Doing Freeform Crochet

[sillver]

I discovered free-form crochet years ago and instantly fell in love with it! Shortly after that I discovered Russian crochet sites and books and saw so much of the different things that can be created from free-form crochet. I am always amazed and in awe of the fiber artist that can do this type of crochet. The items that are created from them, to me, are not just crocheted items, rather they are works of art!

I want so badly to be able to do free-form crochet yet for some reason I can't seem to find the right starting point. Is there a right way to start? What are all the different joining methods? Is starting with a paper pattern the best way to start? If starting with a paper pattern is the best way to start, should i draw the patterns myself or use clothes making pattern software like they sell on a website called wild ginger? 

I'm a long time crocheter, I have been crocheting for 34 years. This type of crochet should be just another extension of this beautiful craft for me yet it isn't. It intimidates me.

Any and all help from my fellow crocheters will be appreciated!  Thank you in advance! 

[magiccrochetfan]

I know how you feel, I can get intimidated too.  I like to make individual pieces that have a specific, usually recognizable shape but am not great at putting them together to make an overall fabric.  

 

Whether to use your own paper template or a commercial pattern, I guess depends on the exact goal that you have.  For a loose fitting garment, I would think it's easiest to make your own; you can use a garment you already have as a basis.  

 

Myra Wood http://myrawood.com has a book on freeform crochet garments http://www.amazon.com/Creative-Crochet-Lace-Freeform-Classic/dp/0980018293/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1402687419&sr=1-2    http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/sources/creative-crochet-lace/patterns  shows some of the projects in the book, but note that they are not really patterns, they are more of a guide or suggestion---part of the nature of freeform.  she has a Craftsy class  http://www.craftsy.com/instructors/myra-wood  but I don't know if it would cover what you are interested in.  You can probsbly get the book from your local public library.  

 

I'll come back to note a few other resources i can think of.  

 

[magiccrochetfan]

Prudence Mapstone http://www.knotjustknitting.com  has a book that gives fairly detailed instructions--more of a traditional pattern---  http://www.amazon.com/Freeform-Style-Crochet-Create-Wearables/dp/1600611389/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1432403634&sr=1-3&keywords=prudence+mapstone   http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/sources/freeform-style-blend-knit-and-crochet-to-create-fiber-art-wearables/patterns

 

 

Margaret Hubert has written a lot of really good books, including on freeform http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_2?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=margaret+hubert+freeform   In the first edition of Complete Photo Guide to Crochet, there is a filet jacket pattern and she sugests motifs to applique onto it, which seems like a good intro to me  http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/mesh-jacket-with-free-form-crochet-embellishments

 

so anyhow I can't share a lot of personal success with freeform garments, but those are some sources I can suggest.  Oh also there are some freeform groups on Ravelry that I like to look at projects people post, but I don't really know if your questions would be answered there.  Will be interested to see what other responses you get.