I love The Crochet Answer Book
and have referred to it often. It was one of the first books I bought when I first starting crocheting, and I’d have to say it’s been one of the most used. However, I do have a difference of opinion on one of the solutions in the book:
Q: Is it possible to stitch into a row of backwards single crochet*?
The book says “no”, which is technically true, and that it’s meant to be the final row in the piece, but if you do the backwards single crochet in the front loops only then at the end of the row begin working in the normal direction and single crochet in the back loops, you can indeed place the stitches anywhere in the piece that you wish. So, technically, you can’t crochet into the backwards single crochet stitch, but you can crochet into the single crochet stitch that you put in the back loops. This leaves only a slight space between the rows, but depending on what look you’re going for, it works.
Perhaps the answer to the question as it is asked is correct, but from my own experience as is described above, it is possible to put the crab stitch someplace else besides the edge.
*(also known as knurl stitch & crab stitch)
Hairpin Lace Goodies
Awhile back, when I first picked up a Susan Bates Hairpin Lace Loom to give this technique a try, I ran across a book in Amazon called “Learn to do Hairpin Lace”. The book is out-of-print, and at that time, there weren’t any available to purchase. I put it in my Wish List so I could remember it later.
Recently, when I was looking through my Wish List and saw that there was a posting for the book available through the Amazon marketplace for a price that I felt was more than reasonable, I decided jumped on the chance to purchase it.
The package came the other day, and it felt a little lumpy, so when I opened it, I was pleasantly surprised to find another hairpin lace book in the package with the one I’d ordered, as well as a Clover Hairpin Lace Tool. All three pieces are in excellent condition; I really don’t think any of them have ever been used. If they were, it wasn’t for long.
So for about 10 bucks including shipping, I ended up with two books on a technique I want to do more with, as well as a loom that is totally different than the one I already have. Not bad, if you ask me. Now, if I can just get my hands on one of the handcrafted looms, my hairpin lace needs will be complete. At least for awhile. Some day, I hope to have enough skill and knowledge about this technique to pass it along to others in my classes and/or the local guild.
Between the Lines Scarf
Deb recently released her latest pattern, the Between the Lines Scarf. And since I really can’t put it much better than what I’ve already written in my Ravelry projects, I’ll just quote it here:
I enjoy testing for Deb. She’s inventive, original, and always comes up with some of the greatest things, including this scarf. It’s really fun to work up since it uses color changes and crocheting between the stitches which result in a fabulous accessory that you’ll want to make several of to add to your wardrobe. Make it skinny or make it fat–both options are easily done in the same way. Oh, and forget making a really long chain; this pattern uses the foundation stitch, instructions which are included with the pattern.
I used different yarns than the Homespun called for in the pattern, and I really like the contrast in textures. My daughter took claims on this one, so I’ll have to make another one for myself, and possibly even one or two for the local charity our crochet guild is making items for.
I know it probably sounds like I’m talking about someone I’ve known forever and trying to promote their stuff, but truth is, Deb and I have only “known” each other a short time. I posted to her blog earlier this year about testing a pattern for her, and since then, she has begun testing for me. Through emails and Twitter, I’ve grown to know her a little better, and she’s not only a great designer, but she’s also a great person. If you haven’t checked out her blog, why don’t you head on over to her place? Neatly Tangled << psst…click that to get there)
Enjoy!
Is it just me, or would this sweater shawl be perfect for cool autumn days & nights? It was advertised in the latest catalog from Annie’s Attic. I’d really like to purchase the pattern, but I really hate to pay the postage amount for something so light-weight. It’s a shame they don’t have a PDF version. I’ll have to put it on my “must-have” list and order it when I order something else from there.
Recently, I decided to open an Etsy shop to sell my patterns and other crochet-related crafted items. I did so because in an attempt to get rid of the middle man–ie: those who get a percentage of my sales–I learned that there’s not a way around this, not that I found anyway. I tried a program through my site host but it was still going to route me through PayPal for payment, so not only was PP going to get a percentage, I was going to have to pay the host a monthly fee whether I sold anything or not. I was also mislead into believing that I could accept credit cards through this hosted store front. Okay, that information wasn’t misleading because I would have been able to accept forms of payment like that BUT it wasn’t until I read the fine print that an SSL certificate would be needed, as well as a gateway. More money to spend to make money. In the end, I realized it was just cheaper to use the middle man and continue to post my patterns here on my web site with a link to PayPal, as well as through Ravelry, whom I don’t mind receiving a percentage of my sales because they are an awesome marketing tool to say the least, and now Etsy, because it gives me the ability to sell more than just the patterns. The main thing I don’t like about Etsy is their search engine, as well as the fact that a person has to continually post items on a daily basis to stay on top enough to be seen on the Etsy site. I just figure I can market my stuff on my own through my blog and such. It sure beats paying for a lot of stuff I don’t need, like an SSL, a monthly store front fee, and a gateway.
If you want to visit the store, you can: The Crochet Studio’s Patterns & More Store. There’s not much there right now, but as things get added, I’ll advertise here on the blog. You can always favorite the store, too. Hint.
Happy Shopping!
I finally found a blog template that I really liked and was able to tweak it enough to suit me. If you check it out, let me know what you think.
Personally, I think things are easier to find and the sidebar isn’t so run-on-ish. The layout just seems a lot cleaner. And of course, it has some pinks and greys since they’re my site colors. But one of the things I like most about it is that it’s totally compatible with the latest version of WP, which my old layout was not.
Now to make up for all that blog time with crochet time!
I finally completed my first of several scarves that I’ll be doing for the 60 Scarves in 60 Days Challenge. This scarf was created for one of the charities the local crochet guild is crocheting items for and will be given as Christmas gifts. Now I just need to make a hat to go with it.
Chain-Free Basic Charity Scarf
Even though this is a very basic scarf, I wrote up the pattern for those who like to have one to go by. It’s offered as a free PDF download on both my pattern page and in my Ravelry store. One note: It does use the chain-free double crochet foundation stitch rather than a foundation chain.
To make a more feminine scarf than the one shown, just use different colors to match the personality of the woman in mind.
As of this post, this pattern has not been tested because it was fairly easy to write, but if you have any questions, please feel free to drop me a message.
Enjoy! And Happy Giving!
The Frilly Filet Heart Doily has been in the works since the middle of August. Deb was nice enough to test it for me, as was one of the members of the local crochet guild, Connie. I finally got the corrections made, and have now released the pattern in Ravelry and my web site. It’s a fun and fairly simple filet crochet pattern–especially for someone who wants to learn to filet crochet–that would make a great gift for someone you care about, including yourself!
Special thanks to Deb & Connie for testing this for me!
Enjoy.
I should have mentioned in my last post about the Baa Little Sheep pattern that it was tested by Deb over at Neatly Tangled. She’s been helping me out a lot lately with my testing needs. She and I seem to make a good team.
Thanks for all your help, Deb!
Who can resist a cute little sheep, especially those of us who have a fondness for all things fiber-related! This little guy and gal were created with that spirit in mind. You can purchase this pattern on Ravelry or on my Patterns page here on The Crochet Studio site. For just $3, you can own the pattern and make your own family of sheep. Attach a keychain finding and you have a place to keep your keys, attach a magnet to the back and you have a fridgie, or attach it to a scarf or hat and you have a sheeply embellishment. Enjoy!
techniques | Tracie | 
October 22, 2008 9:53 am | 
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