Graphghan tutorial recommendations

[ratdog]

Can anyone recommend a good starting point to learn how to do graphghans? 

I am thinking of making pillows/ pillow covers for my nephews.

Start small right?

[Granny Square]

I could have sworn there was a sticky "somewhere" on the ville with graphghan how-to's , tips and tricks.  Not finding it now, but I'm still looking...

[Granny Square]

Well, darn.  Not finding it.

I've personally not used Tunisian for a graph, except to embroider over (you see this in vintage afghan patterns).  Here's a tutorial covering both SC and TSS graphghans  http://www.crochetreasures.com/2015/01/graphghan-sc-vs-tss.html

Here is a  tutorial for corner to corner crazy stitch graphghans http://thecrochetcrowd.com/crochet-graph-afghan-series/

Here's a tutorial covering C2C and tapestry technique https://www.craftsy.com/blog/2016/10/graphghan/  Personally, if only working 2 colors, I'd use tapestry as it's easier to deal with ends (there aren't any, except at the beginning and end), but the c2c would be faster; depends on the look you want.  Tapestrycrochet.com is another reference; scroll down and there's a video showing how to work flat for cleaner edges.

This site is one to create your own graphs - I've not used it; it appears you use it to draw your own pictures grid by grid https://www.stitchfiddle.com/en/chart/new   

This other program  http://www.microrevolt.org/knitPro/ used to work, I'm not sure if it doesn't work with Windows 10, or my operator error.  For this one, you uploaded a pic and it pixilates it into a graph.  You'll want to pick a 1:1 ratio, knitting ratio will result in a distorted picture.  For the most part, I've created my own charts for filet or colorwork by using Excel, if you have access to that (or spreadsheet program in Open Office, Office Libre, or similar).  I change the column width to match row height (eyeballing it), then use the paintbucket/format tool to color the grids.

Have fun!

[redrosesdz]

If you're doing words, you can do graphghans with puff stitches, like http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/full-size-moon--back

I haven't done a color graphghan, yet.  I like the ones that Mary Jo does.  I think hers are corner to corner.  https://forum.crochetville.com/topic/158757-animal-c2c-afghan. Hopefully she'll chime in with a tutorial.

Another idea for graphs, if you can do big color blocks is to do a yo-yo.  They're fun and simple to do, too.  Here's Priscilla Hewitt's tutorial http://priscillascrochet.net/Free Chapters/Yo-Yo Afghans Chapter.pdf.  She's got a youtube, but darned if I can find it now.  Somewhere on her site there's a link to it.  There's a lot of yo yo tutorial youtube videos out there.  I did Priscilla's Primitive Pines Christmas Tree Skirt. The cool thing about yo-yos is that you can make them into any shape that you want.

(Just what you needed lot's of choices!  I'm sure that there are even more ways to do a graphghan.)

[ratdog]

Thank you both for your help.