This Venetian style motif begins with an easy filet crochet mesh, worked in rows. The rest of the motif is made in rounds, working around the mesh center, using easy chains, single crochet and picot stitches. These beautiful patterns are originally from the year 1915, with additional example photos added by me (Sandi Marshall).

• Venetian Style Motif, Collar and Edging Free Patterns

I've taken a series of in-progress photos, while I was crocheting another of the motifs. These photos can be helpful to refer to when learning how to crochet Venetian style lace. You can click the Next link under each photo to view the next photo, each showing a closeup look at a portion of the Venetian lace motif.

• Crocheting a Venetian Lace Motif Help Photos

Photo copyright 1999 by Sandi Marshall, licensed to About.com, Inc. Do not republish elsewhere.

If you make this headband with cotton yarn, it can be a summertime headband and, if made with red, white and blue cotton yarn, it can be a perfect addition to your July 4th outfit.

Three granny squares are joined for the center of this band, embellished with long single crochet stitches and a woven chain design. I've included an extra photo with a closer look at the stitches used.

• Patriotic Granny Trio Granny Squares Headband Free Pattern

• More Free Crochet Patterns for July 4th

• Free Crochet Patterns List A-Z

Photo copyright 2005 by Sandi Marshall, licensed to About.com, Inc.

When I was designing this soft face cloth, I used long single crochet stitches to add a textured design. There's an inset on the photo of the cloth, to show a closer look at the stitches. If you're still unsure how to do the sideways long sc for this pattern, I included an even closer look at this stitch in a headband pattern that I designed. That photo can help you see where the crochet hook begins to draw up a loop to make the sideways long sc stitch.

• Long SC Laces Face Cloth Free Crochet Pattern

Other Free Patterns Using the Sideways Long SC:

• Long SC Laces Headband
  
• Little Bird Tracks Headband

Other Free Patterns:

• Index of Free Crochet Patterns, A-Z List

Photo copyright (c) 2007 by Sandi Marshall, licensed to About.com, Inc.

This is a handy crocheted tote, with a drawstring top. For a quick and easy project, you could make the tote all in one solid color (without the liberty bell added). It's made all in single crochet so it's a good beginner's project.

There's also an example showing a color pattern of a USA liberty bell added to the front of the bag.

• Drawstring Tote Free Crochet Pattern

If you add the liberty bell:

• How To Change Colors Within A Crochet Row

Other Free Patterns:

• More Free Bag Patterns

• Index of Free Crochet Patterns, A-Z List

Photo copyright (c) 2006 by Sandi Marshall, licensed to About.com, Inc.

I wrote this pattern in two versions, with an easiest version for crochet beginners and another with texture stitches added. On the pattern printing page, I have included links to pages that teach various parts of the patterns that beginners may have questions about. Free pattern:

• Baby Blanket or Lapghan Easy Pattern

• Very Beginners First Step - Starting Chain
  
• More Beginner Tutorials

• Other Free Patterns Rated as Easy
  
• Free Crochet Patterns A - Z Links List

Photo copyright (c) 2006 by Sandi Marshall, licensed to About.com, Inc.

This crocheted wrist band has a stretch design for a comfortable fit. Links to free patterns for detachable rose motifs are included. The roses can also be used on other crocheted items for quick decorative accents.

Free Patterns:

• Decorative Stretch Wristlet Crocheted With Thread

• More Free Patterns For Wrist Bands

• Wrist Warmers, Fingerless Gloves (Free Patterns)

• Free Crochet Patterns List A-Z Links

Photo copyright (c) 2005 by Sandi Marshall, licensed to About.com, Inc.

This afghan is crocheted in one piece. It has lines of texture patterning with open path portions. I've figured the starting chains and pattern differences for 4 different sizes in this design.

• Stairsteps Texture and Open Path Afghan Free Pattern

  Other Free Crochet Patterns:
  

• More Afghans That Are Crocheted in One Piece

• Free Crochet Patterns A - Z List

• Crochet Help and Free Patterns For Beginners

Photo copyright (c) 2006 by Sandi Marshall, licensed to About.com, Inc.

I designed this to show the American flag as it was in the year 1795; the flag that Francis Scott Key was viewing, in 1814, when he was inspired to write the lyrics to the song "The Star Spangled Banner".

You could cross-stitch this design on a single crochet or afghan stitch background, working the cross-stitch in the same weight of yarn that you used to crochet the background.

• American Flag of 1795 Color Example of Design
  
• The Chart
  
• How To Cross-Stitch on Crochet

I also created a filet crochet version of this design.

• This Flag Design in Filet Crochet
  
• How To Filet Crochet

• More USA Flag and Patriotic Free Crochet Patterns
  
• A-Z List Of Links To Free Crochet Patterns

• Crochet Help and Free Patterns For Beginners

Photo copyright (c) 2001 by Sandi Marshall, licensed to About.com, Inc.

Something made by you is a gift that can be especially appreciated, knowing the love that went into it.

If you're looking for patterns to crochet a special gift, the following list of links to free patterns for crocheted men's items may help you find just the one that you'll enjoy making and he'll enjoy receiving.

The first links are to free patterns on this site, followed by links to free patterns at other sites on the Internet. Men's hats, palm pilot case, sports theme items, men's sweaters and more. There are small, quick projects, as well as larger ones, such as the airplane and helicopter designs for an Aircraft Sampler Afghan or the Football Center Squares for an afghan made in his favorite team colors.

• Items For Men Free Crochet Patterns Links List

• Free Crochet Patterns A-Z Links List

• Learn How To Crochet, for Very Beginners

Photos copyright (c) by Sandi Marshall, licensed to About.com, Inc.

I created this design with openwork and solid sections to form the look of a column of half-circles. I took a photo of row 2 after I crocheted it and marked all the stitches on the photo, to help beginners or anyone who might find that they have a question on the directions for that row (scroll down the pattern page to see that photo). It always helps to have a closer look at the stitches, to make any pattern easier to crochet.

The photo on the right shows the look of four squares joined, with the top squares flipped to form the look of a two-color full circle at the center of two joined squares.

• Semicircles Afghan Square Free Pattern

• A-Z Links To Free Crochet Patterns

Photo copyright 2006 by Sandi Marshall, licensed to About.com, Inc.