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I make a lot of crocheted doilies and when it comes time to block them I use the cardboard from cakes that I have purchased and saved. This cardboard has a shiny surface on one side so the doilies do not stick.
In a knitting blog, I read about acrylic yarn being a low-cost option. Well, it is - and to make it more interesting in small projects you can mix it with other yarns, even wool ones.
I was making a hat using the cluster stitch, and I was worried that I would not have enough yarn. The regular cluster stitch uses 3 yarn overs then pull through 4 loops. We'll I left off 1 of the yarn overs and pulled through 3 loops.
Here are the questions asked by community members. Read on to see the answers provided by the ThriftyFun community.
Need some help from crocheters please! I've just started to crochet so I don't do complicated stuff. Just finished making a round rag rug which wasn't difficult BUT the whole thing has buckled and looks frilly round the edges. I've undone it and tried working looser but that didn't work so I undid it again and tried working tighter but still no joy! please could anyone tell me what I'm doing wrong?
It doesn't have anything to do with how tight or loose you crochet, it has to do with the number of stitches that were added as you went along. You might be having trouble counting your stitches. That was an issue for me when I first started crocheting. Be sure that you aren't adding a stitch every time you start a new round, by forgetting to count the beginning chain of the round as the first stitch. Example, you start the round by chaining 2, which counts as your first double crochet. Make sure that you go into the NEXT stitch unless the pattern specifically says to stitch in the same stitch as the chain, or the same stitch as joining. I've been crocheting since I was about 10 years old, and I am now 31.
Sounds like you are adding stitches as you do the rounds, try putting some kind of marker on the round that you start with, and move it when to get to the area with the marker on it, you can use a chunk of another different color rag for your rug,or a piece of yarn , use anything for a marker and be sure to count when you mark.
Please don't give up! Crocheting is such a relaxing occupation, and you'll find that you can make many gifts that way, also. Good luck, and God bless you.
thanks for the tips. i know i shdnt get so upset but i sent the text in after battling for HOURS trying to get it right. yes, its a relaxing occupation which i need in my very stressful life but i do like to get a reasonable result for all my hard work!
i usually use a very large safety pin as a marker. pattern says to increase one stitch in every four as u go along. i was working twice into the same stitch for my increase. ive counted my stitches as i was undoing it (again!) and ive worked the increases properly. one increase in every four. i really dont want to do it again to get the same awful result that i had before. have i been doing something else wrong? any suggestions? PLEASE?
You have been having the same trouble that a lot of beginners have. don't give up and you will never be sorry. I am a male who was always a jock and now a spectator jock that has been enjoying this craft for about 28 years now. I have made several things from fine table cloths to dolls and afghans for my children and grandchildren and you will do the same and be just fine and you will learn your own Tricks.
thanks ronnie. a bit of support and encouragement helps a lot. ok, so i'll stay away from rounds for now until i get alittle more confident. i can do a square even an oval, no prob. ill try AGAIN later with a round. tks again.
If your work is starting to "ruffle", as I call it, you have added too many stitches to those rounds. Try decreasing your stitches here and there until it comes out right.
I find it easier to relax and not make anything tight unless it calls for it. Just keep practicing and soon you will be a master. :)
Since i recently learned to work in the round without joining, i know how you feel. What i figured out was that in some places i was increasing or decreasing by a stitch or more by accident. On doing some research, i figured out that if i simply marked the stitch that began my round from the first row and moved it as i added rows, i kept my place better. By using a stitch marker, it helped me to see immediately that i'd added stitches or hadn't done enough.
The pattern reads "work shell of 1dc, ch1, 1dc" in next stitch. I am confused as to into what stitch I am crocheting the last dc.
By Rita S.
"work shell of 1dc, ch1, 1dc"
This means that you do "1dc, ch1, 1dc" all in the same stitch.
Both double stitches go in the same place (in the same stitch).
The pattern might tell you right before or after the shell instructions. Usually there is a chain one space in the preceding row that lines up with your shell.
Absolutely right. In the next stitch work 1 dc ch 1 1 dc. These three steps are what is going to create your shell look, that's why they must be in the same stitch.
Does anyone know if there is a tutorial, and where I could find it, when a crochet pattern calls for doing dcfp 2 rows down?
If you google "crochet dcfp" it should take you to sites with the instructions or check youtube.
All dcfp means is double crochet front post and 2 rows down means to double crochet around the front post on the 2nd row down from the row you are working on.
I did look on youtube and I googled but I didn't find a video that would show how it's done. I just wanted to make sure I was doing it right because when I tried it, it just didn't seem right.
I'm making a crocheted baby bunting with side overlapping panels about 30 '' in height. What is the best way to fasten it closed, zipper, ties, etc.?
By Ruth A.
Years ago, when my friends were having kids, I used to do them with bottom ties but after reading that buntings can be hazardous to babies, I started making light weight, tight weave (usually a tight shell or double crochet) cotton stroller blankets instead. These articles explains the concerns:
www.knittingparadise.com/
It's sad to me that long time traditions are now dangerous...we all survived no such thing as car seats... but I get it.
I would do buttonholes or snap tape.
How do you cast off from a U stitch on an afghan?
By wizzo49
I don't know what a U stitch is, but I was always taught to cast off "in pattern"....so whatever you would do if you were going to knit that row, you cast off the same way. Hope that helps. I'm just a newbie knitter.
Can I cut back on yarn on a crochet pattern by using a smaller hook? I am making a stuffed rabbit for toddler. Even if it turns out small that's OK.
Thanks.
A smaller hook will make your stitches tighter. This might save you a little yarn. Yes, it will probably make your project smaller, too.
What does "spc' stand for in crochet?
By Tina
I have been stitching an absolutely gorgeous afghan by Terry Kimbrough. I am not understanding how the edging instructions translate. The sentence is [sc, ch7, (sc, ch5) twice] in corner ch5 sp. Does this mean repeat everything in brackets and parentheses twice or just what is parentheses? Help please.
By Susan
I played with the directions to see what it looks like both ways. I would conclude the directions mean to do all twice; otherwise, there is only one long petal while all others remain same size and it looks odd. But if you are making squares to join together, then the one longer chain loop is probably to join the other squares with. If it isn't a square to join with others, then I would create all as a repeat inside the [brackets/parenthesis) two times which gives a floral pattern and a fuller one.
This is the best I can do for you w/o seeing the pattern/directions. Hope it helps you.
I'm trying to make a beanie and I'm having trouble following the pattern:
Here is one row of the pattern: 1 dcfp around next dcfp. 1 dc
I know how to do both stitches, but I'm getting confused as to where to enter the hook for the next stitch. Anyone could help me ? I tried to look for videos, but can't find any :(
Many thanks!
By Magali
When working on a crochet pattern you will need to know a variety of crochet stitch abbreviations to follow the instructions. This is a page about basic crochet abbreviations chart.
Knowing how to read a crochet pattern and the meanings of the abbreviations will help make your project move along faster and easier. This is a page about understanding crochet patterns and abbreviations.
This is a page about crocheting with one hand. Crocheting with only one hand can be a real challenge, but it is potentially possible.