In this how-to, photos show step-by-step how to tie the fringe pairs in an overlap pattern design, along with instructions for crocheting the chain fringe on the edge of a scarf, shawl or other crocheted item.

• Crocheted Chains for Fringe
  • Tying - Step 1
    
  • Tying - Step 2
    
  • Tying - Step 3
    
  • Tying - Step 4
    
  • This Fringe Shown Edging a Scarf

• Other Crochet Tutorials

• Index of Free Crochet Patterns, A-Z List

Photo of fringe is copyright (c) 2007 by Sandi Marshall, licensed to About.com, Inc. Per copyright law, do not use my pattern photo on another web site, blog page or elsewhere. You may link to the how-to pattern instead.

The charted pattern that is shown here in filet crochet can also be useful for solid color silhouette cross-stitch. Many crocheters enjoy making a solid color piece in single crochet or afghan stitch then following the chart to work the design in cross-stitch on that crocheted background.

The crocheted background could be made larger than the size of the chart (center the design in the middle of the background when doing the cross-stitch portion). But if making a background that's basically the same size as the chart, it's a good idea to add at least one extra stitch on each side of the chart (because the border on this chart goes right up to the edge of the chart on all four sides and it would be difficult to make the cross-stitches on the first and last single crochet of the rows).

Figuring a Starting Chain for the Crocheted Background (to Cross-Stitch on). The chart is read as one single crochet equaling one square on the chart so count the number of squares in the first row of the chart then add one to that number (for the turning chain) if you are making the background piece in single crochet; this is your basic starting chain. (If you are making the background with afghan stitch, do not add one to the number of squares in the first row on the chart because there is no turning chain in afghan stitch). If you want to have a background that is larger than the chart then add any number of extra stitches to the basic starting chain.

Macaw Birds Starting Chain Example: In this case, the Macaw Birds chart has 38 squares across a row so the basic starting chain for single crochet is 39 chains and the basic starting chain for afghan stitch is 38 chains. As explained above, it's a good idea to have an extra stitch or two on each side of the design with this chart so if you want to have one extra stitch on each edge then add 2 chains to the basic starting chain (for a starting chain of 41 chains for single crochet). Crochet two extra rows on the background. Leave the first row unworked in cross-stitch. Begin the cross-stitch on the second stitch of the second row. When the cross-stitch is completed there should be one row unworked in cross-stitch at the top of the design. This gives you a plain border that is one stitch wide all around the design. This is just an example. Of course, you can plan ahead to make that plain border as wide as you want.

• Macaw Birds Free Chart

• More Free Charts

• Index of Free Crochet Patterns, A-Z List

• Learn Basic Crochet Stitches

Photo of filet crochet birds copyright 2000 by Sandi Marshall, licensed to About.com, Inc.

This blog article is copyright (c) 2007 by Sandi Marshall, licensed to About.com, Inc. Per copyright law, do not republish it elsewhere or give as reproduced copies in any form. You may link to the permalink page for this blog post instead.

This crocheted scarf is so long that it can be wrapped around extra times to protect against freezing winter winds.

It's an easy pattern to crochet, worked in long rows, with only 7 rows to complete the scarf.

• Extra Long Scarf Free Crochet Pattern

• Other Free Scarf Patterns

• Other Free Patterns, Rated as Easy

• Index of Free Crochet Patterns, A-Z List

Photo of scarf is copyright (c) 2006 by Sandi Marshall, licensed to About.com, Inc. Per copyright law, do not use my pattern photo on another web site, blog page or elsewhere. You may link to the pattern instead.

This dishcloth is made in a fan shape, started in one corner and worked diagonally along two sides of the crocheted piece.

• Fan Dishcloth Free Pattern

• Other Kitchen Patterns

• Index of Free Crochet Patterns, A-Z List

• Learn Basic Crochet Stitches

Fan dishcloth photo copyright (c) 2007 by Sandi Marshall, licensed to About.com, Inc. Per copyright law, do not use my pattern photo on another web site, blog page or elsewhere. You may link to the pattern instead.

This could be a pretty accent as part of a Thanksgiving dinner table centerpiece. There's a pattern for a single grape and instructions for joining multiples into a cluster of grapes. If you like the look of the leaves in the photo, you might enjoy making a grouping of these textured leaves to display with the grape cluster decoration.

• Grapes/Leaves Appliques Free Pattern

More Free Patterns With Grapes:

• Grapes and Leaves Charted Design

• Filet Crochet Leaves With Grapes Edging

Other Resources:

• A-Z List Of Links To Free Crochet Patterns

• Crochet Help and Free Patterns For Beginners

Crocheted leaves/grapes photo is a portion of a photo from an antique crochet publication printed in the year 1915, from the private book collection of Sandi Marshall.

Lists of free crochet patterns:

• Animal Theme Ornaments

• Gingerbread Theme Ornaments

• Metallic and Satin Ball Ornament Covers

• Snowflakes

• Wreaths

About the Reindeer Ornament shown in the photo:
This is a crochet pattern designed by Sandi Marshall. Made with worsted weight yarn. You can change the personality of this little reindeer by making the eyes in different ways. Different options shown for making the eyes and nose.

• Reindeer Ornament Free Pattern

• A-Z List of More Links To Free Crochet Patterns

Photo copyright (c) 1999 by Sandi Marshall, licensed to About.com, Inc. Per copyright law, do not use my Reindeer Ornament pattern photo on another web site, blog page or elsewhere. You may link to the pattern instead.

Using contrasting colors for the shell stitch rows gives a zig-zag look to the design of this wide winter headband. For a different look, you could crochet it all in one solid color.

• Solid Shell Winter Headband Free Pattern

• Other Free Patterns for Crocheted Headbands

• Free Crochet Patterns A-Z List

• Crochet Basics For Beginners

Photo copyright (c) 2001 by Sandi Marshall, licensed to About.com, Inc. Per copyright law, do not use my Winter Headband pattern photo on another web site, blog page or elsewhere. You may link to the pattern instead.

If you are new to crocheting from a chart, this pattern can be helpful in learning this method - simply refer back and forth between the chart and the written instructions to become familiar with chart reading.

Accents in long single crochet stitches add interest to this design. I have charted this design but I have also written row by row instructions for the color changes and for the placement of the long single crochet stitches.

• Ripening Pumpkin Afghan Square Free Pattern

• Free Crochet Patterns A-Z List

• Beginner Help and Free Starter Patterns

Pumpkin Square photo copyright (c) 2004 by Sandi Marshall, licensed to About.com, Inc. Per copyright law, do not use my pattern photo on another web site, blog page or elsewhere. You may link to the pattern instead.

On this version of the heart themes headband, I have crocheted the colors in on the front piece. In the example shown, I chose a black background with a bright multicolor yarn to simulate a stained glass look. You may prefer to use two solid colors instead. Hearts With Lines Chart Page
Free Pattern:

• Hearts With Lines Headband With Colors Crocheted In

Cross-Stitch on Crochet: This example of the wide winter headband shows the heart design added in cross stitch on a crocheted background.

• Hearts and Lines Wide Winter Headband Free Pattern

More Free Crochet Patterns:

• Other Free Head Band Patterns
  
• A-Z Free Patterns List Of Links

• Crochet Help and Free Patterns For Beginners

Headband photos copyright 2005 by Sandi Marshall, licensed to About.com, Inc. Per copyright law, do not use my pattern photos on another web site, blog page or elsewhere. You may link to the patterns instead.

About the spider in the photo on the right: You could attach this crocheted spider to any spider web decorations that you've put up for your Halloween decor, but it's also a great decoration on its own, hanging by a string or attached to a basket full of Halloween goodies. Quick to crochet, last minute project.

• Free Crochet Pattern For An Orangeback Spider

More Free Spider Patterns:

• Button-On Spider
  
• Charted Black Widow Spider
  
• Cross-Eyed Spider on an Orange Web
  
• Lime Green Jungle Spider on Wristband
  
• Orange Spider on Wristband
  
• Ghost Spider

Spidery Lace:

• Similar Butterfly Stitch How-To
  
• Crocheted Spider Lace Patterns
  
• Openwork Lace Edging

Other Patterns:

• Free Halloween Theme Crochet Patterns (listed alphabetically)

• Free Crochet Patterns A-Z List

Crocheted Spider photo copyright (c) 1998 by Sandi Marshall, licensed to About.com, Inc. Per copyright law, do not use my pattern photo on another web site, blog page or elsewhere. You may link to the pattern instead.