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Chain Stitch Tip

Jan2

Can’t believe we are beginning another year and I hope you all experience your most creative year ever!!  For me, I have just completed my first year of blogging on stitch4ever and I am looking forward to another year of exciting and creative techniques, ideas, patterns and whatever else pops into my head!?!?!?  If you have any questions, tips or suggestions that you would like to share, please just leave me a comment and we will go from there!!

I thought I would begin this year with a chain stitching tip that seems to work nicely for me and I hope will do the same for you.

With crocheting, most patterns will begin by having you crochet the required number of chain stitches.  It is a very easy looping technique and gives you the foundation for your project.  The problem I always seem to encounter is that I tend to make tighter chain stitches then my actual crochet stitches and this can create a slight curve to the bottom edge of my pattern.   I have tried to crochet loose chain stitches but still without much success.

Then one evening the light bulb went off in my cluttered mind and I thought, hey, why don’t I just complete my chain stitches using the next size larger crochet hook.   Viola, no more tight chains to deal with.   So if my pattern calls for using a Size G hook, I complete my chain stitches using a Size H hook and then I continue the pattern by crocheting with the required Size G hook.  Anyways, I have had success with my crocheting using this simple technique and I hope it helps you too, if you haven’t already thought about it!

HAPPY CREATING!!

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Using a “Knitting Nancy” or Spool Knitting

Dec19

This is a super yarn technique that is very easy for a young child to conquer and make useful, handmade creations.  Actually, anyone who loves to work with yarn would probably like to do this type of knitting aka french knitting.  You can purchase a knitting spool or, if you are so inclined, design your own “spool loom”.  Tons of youtube videos on this technique for you to check out also.

In my picture, I have used a thick cardboard thread spool, which is approximately 1″ diameter and about 2  1/2″ long.  I hammered in 4 brads that have a nice size head to keep my yarn from just slipping off. 

When I was a child, this was one of my first yarn project tools which I used to make many, many hot pads, bracelets, hot plate trivets, even a small rug.  Anyways, a large skein of a variegated yarn provides many hours of fun for someone who is interested in working with yarn.  I called my spool knitting, “cattailing”, I guess because it looked kind of like a cat’s tail when being knitted through my spool.   Not sure if anyone else ever used that name or even heard of “cattailing”!?!?

Here’s a brief description of how to use a Knitting Nancy –  Typically, a knitting spool uses 4 brads/nails/dowels, but depending on the size of the spool you choose, you could knit with 6 or 8 nails.  Your brads/nails should be evenly spaced on the top of your spool.  Begin by dropping your yarn through the spool hole from top to bottom and let it dangle out the bottom by about a couple of inches.  Enough to be able to grab it and tug gently on it until your cat’s tail is exposed through the bottom of your spool!!

 

The “casting on” technique involves wrapping your yarn in a clock-wise fashion BUT when doing the actual “knitting” technique, you will be wrapping each brad/nail in a counter-clockwise technique.  Once you have completed the “casting on” technique for each nail, you will simply wrap the yarn again (clock-wise) on the outside of each brad/nail above the loops you just cast on.  After completing this second wrap, hold the yarn strand along the outside of your spool with your thumb to keep your wrap taut. Using a knitting needle or crochet hook, grab the bottom loop and lift it over the top yarn wrap.  Do this around for each brad/nail and then pull gently on the “cat tail”.   Wrap your yarn again around all your brads/nails, hold your yarn strand with your thumb on the outside of your spool, lift the bottom loop over each top wrap on all brads/nails, and pull gently on the tail.  Continue making your knitting in this way and before you know it, you will be seeing a colorful, knitted tube/coil coming out the bottom of your spool.

 

 

 

 

 

Keep knitting until your “cat’s tail” is as long as you want it to be for whatever special project you are creating!!

When you are ready to “cast off” don’t make a yarn wrap, just grab the loop of the last stitch made and lift it onto the brad/nail to its immediate left.  Lift the bottom loop over that loop, now grab the remaining loop left on that brad/nail and lift it onto the brad/nail to its immediate left.  Continue doing this until you only have one loop left on the last brad/nail.  Cut your yarn and carefully lift the last loop off the brad/nail and place your cut yarn through the last loop and pull snuggly securing all your stitches.  Now you have a wonderful knitted tube that can be used for a wide variety of creative projects!!

This would make a wonderful stocking stuffer item for that potential crocheter, knitter or yarn lover!!

  • TIP:  Open out a bobby pin and use the slightly curved tip as your needle for grabbing the bottom loop and lifting over the wrapped yarn.  Make sure the rubber tips are still there so the bobby pin doesn’t catch the yarn.  The curved edge helps to keep the loop from sliding off the bobby pin/needle. 

HAPPY CREATING!!

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Crochet Pine Tree Pattern

Dec10

A  little pine tree is always a great addition to your pattern collection.   I have designed a quick, little crochet pine tree that you can embellish and turn it into a Christmas tree that could be used as an ornament, maybe a unique tag for a special gift or make it to use as an applique!!     

 

 

 

 

Here’s the scoop:   I used two thread types – Aunt Lydia’s Fashion 3 thread (Sage Green color) and Aunt Lydia’s Classic 10 thread (Christmas Green color) for the tree and Aunt Lydia’s Fashion 3 (true Brown color) for the trunk.  My hook sizes were a C/2-2.75mm for tree and size 5/1.90mm (steel hook) for trunk.

Using the sage green and Christmas green together, make 18 chain (Ch) stitches.

In 3rd chain from hook, complete a Dc (double crochet), make 15 more Dc stitches to end of row, Ch 2, turn.

Rnd 2:  1 Dc Dec (double crochet decrease),  12 Dc,  1 Dc Dec,  Ch 2,  turn.

Rnd 3:  1 Dc Dec,  10 Dc,  1 Dc Dec,  Ch 2,  turn.

Rnd 4:  1 Dc Dec,  8 Dc,  1 Dc Dec,  Ch 2,  turn.

Rnd 5:  1 Dc Dec,  6 Dc,  1 Dc Dec,  Ch 2,  turn.

Rnd 6:  1 Dc Dec,  4 Dc,  1 Dc Dec,  Ch 2, turn.

Rnd 7:  2 Dc Dec  –  Don’t Fasten Off

Rnd 8:  Forming loop –  working directly from last stitch, Ch 12, work Sc (single crochet) in top of last Dc Dec.

Rnd 9:  Ch 1, then complete a slip stitch in each of the chains just completed.  Fasten Off, leaving about a 6″ – 8″ tail.

Wrap tail around the bottom of the loop, pull tail through your wrap and then weave securely through the stitches on the back side.

Making trunk:  Using the size 3 brown thread and the #5 steel hook, skip the first 6 stitches on bottom edge and complete 6 Sc,  Ch l,  turn.   Repeat this pattern for a total of 6 rows and fasten off.

Now your little tree is ready as is or take time to embellish it with tiny buttons or sequins and beads or maybe use pre-made ribbon bows or roses.  You can hand sew your buttons to the tree or use a Fabri-Tac glue to secure your decorations.  Maybe a “little one” could help you pick out what buttons or beads to use for your decorating.  Then have them hang it on your tree, would make awesome gift tags, garland or use it for whatever creative idea will work for you.

HAPPY CREATING!!

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Super Simple Crochet Thanksgiving Napkin Ring

Nov18

For this Thanksgiving napkin ring, I used a size 3 crochet thread with an F hook for the actual ring portion and used Sugar ‘n Cream size 4 cotton yarn with a G hook  for the actual pumpkin design and stem.  By doing this, it made the pumpkin the focal point.  It also gave me a rustic looking design.

 

 

For the ring portion directions, refer to the HDC napkin ring design that I posted earlier making sure you leave yourself about a 10″ yarn tail to use to attach your pumpkin design.  Here are the directions for the pumpkin and stem:

CH, SC and DC stitches are used.  Begin by doing the “magic loop” with 8 SC within the circle, join with a SL stitch to beginning SC.

Round 2:  CH 2, then complete 2 DC within each SC,  join with SL in top of 2nd CH.  You now have 16 DC stitches.

Round 3:  CH 1, complete 1 SC in first DC stitch, complete 2 SC in next DC stitch, complete 1 SC in next DC stitch, complete 2 SC in next DC stitch, continue this pattern around and SL into top of beginning CH 1 stitch.  You should have 24 stitches.  Change colors.

Round 4:  CH 1, complete 4 SC in next 4 stitches, CH 1 turn.

Round 5:  Complete 1 SC, do 1 SC decrease, complete 1 SC, CH 1 turn.

Round 6:  Complete 1 SC decrease, complete 1 SC.  Fasten off.

Weave in your ends and prepare to attach your pumpkin to your napkin ring.  Thread the tail that you left on the napkin ring and using your darning needle, sew the pumpkin design onto the napkin ring.

IMPORTANT:  Keep in mind your placement direction of the pumpkin, do you want it to face horizontally with the napkin as in my picture or do you want the napkin ring to lay vertically.

These little pumpkins make up quickly and really add a personal touch to your dinner table.  Enjoy!!

HAPPY CREATING!!

TIP:  Feel free to use a finished design for your own personal use or make them to sell.  However, I asked that you not sell my patterns but would greatly appreciate it if you sell a completed design to give recognition by referencing this blog site.  Thank you!!

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Simple Crochet Napkin Ring

Nov2

Here’s an easy pattern for a crochet napkin ring which gives you lots of creative options to make it match your decor or crochet this design in holiday colors.

Stitches used:

CH – chain

SC – single crochet

HDC – half double crochet

SL – slip stitch

Any type of yarn will work for this pattern.  My sample I used a 4 ply cotton yarn for napkin ring body and a size 10 thread for the edges.  I crochet body using a size G hook and the edging I used a size C.

Begin by doing 20 CH stitches.  Join with a SL stitch to form a ring  making sure your chain doesn’t twist.

Rnd 1:  CH 2.  Make 19 HDC in each chain stitch,  join round by making a SL into top of beginning CH 2.

Rnd 2:  CH 2, turn.  Make 19 HDC, join round by making a SL into top of beginning CH 2.

Rnd 3, 4, and 5:  Make exactly like Rnd 2.

Fasten off and weave your ends into your work.

Wow, you have a wonderful napkin ring just the way it is but the fun really begins now because you can do so much to personalize your project.  You could simply tie on a unique button with some thin satin ribbon centered in the middle of your HDC.  Or maybe you would like to add a small crochet rose or a different kind of flower design, or heart, or  star.  Making a design using sequins and beads is another creative option to give your napkin ring the personality that you are looking for.  The ideas are endless.

Using a smaller ply yarn for your accents will give you some nice depth or texture to your finished project.  For the holidays, think about using a bamboo thread that has some sparkle to it.

In my sample, I just edged the napkin ring in some red and green size 10 thread.    I began by making a SC into any of the HDC stitches.  Then I chained 3, made another SC in that same stitch,  CH 3.  Made a SC in the next stitch, CH 3, made a second SC in that same stitch, CH 3.  I continued in this fashion until I reached the end of the full round of the napkin ring then I fastened off.  Did the same stitches on the other side of the napkin ring using the other color.

If you would like a more sleek look, just do a SC in each HDC around the ring and fasten off.  I suggest using a size 3 or 4 ply yarn for that look.

This is also a simple project that a young person could easily crochet and make as a gift for someone special.  Crochet using a variety of different colors – shades of brown, green, yellow, orange, red – would look beautiful for a Thanksgiving table.

  • TIP:  When adding yarn for your edging, I like to make my starting place at the point where I joined each round.

HAPPY CREATING!!

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