Mixed Media Rocks // Part 1

I got a request for one of these mixed media rocks, so I thought I might share my process with you! I’ll be doing it in parts because I can only sneak in little bits and pieces of time to work at it . . . but that’s perfect if you, too, only have little glimpses of creative time in your day . . .

To start, you will need:

1. A large-ish smooth river rock. Try to find one that is kind of flat and evenly shaped. The one I’m using is about the size of my palm.
2. A fabric scrap to embroider on (scraps with interfacing stuck to them are especially awesome).
3. A small embroidery hoop – 3 to 4 inches.
4. Needle and embroidery thread.
5. Scissors!
6. Crochet thread.
7. A small crochet hook. I’m using a size 7 steel hook.
8. A small tapestry needle for weaving in your ends.
9. A doily pattern book (optional).

Please keep in mind that this is a very intuitive process, with lots of experimenting and ripping back rounds. Just take your time, use your imagination and good judgement, and you’ll be just fine! Okay, let’s begin . . .

Pick a word, name, or image to embroider. Trace around your rock as a guide and make sure your embroidery will fit within that boundary. Transfer your embroidery pattern onto your fabric (I just use a sun-lit window and a soft pencil). Get that fabric in the hoop and stitch your pattern. To finish the embroidery stage, make a running stitch around your embroidered word. This round of running stitch will be the base for you to join your crochet, so be sure the stitches are wide enough to stick your hook under. Also make extra-sure you secure the running stitch well – you don’t want it to come loose as you are crocheting!

These next few steps will feel a bit awkward – especially if you crochet using the pen-hold like I do. Keep the embroidery in the hoop for a while because it will help everything stay nice and even. Join your thread in one of the running stitches, inserting the hook from the center of your work outwards, toward the hoop. Chain 1, and make a single crochet in that running stitch. Now make some chains until you get to the next running stitch. I did three to four between mine, but yours might have more or less depending on how far apart your embroidered stitches are.

Make a single crochet (or two or three, depending on how wide your stitch is) in the next running stitch. Then chain to the next stitch. Continue this way all around and join with a slip stitch to the first single crochet.

Once you’ve got this first round of chain stitches down, make a reinforcing layer of single crochets. So, for round two, make single crochets in every space around evenly. As a general rule, I make one or two more single crochets than chains (so in my chain 3 spaces, I did 4 to 5 single crochets). This is not an exact science, so just feel it out – if it starts to pucker too much, add more single crochets. If it gets too ruffly, go back and take some out. When you get back to the beginning, join to the first single crochet with a slip stitch.

Now you have a nice crochet base to work with.

Finally, get rid of that annoying hoop! Carefully remove your work and cut around the perimeter of your embroidery/crochet hybrid. Don’t cut too close – you do not want your embroidery to rip out as you work. Besides, you’ll be folding the excess fabric under later.

The hard part’s over, and the fun really begins next. So, stay tuned for the next installment wherein we crochet the top! Woot!

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