One of the important stages on the way to the heights of knitting art can be called mastering the skills of knitting motifs. This is the name of the individual fragments made by crochet and intended for collection in a single piece. Sometimes a crochet motif (a scheme can be developed personally by a craftswoman) is used as an independent product. This mainly relates to the manufacture of children's applications, decorative elements, jewelry or accessories.
Types of Crochet Motifs
The classification of motives is carried out taking into account their shape, manufacturing method and appearance. The main varieties include:
- square motif;
- round;
- triangular;
- pentagonal and hexagonal;
- in the form of a star or a flower;
- fancy.
Many items of clothing or interior decoration items include crocheted motifs. Schemes, materials and tools for work can be applied completely different. Their choice depends on the preferences of the craftswoman, as well as the purpose and specifics of the product.
Crochet square motif: pattern and features
A square is the most popular form for motifs. Its distribution is due to the simplicity of manufacture and the convenience of connecting parts to the canvas. Also, square fragments are very convenient to place on the pattern. The photograph below shows examples of such motifs and their patterns.
The exception is those models that provide for a complex cut, because the formation of details of fitted clothing, necks, armholes and sleeves is almost impossible. Attempts to knit some motifs, the shape of which will correspond to the desired silhouette of the pattern, leads to unequal, "trimmed" details. They look very ugly in the finished canvas. An improved crochet motif can save the situation. The layout of such an element is half or a quarter of a square motive. With the help of such details you can lay out a very satisfactory neck, armhole or okat.
The principle of expanding square motifs is very simple: additions are made sequentially in each of the four corners. The main condition is compliance with the parameters of the right angle, that is, each angle is 90 degrees. The pattern is formed on the edges of the square between the corners or along the diagonal lines of addition.
Round crochet motif: diagram, photos, description
A distant ancestor of all modern round motifs are napkins and tablecloths. Today, round fragments are used for knitting so many garments. In the diagram below, a variant of circular motifs is proposed, as well as methods for combining them into a single piece.
A feature of any circular motif is that the expansion of the canvas occurs due to the addition of the number of loops along the entire length of each row. Depending on the height of the rows (usually it is equal to the height of one double crochet), the addition is performed at six or twelve points. The higher the row (the greater the number of crochets in the columns), the more loops will be added, and the closer they will be located to each other. Quite often, the addition occurs with a uniform increase in each repeat of the fragment (when adding air loops in the chain between the columns or increasing the number of columns).
Fragments of a round shape are very convenient to use as a base for hats, cup holders, tacks, bags, earrings and other knitted products.
Flower shape
Consider crochet floral motifs, patterns and scope of which are significantly different. They won universal recognition and popularity among knitters for their decorative appearance and a wide variety of variations. Their appearance resembles a flower with characteristic petals and a center.
There are so many different ways that you can make crochet flat or volumetric floral motifs. Knitter patterns are often found ready-made or developed independently. The following photo shows the scheme of large and small flowers. With the help of a harness, including pico from air loops, they were turned into New Year's snowflakes.
Volumetric floral motifs consist of several rows of petals, connected not sequentially, as in other types of paintings, but under each other. The connection of such fragments occurs when stitching the loops of the last rows, and the volumetric petals of the previous rows remain free.
Motives of other forms
The triangular shape of the motifs is indispensable for knitting small items. They are conveniently assembled and laid out on a pattern. Self-development of a fragment is not a difficult task. A triangle is easy to calculate based on a square motif pattern.
Pentagons and hexagons are used infrequently. They can consist of a round or square motif, the last rows of which form a polygon. The photograph below suggests a hexagonal crochet motif, a diagram and a variant of its connection.
The use of such fragments for making clothes is not very convenient, since you have to carefully calculate the number of motives needed and their location. In addition, as can be seen in the diagram, the edge of such products will not be even. To align it, additional triangular motifs are needed.
The highest skill among knitters is considered to be the ability to knit asymmetric or fantasy patterns. From them collect openwork or continuous cloths using the technique of Irish lace and freeforms.
The connection of motifs in the canvas
Often when combining individual motifs, one can observe the formation of a new pattern. This is due to the fact that most fragments have the correct geometric shape, and the end of one element of the pattern simultaneously serves as the beginning of another.
There are two options for joining fragments:
- In the process of knitting the last row.
- By stitching ready-made motifs.
The latter method is preferable for many reasons. Mostly because it’s easier to fix bugs this way. After all, in order to swap the motives connected by the last row, they will have to be dissolved and bandaged.
An exceptional opportunity to make beautiful lace elements provides crochets to craftswomen. The patterns, motives, description and features of each type listed above will be useful if you need to create a knitted product from fragments. Do not be afraid to learn new techniques, and you will succeed!