Year of Projects: Crochet Master Class – Bullion stitch blocks, week 1
(This post is part of my Year of Projects: Crochet Master Class
series. You can read the other posts in this series here.)
With my woven crochet clutch finished, I was ready to embark on a new chapter in Crochet Master Class. I had the desire for texture, so I moved on to the bullion stitch chapter, which features crochet master Bonnie Pierce. Bonnie learned the bullion stitch about 30 years ago when she decided to use a vintage pattern (with over 100 bullions) to make a Christening gown for her daughter. After that, she saw that there was a lack of bullion patterns so she began to write her own. Bonnie’s website links to 25 of her free square patterns, and she also sells some of her books, patterns, and bullion crochet hooks here.
I first experimented with the bullion stitch in 2006-7, when I crocheted this hat.
This hat is made with TLC Heathers yarn that I purchased on my very first trip to Smiley's in Queens!
Since that hat, I haven’t done much with bullions. If you aren’t familiar with the bullion stitch, check out this YouTube tutorial by Margaret Hubert (which I learned about when I took her freeform class last year).
For some reason, this week I had a great need to “kill three birds with one stone.” So I tried to pick a bullion project that I could also make from my own stash and for charity. After a bit of searching on Ravelry, I came across several bullion stitch blocks by Donna Kay Lacey. I started with the Poppy Bullion Block.
The sun glare on the white washes out some detail on this "in progress" picture.
Here's the finished block. I assure you that the wonky sides are not a design feature. Let's just say you shouldn't try to read a complex pattern while crocheting on the subway if you are aiming for perfection.
I really enjoyed the pattern. A lot of crochet square patterns are pretty predictable, but this one kept me guessing – in a good way. I’m planning to make at least a few more of these blocks before moving on to my next bullion stitch pattern.
This block will eventually end up going to Heartmade Blessings as part of the March 2012 Crochetlist charity challenge. I’ll have to add a few more rounds to bring it up to 12″.
In other bullion news, I started to check out bullion crochet hooks on Lacis and Etsy (Sistermaide listing here). If I’m still feeling excited about this stitch in another 30 days, I may even buy one.
For more Year of Projects posts, visit When Did I Become A Knitter.
Fun colours. It looks like a fun block to make.
Thanks, Tonya! I really liked the pattern a lot.
Wow pretty! And I’m sure the wonky edges will block out, especially if you’re adding more rounds.
Thanks, erin and Emma! I think it will flatten out on its own when I add the extra rounds.
thats a great square! I love when you can learn new things =D and I bet with a little blocking and tugging, those edges will even out.
The texture is cool, the one drawback I’ve always thought though was how much extra yarn it uses, sorta like popcorn stitches?
The bullions definitely use a lot of yarn, Sandy, but these are great stashbuster blocks!
Really lovely square, the colours are just eye popping.
Thanks, Ruth! It was very heart to find colors to go with the “bikini” variegated yarn.
What a really interesting choice for a bullion stitch project! I really like the effect of the bullion stitch even though it’s tougher to work than many other crochet stitches are.
Thanks, Kathryn/CrochetBlogger. I like the bullion stitch, too, but you are right, it can be annoying to work.
Cool stitch! That must really eat through yarn though!
Definitely, Minding My Own Stitches. (They should call this the wool-eater stitch!)
Really like that, love the bright colours and the bullion stitch looks very interesting, I’ll have to check it out!
Thanks, Faith! I’m trying to use the variegated yarn from a swap.
You are so daring and fearless in the crochet world.
The hat is great I love it. The colours on the square are fantastic
Thanks, Liz. That’s what happens when you dig in the scrap pile and go wild!
That block is so much fun!
Thanks goodpurlgonebad!
Thanks for posting the video. What a cool stitch. Love how it looks worked up in that colorful yarn.
Thanks, autumngeisha. It is amazing how much fun you can have with stash yarn when you let your color inhibitions go…
[...] Bullion Stitch Blocks. Marie from Underground Crafter has been working through the many advanced crochet techniques in Crochet Master Class and this week she’s on bullion stitches. I really like how she put together her post with a video from @mhdesigner and a share of a cool bullion block she worked. [...]
[...] Notes I have looked high and low for an abbreviation for the Bullion Stitch and it’s international symbol. I haven’t found them yet, so help is appreciated. I couldn’t even find it in any of my crochet books. (Though I do not have Crochet Master Class yet and I hear it’s in there.) [...]