Misc info and Beginner's Luck

As I was going through old blog entries to find the Beginner's Luck pieces, I ran across this. I've seen this question asked many times in various places. I don't know where I got this information from but use it as you will. 

Two strands of #1 fingering equal one strand #2 sport.
Three strands of #1 fingering equal one strand #4 worsted.
One strand of #3 DK and one strand of #1 fingering equal one strand #4 worsted.
Two strands of #2 sport equal one strand #4 worsted.
Two strands of #4 worsted equal one strand #5 bulky.

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You might remember me posting how to make 3 strands out of one so you can work with one skein instead of three. The procedure is called Navajo plying or chain plying. Here's a video demo by Donna over at Naztazia . And another by Hooked by Robin. And another by Fiber Spider. 

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Another thing I was reminded of is how to crochet WITH your tails instead of sewing them in. You can see that here at Hooked by Robin. Others have shown it too I'm sure.

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And here are two more Beginner's Luck wee blankies. See the last post for details on the pattern. Yarn and hook are the same. This is the last of the pink Basic Stitch yarn. Each blankie took one skein (185 yds). I had a tiny ball left. The white is just a bit of leftover white.

Happy crocheting!

Sandie

Beginner's Luck

Oombawka has this nice article on crochet stitch anatomy. Even though some of it is basic I thought it might be a useful bit of information for those new to crochet and those who might like a reminder.

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Here is the latest thing off my hook. 

Hook: H hook by Laurie Whitaker

Yarn:  The pink yarn is Lion Brand Basic Stitch anti-pilling in Baby Pink. Skeins are 3.5oz and 185 yds. I used the entire skein. The white is Paintbox Simply Aran. It was a leftover skein and I just used a bit of it.

Pattern: Beginner's Luck which is a very old pattern from way back. You may be able to find it at Etsy or Ebay. It's in the leaflet Knit and Crochet Afghans vol 768 Brunswick 1990.  For the border on this one I used a round of dc in pink and then a round of sc in white.

I've also seen the pattern under different names. Basically it's a row of dc, a row of V stitch, a row of inverted V stitch (decrease), and another row of dc. The multiple is 3 + 2 if you start in the 4th chain from hook. I used a foundation chain of 53 for this wee blankie which is 15" square.

I've used this pattern so many times, making different size projects. It's one of my favorites as once you've completed the first pattern you need not refer to the pattern again. It's mindless - to me anyway. The thing to remember is that the first V stitch goes into the first stitch after the turning chain. Otherwise your count will be off. Rows start and end with a dc or turning chain.

I've worked it different ways depending on how many colors I am using. Sometimes I use two rows of dc between patterns and sometimes one. 

Here is one from 2024 using Lion Brand Mandala Sparkle in color Draco. The chain was 98 and it is about 26".

The blue and white one below is from 2020. The size is 48″ x 64″ with a foundation chain of 160. I used Premier Everyday Snow White and Azure. I used 7 skeins of each color (about 1400 yards, 28 ozs.)

I've even used this pattern for scarves. Here's a red one from 2023. The size is 6″ x 61″ with a foundation chain of 212 with an H hook. The yarn is Paintbox Simply Aran in color Rose Red. I used two skeins.

I remember working on afghans using this pattern when I was pregnant with my son (1990). I was bedridden and a friend would pick up my daughter for preschool. I made her three children afghans with this pattern as a thank you. 

Happy crocheting!

Sandie

Call the Midwife

Call the Midwife mini-blankies.

Yarn is Mary Maxim Starlette in color Pale Petal Pink. You need two skeins. I used an H hook as suggested on the label.

Chain is 70. I followed Fiber Spider's video. Finished size for the larger one is 20" square. I did a round of sc in pink, white, and pink again. The one below that one is smaller, about 17" x 19' so it's not square. 

Isn't it funny how the color shows up differently in each picture even though it's taken on the same sofa in the same room but on two different days? The top one was taken last night and the other one this morning.

This is such a nice pattern. It's simple once you do one repeat. You just follow what you did on that one. No need to continue following the video or a written pattern. You just have to be careful and pay attention to what you're doing.

Happy crocheting!

Sandie

Lucet and i-cord

My husband made me a lucet fork so I needed to learn how to use it. A lucet is used to make I-cord.

I watched two good demonstrations. The first one is by Goodknitkisses . She shows you how to create a few other items that can be used as a lucet fork - including an actual fork!

The second one is by Craig at Fiber Spider. I use a lot of his videos so had to include him here. He demonstrates how to cut your cord and fix it so it doesn't come undone.

Another one is by Coco Crochet Lee using the Furls lucet fork. This is a shorter video so you may need to pause it to give you time to follow.

Another way to make I-cord is to use a knitting mushroom. This is a fun thing to do and now and then I pick my mushroom up and play. My problem is I never know what to do with the cord when I'm done. LOL Note that the lucet uses two prongs and the knitting mushroom uses 4.

I did make a short cord with the lucet but I'm terrible at it. LOL I need more practice. If you decide to try it I would not give up but keep at it. 

Happy crocheting!

Sandie

paint party scarves

Paint Party scarves

Hook: I/5.5mm
Pattern: straight dc, 20 stitches across, 110 rows
Size: 7" x 62"

Last of the Paint Party yarn.

I hook by Laurie Whitaker in Peep pattern.

Ch 22, 20 dc across for 105 rows.

Finished size: 7" x 59"

Happy crocheting!

Sandie