Beginner's Luck

This one was made using Premier Everyday Dots in color Sleepytime. I discovered a whole bunch of skeins of this yarn in different colorways so I'll be making many of these small blankies for Project Robby.

 If you find the picture looks a little off it's because I took the picture upside down and had to turn it in Paint Shop Pro. Oops.

I used a G Bates style hook from Polymer Clay Shed. I've bought many hooks from her and she's wonderful to work with.

The size is 12 1/2". 

The pattern is the Beginner's Luck with a chain of 53 and a dc border around to finish it off. I started with one row dc and after finishing the last pattern I started the dc border so there are two rows of dc top and bottom when that is done. I've worked it different ways depending on my mood. :-)

Beginner's Luck is a very old pattern in the leaflet Knit and Crochet Afghans vol 768 Brunswick 1990. You may be able to find it at Etsy or Ebay. 

I've also seen the pattern under other 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 or 3 + 1 if you start in the 3rd chain. You could also start with a foundation dc instead of chains.

The finished size depends on what yarn and hook you are using. The important thing is to measure your width and make sure your length is appropriate for your width. 

Here are some possible starting chains going into the 4th chain from hook. That means you will end up with 2 fewer stitches so if you're using a foundation dc keep that in mind.
20 (possibly a good one for a swatch),
38, 53 (17 V’s, 7 patterns), 59, 62, 98, 113, 122, 131, 140, 152, 161

I love this pattern and have used it probably hundreds of times through the years, making different sizes depending on need.

Happy crocheting!

Sandie

Which Way Filet

Yarn: Vanna's Choice Pink and leftover white (probably Hobby Lobby)

Hook: J

Pattern: Which Way Filet (Fiber Spider)

Size: 11 1/2" 

I did this little blankie in just a few hours watching the video and pausing when I needed to. Then adding the borders.

Happy crocheting!

Sandie

Beginner's Luck

I try to remember to put the hook with the blankie pictures but many times I forget. I thought I'd share a picture of my Laurie Whitaker hooks. I use these quite often and have most in sizes H and I.

Here is my latest blankie. I did not use the above hooks for this one.

Size is 11" x 11 1/2". The pattern is the Beginner's Luck I mentioned in a recent post. Yarn is Premier Anti-pilling Everyday Dots in color Candy.

Another Beginner's Luck. This one in color Primary. Size is 12" x 12 1/2". The difference in size is due to the dc border. 

I have more of the Dots yarn so I'll be making more of these. I have discovered that the Bates style hook works better with this one. It doesn't split as much.

Happy crocheting!

Sandie

Call the Midwife

Here's another Call the Midwife. I have two skeins of this color in this yarn so you may see more.

Foundation chain is 70. Hook is a G/4.0mm from my Bella Coco set..I used an F hook for the border.

Pattern is Call the Midwife (reference: Fiber Spider's video). I added a round of sc and then a round of 3dc shells, skip 1, sc in next. In corners I used 5 dc. I had to do some fudging to get it to come out so my corners would be the same. 

Yarn is Premier Anti-pilling Everyday Dots in color Candy. It's a #3 weight yarn. 273 yds per skein. I used less than one skein.

Finished size is about 15 1/2" x 16".

Happy crocheting!

Sandie

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