How to design my own stitch

[CraftyHooker]

Ok, I'm hoping this will make sense.. I have been crocheting for many years and am now wanting to create my own top/dress without using someone else's pattern or stitch. The problem is I guess I don't understand the math or process of creating my own stitch multiples. For example, when I try to make my own kind of shell stitch pattern the row will make like a fan and now a straight line. And it is not the tightness of gauge it has something to do with the stitch count. I have searched everywhere and can't seem to find anything about this. Any advice would be appreciated. Thank you!

[magiccrochetfan]

Hi, welcome to the ville!

 

Your question makes sense! If you are doing a staggered shell pattern, you have to have a half shell at each end of the row. You can clearly see this in the stitch symbol diagram here http://www.crochetgeek.com/2007/12/crochet-shell-stitch.html

Is this the kind of shell stitch you mean?

[CraftyHooker]

Thank you. This picture does help. So when I'm creating "my own stitch design" whether it be a basic shell stitch or sc, dc, tr or even just chain stitches, it has to equal the same amount of stitches as the foundation chain?

[magiccrochetfan]

Yes, I think that is pretty much the rule of thumb.  I am trying to think of an example where you would have more foundation chains than stitches in the following rows.  (Assuming we are talking about making a straight piece, not a center-out shape like a granny square.)  I guess there are some patterns where you do extra foundation chains so that they form a sort of ruffle or picot-ish edging.  But normally for making a straight piece you do want to keep the stitch number consistent.

 

Do you have a good crochet reference book like Complete Photo Guide to Crochet, or Donna Kooler's Encyclopedia of Crochet?  I think that would help you understand the fabric structure and create what you want to.  Also there is Creating Crochet Fabric.  

[CraftyHooker]

No just pattern books and I use YouTube mostly. Thank you so much for the help, I will have to get those books that you recommend.

[magiccrochetfan]

You're welcome :-)

 

If you like videos, you might look at some of the classes on Craftsy, I have taken a couple and they are very well done.  There are 1 or 2 on designing, and you can look at the contents list to see if they cover what you want.  

[CraftyHooker]

Ok I will! Thank you so much ????