If you are interested in a new challenge – and a project which is a little different, or perhaps you’ve been coveting a particular garment, but unable to find the right crochet pattern, then how about taking a look at sewing patterns, and using these as guides or templates.

Crochet lends itself to ‘on the fly’ shaping, and because the whole item can be seen without it being bunched up on needles, the work can continually be laid out against a flat sewing pattern and the dimensions checked. Darts and shaping can easily be made.

Using a Sewing Pattern
Any flat sewing pattern will work – but it will be useful to bear in mind the nature of the fabric that the original garment was designed for and the type of fabric that you will be crocheting with your chosen yarn and gauge. For instance, if the original garment is designed to be made from a non stretch stiff cotton, it will look very different in a lacy, stretchy crocheted fabric. It won’t be wrong – just different!

Patterns can easily be adapted – take a look at the way that the garment is constructed, does it have side panels, if so could these be crocheted in a different stitch, or in a different direction to give some added interest to the finished item.

It is important (don’t look away – it really is important!) to do a sample square first, not only to check the stitch gauge, but also to wash and block the square so you can check the finished dimensions. This will help you to keep track of the size without having to keep placing the crochet over the pattern.

Free Sewing Patterns
All sewing patterns have potential to be turned into crochet patterns, there are huge pattern collections available to buy from your local sewing store or online. There are also a number of free sewing patterns available on the internet. These typically need to be printed out in pieces and then taped together to make a full size pattern. Take a look at FreeNeedle.com,. Here you will find a directory of a wide range of sewing projects. Many of these free patterns can be downloaded as pdf files and then printed out at your leisure.

If you do use a sewing pattern as a crochet template then make a note of what you are doing, the numbers of rows and stitches used so you will have your own crochet instructions next time you want to make the garment.

For more information about Crochet don't forget to take a look around the rest of the a BellaOnline Crochet site - and for more information about sewing patterns take a look at our BellaOnline Sewing site.

Good Luck and Happy Crocheting!