Surface crochet 🙂 …I’d heard of it before but never tried it myself until last week. And how simple but effective it is! It’s a technique in crochet where you are literally crocheting on the surface of an existing piece of crochet fabric. You can be quite elaborate with a vast range of stitch combinations and textures but the simplest method is called the ‘Tambour’ method. In this method the yarn stays beneath the crocheted fabric and you simply use your hook to pull it to the front to form chains.
And what fun you can have with those chains. The possibilities are endless from swirling patterns and shapes to simple pictures. And it was a picture that I decided to do last week…
Firstly I crocheted the base fabric in simple double crochet (US single crochet)…
I then blocked it…
…and then the fun began with the surface crochet!
I kept adding bits and loved seeing the scene take shape before my eyes…
Ta da!!
It’s a sample to be submitted for the International Diploma in Crochet (yes I’m still slowly working my way through the course) but what to do with it afterwards?
Well I thought it would look nice hanging from a piece of driftwood…
And of course, me being me, I felt compelled to take it down to the beach for a little photo shoot…
My crocheted beach scene looked a little more inviting than the real version… it was grey and blustery in reality! But now that it’s October the sun is setting over the sea once more. As we have a south facing beach the sun sets overland to the West in the summer months, but come Autumn/Winter we get gorgeous sunsets into the sea which I’m looking forward to once the grey clouds lift!
Have any of you tried surface crochet before?
Happy Crocheting Everyone… 🙂 🙂
It’s gorgeous! I tried it for the first time last year when making a Mandala and was pleasantly surprised by how easy it was. I’ve used it once since but I can’t remember what for!
Thank you! It is so much easier than I thought too. And so effective! I may use it for more… 😊💙💙
Thanks for adding another to my crochet bucket list! It will be wonderful as a wall hanging!
Thank you and you’re very welcome! It does look lovely hanging on the wall…😊😊💙
Haven’t tried it but want to now! I live the idea of geometric patterns in my favourite browns and oranges. It reminds me a bit of needlepunching even though it’s nothing like it!
Sounds great Alida! It’s not too dissimilar to needle punching creating patterns and pictures… 😊💙💙
just love your little beach scene! LBC purse project was my first shot at surface crochet and I loved the effect too..love seeing your work..and beach photos!
Thank you Doreen… 😊 I haven’t started the purse box yet. I’m off on a holiday soon so may well take that one with me! 😊😊❤️❤️
Excellent blog post, Eleonora, it’s a great example of the tambour method. I love it attached to the driftwood and hanging up. The yarn seems to work very well for creating clean lines, doesn’t it. 👍😎🌸 xx
Thank you Jenny… yes I’m a huge fan of Scheepjes yarns and this cotton ‘Catona’ always gives those crisp clean lines…😊😊❤️
I love using surface crochet to add details 🙂 your little beach scene is gorgeous! I can imagine a whole blanket made of difference sceneries like this!
That does sound wonderful Katie and had crossed my mind too! Thank you! 😊💙💙🌊
This is fab. I love it. I’ve never tried surface crochet before but love the look of it… Going at the bottom of a long to do list now! I’m so excited that you’re coming to do a workshop at February’s crochet sanctuary… Can’t wait to see what you’ll be teaching us 😃
Thank you so much Julia! And you’re coming to the ‘Crochet Sanctuary’… how exciting! It will be lovely to meet you. 😊💙💙
I’ve not heard of surface crochet before, but I like the look of it! What a lovely little scene 🙂
Thank you Hannah! 😊💙💙
I love this technique, and I want to do more of it. Your beach scene is fantastic!
Thank you Brenna! 😊💙
Love it! That’s it added to my ‘things to try list’!
Thank you so much! 😊💙
So cute Eleonora!! I just finished a blanket that I want to put a date on but I’m terrible at embroidering onto crochet. Maybe I’ll try this instead!! 😀
Thank you Tami! Yes, give it a go… it’s so simple! 😊💙
I’ve never seen this technique before, I’ll have to try it sometime. Looks really cool:)
Thank you! So glad you like it… 😊😊
Hi, great post, beautiful picture! You’ve inspired me to to more surface crochet, I’ve really only used it instead of embroidering mouths etc on my monster hats. Thank you xx
You’re very welcome! Thank you for your kind comment… I’m so pleased to have been able to give you a little inspiration! 😊❤️
I really want to try this. You’re so creative x
Thank you so much! Very kind of you…😊❤️