In my crochet classes we are working on a scarf pattern by Lion Brand Yarn. The pattern says it only requires "one ball" to complete the scarf. However, one of my students ran out of yarn half way through.

Lesson: Be sure to check the pattern for the amount of yarn required. The yarn my student was using comes in skeins of 3.5 oz (147 yrds). The yarn the pattern suggests comes in skeins  5.3 oz (312 yrds). This is something you will want to remember when selecting yarn for your projects.

A friend told me about this fabulously fun yarn, and I just had to try it out for myself. It looks a bit intimidating, but it actually works up quite nicely.

For my sample, I used a size G/6 (4mm) hook to work the half double crochet stitch in the round (see pattern below) to make a small dish scrubby. The yarn has a sturdy cord which has a tiny bit of stretch (that was a nice little surprise!), and the cord is easily seen through the sparkly "hairs."

I highly recommend this yarn! Experiment with a dish scrubby or other fun craft project, and let me know in the comments how it turned out.

Fiber Content:	100% Polyester
Skein Weight:	3 oz (85g) ball
Yardage:	174yd (159m)
Recommended Crochet Hook:	5.5 mm (US I-9) hook

Small Scrubby Pattern

Ch 3. Join with sl st in first ch to make ring. Ch 2.

Note: Pattern is worked in a continuous round. Do not join between rounds. Place a stitch marker to mark the first stitch of each round.

Round 1: Work 10 hdc in ring. (10 hdc)
Round 2: 2 hdc in each stitch around. (20 hdc)
Round 3: Hdc in first st of Round 2. *[2 hdc in next st. Hdc in next st]. Repeat from (*) to stitch marker. (30 hdc)
Round 4: Hdc in first st of Round 3. Hdc in next st. *[2 hdc in next st. Hdc in next 2 st]. Repeat from (*) to stitch marker. Join with sl st in first hdc of Round 4. Fasten off. Weave through ends.

Personally, I get so excited about starting a new pattern, I usually skip over the instruction: "Check Gauge." It sounds too time-consuming, and a waste of perfectly good yarn. Alas, it is quite useful when deviating from a pattern's suggested yarn. Allow me to explain...

Perhaps you would like to crochet a simple winter scarf, and the pattern you're using suggests a Medium Weight Acrylic yarn and a size H (5mm) hook. However, you have purchased a Bulky Weight yarn (simply because it was absolutely the softest yarn and the colors were perfect for a splash of color with your otherwise dreary winter wardrobe), and the label suggests using a size K (10.5mm) hook. The finished project, according to the pattern, is a scarf measuring 7" wide and 70" long.

The problem: If you use the hook the pattern suggests, the scarf will be too small. If you use the hook the label suggests, the scarf will be too big. What should you do to satisfy your inner Goldilocks?

The solution: Crochet a gauge.

Start by working a swatch in your soft, beautiful, bulky yarn with the size hook suggested for the gauge in the pattern. If your swatch has the same measurements shown for the gauge, then everything's Jake! Otherwise, you'll need to keep trying until the hook used produces a swatch measurement matching the gauge. Yes, it's time-consuming. Yes, it uses some of your precious yarn. However, you will end up with a lovely scarf you are proud to say you made, instead of one you might give to Papa Bear.

Pictured: 3 Rows, 10 Double Crochet

Top Left: Medium (4) Cotton, Size H (5mm) Hook
Bottom Left: Medium (4) Acrylic, Size H (5mm) Hook
Top Right: Bulky (5) Acrylic, Size F (3.75mm) Hook
Bottom Right: Medium (4) Acrylic, Size K (6.5mm) Hook

When starting a project that requires two or more skeins of yarn, be sure to check the Lot number on the label to make sure the skeins you purchase came from the same dye lot. Even though the yarn has the same color name, it will look very different between lots. In the photo, the name of this yarn color is Polo. The Lot number is 1401A.

I was looking for the perfect pattern for placemats and coasters for a Fall table setting. Alas, I had to design my own. Of course, I used I Love This Cotton Yarn - it is quite soft - and I worked the placemats in three colors simultaneously for thickness and visual texture. Below, I've pictured the pattern chart for the coasters.

Pictured Placemat in I Love This Cotton Yarn in Brown, Sage, and Ivory. Coaster in Brown.

Dishcloth: Single Double Crochet Pattern (Free Download)
Yarn: Cotton Medium (4) Weight
Hook: Size H (5mm)

Chain 25
Row 1: sc in 2nd  chain from hook.  Dc in the next.  [sc, dc] all the way across.  Dc in the last stitch.  Chain 1, turn. (24 st not including ch)

Row 2: Sc in first dc.  [dc, sc] across. Last stitch should be dc. Chain 1 and turn.

Repeat Row 2 until dishcloth measures 8”.

As a check while working the pattern, begin each row with a sc and end each row with a dc. A dc is worked in each sc, and a sc in each dc, with 1 chain at the end

Optional Edging: To add second color, sl st in last sc of last row. Sc in each stitch around dishcloth. Sc, ch 1, sc in each corner.

Fasten off. Weave through ends.

Pictured Dishcloth   
•    Yarn: I Love This Cotton Yarn in Ivory. Edging in Burnt Sienna

My cousin gave birth to her second little boy... last February! It has taken me that long to complete this baby blanket. I'm quite embarrassed about this fact, because the pattern is quite simple (and it's free, so be sure to follow the link). The versatility of this pattern is fabulous. I've used if for blankets, wraps, scarves, and even place mats. It works up nicely in a variety of yarns.

You will need to know the Double Crochet stitch for this pattern. Below is a short tutorial.

Double Crochet Stitch:



The diagram above shows how to make a double crochet stitch, beginning from a foundation chain.

1. Yarn over. Insert hook in fourth chain (three chains make the first double crochet in the row). Yarn over, and pull loop through chain.
2. You should now have three loops on your hook.
3. Yarn over and pull through the first two loops.
4. Yarn over and pull through last two loops.
5. To start the next stitch, yarn over, then insert hook in next chain stitch and repeat steps 3 and 4.

Remember to get your free pattern, and please leave a comment if you have any questions. Or email me at Lyza.Fairview@gmail.com.

Blanket in photo was crocheted using:

• Yarn: I Love This Yarn in Cranberry
• Hook: Size J (6mm)

Simple Dishcloth Pattern
Yarn: Cotton Medium (4) Weight
Hook: Size H (5mm)

Chain 25



Dishcloth pictured above was crocheted using:

• Yarn: I Love This Yarn in White

I crochet. And I write. Hence, the creation of this blog. Welcome.

By definition, a craft is "an activity involving skill in making things by hand" a "skill in planning, making, or executing." I don't particularly care for the word "craft," just because of the images it conjures. I like to think of myself as an artist, but I must concede I am a craftsman: a person whose occupation requires skill with the hands. (I realize craftsman is not politically correct. I'm a woman. But I think craftwoman just sounds silly.)

A simple search reveals, "art forms move people on an emotional level whereas crafts attract people." My desire is to create a site which does more than attract people. While I hope to use this site to help others hone the skills and techniques in crocheting, I also hope to inspire the way of a simpler life: a quieter, slower, more tranquil life.

So sit back and relax. Put your feet up, grab your favorite yarn and hook, and let's create something beautiful.