Learn Drop Stitch Crochet by Kim Guzman

Do you remember broomstick lace? It's a kind of crochet worked around a broomstick handle or a large knitting needle to give an openwork design.

Kim Guzman has turned this technique into a drop-stitch look that makes some interesting designs. Along with the basic tutorial pages, you will find patterns for wraps, a jacket, scarves and a hat, a tank top and cowl.

They are cool designs and worth a look. Currently this book is in the new book section at the library.

Kathi Linz

Broomstick Lace

http://www.redheart.com/free-patterns/broomstick-lace-baby-blanket

I can't exactly call broomstick lace a "hybrid" craft, but you do need both a knitting needle (only one) and a crochet hook.

You'll use a size 50 knitting needle to make loops and then you remove the loops a few at a time - usually 5 loops - and hold them together. Next you crochet the same number of single crochet into the the top of the loops. So if you remove 5 loops from the knitting needle at a time, you will crochet 5 sc into the top of those loops. You work five loops off of the needle at a time until you finish all of the loops.

Next you will use the crochet hook to go through each single crochet and pull up a loop and slip it over the needle until you have one loop for each sc. Do taht process over and over and you will end up with a scarf, a shawl, a throw, or and afghan, depending on how wide you make your rows and how many rows you work.

About as clear as mud?  Check out the link to the free tutorial from Red Heart Yarn above. They explain it better than I do. There is even a link through their website to a video tutorial. If you are a visual person, as I am, you will be able to watch how the stitch is done.

Happy crafting,

Kathi Linz

Heading into Winter

Now that there's a bit of a bite to the air, doesn't this look cozy?  I love making useful things out of scrap yarn, and this looks like a perfect way to use it.

This one is for the crocheters (from Lion Brand Yarn).



http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/L10566.html?noImages=

A very fast one for knitters done on size 50 needles.



http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/L20110.html?noImages=

Personally, as a crocheter, I would use size 50 needles to make broomstick lace. 



This is easier than it looks.  You can find tutorials on various websites and blogs or on Youtube.  If you have an interest in learning to do this particular technique, please bring yarn, a J or K crochet hook, and a size 50 knitting needle - you only need one needle - to the Knit and Crochet Night meetings on the second and fourth Thursday of the month at 6:30.  I will be happy to show you.

Happy crafting.

Kathi