Tapestry crochet facts for kids
Tapestry crochet is a special way of crocheting that makes your fabric look like it was woven on a loom! Instead of just one color, you use two or more yarns at the same time. You switch between these colors to create amazing patterns and pictures. People sometimes call it "jacquard crochet" or "colorwork," but tapestry crochet is its own unique technique.
What is Tapestry Crochet?
This craft lets you create colorful designs directly into your crocheted fabric. Imagine drawing with yarn! You carry the colors you aren't using inside your stitches. This keeps them hidden and ready to be used whenever you need to change colors for your pattern.
How Tapestry Crochet Works
Most of the time, people use a stitch called the single crochet for tapestry crochet. But you can also use other stitches like the slip stitch, half double crochet, or double crochet. The key is how you handle the different colored yarns.
When you're not using a color, you can either:
- Carry it along inside the stitches you are making with your active color. This hides it neatly.
- Drop it at the end of a color section and pick it up again later when you need it. This is sometimes called intarsia.
- Let it run along the back of your work.
Unlike some other color techniques, tapestry crochet uses multiple colors in the same row or round. This means you can switch colors often to make detailed patterns.
Different Stitching Styles
You can insert your crochet hook in different ways. You might go under both top loops of a stitch, or just under one loop. Each way creates a slightly different look for your fabric. Also, when you change colors, you can do it just before finishing a stitch or right after. These small choices make a big difference in the final design!
Tight vs. Loose Stitches
The way you crochet also affects the fabric.
- Tight stitches make a firm fabric. They hide the carried yarns very well.
- Loose stitches create a softer fabric that drapes nicely. Sometimes, you might see the carried colors peeking through a little.
Adding Beads and Felting
Tapestry crochet can be even more creative!
Beaded Tapestry Crochet
For beaded tapestry crochet, you string tiny beads onto your yarns first. As you crochet, you can choose to add a bead to certain stitches. Since the beads usually fall to the back, you can have a beaded design on one side and a colorful yarn pattern on the other!
Felting Crocheted Items
Some items made with tapestry crochet can be felted. This means you crochet them loosely, often with wool yarn. Then, you wash them in a washing machine. The washing process makes the fibers shrink and tangle together. This creates a very dense, thick fabric that is patterned on both sides. It's a bit like magic!
A Global History of Tapestry Crochet
Tapestry crochet has been used by people around the world for a long time. It's not just a modern craft!
Traditional Crafts in Guatemala
In Guatemala, the Maya have a rich tradition of tapestry crochet. Men often crochet shoulder bags with special patterns that show where they are from. Both men and women in Guatemala also make bags, hats, and even small balls called hacky sacks to sell to visitors. They use single crochet stitches and often insert the hook under both top loops.
African Hats and Their Meanings
Across Africa, both men and women crochet hats using this technique. For example, in Ghana, these hats are not just for keeping warm. Their shape, colors, and designs can show a person's social standing or their family group. Sometimes, extra fibers are carried with the yarn or the hats are starched to make them stiffer.
Jewish Kippahs and Designs
Jewish men wear small, round caps called yarmulkes or kippahs. Many of these are made using tapestry crochet. They often feature beautiful geometric shapes or other meaningful designs.
