain it i finally get it I’ve been trying for years I just keep thinking of what you said over and over,thank you so much for making it so much easier ❤
I really like your style. I’ve been making my own patterns for years, since I was your age. But I could never explain to other people how I did it. You are a very engaging teacher. I would really like to see how you incorporate no chain foundation stitches into your side to side cardigan.
