Star Stitch scarf

I was enjoying the star stitch and decided I'd go ahead and make a scarf.

Details:
Size: 6" x 60"
Hook: H
Yarn: Vanna's Choice Dusty Blue

Amount used: two full skeins (7 ounces)

I worked 136 rows, but if you have more yarn you could make it longer.

The way I worked the stitch was basically Teresa's method. I worked the star stitch on one row and the next row was 2 hdc in the eye of each star with one hdc on each end of the row as well. Her video demonstrates it perfectly.

Here is a closeup of my scarf.

Many years ago, I received a baby afghan from my cousin for my new baby daughter. It was made in the star stitch. Since that time, I've been wanting to learn it, but just never took the time until today. So there ya go. It's never too late to learn something new. :-)

Also, here is the completed teddy bear afghan. I thought I had posted it here, but I see I did not. I used a faux picot border (sc, ch 2, sc) in same stitch, then sk 1 and repeat around.

Happy crocheting!

Star Stitch

Just to let you know in case folks are following who are not commenting. I'm going to change my mind about the "when" of posting new squares. One square a week may work sometimes, but other times I may need less time to complete a square, depending on if I am just making a square or if I'm making a scarf.

Today I am starting what I think will be a square. LOL It is the Star Stitch on p. 131 in the photo guide book. However, if you don't have the book it's not a problem because I am actually referencing a couple of online sites to work this.

The first is Teresa's video demonstrating a square worked in two colors. She also uses a hdc rather than sc as in the book. I actually like this better even though hdc is not my favorite stitch. I also like that she says at the onset it will be a 6" square and it looks like that is what I will end up with using a chain of 24 and an H hook.

About.com also has a tutorial with photos. She uses a slight variation from what Teresa does if I am getting it right. Teresa appears to go into the previous star in three places and Sandi Marshall goes into two. This will affect your starting chain so you have to decide which way you're going to do it. I am using Teresa's method.

There is also another video I looked at which begins with a row of sc and also shows the ch-3 as a turn rather than as new yarn joined, which  might be helpful if you're making a square with one color - as I am doing. She uses Teresa's method of going into the previous star twice. I might mention that if you use that method - which I am also doing - you need to pull that final loop up a bit so it's not too tight for you to insert your hook into.

I'm still working on this square myself so I will post photos when I'm done. I am using Vanna's Choice Dusty Blue for my square or whatever it ends up being. LOL

I've marked several squares in the book that I intend to work, most of what I think will be challenging, like cables, for example. I have found I couldn't work the star stitch while watching TV. heh It requires concentration to work the first couple rows and I think these others will be the same.


Happy crocheting!

Bullion Block Heart Square

I came to the computer a half dozen times to write this post and each time - distracted! I have to learn to focus. heh

So we're now into another week and I am going to share the heart square pattern made with the Bullion Block Stitch. I can't say I think this is the best square I've ever done, but I think it looks like a heart. I tried a larger heart and can post that one also - maybe tomorrow - but I wasn't any more pleased with that one. Heh You be the judge. If you need further instruction on the Bullion Block Stitch, I have a tutorial at Crochet Cabana in the Stitches section.

Oh before I do that, I'll show you the edged pink teddy squares. They are not joined yet, as you can see. Oh and did you notice the naughty teddy standing on his hand in the previous picture of the squares? My daughter caught it.

Here's the pattern below for an 8" heart square using the Bullion Block Stitch. The photo is not great. I need to work this with a lighter colored yarn which shows up the stitches better. The square is actually red. I colored it blue so you could see the stitches. You couldn't see them at all in the red one.

Love from the Heart Square (small square)

Materials:  H hook and worsted weight yarn

Size:  each square is about 8”

Special Stitch:
Bullion Block Stitch (BBS) – Make a dc in stitch indicated, * yo and insert hook to the right of the post of the dc just made. Go under the post, front to back, yo and pull through. Repeat  from *, working around post for a total of 4 repeats ( 9 loops). Then yo, insert hook in next stitch, yo and pull through all loops. You may Ch 1 to close if you want to, or go right into the next stitch. If you choose to ch 1, you will have a loop at the side of your stitch.

Stitch Abbreviations:
BBS – Bullion Block Stitch
ch- chain
dc – double crochet
sc – single crochet
Note: the dc in the BBS is NOT included in the dc stitch count in this pattern. It is considered part of the stitch.

Ch 26
Row 1: dc in back loop of 4th in ch from hk and in each chain across, ch 2 or 3 (use whatever brings you up to correct height but be consistent), turn (24 dc)

Row 2: sc across, ch 2, turn (24 sc)

Row 3: dc in each of next 10 stitches, work BULLION BLOCK STITCH over next two stitches, dc in next 11 stitches, ch 1, turn.

Row 4: being careful not to skip any stitches, sc across, ch 2, turn. (24 sc)

Row 5:  dc in each of next 8 stitches, work BULLION BLOCK STITCH over next two stitches, dc in each of next 2 stitches, work BULLION BLOCK STITCH over next two stitches, dc in each of next 9 stitches, ch 1, turn

Row 6: sc across, ch 2, turn (24 sc)

Row 7: dc in each of next 6 stitches, work BULLION BLOCK STITCH over next two stitches, dc in each of next 6 stitches, work BULLION BLOCK STITCH over next two stitches, dc in each of next 7 stitches, ch 1, turn

Row 8: sc across, ch 2, turn (24 sc)

Row 9: dc in each of next 4 stitches, work BULLION BLOCK STITCH over next two stitches, dc in each of next 10 stitches, work BULLION BLOCK STITCH over next two stitches, dc in each of next 5 stitches, ch 1, turn

Row 10: sc across, ch 2, turn (24 sc)

Row 11-12: repeat row 8-9

Row 13: dc in each of next 4 stitches, work BULLION BLOCK STITCH over next two stitches, dc in each of next 4 stitches, work BULLION BLOCK STITCH over next two stitches, dc in each of next 4 stitches, work BULLION BLOCK STITCH over next two stitches, dc in each of next 5 stitches, ch 1, turn

Row 14: sc across, ch 2, turn (24 sc)

Row 15: dc in each of next 5 stitches, work BULLION BLOCK STITCH over next two stitches, dc in next stitch, work BULLION BLOCK STITCH over next two stitches, dc in next stitch,  work BULLION BLOCK STITCH over next two stitches, dc in next stitch, work BULLION BLOCK STITCH over next two stitches, dc in each of next 6 stitches, ch 1, turn

Row 16: sc across, ch 2, turn (24 sc) [If you are close to 8” here, you can skip the sc row and go straight to the dc]

Row 17: dc across, do not turn

Edging:   sc evenly around work (see below).

Tips for Edging:
Generally, I work my edging or border with a hook one size smaller than the one I use for the body. In corners you need extra stitches. One option is to  work 3 sc. Another is to work  (sc, ch 1, sc). If you feel you need more to make that turn, try (sc, ch 1, sc, ch 1, sc).  I find when I use a chain in there, the chain has more “give” and helps the turn. What you’ll need depends on your tension.

Quick ref:

Ch 26
Row 1: dc in 4th ch and across
Row 2: sc across
Row 3: 11 dc, BBS, 11 dc
R ow 4: sc across
Row 5:  9 dc, BBS, 2 dc, BBS, 9 dc
Row 6: sc across
Row 7: 7 dc, BBS, 6 dc, BBS, 7 dc
Row 8: sc across
Row 9: 5 dc, BBS, 10 dc, BBS, 5 dc
Row 10: sc across
Row 11-12: repeat row 8-9
Row 13: 5 dc, BBS, 4 dc, BBS, 4 dc, BBS, 5 dc
Row 14: sc across
Row 15: 6 dc, BBS, 1 dc, BBS, 1 dc, BBS, 1 dc, BBS, 6 dc
Row 16: sc across, [If you are close to 8” here, you can skip the sc row and go straight to the dc]
Row 17: dc across
Edging: sc around, working additional stitches in corner.

I'd love some feedback on this square. If you hate it, don't think it looks like a heart, think it's wonderful, don't like the hook size or the stitch or whatever, please leave a comment or e-mail privately at my gmail.

If you don't want to tackle a new stitch, you can make the first squares on pages 42-43 in the The Complete Photo Guide to Crochet.

Those are simple sc, hdc, dc, and tr patterns. You don't have to make them square. You could make them rectangular.

That brings up a good question. Since no specific chain is given in these squares, how do you make a "square"? Making a square is really not that difficult. You just measure your width after you've made a number of rows. Then you continue working until your length is equal to your width. However, making all the squares the same size would be a challenge since different stitches work up differently even with the same foundation chain number.

I will post how large mine are and perhaps that will help.

Here is a photo of the larger square. If you think it looks like a heart, I'm happy to post that one also. It's about 9".

I haven't gotten any teddy square pictures, but feel free to send me any photos at any time.

Happy crocheting!

last day for the Teddies...

I had intended to start the week off with a new square pattern, but because of circumstances beyond my control I had no time today and am exhausted. (Termite guy accidentally busted a water pipe... all is well now, sort of.)

Since Mondays are generally not good days to start new things, I think I will start a new pattern on Tuesdays. If I have designed a new pattern, I'll share it. If not, I'll choose a pattern or two from the book The Complete Photo Guide to Crochet.

If you have a photo of your Teddy Bear square that you would like to share please forward it to me or if you've already shared it on your own blog, please send me the link. I'd love to see it.

I've begun to border my pink squares in white and think I will just whipstitch them together. Yes, I'm taking the lazy way out. In my defense I did want it to be sturdy and whipstitch is a sturdy join, in my opinion. Single crochet would have done well also and I'd have used it if I had made 12 squares. I don't have any more pink though so am going with the whipstitch. I'll post a photo when it's done.

Happy crocheting!