Wednesday 9 March 2016

Crocheting... UPDATED

At last, using both the book and on-line resources, I have managed to get started, using dishcloth cotton as it helps me see better. As you can see, the bottom is wider than further up and I didn't know why initially. As it will be a dishcloth thought I would carry on:
After the foundation chain of 25 stitches, I read that the first stitch on the next row begins on the second stitch in. Of course, without thinking, I carried on doing that for 4 rows, losing 4 stitches in the process, hence the wider beginning. I now only have 21 stitches left but have got to grips with the problem after looking on-line again.

So question 1: would you normally add an extra chain at the start of the work i.e. want to make something square with 25 stitches, do I chain 26?

The book, being American uses different names for the stitches so I have a decision to make. As I don't plan at the moment on making too many things with this craft, there are loads of American patterns on-line.

Question 2: do I just learn from the book and call the stitches what they do? Or, do I change the names of the stitches in the book to UK and go from there?

So many decisions at the moment, hence another reason for doing dishcloths until I can get to grips fully with beginning, working and ending!

My left hand, which holds the hook, is very relaxed. My right hand, which keeps the tension etc., isn't, so I can still only do about 4 rows before having to stop due to pain at the base of the thumb, blasted arthritis.

The difference though, is that each row of crochet is about 2-3 rows of knitting so it should grow faster methinks.

I have just finished my first practice 'square'. It is 14cm x 14cm, a bit small but just about decent enough a size for a dishcloth.
Onwards and upwards.


8 comments:

  1. Quite often a pattern will say to miss out the first stitch of the new row (i.e., start in the 2nd stitch rather than the 1st), and then do your final stitch of the row in the top of the previous row's turning chain. So in other words you're missing out a stitch at the beginning, but adding one on at the end of each row, this keeps the same number of stitches and the work straight throughout.

    When I'm following a pattern with US terms, I change it to UK terminology before I start, otherwise I end up forgetting and doing a mixture of US and UK stitches....not good!

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  2. I would never have the patience for such work as this m'dear, thinks I'll stick to gardening, morris minor restoration and walking ;-)

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  3. If I'm starting a dishcloth I add one stitch to the beginning row. The mistake you made is very easy to do and I wouldn't worry about it. Consider it a practice cloth.

    This link converts us stitches to uk stitches. Hope it helps. I love crocheting and always have one or two projects going.

    http://www.simplycrochetmag.co.uk/2013/07/04/uk-and-us-crochet-conversion-chart/

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    1. Thanks for that Jacque. The book I am using adds the extra chain at the beginning of the row, whereas I naturally add it at the end - gulp!

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  4. When I write a crochet pattern I would say something like Chain 10, skip first two chains, Treble into next stitch, repeat 7 more times which would give you a total of 8 trebles and one chain of two stiches which I would then count as a treble. These are all UK terms I should say. So, if you start with a chain of 25, skip the first two stitches, that would mean you would then treble 23 stitches, on the next row you would work 24 trebles because you would work one into each of the treble stitches and one into the top of the chain two which would be counting as a treble.

    As for the terms, basically US terms are half of UK terms, so a UK Treble is an American Double Crochet, a UK Double Treble is an American Treble.

    If you get a basic book it will usually tell you both conversions, and many patterns - sorry to mention it again, but such as mine - will give you a conversion of both ways of doing the stitches. I also have conversion charts on my blog for stitches and hook sizes because US and UK are different hook sizes too!

    I hope that helps, drop me an e-mail if you want any more help! Also you can find me on Ravelry as lovemademyhome if you are on there.

    Most of all good luck and enjoy it!!! Keep practicing and it will soon come. Working with sturdy yarn making something like a dishcloth is a great place to start!! Have fun!!! xx

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  5. I have arthritis in both my thumbs and my wrists, but I rub Voltarol 12 hour gel on my joints and then wear fingerless neoprene gloves whilst I crochet, it really helps!
    Your dishcloth is better than the first thing I made when I returned to crocheting after a break of thirty odd years, don't be disheartened at all, practice makes perfect!

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  6. I remember when my dad's sister didn't have much money. She love giving everyone Christmas gifts. She would buy the cheaper washcloths and crochet ruffles around the washcloths to give as dishcloths. The ruffles made it pretty and also like a scrubby to clean the dishes. Everyone loved her gifts because she put so much love into them.

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    1. That is a nice idea and so simple to do.

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