Archive | March 2013

Crochet iCord

Mar26

Knowing how to make a crochet iCord is another great technique to have within your stitch file.  It is a pretty simple repeat stitch pattern and you will find many uses for an iCord for your clothing, accessories, appliques, etc.

The basic concept is working with three chain stitches to form a tube.  So to begin you would crochet three chains stitches, then insert your hook in the second chain from hook, yarn over (yo) and pull through loop.  Repeat this step in the third chain from hook.

Made 3 chains, ready to insert into 2nd n 3rd chain from hook

Made 3 chains, ready to insert into 2nd n 3rd chains from hook

3 loops on hook, ready to begin making iCord

3 loops on hook, ready to begin making iCord

Now you want to slide off the first two (2) chains from your hook onto another holder like a knitting needle, chop stick, or a large tapestry needle.  I personally have success using a bamboo knitting needle.

Sliding on to your holder, knitting needle

Sliding on to your holder, knitting needle

Two stitches on holder and one one crochet hook

Two stitches on holder and one on crochet hook

 

 

 

 

 

 

Once you have those two chains placed on your holder, you will begin making a chain stitch (*yo and pull through the loop) with the remaining loop on your crochet hook.  Now slide your 1st chain stitch loop back onto your crochet hook, make a chain stitch (*) and then slide your 2nd chain stitch loop back onto your crochet hook, and again make a chain stitch (*).

YO ready to make 1st chain with loop on hook

Ready to make 1st chain with loop on hook, YO pull through loop

Sliding 2nd chain back onto crochet hook

Sliding 1st chain stitch loop back onto crochet hoo

You just keep repeating this process until your cord is the length that you want.  To fasten off, just do a yarn over and pull through the three loops on your hook, now cut your yarn and pull it through the last remaining loop on  your hook.

First row completed

First row completed

You can create different size iCords by varying your yarn weight and hook size.

Various sizes of iCords you can make

Various sizes of iCords you can make

 HAPPY CREATING!!

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Variation on Crochet Seed Stitch

Mar12

Whether knitting or crocheting, the seed stitch creates a neat bumpy look to accent your project.

The crochet technique for making a seed stitch is usually based on alternating a single crochet with a double crochet, which creates a strong, dense looking pattern.  My variation is created by alternating a half double crochet stitch and a treble crochet stitch.  This gives a more open look to your crochet design pattern.  Of course, type of yarn used and size of crochet hook will make different looks too.

 

1st row of alternating HDC and TR

1st row of alternating HDC and TR

For my sample, I used a Size H crochet hook and 100% cotton yarn.  You want to begin by chain stitching an odd number of chains, (I chained 21 stitches in sample).  Now make a HDC (half double crochet) in the 2nd chain from hook.  In the next chain, make a TR (treble crochet), in next chain make a HDC,  next chain a TR and so forth until to get to the end of your chain stitches.  If you started your first row with a HDC, you will end with a TR crochet and have 20 stitches in your row.

 

Turn, make a SL stitch in first stitch, CH 1 (counts as your first HDC), then continue in pattern – TR, HDC, TR, HDC, TR, making last TR stitch in top of CH 1 stitch from previous row.

Go thru both loops of previous row to make your HDC and TR stitches

Go thru both loops of previous row to make your HDC and TR stitches

So your pattern is alternating HDC and TR within each row as well as alternating HDC and TR vertically.   As you begin your next row, your first SL stitch and chain is your HDC made directly above the TR stitch made in the previous row.  Continue crocheting in this manner,  thus creating your seed stitch pattern.

Picking up CH stitch to create last TR stitch in row

Picking up CH stitch to create last TR stitch in row

Seed stitch pattern, close up

Seed stitch pattern, close up

Another pic of several rows of seed stitch variation pattern

Another pic of several rows of seed stitch variation pattern

 

Disclaimer:  This post contains affiliate links – “small commission earned”

HAPPY CREATING!!

Disclaimer:  This post contains affiliate links – “small commission earned”