Tag crochet

CO Monday: a Plethora of Interim Projects

remilyknits 6 Comments

I’m done with my project for Challenge #2 of The Fiber Factor!  I still have to film the video for judging, and mail the sweater off … but for all practical purposes I’m done.  So, time to catch up on some neglected projects, right??  Wrong.  Time to cast on three new projects, yay!

For what it’s worth, I also pared down my Ravelry queue and went through my stash and put a LOT of things up for sale — see something you like? PM me on Ravelry!

Here are my new projects, in order of casting on.  (I cast on TWO after midnight, the night I finished my FF project.)

#1 — My very own Oswin, using A Hundred Ravens Alfar. Oswin is a crochet project. No, really!

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#2 — I’m using Malabrigo Mecha in Arapey to make Hester’s Hope, a shawl from the latest “What Would Madame DeFarge Knit?” book.

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#3 — After a false start with a too-colorful yarn, I settled on The Fibre Company’s Road to China Light in Malachite for Sivia Harding’s new cowl pattern, Lorelei.

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Tips and Tricks: How to CURVE8

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In the not-to-distant future, I’ll be releasing a new pattern via Knit Picks IDP.  The Mhara Baby Blanket features a cool wave embellishment that is worked as you go.  Here is a little “sneak peek” of the pattern, in the form of a video tutorial for how to work the CURVE8 embellishment stitch.

 

Tips and Tricks: Crochet Cast-On

remilyknits 7 Comments

One of my favorite cast-on techniques for small items where the edge will be seen is a crochet cast-on. It creates a flexible, sturdy edge that looks exactly like a traditional bind-off. After watching some friends, I realized that I do it a little differently than other people.

2714 cast-on edge

Above: crochet cast-on edge

Below: traditional bind-off edge

2715 bind-off edge

See how similar they are?

You can watch the video …

… or read through the photo tutorial.

Step #1: Make a slip knot and put it on your crochet hook (the hook should be about the same size as your needle).

2716 slip knot on crochet hook

2718 tighten slip knot

Step #2: Hold the knitting needle below and parallel to the crochet hook, making sure to have the working yarn behind the needle.

2721 position knitting needle

Step #3: Wrap the working yarn around both the needle and the crochet hook (under and in front, over and behind)

2722 wrap yarn

Step #4: Pinch the yarn and knitting needle with your left hand; use your right hand to pull a loop through with the crochet hook.

2725 pull loop through

Result: one st on needle, one loop on crochet hook, one loop of edge created

2726 one stitch on needle

Continue: Wrap yarn around both needle and hook, then pull a loop through

2727 wrap yarn for 2nd st

2728 pull loop through

Result: two stitches on needle, one loop on hook, two loops of edge created

2729 two sts on needle

Continue in this manner until you are one stitch short of the total needed  (N-1) on your needle.  Slip the loop on the crochet hook to the needle — this is the final stitch.