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Sunday, September 13, 2009

Angel Ornament Pattern

crochet angelAngel Ornament Pattern

By: Phyllis of Many Creative Gifts

Create a beautiful crochet angel ornament. This craft can be used for any time of year. You can use it as a decoration or you can sew it to a piece of clothing. It can be placed beautifully on your Christmas tree too!

Materials:

Any DK or light worsted weight yarn
1 skein, Patons Grace, 100% mercerized cotton
62005="62005" snow="snow" oz="oz">50 g, 136 yds/125 m per skein)
Size D/3/3.25 mm crochet hook

Glossary:

ch = chain
dc = double crochet
sc = single crochet
sl st = slip stitch
st = stitch
WS = wrong side
RS = right side

Steps:

Row 1:

  • Ch 2
  • 1 sc in second ch from hook, then 1 sc,3 dc, 2 sc, 3 dc into same st
  • sl st to top of 1st sc, do not turn.

Row 2:

  • Ch 1
  • 1 sc in same st
  • 1 sc in next st
  • 2 sc in each of next 3 st
  • 1 sc in each of next 2 st
  • sl st to top of 1st sc, turn.

Row 3:

  • Ch 3
  • 2 dc in same st and next st
  • ch 1, skip next st
  • 3 dc in next st
  • ch 1, skip next st, 2 dc in each of next 2 st, turn.

Row 4:

  • (right side) Ch 3
  • 2 dc in same st and each of next 3 st, ch 1
  • skip next st, 2 dc in next st
  • 1 dc in next st, 2 dc in next st, ch 1
  • skip next st, 2dc in each of next 4 st, turn.

Row 5:

  • Ch 3
  • 3 dc in same st, 2 dc in next st
  • 1 dc in next st, 2 dc in next st, 1 dc in next st, 2 dc in next st
  • 1 dc in each of next 2 st, ch 2
  • skip next st, 2 dc in next st, 1 dc in each of next 3 st
  • 2 dc in next st, ch 2, skip st, 1 dc in each of next 2 st
  • 2 dc in next st, 1 dc in next st, 2 dc in next st
  • 1 dc in next st, 2 dc in next st, 3 dc in next st, turn.

Row 6:

  • Ch 1
  • 1sc in same st and each of next 12 st
  • ch 2, skip next st, 2 dc in next st
  • 1 dc in each of next 5 st, 2 dc in next st
  • ch 2, skip next st
  • 1sc in next st and each of last 12 st, turn.

Row 7:

  • Sl st into next 12 st, sl st into loop
  • ch 3, 1 dc into ch 2 loop below, 2 dc into next st
  • 1 dc in each of next 7 st, 2 dc into next st
  • 2 dc into ch 2 loop below, turn

Row 8:

  • Ch 3
  • 2 dc in same st, 1 dc in each st across until last st
  • 2 dc in last st, turn.

Row 9:

  • Repeat Row 8.

Row 10:

  • Ch 3
  • 1 dc in same st and each of next 7 st
  • 2 dc in each of next 2 st, 1 dc in each of next 7 st, 2 dc in last st, turn.

Row 11:

  • Ch 3, 1 dc in same st and each st across until last st, 2 dcs in last st, turn.

Row 12:

  • Ch 1
  • 2 sc in same st
  • 1 sc in each st across until last st
  • 2 sc in last st, fasten off.

Sunday, August 16, 2009

Operation Sauce Drop

Carolina Sauce Company sends gift boxes to our soldiers serving overseas. They will match your donation dollar for dollar. It costs $20 to send a gift box, so for your donation of $10 a soldier can receive a gift box. They have an extremely long waiting list for these gift boxes, so please help today if you can. It's an easy way to say "Thank you" to our service men and women.

Thank you for your help in this endeavor.

Beth

Thursday, August 13, 2009

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Saturday, August 08, 2009

You Will Learn to Crochet




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Monday, August 03, 2009

Stripe Crochet Shawl Pattern


Striped Crochet Shawl Pattern

Found at FaveCraft
By: Bernat


Use this free crochet shawl pattern to create a subtly striped wrap. The shawl is quick & easy, worked lengthwise on a large hook.The bamboo yarn is silky smooth and will transition into warmer weather.


Materials:
Yarn: Bernat Bamboo (60 g/2.1 oz)- 6 balls of #92008 as A, 6 balls of #92130 as B
Crochet Hook: Size 8 mm (U.S. L or 11) or size needed to obtain gauge.
Gauge: 12 sts and 10 rows = 4 ins 10 cm in pat.


Instructions:

With A, ch 211.

1st row: (RS). 1 sc in 2nd ch from hook. 1 sc in each ch to end of ch. Turn. 210 sc.

2nd row: Ch 1. 1 sc in first sc. Ch 1. Miss next sc. 1 sc in next sc. Rep from to last sc. 1 sc in last sc. Join B. Turn.

3rd and 4th rows: With B, ch 1. 1 sc in first sc. Ch 1. Miss next sc. 1 sc in next ch-1 sp. Rep from to last sc. 1 sc in last sc.

Keeping cont of Stripe Pat (last 4 rows), rep last row for 15 ins 38 cm, ending with 1 row of A.

Next row: Ch 1. 1 sc in each st across.

Fasten off.

(RS) means right side.

Sunday, August 02, 2009

Learning Crochet Stitches


Whether you're learning to crochet or more advanced, everything crocheted starts with a slip knot. Form a circle with the yarn, leaving a tail. Place the skein end of the yarn behind the circle and pull up a loop through the front. Tighten it, somewhat, by pulling the tail. Place the loop over your hook and tighten the loop by pulling the skein end of the yarn. You should still be able to slide the loop off the hook easily.

Learning to crochet basically involves six main stitches:

Chain stitch - ch
Slip stitch - sl
Single crochet - sc
Half-double crochet - hdc
Double crochet - dc
Treble (or triple) crochet - tc

Crochet patterns are based on various combinations of these six stitches. But before you get started, you'll need to know how to hold the yarn and the hook properly.

The most common way to hold a crochet hook is like a knife or a pen in your dominant hand. Your other hand will guide your yarn to help you maintain the proper tension while your stitching. Consistent tension is key to having stitches that are the same size and shape. Most crocheters wrap the yarn around their index finger, while others will use more than one finger to anchor the yarn. Try it either way is most comfortable for you. You will figure out which method of holding the yarn works best for you.

Basic Crochet Stitches

Chain stitch. The chain stitch is the foundation for any project. It is used to form the base of the first row of a pattern.
To get started, tie a slip knot. Leave a loop just big enough to pass the head of your crochet hook through easily.
Insert the hook into the loop, then wrap your yarn once over the hook and pull it through the loop. This is your first chain stitch. Congratulations! Repeat this process until you have the desired number of chain stitches for your project. Make sure you can see daylight through each chain or you may not be able to ge the hook through the next row.

Now that you know how to make a chain stitch, there is no reason you can't learn the other crochet stitches. Crochet stitches are all formed the same way - yarn over hook and pull through loops. When you begin the next row of stitches it is usually best to pass your hook through the V-shaped side of the chain stitch unless otherwise directed in the pattern.

Slip stitch. The slip stitch is used to connect two pieces of crocheted work together or to form a circle (for crocheting in the round or making a granny square).
To make a slip stitch, insert your crochet hook into the first stitch at the opposite end of your chain or row. Pull yarn over the hook, then pull the hook back through the stitch along with the yarn loop. Now, the two ends are connected. This stitch is also used to form a finished edge around your project.

Single crochet. To form this stitch, insert your hook into the stitch next to it. Yarn over the hook once and pull it through the stitch. Yarn over the hook again and pull through both loops. Your first single crochet stitch is done. See how easy this is!!!!

Half-double crochet. To make a half-double crochet, yarn over the hook and insert it into the next stitch. Then, yarn over the hook again and pull it through the stitch. You now have 3 loops on your hook. Yarn over the hook and pull through all 3 loops on the hook. A half-double crochet makes a dense fabric. I like to use it for scarves and mittens.

Double crochet. For the double crochet stitch, yarn over the hook and insert hook into the next stitch. Once the hook is through the stitch, yarn over again and pull through the stitch. There are now 3 loops on your hook. Yarn over the hook and pull it through the first two loops on the hook. This leaves 2 loops on your hook. Yarn over the hook and pull through the two remaining loops on the hook. Voila, a double crochet stitch.

Treble or triple crochet. The treble or triple crochet stitch is the tallest stitch of these basic stitches. Using this stitch for afghans will make your work quick and easy. To make a treble or triple crochet stitch, yarn over the hook twice before inserting the hook into the next stitch. Then yarn over the hook again and pull through the stitch. This will leave 4 loops on the hook. Yarn over the hook and pull through the first two loops on the hook, repeat until you only have one loop left on the hook. You've made a treble or triple crochet stitch.


Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Crochet Abbreviations

Crochet patterns use a large variety of abbreviations. Here are the most common and what they mean:

YO or yo (Yarn Over)- To yarn over means to bring the yarn over the hook of your crochet hook so that the hook can catch the yarn and draw it through the loop. Literally, bring the yarn over the hook.
ch-chain stitch
sc- single crochet
hfc- half double crochet
dc- double crochet
tc_ treble (triple) crochet
st(s)- stitch(es)
sl st- slip stitch
sk- skip
dec- decrease
inc- increase
sc2tog- single crochet two stitches together
lp(s)-loop(s)
rnd(s)-round(s)
dtr-double treble crochet
sp(s)-space(s)
beg-beginning
rep-repeat
tog-together
rs-right side
lp st-loop stitch
ws-wrong side
BLO or BL-Back Loop Only - Back Loop
FLO or FL-Front Loop Only - Front Loop
CC-contrasting color
Rev-Reverse
MC-main color

To begin crocheting, you have to tie the yarn to your crochet hook with a slipknot. You wrap the yarn around the hook, bringing the end portion of the yarn on top into a working loop. Then you “yarn over” by bringing the bottom thread over the hook so that the hook can catch it, twisting, and pulling it through the loop. You don’t want to pull the slipknot too tight. It has to be at least large enough to let the hook pass easily through it.

Crochet Gauge

When you learn to crochet, gauging can be one of the most confusing tasks. What is crochet gauge? Simply, your are figuring how many stitches and rows are in an inch. Gauge is something you have to figure for your crochet style. Patterns will give you a gauge for a project. You need to determine if your style will produce those same results. If not, experiment with larger or smaller hooks until you achieve the proper gauge. Gauge is the measurement from a starting point to an ending point. The easiest way to determine your gauge is to crochet a swatch of the pattern stitches you will be using in your project. A 4X4 inch swatch should be sufficient to estimate your gauge.

The designer of a pattern will create a gauge by default, just by the weight of the yarn and the size of the hook they use. Gauge is also determined by your tension, how tight or loose you hold your yarn when crocheting. Gauge determines the finished size of your project. If your gauge is too small, try a hook one size larger. If it is too big, use a smaller one.

Say you have a pattern that calls for a "J" hook and a 4-ply yarn. You have a 3-ply yarn you like and want to use a "H" hook. You will need more stitches across the pattern because these are smaller. You will need to determine how many stitches you will need to do to achieve the measurements in the pattern. You need to get the width right at the beginning so you don't end up ripping out your work. Gauging your work is especially important if your project is a clothing item.

Happy Crocheting!!

Beth

Crochet Hook Conversion Chart

CROCHET HOOKS
U.S.
B-1
C-2
-D-3
E-4
F-5
G-6
H-8
I-9
J-10
K-10-1/2
N
P
Q
METRIC - MM
2.25
2.75
3.25
3.5
3.75
4
5
5.5
6
6.5
9
10
15


STEEL CROCHET HOOKS
U.S.
00
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
METRIC - MM
3.5
3.25
2.75
2.25
2.1
2
1.9
1.8
1.65
1.5
1.4
1.3
1.1
1
.85
.75

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