Gonna Try Crochet on the Bernat Blog!

#1

Hi everyone! :waving:
Recently, I’ve started blogging for Bernat yarns. Every month, I make a new project with their yarn, and blog about it on their website.

So far, I’ve just been knitting. But this next month, I’m working on a crochet project. The last time I crocheted was over 20 years ago. I’ve never followed a pattern before, so I’m really jumping off a cliff with this project. :teehee:

Can you recommend some good videos to watch online for crochet stitches? Also, any advice about following a crochet pattern is much appreciated.

By the way, I’ll be making a bathroom rug, a tissue box cover, and a couple dishcloths. I’ll be using Bernat Handicrafter yarn.

#2

[color="#330099"]I recommend two sites for crochet videos.

Mary Grace’s site:
http://www.hookedonneedles.com/2008/07/time-to-get-organized-crochet.html

I seem to remember MGM doing some video’s explaining specific patterns.

And NexStitch:
http://www.nexstitch.com/v_crochet_videos.html

NexStitch has both video and static photos of advanced crochet stitches for a large list of stitches and some patterns too.

As for help with following patterns, it might be easier to post specific questions.
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#3

Thanks Jack! :hug:

I’m sure I’ll post some questions when I actually get started. I’m still waiting for the yarn and pattern to arrive from Bernat.

I’ll go watch some of those videos now.

#4

Sandy, sounds like great fun to crochet things for Bernat and blog about them! I seem to remember seeing a crochet stitch that I think would be wonderful for a bathroom rug where you leave a loop at each stitch. If I run across it, I’ll let you know. I just remember thinking how good that would feel under my feet! I’m sure you can find all kinds of great patterns out there, but it would be great if you took a look at Hooked On Needles! :aww:

Have fun with this new challenge, and keep us posted!

MGM

#5

I have complete faith in you! I’m sure whatever you make will be well done and beautiful. :thumbsup:

#6

I’m having a BLAST! :cheering:
I hope I do okay with crochet. I’m very comfortable with knitting, but I figured it would be fun to try crochet on the blog. My fumbling around should be entertaining, at least! :teehee:

I can only use Bernat’s patterns for the blog. That’s part of the agreement I made with them. But, I could still use your pattern to make another bathroom rug on my own! :slight_smile:

I’ve already checked it out. Cool site! :thumbsup:

:heart: :muah: :heart:
I hope I can live up to your expectations!

Last night, I grabbed a ball of bright orange cotton yarn, and a size I hook (one of the new lighted hooks), to try a simple dishcloth. I’m following a pattern for a beginner dishclothon the Bernat site.

I feel like I did when I first started knitting. A little confused, and unsure of myself. But, I’m figuring it out, I think.

Funny thing…I was going crazy trying to figure out what “sp” was. Kept looking at all the online crochet glossaries to figure it out. Finally realized they were referring to a “space”. :roflhard: I had thought that it was a stitch I didn’t know yet. :roll:

My dishcloth is coming along nicely now, and looks pretty and lacy.

#7

[color="#330099"]Sandy,

Did you know that when you work in a space you go around the entire chain and not just under the top (front and back) loops?

It will make your dishcloth look a little different from what you have right now. Unless my eyes have deceived me, it seems that you have been working in the chain that spans the top of the space.

You can compare with a woven stitch pattern or with granny squares, both are patterns worked in the space and not into the chain.

The biggest difference between knit and crochet is that with each crochet stitch you have the choice of where to work the bottom of the next stitch.

By the way, that Bernat pattern is using the woven stitch. I can name it now that I’ve actually read the repeating rows (instead of just skimming it).

I have also seen this stitch pattern called the granite stitch used in a mullti-color pattern call a Love Scarf. or something. (searching…)
(Found:) http://www.crochetme.com/media/p/88608.aspx

Compare that with the Bernat Handicrafter Cotton - Dishcloth pictured samples in variegated yarn.

[Edit to add:] Where to find crochet stitches?

In a crochet dictionary, of course. :doh: Why didn’t I think of that before.
www.crochetcabana.com/crochet_dictionary.htm
has a list with text descriptions and images. Some instead have links to other sites (like NexStitch and others) with video instructions for the listed stitch. :thumbsup
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#8

Thanks Jack! :hug:
I’m not sure if I’m supposed to be working “in the chain” or “in the space”. Up until now, I’ve been working “in the chain”, I guess. Here’s the instructions I’m following:
(Keep in mind that it’s a Bernat pattern, so it’s Canadian in origin)

[B]1st row[/B]: (RS). 1 sc in 2nd ch from hook. *Ch 1. Miss next ch. 1 sc in next ch. Rep from * to end of ch. Turn. 31 sts.
[B]2nd row[/B]: Ch 1. 1 sc in first sc. 1 sc in next ch-1 sp. *Ch 1. Miss next sc. 1 sc in next ch- 1 sp. Rep from * to last sc. 1 sc in last sc. Turn.
[B]3rd row[/B]: Ch 1. 1 sc in first sc. *Ch 1. Miss next sc. 1 sc in next ch-1 sp. Rep from * to last 2 sc. Ch 1. Miss next sc. 1 sc in last sc. Turn.
Rep last 2 rows until work from beg measures 9 ins [23 cm], ending with RS facing for next row. Ch 8. Sl st in top of last sc (loop).

#9

Sandy, in case you want to watch the stitch being crocheted, HERE is a video I just recently posted on Hooked On Needles for that exact stitch. It is one of my favorites!

BTW, your dishcloth is coming out pretty neat. Interesting the difference stitching into the chain instead of into the chain space makes in the finished look.

Glad to hear you are having fun with your new Bernat relationship! I’m almost jealous!

MGM

#10

[color="#330099"]I forgot to point out the key phrase that made me so sure. :doh:

When the pattern says…

in next ch-1 sp.

That is when you work the stitch into the space rather than into the chain. Working into the space is common for doily and granny square patterns and for the woven stitch. (I just finished making a woven stitch poncho for my DW that-seemingly-had over 10,000 stitches.) :roll:

The woven stitch can be done over either even or odd number of stitches. When there is an odd number of stitches, you alternate between two rows. One row that both begins and ends with 2 SC in a row and the alternate row that begins with SC, ch, and end with ch, SC. (X is SC and o is chain space in following example).

[B][SIZE=“6”]xxoxoxx <= R2
xoxoxox => R3
xxoxoxx <= R2
xoxoxox => R3[/SIZE][/B]

An even number of stitches allows for a one row repeat:

[B][SIZE=“6”]xoxoxoxx <= Row A
xxoxoxox => Row A
xoxoxoxx <= Row A
xxoxoxox => Row A[/SIZE][/B]

Each row begins with two consecutive SC sts but ends with the ch, sc pattern. I have added => and <= arrows to show direction stitches are worked.

In both charts you will see the vertical pattern is a SC above a Sp (space).

I also agree with MGM that the difference in appearance when worked in the chain is also pretty. When working in the space, any color change becomes more pronounced and the rows become interlocked or woven in appearance.

Sorry, I could go on all day and sometimes I have. :oops:
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#11

OK, so now I know that I was doing it wrong. I should have been working “in the space”.

What will the pattern say if I am supposed to work “in the chain”?

#12

It just occurred to me that the little picture that shows up with my name here on the forum is of a baby blanket worked in woven stitch! It is also the header of my website. I have some pictures of other woven stitch afghans I have made as well on my website under crochet pictures if you want to see the multi-color version.

THIS post has pictures of several.

I love doing this stitch in multi-color because of the way it makes the color interlock, like Jack said. I just love this stitch…what can I say? :aww:

MGM

#13

Thanks for all your help, Mary Grace and Jack! :slight_smile:

:muah:
I was so surprised when they asked me to blog for them. It was a brand new thing, and I couldn’t believe they picked me to be their first blogger. It’s very exciting getting packages of yarn and patterns from them each month. I choose the projects myself, and get to keep the stuff I make. Can’t beat that!

Up until now, I couldn’t really afford to buy enough yarn to make a whole sweater…unless I was willing to settle for the colors and styles of yarn that were on clearance. Now, I can choose any Bernat yarn I like. I’m really enjoying making pullovers and cardigans and stuff to wear. I’m learning a lot!

This month, I decided that this was a good chance for me to learn to crochet as well, since I’ll have a deadline to complete the project. Otherwise, my crochet attempts would sit ignored for months. So, the Bernat Blog has been good for me. :thumbsup:

All I need to do now is learn to budget my knitting and crochet time, so I can also keep up with my charity projects that were already in the works. :wink:

#14

Hi Sandy!

If you’re supposed to work “in the chain”, it will say “work in ch”, as opposed to “work in ch sp”. I wouldn’t worry about it. You’ve invented a “modified” stitch! I think your dishcloth is pretty the way it is. But, if it bothers you, frogging crochet is soooo much easier than frogging knitting (IMHO). Keep on hookin’!!

#15

Thanks Melanie! :hug:
I like the way my cloth looks, so I’m gonna continue making it the “wrong way”. :teehee: I’ll make another one after this the [U]correct[/U] way. :thumbsup:

Yesterday, I got my package of stuff from Bernat to make the crocheted bath set. :woohoo:

So now, I’m making a simple, single-crochet washcloth also. It’s fun to learn a new craft! :cheering:

#16

Well, now that you’ve shown the pictures of your package, I am totally jealous! I love working with cotton and that bath set would be so fun to do!

Your single crochet cloth is coming out great…nice straight edges! Have fun with it and keep showing updates!

MGM

#17

I’ll be happy to share my leftover yarn with you!
You can have the pattern book too, when I’m finished.
:heart: :muah: :heart:

#18

If you’re serious, I’ll take you up on that! I’ll pay the postage! Just let me know when you’re ready to ship and I’ll send you money. Thanks so much!

MGM

#19

Of [B][U]course[/U][/B] I’m serious! :slight_smile:
I’ll let you know when I finish my project.
If you have a Paypal account, we can do the postage that way.

#20

Good for you! I LOVE Bernat yarns!!! If you need any help testing any yarns, you just let me know! :wink: