21st Century Crochet Patterns
Straight From The Designer

Welcome to DesigningVashti, a storehouse of premium downloadable crochet patterns, free crochet help, hand-picked yarns, crochet threads, crochet hooks, books, and fun project supplies.

I offer inspiring new ways to experience crochet whether you’re a beginning crocheter, an expert, or somewhere in between. With this website I'm throwing open the doors of my balmy design studio. I sincerely hope that you find DesigningVashti useful, informative, and fun, and that my crochet pattern shop has you reaching for your hook!

It's a family affair

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I feel blessed every day to be designing new crochet patterns at home on my sunny Florida island. This website is a family affair: I couldn't do it without my husband James, and my son is my best volunteer photographer and video editor. He also tests all crocheted toys (see the crocheted Parakeet Perch at right).

Twenty-first Century Crochet Patterns

I love designing fresh new crochet projects that are clear and understandable for every crocheter. Stitching success is easy with mini-videos, photo tutorial close-ups, stitch diagrams, color-coding, crochet-alongs, and free help forums. With the help of your feedback, I develop the visual aids that make each pattern fun for every crocheter.

Exclusive Source For Doris Chan Designs!

Doris Chan and Vashti Braha.
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I’m delighted to announce that Designing Vashti is the new, exclusive home of Doris Chan’s new crochet pattern line, DJC Designs.

I’ve devoted a section of this site to the books and exquisite designs of my good friend Doris Chan. Like many crocheters, I’ve been a fan of her elegantly wearable designs for years. Doris’ creative genius for seamless top-down in-the-round garment construction is easy and exciting to crochet when provided with today’s online visual aids. Doris’ latest book, Crochet Lace Innovations, will also be available for purchase here at a later date.

Doris Chan fans please note: You’ll find these designs nowhere else!

Here’s what else you’ll find at DesigningVashti

Looking for FREE crochet patterns?

I give away three top-shelf patterns every month. Click here to find out how you can get a free crochet pattern of your choice. Subscribe to my newsletter at left for freebies, and to be the first to know about a sale.

Want to use the yarn you have?

My patterns provide the frank information you need to choose the yarn you want to use. My goal is to remove obstacles to enjoying crochet, not to require you to use a yarn that is difficult for you to find in a yarn shop or craft store. Often I make the project in different kinds of yarn and report my total cost in each yarn, whether one works better for the design than another, and anything special I did to make it look the way it does in my photos.

Looking to try a new crochet stitch or technique, but have a hard time learning them from books?

New information is being added regularly. Explore this site for free information about special stitches, Tunisian crochet, and Bosnian slip stitch crochet. On my Events pages you can find out when I’ll be offering my next class online, in a yarn shop, or at a conference. Sign up for my newsletter for all kinds of crochet inspiration.

If you’d like to contribute to the newsletter or site, have special requests, or questions about specific crochet patterns or techniques, please use my convenient contact form and tell me about it.

 

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