Friday 8 April 2022

Waterfall Crochet Review and Back To Mosaic.

Geometry Lessons Stitch Along.

You all know how excited I was to get started on the SAL, I was there as soon as the video tutorial was released. Mikey is a great teacher and I soon got the gist, however I soon came to realise that this type of crochet was not for me. I get that the beauty of this type of crochet is that you can have geometrical patterns in your work without having to carry your yarn at the back as in the intarsia method, however for it to work you have to have good consistent tension or you are left with gaps and holes in your work. My tension varies so I wasn't happy with the finish, it meant I was pulling back and trying again and again and at that rate I would never have finished the blanket.  

It appears that I am not alone in my thinking several crocheters have given up for the same reasons. Another thing I found is that it is quite hard on the hands, there is a lot of twisting and turning involved and for the longer waterfalls you need to use a hook with a long shaft or a Tunisian crochet hook.  I use an ergonomic hook but they are too short for all the stitches the hook has to accommodate. However I must quickly add, there are many more who are absolutely loving the waterfall method of crochet and indeed several have finished their blankets already at only two weeks into the SAL. 

I may revisit one day with a thicker yarn I was using Dk out of my stash and I think an Aran weight as used in the pattern would be the best way to go.

You can see how far I got below...


This particular pattern (the checks) involves two rows of dc (US) and chains in colour A, then in colour B you weave down through the chain spaces of the previous two rows and crochet into the dc two rows below. As you can see my work is very untidy and on closer inspection there are holes and gaps left in places, you can also quite clearly see the lighter blue yarn showing through the navy. The next part of the pattern (the arrows) is four rows deep so that will add to the difficulty I would think.

As I have said lots of people taking part in this SAL love it here is the link if you would like to give it a try or even just watch the video to see what it is all about. 

I'm pleased that I tried it even if  the experience was short lived for me, it made me realise that you can get the same result more or less with Mosaic Crochet and that is a method I really enjoy so I have decided to make a mosaic blanket instead.  

I have already made a start, it's going to be a 36"x 36" baby blanket and I'm using a pattern that I purchased ages ago by the very talented designer Rosina Plane I love her designs.

It will take me a while because Mosaic Crochet is slow as it only grows by a sc depth at each row however I don't mind as the results are always worth it, I will be happy if I can get this finished by the end of the month.

Other things

It's funny how different things seem to hold my interest at different times, the only thing that is truly consistent with me is crochet, I never tire of it, but I have to have something else going on too and as you all must have gathered by now it's embroidery, I don't know how long this will last but I'm really enjoying it at the moment.

The flower for this month is the daisy and as I love daisies I need to embroider a few to do them justice, I have yet another one I want to start, I enjoy sewing just a little bit each day.



I am still working on my Spring garland it's nice to crochet the odd flower or leaf between other projects, then when that's finished I will start on a Summer one.😊

Speaking about things holding my interest as I was assembling my little Easter display I realised that I had quite forgotten about the Easter stones that I painted last year, I was totally hooked on rock painting, in fact at that time I was quite obsessed with it but I haven't done any rock painting for months, one of the reasons is because it's quite close work and it put a lot of strain on my neck, and although my neck problems did ease a bit it seems to be getting bad again.  

The problem with craft work is, you are nearly always bent over your work so I suppose an aching neck its an occupational hazard. What is a craft addict supposed to do I ask myself, stop crafting?😩Could you? 

I'm going in search of my Easter rocks so that I can complete my little Easter display. 

Easter Cactus getting ready to flower.😄


Take Care until next time.😘😘

Linking with 

Slow Stitching Sunday. 

Handmade Monday


16 comments:

  1. I think we all try certain things which just aren't for us. It's still fun having a go, at least we know what we do enjoy and what we don't. Those daisies are so pretty, I've never tried embroidery, cross stitch is as far as I've gone with a needle and thread. Your cactus is going to be beautiful when it's in flower. My Christmas cactus has a couple of flowers on it at the moment even though it flowered beautifully over Christmas.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Your cactus is going to look so lovely when it's all in bloom.

    This month is already flying by, I can't believe it's Easter next weekend - about time I got our Easter decorations out :)

    Have a lovely weekend.

    All the best Jan

    ReplyDelete
  3. I love your new colorful banner, Linda! Your new mosaic crochet project is looking good. Good for you for trying the waterfall stitch (or technique). I understand not liking the effect of something (though from where I sit, your stitches look fine). :) Your newest embroidery is going to look very sweet!

    ReplyDelete
  4. We creative types seem to just put up with all the aches our different crafts do to our bodies, don't we?? The geometric blanket sounds a bit tricky. The very word geometry causes me to feel stress. =) I rather love your mosaic blanket. It will look lovely when it is finished, even if it will take a while. Your daisies are beautiful. Such a pretty embroidery....and just look at all those french knots...so lovely.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Lovely crafts ! Lovely daisy and cactus ! I've one just like yours and he is 28 years old....
    Have a shinny week !
    Hug
    Anna

    ReplyDelete
  6. I will try waterfall crochet someday, because I think it is beautiful. I do love the mosaic blanket you have started. I have not seen that before. I researched that designer and have bookmarked her site. I must buy one of her patterns. I like this even better than the waterfall. Your embroidery is beautiful. I too always come back to crochet. I also must always have a cross-stitch piece in the works. Enjoy your stitching and crocheting!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Fun to try new things! I try to vary what I’m working on to avoid repetitive strain injuries…I guess that’s why we all have so many different projects on the go. Pretty daisies and interesting crochet patterns!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Well done for trying the tutorial. Mosaic crochet looks amazing. I have done a fair bit of embroidery over the winter, must share it on my site soon. I did post a similar comment using my ipad but for some reason it doesn't always go through, this one if from my laptop. Enjoy the weekend.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Such an interesting post to read! Yes I do seem to cycle in and out of interests but hand stitching of any kind is always enjoyable. These crochet patterns are very complex, so you are doing a marvellous job to accomplish these rows!

    ReplyDelete
  10. I enjoyed your post so much, I too have tried and abandoned the waterfall crochet it didn't hold the appeal for me and I prefer to admire finished pieces. The start of the baby blanket is lovely as are the hand embroidered daisies.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Beautiful crochet, and stitching.

    ReplyDelete
  12. No indeed, we crafters are obsessed and cant give up. My problem is my back after spinal surgery, cant sit too long at the sewing machine, so I have to pace myself. But sitting doing knitting or hand stitching is fine.
    Your crochet certainly looks complicated, not something I can do. And I love your embroidered flowers, so pretty.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Hi,
    Love the new afghan you have started. And your daisies are nice. I've got the same pattern. I want to make a quilt of all the flowers in my yard one day. Have a great day!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Love your mosaic blanket, can't wait to see more of it! Your embroidery flowers are so pretty :)
    Jillxo

    ReplyDelete
  15. What lovely crafts and I like the flowering cactus. I hope you have a nice week Linda.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Your embroidery is so beautiful. It makes me want to give it a try. X

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for your visit, I will always answer any questions but due to time constraints I'm not always able to reply to your comments, please keep them coming I read and appreciate each and every one. xx