Tapestry crochet is similar to regular crochet, except that one or more yarns are usually carried while another is crocheted. The finished pieces look woven. It's also called hard crochet, mosaic crochet, jacquard crochet, intarsia, colorwork, fair isle, and mochila, but these terms also describe different techniques. Exquisite tapestry crocheted shoulder bags introduced me to the technique in 1976 in Guatemala. In other parts of the world tapestry crochet is used to make yarmulkes and hats, as seen in "Tapestry Crochet in the Americas, Europe, Africa, and the Middle East: Tradition and Innovation." For more about my tapestry crochet, please look at HGA's Textiles and Tea and "A Passion for Tapestry Crochet", "Mexico with Dr. Carol Ventura, Associate Professor of Art," and "It's not weaving...it's not canvas work...It's tapestry crochet!" For even more, please join the Tapestry Crochet Ravelry and Facebook Groups!

Attention teachers! Tapestry crochet is relatively easy and inexpensive; a perfect vehicle for introducing fiber art to your students. It takes more time than money to create beautiful, original pieces. Colorful patterns and intricate or simple motifs can be worked out with special tapestry crochet graph papers. Students may then incorporate their own designs into a variety of projects. They will learn about design, color, and fiber art!

Please click on the arrows below to see these free tapestry crochet videos.

Felted Tapestry Crochet Tutorial (with a great first project that you don't have to felt)

Polymer Clay Crochet Hook Handle Tutorial (handles help when crocheting tightly)

The following are from Creative Living with Sheryl Borden, a PBS TV show.
See tapestry crochet from
the Americas, Africa, and Europe.

Learn how to design motifs on graph paper.
For more info, see p. 11 of Creative Living.


Learn bead tapestry crochet and see how to use a bead spinner.
The pattern for the heart basket in the videos is on pages 10 and 11 of Lifestyles.

A Flat Tapestry Crochet Tutorial (for advanced crocheters - it will require practice)

Learn by doing! Just click on the titles below each picture for the free pattern that often includes links to tapestry crochet tutorials:

Beaded Heart Basket
video / instructions

Basket
Amulet Bag
Felted Amulet Bag Handspun Hats


Please click on the title links below for more information or
to purchase these online patterns. In most cases, the downloadable instructions and illustrations have been prepared for both right and left handed crocheters.
Silk Scarf Affirmation Scarf
 		Heart Scarf Christmas
Stocking
Bee-U-tiful Bag Fat Bottom Bag with Slimming Vertical Stripes
Felted Carrion Bag Felted Skull Bag Felted Aztec Bag Felted Bag
Patriotic Purse White Lies Tote Bag Gone to the Dogs Purse Cat Purse
Stars Shoulder Bag Leftover Bag Kit-Cat Handbag
 Beaded Heading South Rasta Bag Vulture Purse Market Bag
Spectral Reversible Bead Basket Handy Basket Bead Felted Jack O'Lantern Basket
Square
Hat / Basket 		Star Hat Felted Hat / Basket
New World Sweater Round of Hearts
Pillow 		Cat Pillow
Heart Baby Blanket

My Tapestry Crochet Books (newest to oldest):


$20 in the United States only
This 64 page paperback book stands alone and also supplements my other tapestry crochet books. In addition to right-handed and left-handed tutorials, Bead & Felted Tapestry Crochet includes 167 color illustrations and photographs, 4 tapestry crochet graph papers, and instructions without abbreviations for purses, bracelets, earrings, and a hat. Seven projects are beaded, 6 are felted (in a washing machine), and 3 incorporate both techniques. Crocheted tightly with a small crochet hook or loosely with a large hook, this book has it all! (2006, ISBN 978-09721253-2-1). You may order a signed copy with a credit card by clicking the "buy now" button on the left (for shipping in the United States only). This price includes free shipping . If you would like a personalized dedication with the signature, please mention it in the "instructions to merchant" box on the PayPal page. Please look at the errata sheet and the book reviews.

More Tapestry Crochet may be used alone and or supplement my other tapestry crochet books. Besides tapestry crocheting instructions for right-handed crochet and left-handed crochet, this book includes an expanded history chapter, 14 graphs, "how to design" information, 8 tapestry crochet graph papers, a look at natural fibers, and instructions without abbreviations for 20 projects. The 176 page paperback book includes 139 illustrations, 117 black and white photographs, and 20 color photographs (2002, ISBN 0-9721253-0-2). Used copies are sometimes available at Amazon.com. Please look at the errata sheet and the book reviews. The updated, full color second edition, More Tapestry Crochet Digital, is now available on Amazon Kindle. With Amazon's free App, you can read Kindle books on Android and Windows phone and tablet, iPad, iPhone, Mac, and BlackBerry!

Tapestry Crochet teaches the basics and presents information to help readers design their own motifs. Instructions for right-handed and left-handed crocheters are available on Ravelry. The 10 projects (with instructions without abbreviations) include a pillow, bags, baskets, and tapestries. Please look at the errata sheet! This book is out of print, but is sometimes available at Amazon.com. You can read the book reviews here. The four rounds projects and the four spiral projects are now sold as PDF's for right handed and left handed crocheters (see below).
Rounds Projects for right handed and left handed crocheters
Spiral Projects for right handed and left handed crocheters

Download my most popular free tapestry crochet graph papers:
For crocheting in rounds with the left hand.
For crocheting in rounds with the right hand.
For crocheting flat, back and forth.

One of the best things about tapestry crochet is that you can do it anywhere because it does not require a specially equipped studio. It is relaxing and regenerative - in fact - it is a proven fact that endorphins are released during repetitive activities - and tapestry crochet qualifies! On the left I am tapestry crocheting in a gondola on the way up to the Great Wall of China! Please email me pictures that I can add to a "do it anywhere" web page of the places where you tapestry crochet. At home, on vacation, in a tree, underwater - wherever.

Backstrap Weaving is now at https://www.carolventura.com/backstrapweaving.htm

LINKS:

Carol Ventura's Home Page

Carol Ventura's Publications

Facebook Tapestry Crochet Group

Click to join Ravelry Tapestry Crochet Group (You must first join Ravelry to be admitted)

This web page is maintained by Carol Ventura. Last updated on November 25, 2021