Secrets of knitting freeforms. Irish lace and freeform

"FREEFORM", translated from English, means "free form". Freeform can be compared to painting.

A distinctive feature of the canvas in the FRIFORM technique is its unusual embossed texture.

This effect is achieved through the use of various relief patterns and elements, both crocheted and knitted. Even embroidery can be used in this technique. It is acceptable to use lace, fur, beads, beads, ribbons, shells..


The fabric knitted in this way can be both dense and openwork.

In the FRIFORM technique, you can use yarn not only of different colors (and it can be done in plain, monochrome or color), but also of different textures.

For work, you may need yarn “grass”, “boucle”, shaped” and any other of your choice.

The main thing is that the yarn is beautifully combined in your product.

Freeform elements when crocheting:

The main elements of freeforms include TWISTED or POST POST, which requires certain skills to use. Twisted columns can be knitted in different ways and arranged both in a circle and in a strip, perform various forms. Just remember that twisted columns and spirals tied with a “crustacean step” make the product much heavier.
TWISTED (MAIL) COLUMN - on the hook, make 5-10 turns, successively pressing them with your finger to the hook. Then, without removing your finger from the hook, pull the loop out of the loop of the chain and, grabbing the working thread, pull it through the turns, holding them on the sides with two fingers of your left hand. Adjust the loop to the height of the twisted column, and then knit the remaining two loops.

BLOCK-COLUMN-work C1H, then * yarn over the hook, insert the hook under C1H, grab the working thread and pull up a loop * (two loops on the hook) *, repeat this algorithm twice (for C2H- 4 ... 6 times, until C1H will not be wrapped completely). Then insert the hook into the base, grab the working thread and pull up the loop. Next, knit all the loops on the hook with the working thread, VP. When knitting the next block column, insert the hook under C1H and broach from the previous one.
CONVEX COLUMN, CONCAVE COLUMN, see the diagram.


"LUFFY COLUMN" see diagram


"RACHI STEP" and MIRROR "RACHI STEP", see the diagram.



"KULECHEK", "POPCORN", "CORN GRAIN" see the diagram.


"BELL" a bag connected C1H-C2H of 7-13 columns looks like a "BELL"
"SPIRALS" the basis for their knitting is a circle pattern. And what number of turns to do, knit with single crochet or double crochet, twisted stitches or “bags”, one or multi-color, with a “crustacean step” finish, or knit a spiral from a “caterpillar” cord - it all depends on your desire .
"SHELLS" - are the simplest curls.

Tie a chain of 6-7 VPs, lock into a ring, tie RLS, start the next row with RLS 3-5 pcs., Continue C1H 5-6 pcs, C2H, and so on until you get a beautiful curl, then with the same thread ( or another in tone) go back with a “crustacean step”.


"Bump" - make a chain of 4-8 air loops.

The wrong side of knitting will be the front. Tie the first row with RLS, knit the second row from one column of 2 RLS, then knit, making additions, achieving the desired volume of the element. The number of rows will determine its size, see diagram.


"BERRY" - knit a double chain of air loops, lock into a ring. Then tie it in columns in a circle, inserting the hook into the ring, until you get such a bead (I have 3 rows of columns). Form a bead with your fingers, you can turn it inside out, or leave the front side at the top, if desired.


You can tie the “BERRY” with a “crustaceous step”, while inserting the hook under the upper loop of the base. For the lower half loops of the base, the element will be conveniently knitted or sewn into the product.


"WING" - tie a chain of air loops of arbitrary length. 1st row, start RLS, then perform С1Н, С2Н, go down to the beginning of the chain with air loops. 2nd row - return "crustaceous step". Repeat steps 2-3 times. An already connected element, for example, a “berry” or a round element made of twisted columns, can serve as the basis for the “WING”. See the diagram.

"VOLUME SPIRAL" this element is used to increase the volume and texture of the canvas. Knit a chain from the VP, follow it with C1H, knitting 2-4 columns in each loop, for the desired length of the chain. Then the element can be tied with a “crustacean step” with a thread of a contrasting color. Form an element - the columns are twisted around a chain of air loops. The wrong side of knitting is the front.
"SMALL VOLUME ROSES" are knitted similarly to a volumetric spiral, but on a chain of 3-5 VPs. It turns out 1 turn.
"TUNISIAN KNITTING" is necessary in order to bind the FRIFORM elements into a coherent composition. I used "bag", "crayfish step" and "TUNISIAN KNITTING".


As you can see, the creative process! Having the skills to perform basic elements, such as air loops, double crochets and without, embossed and lush columns, twisted and block columns, "crawl step", using Tunisian knitting techniques, you can combine them to your liking and create harmonious and picturesque works .

step-by-step photo master class of knitting freeforms from a needlewoman Gella Chara





















Freeform translated from English means "free form". The needlewoman will be able to use details made using a hook, knitting needles, forks in one creation. It is also possible to stitch elements with needles or tie one to another. As in any product, the main thing will be the observance of a sense of proportion and aesthetic taste. The choice of color combination will depend on your own feelings and the flight of fancy of each individual. Those colors that are unacceptable for one person can become a masterpiece for another.

Freeform for beginners

The technique is gaining more and more popularity among craftswomen. Each work is inimitable and unique, since it is not possible to connect two identical things. Despite the fact that the freeform crochet technique for beginners embodies the trends of a free style, a set of certain tips has been developed that are recommended for women who are just starting to master a new business.

In the works, you can use a variety of combinations, resort to knitting any patterns, use a hook or, conversely, knitting needles. The basic rule that lays down the freeform technique for beginners is to collect things from the so-called scrambles, which are separately connected elements. Decorative details can be solid, connected without separation, or can be prefabricated from small fragments. Scramble is an element that can decorate sweaters, bags and panels hung on the wall in the apartment.

Freeform includes different techniques, including the famous Irish lace. There is only one difference between them - in the Irish version, flowers or leaves are attached directly to the mesh, and freeform involves joining or stitching during knitting.

Knitting freeforms for beginners suggests a basis that appears in contrast. This applies not only to the color scheme, the technique and the patterns made also matter. When choosing threads for things, you should pay attention to the combination of warm and cold tones. If the needlewoman wants to get a harmonious product, then it is still better not to interfere with the colors.

The most correct option would be the initial thinking of the main idea and concept for the future masterpiece.

  • If the product is replete with squares, then it is worth focusing on these elements.
  • Before proceeding with the final assembly, it is worth doing a preliminary layout in order to evaluate the resulting drawing.
  • Beginning knitters should not immediately test themselves in complex motifs, even the simplest elements can be very effectively conveyed on a pattern. At first, it is worth working with large elements, as large scrambles will help you quickly figure out whether they fit other parts or not.

How to give relief to the canvas?

In order for the canvas to acquire a greater relief, the freeform for beginners should first of all be using the technique of a simple twisted column. It will become the fundamental knitting detail in this technique.

Twisted columns are knitted in various ways and have both a circular arrangement and in the form of a strip. Crochet freeform for beginners is the development of any of the proposed methods.

Working on a twisted column will require patience and some experience from the beginning craftswoman. The most difficult moment in the technique will be threading the hook through the assembled coils. Difficulties can arise with a large number of turns and a too thin thread. In this situation, an auxiliary knitting needle or a thick needle can help.

If the needlewoman often uses twisted posts in her work, the thing can become noticeably heavier.

Where to use leftover yarn?

Do not get rid of the remaining small skeins of thread, they can still serve. For example, you can crochet or knit several identical flowers, which will take the work one step further.

If there is enough free space in the apartment, it is worth laying out the pattern on the floor, and attach the finished motifs with decorative needles directly to the pattern. In this case, the craftswoman will immediately see which places on the pattern are empty, as well as which color is missing for the full picture. Freeform for beginners obliges to use safety pins, they do not move and do not fall off the fabric surfaces during work.

What loops are used for knitting?

Freeform for beginners - simple knitting of chains from air loops. This technique allows you to connect elements in an openwork pattern. You can also use connecting posts, with their help they connect individual motifs, and are also used in a multi-colored pattern in the form of waves of different heights.

Single crochets, double crochets and all other types of stitches will help novice craftswomen create a beautiful pattern.

The last will be the filet mesh, using which you can easily connect all the elements to get an openwork thing.

Knitting motifs

Where can you get ideas for creating masterpieces? Ideas for freeform can be found in natural combinations, objects surrounding a person, paintings and even children's drawings.

A variety of geometric shapes can be invested in the idea, such as a triangle, square, circle, spiral. Flora elements will look interesting: flowers, leaves of different sizes and shapes, as well as vegetables and fruits.

The technique allows the use of both flat and three-dimensional structures. An unusual solution can be a combination of terry and ordinary flowers.

This season, freeform elements such as shells, starfish or fish have become fashionable.

To create one set of clothing or accessory, you can use plain, melange or ribbon-like yarn. When buying threads, you should pay attention to the color, it must be stable.

Many craftswomen use additional materials in this technique, they can be beads, leather, fur, sequins or beads of different diameters.

Free form or freeform is a knitting technique using various techniques and tools. In one product, you can combine fragments made with knitting needles, crochet and other knitting devices. In this master class, we will try to tell you about the main details and nuances. freeform for beginners.

An important distinguishing feature of the freeform is the combination of different colors and textures of the thread. It can be silk, wool, cotton and fantasy yarn. Also in this technique all kinds of patterns are combined. The main thing is to maintain the overall style of the product and maintain the main tactics of execution. For work, various remnants of yarn are perfect, which an avid craftswoman accumulates far from one ball.

Even a novice needlewoman can make a unique handbag or a magnificent jacket using the freeform technique. The combination of several elements, assembled with a needle or otherwise interconnected, can be embodied in any product.

Friform for beginner needlewomen

Despite the fact that the free style in knitting does not have clear rules and characteristics, it is still worth paying attention to some recommendations.

The first and important difference from many other knitting techniques is the execution of individual elements (scrambles) and their subsequent connection. Repetitive techniques or patterns in each fragment can be made in one color or several.

Irish lace is very similar to the freeform technique. The only difference is that in the first case, the fragments are attached to the mesh, and in the second they are interconnected.

Various three-dimensional flowers, motifs, leaves and abstract forms are acceptable in free style products.

When choosing yarn for such work, it is worth considering that it can shed during washing and heat treatment. Choose threads carefully, check them for susceptibility to shedding.

Where to begin

Before you start working on a product in free form, you need to create a layout that will help you connect the number of parts required in terms of quantity and size. It is best to make a paper pattern and attach fragments of the future product to it. This will help to most accurately observe the dimensions of the product itself, clearly define the bending lines (armhole, neckline, etc.).

You do not need to start working in this technique immediately with complex patterns. The usual and most simple motifs, arranged into a single whole, can turn out to be no less striking masterpiece than a complex product.

The basis of the product, select the element that will prevail over the rest. It can be a leaf or motif, a flower or a branch with berries. Add other small details to the main fragment. Thus, your product will look harmonious and holistic.

Examples of simple elements for freeforms

To perform the presented variants of scrambles, 3 thread colors are useful. The work uses the simplest crochet techniques. When working on each fragment in a separate part of the product, you must not forget to leave the ends of the threads long enough. With their help, in the future it will be necessary to connect the resulting parts.

The first element uses the following methods:

- a ring tied with single crochets

- columns with one and two crochets

- mail (twisted) column, which visually looks like a shell

The second element includes a combination of puffy and double crochets.

The third is made partially in a spiral, which starts at one point and is knitted alternately with two thread colors.

When connecting fragments with a needle, it is best to do this from the wrong side. From the front, the product will turn out to be more embossed and neat.

At the end of work on connecting the parts, all the ends of the threads are tucked so that the product does not look tight.

Freeform is a versatile knitting technique. With enough good imagination and certain efforts, unique things are obtained that can amaze connoisseurs of author's works not only with individuality and manual execution. It is impossible to create two identical things or repeat someone else's work.

We hope everything worked out for you.
Share with us your result and leave comments.

Learn freeform crochet technique with video tutorials. Affordable knitting scrambles, crochet tricks with such knitting, showing options execution.

Freeform is one of the most interesting and unpredictable knitting techniques. It is in freeform that you can show all your imagination, as well as knowledge, experience and skills in knitting.

Friform translated from English means " free form". Therefore, in this technique, you do not limit yourself to either the direction of knitting or the material. In freeform canvases, you can use various elements and motifs crocheted, knitted, on a fork or made using the macrame technique, as well as elements using the felting technique (wet or dry). In the canvases of the freeform technique, various ready-made (factory) laces and ribbons, fur, elements of fabric and leather, beads and beads (lesson 5), various shell shapes, and so on can be used.

In the freeform technique, you can use yarn not only of all kinds of colors and shades, but also of various textures. The main and integral difference of the canvas in the freeform technique is its volume, unusual relief and amazing texture.

Masters conditionally divide freeforms into several areas:

  1. 1. Volumetric freeform.
  2. 2. Openwork freeform.
  3. 3. Irregular knitting.
  4. 4. Knitting with elements of intarsia.
  5. 5. Mix or mix different knitting techniques.
  6. 6. Use of various threads in knitting.

Freeform technique

Begin knitting in the freeform technique with one of the elements. It can be a completely different element in the form flower, leaf, berries(see an example of the berry element in the video), spirals, etc.

Next, we tie others to it elements using the following tricks: block - columns, twisted columns, entwined columns, popcorn(corn grain or bag), embossed columns, lush columns, spirals, ruffles, step and various overlays (many of these techniques can be found in the site category at the link)
We got a small fragment which is called scramble or scramble (translated as a hash).

You can see knitting of such scrambles in our lessons 2,3,4.5,6.7,9.

Such a fragment can already become a real work of art in itself. Then the scrambles are assembled into a single canvas. The connection of scrambles can be done with a hook or a needle. In the process of all work, carefully monitor that your canvas does not deform (do not falter or shrink).

freeform video

Products connected using the freeform technique are unique and original.
Since the canvases in this technique are quite dense and “heavy”, they are great for creating various models of clothing:

  • - follow the link to watch a video on knitting an elegant freeform beret -
  • - a bright vest in this technique, see the video at the link
  • - link a smart cardigan to the master by video

Also in this technique you can knit a bag, panel, decoration, toy or pillow.
If you do not feel very confident in this technique, then we recommend making a small insert or appliqué or trim in this technique.

The essence of the freeform technique is that everything is possible. There are no restrictions on the color or texture of the yarn, only your taste, sense of proportion and flight of fancy! At the heart of any composition in freeform is contrast. Everything here is based on this principle. But not only in color, as we are used to, but also in a combination of convex and smooth sections, sections of a sparse fabric (openwork, mesh) and dense knitting, shiny and matte thread. Always trying to carefully select the colors in my work, I came to the conclusion that there should be only warm or only cold colors, you can’t mix them, the result is bad. Then there must be an idea for the work. What do you want to get as an output? For myself in free form, I come up with something like a motto, three words that convey the essence of the work-work, for example: sea-heat-sand; spruce-rain-clearing. Further, all motifs should be of the same style, even different in form. That is, if these are fantasy motifs, then everything (leaves, circles, squiggles) should be designed in this style. If the repetition of natural motives - then accordingly.

On the photo - flower arrangements.

And here is a variant of a fantasy pattern, although almost all the elements are the same. At the same time, pay attention to the layout of the scrambles on the back.

From my own experience I can say: the less complex motifs, the easier they are put together, but on the other hand, if all the motifs are different, but in one theme, you can get real beauty. In addition to the usual shells, spirals, postal columns in different versions, in my work I actively use Tunisian knitting, but not with a long crochet, but with a regular one. I collect no more than 10-12 loops directly from the main fabric. It turns out islands of Tunisian knitting in the total mass. I also want to add - do not try to complicate the work. The simplest columns can be beaten very advantageously. First I knit a few scrambles, then I put them on top of each other - how they look together. It is desirable that the motif or some element of one scramble continue on another. Then the transitions will be invisible.

Knitting in the freeform technique has one feature. Small items are harder to make than large ones. Not enough scope or something. Here you make one scramble and it’s not clear whether you like it or not. You make the second one, apply it, and something starts to emerge. Therefore, if something does not work out at first, continue to knit further and larger in size.

Starting to knit, stock up on 12-15 yarns of different textures. This is the minimum amount, with single-color canvases this amount can be reduced to 10, focusing on the texture of the yarn. (Indicative data for beginners). Try not to knit with very thick yarn (100-150m/100g). From fine yarn, motifs are small, but there are more of them and in the general canvas it looks better. A little secret to speed up the work - knit motifs and bindings with thin yarn (about 400-600m \ 100g), and the connection of scrambles and motifs can be made with a thicker thread (250m \ 100g) by making various relief columns. The photo below shows an example of scramble made with different yarns with a thickness of no more than 350m / 100g

And now I will show you the simplest knitting techniques so that you realize that it is not at all necessary to take on complex elements if you can achieve the same success with the simplest elements. You just need to think a little about how the same motives and techniques can be applied and used in different ways.

1. The element "bags" can be arranged both in a circle in the form of a flower, and horizontally in knitting in a row.

3. The next element is a “button”, “berry”: They tied a chain of 4-5-6 VPs, closed it into a ring, tied a RLS ring. To make it more convex, we tie the already tied ring on top again. Next, we tie a thread of a different color and, according to the resulting ring, we make lush columns for 4-5 crochets in each loop of the base. Here is the finished item. I often make unfinished circular motifs. In my opinion, they fit better into a ready-made scramble.

5. All of our motifs are quite convex, embossed. To emphasize the relief of the elements, you need to knit something flat. I offer an element of Tunisian knitting. Since I will dial from 6 to 10 loops, a long hook is not required, you can do with the usual one. Having knitted 5-6 rows in the last row, I do not dial the loops to the end and it turned out to be shortened. I do this in order to avoid the correct form. We tie a thread of a different color and knit 2 arches from three air loops (VP), take some fancy yarn. In this case, "boucle", we tie it to our knitting and knit a small piece of RLS, so that the arches from the VP are before work. (press them with your finger and knit them behind them). We knit all the ponytails into work, then cut them off.

7. We tie the resulting element with a step (RSh) “until its logical conclusion”, add grass or other fancy yarn. We knit an ordinary shell, in reverse we tie it with a crustacean step in a different color and sew (or tie) it to our piece. I knit a crayfish step for the front half-loop. The back half loop remains for further knitting.