Toes Up Socks

I've started a pair of crocheted socks, using this pattern. I was having trouble with the heels and a very nice person on Crochetville recommended a site that gives more detailed heel instructions. (Sadly that site has been removed.)

So I will study that site and try the heels again. I'm using 1 (super fine) yarn and an E/3.5 mm hook. The yarn is from Knit Picks and is called Palette, the color is Autumn Heather, which is like a rust color.

Lush Baby Afghan Pattern Available Now!

A BIG thank you to all who helped with testing on Crochetville!

Skill Level: Easy
Yarn: Worsted Weight
Hook: J
Size: approx. 34” in diameter

Color A: Red Heart Classic, 0513 Parakeet: 2 oz.
Color B: Red Heart Classic, 0730 Grenadine: 1 oz.
Color C: Red Heart Classic, 0584 Lavender: 1.75 oz.
Color D: Red Heart Classic, 0168 Starbrights: 4 oz.


LUSH CLUSTER: *YO twice, insert hook into indicated space. YO and pull up a loop, (YO and draw through 2 loops) twice.* Repeat between * 2 more times. YO and draw through all 4 loops on hook.


MODIFIED LUSH CLUSTER: Sc into indicated space, ch 3. *YO twice, insert hook in indicated space. YO and pull up a loop, (YO pull through 2 loops) twice.* Repeat between * 1 more time. YO and draw through all 3 loops on hook.

*Note: the Modified Lush cluster is worked when starting a rnd that begins with a cluster and there is no color change required: sl st to the middle of the ch loop, work modified cluster once only, continue rnd as instructed with Lush clusters.

Other Stitches: ch, sl st, sc, dc

Beginning Ring- With Color A, ch 10 loosely, join with sl st to first ch to form ring.
Rnd 1- Work modified cluster into ring, ch 7 (Work cluster, ch 7) four times. Sl st into top of first cluster to join. Fasten off. 5 clusters
Rnd 2- With Color B. (Work cluster into ch sp, ch 6) twice. *In next ch sp: (Work cluster, ch. 6) twice.* Repeat between * 3 more times. Sl st into first ch above first cluster to join. Fasten off. 10 clusters
Rnd 3- With Color C. (Work cluster into ch sp, ch 4) twice. *In next ch sp: (Work cluster, ch. 4) twice.* Repeat between * 8 more times. Sl st into top of first cluster to join. Fasten off. 20 clusters
Rnd 4- With Color D, sc into ch sp, ch 2 (counts as first dc). 3 more dc’s into same ch sp. Ch 1. *Into next ch sp, 4 dc’s. Ch 1.* Repeat between * to end of rnd. Sl st into ch 2 to join (top of first dc). 80 dc’s
Rnd 5- *Ch 7 loosely, sk 4 sts, sl st into ch st.* Repeat between * to end of rnd. Sl st beneath 1st ch to join. 20 chain loops
Rnd 6- Sl st in next 4 chs. Work modified cluster into ch sp. Ch 6. *Into next ch sp: Work cluster, ch 6.* Repeat between * to end of rnd. Sl st into top of first cluster to join. Fasten off. 20 clusters
Rnd 7- With Color A, (Work cluster into ch sp, ch 4) twice. *Into next ch sp: (Work cluster, ch 4) twice.* Repeat between * to end of rnd. Sl st into top of first cluster to join. Fasten off. 40 clusters
Rnd 8- With Color B, Work cluster into ch sp, ch 4. *Into next ch sp: Work cluster, ch 4.* Repeat between * to end of rnd. Sl st into top of first cluster to join. Fasten off. 40 clusters
Rnd 9- With Color D, repeat Rnd 4. 160 dc’s
Rnd 10- Repeat Rnd 5. 40 chain loops
Rnd 11- Repeat Rnd 6. Fasten off. 40 clusters
Rnd 12- With Color C, repeat Rnd 7. Fasten off. 80 clusters
Rnd 13- With Color A, repeat Rnd 8. Fasten off. 80 clusters
Rnd 14- With Color D, repeat Rnd 4. 320 dc's
Rnd 15- Repeat Rnd 5. Fasten off. 80 chain loops

Copyright 2008. All Rights Reserved. This pattern may not be sold or duplicated in whole or in part by any means or method. Feel free to sell any finished items made from this pattern, but please give credit to this web page.

Spiral Scrapghan

I found the basic instructions for a 3 color spiral here: http://blog.interweavecrochet.com/
It said to increase each rnd by 9 sts. I started by counting so many sts, increasing, counting, increasing...then I figured out that each increase is worked into the increase in the previous row and could stop counting. Now it is so easy. I just change colors when I run out of one.

It started looking like a circle, but quickly turned into a 9-sided afghan from those increases. But it still looks great. There are no instructions for ending this, so I'll need to taper off each color at the end. One color is worked in sc, one in hdc and one in dc. The dc I'll taper by doing a couple hdc's, then sc's and finally slip to end. And do a similar taper for the others.

The wip above is about 2 ft. in diameter. I'll probably work it to about 5 ft.

Close Up of Lush Cluster

Here are the first two rounds of the Lush Baby Afghan completed. I was wrong....I was using the Honeycomb cluster on the original, not the Puff. But I am glad I created the Lush cluster and will continue using it for this afghan. I just wanted to show anybody concerned that it is similar to the original pattern. I will continue to post pictures as I go.

Notice that I used five clusters this time for round one (original has four). That makes a nice star design for the center. I think I'll do one more round in the white and then change colors.

Pattern Arrived!

I finally received the Cathedral Rose Window Afghan pattern last night! I started on it right away...completely dropped the gloves I was working on too! I'm using thicker yarn than the pattern calls for, and also a bigger hook, so I'm trying to make each piece a little smaller so the afghan won't be too big. Hope I can get it all to work out.

You can find this pattern on www.anniesattic.com.

The Seesaw Stitch

This is the first crochet stitch that I designed. The picture doesn't really do it justice, you'll just have to try it for yourself to see how you like it. It is a very versatile stitch...check out the many variations you can do with this at the bottom of the instructions.

THE SEESAW STITCH

This is a very elastic stitch. Try a smaller hook or make tighter stitches for a little less elasticity. This stitch produces the same pattern on both sides.

Multiples of 4 chains +1

Row 1—SC in ea. ch across, total of sc's must be multiple of 4
Row 2—Ch. 3 turn (your 1st DC). DC in FLO of 2nd st. DC in BLO of next 2 sts. *DC in FLO next 2 sts. DC in BLO next 2 sts.* repeat from * across ending w/DC in BLO of last 2 sts.
Row 3—repeat Row 2

Variations
The instructions above use DC’s, alternating by two’s—two in FLO, two in BLO, etc. You can vary this in many ways by using SC by three’s, HDC by four’s, TR by two’s, etc. Here are some different multiples:

Alternating by two’s—multiples of 4 +1
Alternating by three’s—multiples of 6 +1
Alternating by four’s—multiples of 8 +1
Alternating by five’s—multiples of 10 +1, etc.

Always do a row of SC for your first row, hence the +1

Row 2 is your pattern row:
Ch. 1, turn for SC
Ch. 2, turn for HDC
Ch. 3, turn for DC
Ch. 4, turn for TR, etc.

See here for standard crochet abbreviations.