When I was trying to learn to knit after years and years of crocheting, I decided that 8 fingers and 2 thumbs on 2 hands and 2 needles and the yarn…it all added up to too many moving parts. Tonight, I got my yarn and hook out and had to go look how to do the ring and it feels a bit awkward to be starting something in crochet again. There’s no need to feel like an idiot. It took me a long time to get the hang of the adjustable ring.
So…
Did you join the 6th st to the 1st st in the round with a slip st? To slip stitch, put the hook through the 1st st then pull a loop through both stitches. If that doesn’t make sense, search for something that does.
Chain 2 and work a hdc in the first stitch then 2 in each stitch in the round and join the 12th st to the 1st st of the rnd.
So yeah, from here on out just basically follow the pattern. You’ll stop adding stitches when it fits your foot as you like it, gauge isn’t that important on this.
I’m using Lion Brand Hometown USA in Santa Fe Tweed and an N hook (I’d try L as in the pattern but don’t have one, I skip from K to N).
Maybe we should have a new thread in the Crochet forum?
2 sts in ea st of the previous rnd. Better than me trying to tell you…I found you a video! Finally! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ukrrfXc8_Cw
She’s working in dc and the pattern calls for hdc but this should help you see how it all works. If you can follow along and do it with her, changing to hdc shouldn’t be a problem. If you simply can’t get the ring to work for you, forget it and do what the pattern says. My idea of ‘better’ doesn’t mean it’s better for everyone.
Beth is one of my favorites for crochet lessons. You might not find her as easy to follow. If not, try finding another video that works for you. I googled crochet a circle. Google Search
Okay, I have gotten past that part. I got the circle started, I made the “toe” area and then have done a few rows of hdc to create the heel… except that’s where I’m stuck. I don’t know what to do next. (It seems like it should be intuitive but evidently I’m not that smart!)
I’ve done up to this: [ch.2 hdc in next 14 sts. turn and repeat until foot length is what you want].
It then tells you to put the right sides together and slip stitch shut. BUT I have no idea which “right sides” you’re putting together… and then, what do you do next in order to make the tall cuff up the leg???
Thanks for the help everyone… slowly but surely, I’m getting there!
Oh are you ever going to love this. I just realized, the pattern is for Mary Janes which you and I are not making. (Forgive me for this: Houston, we have a problem.) OK, back on track, what you need to do is keep crocheting around and around and around until it is time for the heel, then we can figure out the best way to do the heel.
I’m glad I’m not the only one who picks a difficult project to start on…actually the slipper/socks aren’t difficult when you already have some crochet experience under your belt, it’s the adapting the pattern. You’ll get 'em done! Since I just admitted I need to turn the heat on tonight, I’m eager to make mine too.
ETA: You don’t want to work on part of the stitches turn and go back yet. You will still be working all the stitches.
So, what she says is to make the shoe part. But instead of finishing the edge and adding a strap, you actually just keep crocheting in a circle to create the cuff.
So, on the original pattern, I’m at the part where you make the foot/heel part… I just don’t know which edges I’m supposed to stitch together to make that heel.
Also, is this one continuous crochet? Or am I cutting thread and re-attaching at points?
I need to think about this and actually do it. It will take me a little while, if someone else knows without having to do it, they’ll let you know before I can. I think I know how it works, but I’m not certain and don’t want to mess you up.
The same way. I see now how it works. I’ve simply not crocheted in a long time. Thanks for getting me motivated, this is a near instant gratification project for me, especially since I’m helping you too.
You asked about cutting the yarn. Don’t cut the yarn.
Here’s where I am at:
I’ve knit–oops! I mean crocheted! the foot in the round. 18 hdc
I worked back and forth on 14 sts for about 4 rows. Those 14 sts will folded in half and sewn together to close the back of the heel. I clipped the heel together and tried it on. When I was satisfied that it fit I joined the last of the 14 sts in that row to the first st in the row with a sl st.
I can now go back to crocheting in the round. I will come back later and sew the heel closed. You can do it now if you want, just use different yarn or from the other end of your ball.
Hopefully that is somewhere near as clear as mud, let me know what doesn’t make sense and I’ll try again.
Alas, knitting is so much easier on my hands I don’t think I’ll be likely to do more major crochet projects.
Edited: I meant crocheted up there. Good grief. Maybe I’m getting sleepy.
OKAY! This makes SO much more sense. SO much more! The whole clipping of the heel… that’s the part that was missing for me. It made no sense. The instructions were so vague, I thought I MUST be missing something… and I was. I thought there was some way to put the heel together without ever stopping the crochet… but you eventually do have to sew the heel together in the end.
But doesn’t it end up making the heel into a bit of a triangle? I’ve looked at all of the pictures of the MaryJanes AND the long sock version, and the heels look seamless from what I can tell. But there’s no possible way, right?
Thank you for the help!!! I’m glad it has been enjoyable for you too! Did you make the slippers/socks in their whole?
Oh, and one other problem… how do you go back to stitching in the round? Because when you’re crocheting into what used to be the sides of the heel… it’s just a mess of edging.
I’ve not looked at the pictures closely enough to know how the seam shows or doesn’t. If you don’t like the way the heel turns out you can do a gusseted heel in crochet, the nice part being you don’t need stitch holders. You know to crochet into the ends of the rows when you go back to working in the round, right? I decided I didn’t like the way it was working out and I’ve ripped back to add some stitches to make a sort of gusset on each side before I work the flat part for the heel. Now I’m trying to figure out the placement for the increases.
Don’t feel bad that it didn’t make sense to you, I had to do it before I understood.
I hope you post a photo. I would when I’m done but I don’t have a camera.
What yarn are you making the real ones up in? I think you said you’re still using practice yarn.
Now I’m thinking that if I make the first flat row longer then work decreases I might get the same effect. Short rows from knitting crossing over to crochet and I think to try it. Who’d a thunk it?
You posted while I was typing and thinking. You crochet into the ends of the rows. Youtube has lots of videos, you could probably find one that makes it easy to see.
Thanks, Jan. You’re right of course, it isn’t worth the bother. Still, I want to know if it will work and I guess I’m too lazy to look for an actual pattern. I don’t recall ever being accused of having good sense.
I gave in and ordered the Sunstruck needle set from Knit Picks, I can hardly stand to wait for them to come home. Maybe that’s why I’m messing around with crochet tonight.
the foot in the round. 18 hdc
Did you make the slippers/socks in their whole?
You’re right of course, it isn’t worth the bother. Still, I want to know if it will work and I guess I’m too lazy to look for an actual pattern. I don’t recall ever being accused of having good sense.