10 Ways to Make Your Crochet Pieces Look Pro
Step up your game with these crochet tips and make your pieces look fabulous! It’s not only about keeping the edges straight (although it’s important, too!), but also the little things that make all the difference.
Choose the right colors
Nothing beats a nice color palette, whether in a blanket, a cardigan, or a set of dishcloths. When something isn’t sitting just right, we can instantly spot it, even if we don’t know what exactly is wrong.
Top designers always find the right balance when it comes to colors, but are they special? Nope! They know color theory and understand how particular hues interact with one another. You can learn the basics in this article:
Master keeping the right tension
One thing that differentiates beginners from advanced crocheters is definitely the tension. Keeping your stitches uniform throughout the project is a skill gained only from experience. Is it hard to master? Not really, but it takes time and practice.
Tension depends on several factors, such as how you hold the hook, how you lead the yarn, if you’re pulling the yarn from the inside or the outside of the skein. Check these tension tips from Bella Coco, or try out a yarn tension ring.
Keep the edges straight every time
It’s hard to achieve super neat edges using common crocheting techniques. In fact, once you learn the basics and decide to polish your skills, you discover a world of tips and tricks that help you get the best results ever.
Straight edges can turn a handmade dishcloth into luxurious kitchen accessory. Use this tutorial from Sigoni Macaroni to beat wavy edges once and for all.
Learn tricks for invisible transitions
Professional crocheters always make sure their work is as smooth and even as possible, so that your eye doesn’t stop at any details that could be taken for mistakes. It includes seamless transitions from row to row or neat color changes.
photo by rocknwool on Unsplash
It’s very useful to learn how to change colors in crochet, so that you can avoid ugly ‘jogs’.
Another tip I’d recommend is using standing stitches, both for the chainless foundation and when moving from row to row. Eliminating the foundation chain and turning chains makes the overall look much neater!
I included these and more tips in my 10 Best Crochet Hacks to Make Your Life Easier. Inside, you will find links to such cool tricks as Russian Join, or how to achieve ‘jogless’ stripes when working in the round.
Weave in those ends
If you are working with two or more colors, make sure that the yarn ends are firmly secured and not visible. There’s nothing worse than loose yarn ends that come out in the middle of the crochet piece!
photo by Giulia Bertelli on Unsplash
There are a lot of cool tutorials that show you how to weave in these ends. I linked one in this article. One thing I can recommend immediately is a yarn needle – I love mine and use it for much more than just finishing!
Learn more about crochet accessories and how to use them in this article: Useful Crochet Accessories – Working on and Finishing off Your Projects.
Add a border
A fantastic crochet edging can transform the whole project.
Get inspired by the ideas I gathered here:
In one of my free crochet patterns, Blank Canvas Baby Blanket, I introduced colors in the border only. Without it, the piece would look bland, so think it all through before you start crocheting!
It’s good to have some tried-and-true edging patterns in your library, so that you can mix and match them with your favorite blanket designs. To make perfect pom-poms, consider buying a pom-pom maker! It’s a fun tool that helps immensely.
Take your time to add small details
There are many ways in which your crochet piece could look more polished. It may be a pom-pom on top of your beanie, an interesting embroidery, or tiny freckles on an amigurumi toy. The details take time and effort, but they are so worth it!
Photo by Anya Chernykh on Unsplash
Block it nicely
I feel like a broken record by now, but I guess I will keep writing about the benefits of blocking until the end of the world. Blocking has one purpose – to make your crochet pieces uniform and symmetrical in shape and size.
I need to mention stiffening, too, which comes in handy if you are making doilies, ornaments such as crochet snowflakes, or any other decor that is lacy and needs more structure.
There’s nothing more sad-looking than an unblocked and unstiffened lacy crochet piece, I assure you! 😉
Learn flat lay photography
Do you want to turn your hobby into a business? Or share your crochet projects online and gain followers? Then you simply have to master flat lay photography.
This photo shows my 3D Heart Granny Squares – click to see the free pattern.
This type of photography is all about shooting from above, arranging pieces on a flat surface. Mastering composition, lighting, and color grading will make a huge difference in your crochet photography! To get started, check this article from Adobe.
Invest in personalized tags and packaging
If you are on your way to sell your crochet makes, it’s really good to invest in a coherent brand identity. Not only should you come up with a catchy name, nice logo, and keep social media accounts active, but also think about the final product your customers will receive.
There are many online shops in which you can order personalized tags, ribbons with your name on them, or cool cardboard boxes. A thank you card inside the package and eco-friendly filling will be appreciated as well.
You don’t need to spend a fortune on it, though – consider ordering stamps instead of printed pieces, for example.
