Thick Enough Crochet
For nearly ten years I've enjoyed a crochet technique that has no catchy widely recognized & exclusive name. I'll list some candidates here and see if you recognize any. Be careful though, most of them are used for more than one kind of crochet: Thermal Stitch, Potholder Stitch, Helena's Potholder Stitch, Double Layer Stitch, Double-faced Single Crochet, Doubleknit Crochet, and Waffle Stitch.
I happen to think of it as "Helena crochet" because of how I learned it. It's a no-brainer for cowls because it comes out so thick and dense, but it's so much more!
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You can have each side come out a different color, like I did for my "Coffee Service for One" published by Lark Books in Kooky Crochet.
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It's so stable that it's self-blocking--such as with vinyl filament Jelly Yarn(r).
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It's so-darn-strong that it stars in the very first design of mine ever published: the Laptop Messenger Bag, published in the Oct. 2005 issue of Hooked On Crochet.
See more photos in this Flickr set: http://www.flickr.com/photos/vashtirama/sets/72157625239975665/ (By the way, a record number of links were not clickable in the previous newsletter, even though I double-checked them. From now one I'm including the URL of each link, and if it's not clickable for you, you can cut and paste it into your browser window. I apologize for the inconvenience.)
The technique is commonly referred to as a stitch, and most often uses single crochet, even though one could use other stitches. The basic idea is that each row of stitches is as if welded, bonded, seamed, or intermeshed with nearby rows, like a doubleknit fabric.
How to Do it:
Classic Single Crochet Version
If you would like to end up with a neckwarmer and you're new to this, start with a smooth, light-colored medium weight yarn (preferably silky or woolly) and a size US-J9/6mm crochet hook. If you'd rather have a potholder, use a smaller hook and cotton yarn.
The pattern below might be very clear for you. If it isn't clear, it's not you, it's just a different way of looking at stitches that can sound weird when put into words. If someone demonstrated it in person or with a good video, you'd get it right away! I'll be publishing some patterns that explain it fully.
Chain any number you like for a foundation chain until it's about 9 inches long.
Row 1: Single crochet in the second chain from the hook and in each chain across. Chain 1, turn.
Row 2: Single crochet in the back loop only of each single crochet of row. Notice the ridge of front loops that you didn't crochet into? These will matter in Row 3. Chain 1, turn. Now notice that the ridge of front loops are at the back of your work. These are the "unworked loops" of Row 1 stitches.
Row 3: Insert crochet hook in the back loop only of the first single crochet AND in the unworked loop of the first stitch of Row 1, yarn over hook and pull loop through these two stitches, then yarn over and pull through the two loops on your hook to complete a single crochet. *Single crochet together the back loop only of the next Row 2 stitch AND the unworked loop of the next Row 1 stitch (i.e. the stitch that's one row below). Repeat from * for each stitch of row, chain 1, turn.
Row 4: Single crochet together the back loop only of the first stitch AND the unworked loop of the first stitch that's ne row below, *single crochet together the back loop only of the next stitch AND the unworked loop of the next stitch one row below. Repeat from * for each stitch of row, chain 1, turn.
Repeat Row 4 until your neckwarmer or potholder is as big as you wish.
Using plain single crochet is the easiest way to learn it. You can see why some folks prefer double crochet though: once you get the hang of it, you want the rows to be taller so that you get somewhere faster! Also, I simplified Row 2. Often, Row 2 is worked like Row 3, but it's too confusing if it's your first time.
I always giggle to myself when I think my crochet isn't thick enough, because crochet has often been accused of being "too thick." Too thick for what? Compared to what? I've heard it from many knitters--but also some crocheters--when comparing knitted versus crocheted clothing.
Sure, some crochet is too thick for some things, so is some knitted fabric. Fashion designers have been showing crochet on the runway for years now, so I guess it's not too thick for them. Or for Hollywood celebs :-)
That's it for now! If you know someone who would enjoy this kind of newsletter, please forward this to them so that they can subscribe. If you have any comments or suggestions, please email me. Thanks! --Vashti |