Do you use patterns or do you just wing it?

I use both. But I used to be deathly afraid of patterns. But they just look complicated - most of them really aren't heard. You just have to become familiar with the abbreviations (and keep a cheat sheet, too!) I learned how to read patterns at http://crochet.about.com You will be able to do so much more, and you will find out that it wasn't as hard as you thought! I hope this helps, I.C. Jackson

I do both, actually. Some things are just easier to make when you follow a pattern, but other's seem to work out better without one. There there are the easy things like scarves and such where you really just don't need them. I enjoy making some of the more complicated things and those generally do require patterns to follow.

I actually do both,I sometimes use patterns but I do enjoy designing.also.

I wing it. I always want to learn to read patterns, but it seems complicated. I make hats, scarves and blankets.

I've somewhat done both. I look at a pattern (a simple one at least) and then I go from there. For instance, my husband's cousin was pregnant with twin boys and so I found a really cool pattern that I wanted to do for her babies and I looked at the pattern to see what it "called for" and then I did my own stitch and my own amount of rows (because it was a 2 colored blanket). Then I did my own type of edging and did it like that. But I see what I like and if I can do it without a pattern then I'll do it. Some patterns are just too crazy to read. The 2 blankets turned out really nice. What was bad though is that I finished the last one up on the way to the baby shower (thank goodness I didn't have to drive there!). LOL!!! I did the first one blue, yellow and a white border and the other that was blue, light green and a white border. They turned out really nice.

If it's a blanket or a scarf I have more fun winging it. I'm a short attention span crafter, so whatever I make either has to be easy enough that I can pay attention to something else at the same time, or there have to be some stitch changes or something to keep my interest. It takes me so long to finish big things from patterns somethimes ;)

I wing it. I haven't quite got the hang of using a pattern yet. I would love to be able to make things like hats and sweaters, but can't figure out how. Maybe one day I'll be able to read patterns!

I like to design the clothes, make a pattern and then cut and sew it. But, I haven't done it in quite a number of years.

I am the same as you. I have tried but the counting stiches and following patterns is just to much work for me. I make rectangles that I turn into ponchos, sweaters, etc. The whole pattern thing ruins the relaxing part of it for me.

I do both. I love to make my own patterns I just made christmas presents for my whole family (about 13 people). I made hats, mittens, scarves, purses, baby hats baby stuff, ear flap hats (I liked mine better than the patters I saw)

All I have ever been able to make is a scarf. I have too little patience to follow a patter, I am amazed that I ever managed to sit down and learn how to knit in the first place.