Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Stitch-A-Long: Rows 4-23





You might be thinking that it is crazy that we only finished Row 3 and we are already moving onto Rows 4 through 23!  The fact is that I have taught all of the stitches in this piece, now it is just a matter of trucking along and completing the rows.
I have been given some feedback on my instructions, which I greatly appreciate.  This is my first time doing a stitch-a-long, so I am more than open to hearing a bit of feedback on how I can improve on instruction.  PLEASE let me know any questions you might have and anyway that I might help.

Okay, on to Row 4:
Row 4: Ch 2, (counts as first Dc), skip st and Dc in each Hdc around. Join with sl st to top of Ch 2. (55 Dc)


Some of the feedback I received was that it would be helpful to rewrite the row without abbreviations, but with the full stitch name.  So, this row revised would be:

Row 4:  Chain 2 (counts as first double crochet), skip stitch and double crochet in each half double crochet around.  Join with slip stitch to top of chain 2.

So, this row is the exact same as Row 2.  You have already done this row before, so this should be familiar. 

Row 5 and 6 is just repeating this same row. 

Row 7 is repeating Row 3.  If you remember this is Row 3:
        Chain 1, (counts as first Half double crochet), skip stitch and Half double crochet in each
        around. Join with slip stitch to top of Chain 1. (55 Half double crochets)

Row 8 is repeating Row 4.

Row 9 is using a Single Crochet. We did this for Row 1:
          Chain 1, Single crochet in each Double crochet around. Join with slip stitch to Chain 1

Rows 10-17 is repeating Rows 2-9

Rows 18-23 is repeating Rows 2-7

At the end you fasten off.  I admit that I do not fasten off the way you are technically supposed to.  I cut the yarn and leave a decent amount of length.  I pull the long yarn tail all the way through the last loop on my hook.  Once I pull it through I pull the yarn through a yarn needle, loop it back to the opposite side and knot it.  It's not the "technical" manner to finish, but I feel that it keeps the piece secure and tight.  Be sure to do this with the tail at the beginning of your piece. 

The GREAT thing about this cowl is that it is a lot of repetition, so you get a great opportunity to practice the main stitches of crochet. 

Below are some refresher videos to remind you of how to do each of the basic stitches.  I have already completed my cowl and I plan to take a picture and post it.  My husband isn't here right now to take the pic for me :-) 

I have heard very little feedback on how things are going.  If anyone has questions will answer them in the next post.  Let me hear them

CHAIN


 SLIP STITCH


SINGLE CROCHET


HALF DOUBLE CROCHET

 DOUBLE CROCHET



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11 comments:

  1. Can you please let us know how big your cowl turned out to be? (The amount of inches from top to bottom?) I want to know if I'm on track! I can't wait to see finished pictures.

    By the way, you can find lots of free patterns for cowls (and other stuff too) on the Lion yarn website. They have some cute ones that work up really fast if you use a thick chunky yarn.

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  2. I just started mine tonight (had to get the materials) and I'm on row 4. I had a bit of trouble with row 2, but I think that's because of the yarn I picked (Lion Brand Homespun.) The nubbiness of it made it difficult for me to find the individual stitches. I also seem to have 2 extra stitches per row, but that would just be a counting error on my part...I think I made a larger chain than I had to. Oops!

    Thanks for pointing this project out! I'm making it as a present for my best friend (and then one for myself!)

    ~maggyruth

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  3. i found your blog through "vintage revivals"...super fun idea!!! i use to love to crochet and haven't picked it up in a while. maybe this will inspire me! i am going to get the stuff this week and give it a go! :)

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  4. I just found your blog and the project through the Boy Trifecta, but I'm working to catch up! This will be a great gift for my little sister. :)

    Danielle

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  5. I finally found the time to finish up my cowl last night...its amazing and so easy to make. Also I got a chance to wear it today... it's raining again in Southern California^_^

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  6. I picked the Lion Brand Homespun, too, and it's REALLY hard to see what you're doing those first 2 rows because it's so twisted and nubby (but it's SOOO SOFT so I couldn't resist). My sticking points are 1) connecting the end of each row (I can't really tell what I'm supposed to be doing, so I'm just winging it...) and 2) what do the pattern changes mean? I'm a person that likes to know WHY. What do the changes between Double Crochet and Half Double Crochet do to the fabric?

    I'm enjoying getting back into crocheting. Been knitting for years and am loving this stitch along. Thanks!

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  7. I am enjoying the stitch along too . . . and I also choose Lion Brand Homespun and have also been struggling with really seeing the stitches - and I may have added a couple extra stitches along the way too. Luckily because I don't really know what I am looking at it looks alright to me. Ha!

    I would love a little more info on how to fasten off. Also, what do I do with the "tail" that is at the beginning of my project.

    ReplyDelete
  8. I finished mine awhile back, but forgot to come back and share the finished project! It's a great pattern!

    Danielle @ FromATangledSkein.blogspot.com

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  9. I just found your blog and this pattern and I can't wait to go get some yarn and try it out for myself. I learned to crochet a while ago but never got past sc and dc, but I'm getting back into it and trying to learn more. Your step-by-steps are so clear, this will be really helpful since I'm not familiar with all of the stitches in the pattern. Thank you for posting this!!

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  10. I just found your blog and LOVE IT!!!!!!

    Can you direct me to where to find the first few rows of directions for this?!
    :-)

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  11. I just found your blog and LOVE IT!!!!!!

    Can you direct me to where to find the first few rows of directions for this?!
    :-)

    ReplyDelete

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