One for the Knitters

I've been asked to share with you a very cool website that has over 150 knitting tutorials. A number of them are videos so you can actually see how to do the thing you are trying to do. You can learn English or Continental stitches (in case your pattern calls for one as opposed to the other), casting on, binding off, knit stitches, purl stitches, and a number of patterns.
Here is the website: www.knitpicks.com/Tutorials/Knitting_Tutorials.html
In fact, although my mother tried to teach me casting on, I never quite understood it. I checked out the "long-tail cast on" and said, "I can do that!" If it helps me, it's a great resource.
Check it out to learn something new or improve a skill and happy crafting.

Easy poncho

I have a round afghan that, when folded in half, drapes over my shoulders and keeps me toasty warm on a cold day. Believe it or not, warmer weather is coming. What if a double layer of crochet is too much?
Let's say you have a pattern for a round afghan that you would be willing to wear. The trick to making it a poncho is simply not to sew up the last seam.
A similar thing works for a rectangular pattern. Granny squares lend themselves to a poncho-type garment. Sew the pieces together in the usual flat way, but only sew half of the center seam. You could even close the sides if you want - with room for the hands to stick out, of course. If you want to make fewer seams, you could make three pieces: a larger one to cover your back and two half-sized pieces for the front.
Once you work it up, you'll be set for the early spring temperatures.
Happy crafting,
Kathi

Snow

Whatever you happen to think of snow personally, it certainly makes a good excuse to sit and crochet. This is the season for large pieces - things that would be too hot to work with in the summer. In hot weather, I would rather make small pieces or work on little motifs for the big things that will be sewed together later. But this is the time to make the all-in-one-piece afghan that beckons from the back of the couch on a chilly day or the heavy shoulder wrap that keeps you warm when you have to let the dog out the back door.
I have no recommendations or specific patterns in this blog. You know what you've been wanting to do and have put off because it was too hot outside or didn't fit in the car on vacation. Pull that project out and watch the snow drift by while piles of soft, warm, twined yarn keeps you cozy.
Happy crafting.

Rag Rugs

I just finished crocheting a rag rug to lie in front of the bathroom sink. It took one king-sized sheet and one twin bed sheet torn into about 1 1/2" strips. I connected the srips together by cutting a small slit in the ends and looping them together the way you loop rubber bands together - running the tail through the head. If you want to see a demonstration of the technique, you can watch Rag Crochet Annie's Do-and-Learn Way video.
The pattern I had was for an oval rug. Had I followed the directions exactly, I believe I would have had too many increases at each end, giving my rug a ripple on both sides. When you are working a pattern, and you don't think it will come out the way you want, change the number of stitches until it does come out right. You can easily back up and fix things too, if you need to. That is one of the best things about crochet. It's easy to fix.
The rug is worked in double crochet with a Q hook. I worked around both sides of the starting chain for the inside and worked seven rows around after that. It's about 2 1/2' by 3' so I got a pretty decent-sized rug without investing a lot of time or energy.
The worn cotton of the sheets makes a soft, cushy rug. If you use heavier material like denim, you'll get a firmer, more sturdy rug. (Either cut narrower strips or use an S hook.)
Rag rugs are fun, versatile, colorful, washable (depending on the material), and make good use of stuff you would ordinarily throw in the trash.

I'll bet some of your friends wouldn't mind having one or two and might be persuaded to give you the shirts from the backs of their closets if you asked.

Happy crafting.

Big Hook Crochet

What if you need an emergency afghan? Don't laugh. It can happen.

First you grab a B-I-G hook. I mean an N, Q, or S. You'll use two or three strands of worsted-weight yarn held together or one of the bulky types now on the market.
You can use any pattern that comes easily to you. Measure the foundation chain and first row to make sure it's the width you want and just go until it's as long as you want.
There are patterns on the internet called "4 1/2 hour afghan" or "5 1/2 hour afghan". I found both at www.lionbrand.com. For another way to search patterns, you can use the word "quick" as in "quick crochet", but any pattern will do from simple single crochet (which looks pretty interesting done on a large hook) to ripple to a fancier pattern.
Hope you get to enjoy the process without any emergencies pushing you to get it done.

Happy crafting.

Finger puppets

Tonight I thought it would be fun to look up crocheted puppets. Honestly, I thought I would find some hand puppet patterns - and maybe I didn't look far enough. (We'll check for them for next time.) http://www.crochetpatterncentral/directory/finger_puppets.php. gave me some wonderful, fun finger puppet patterns that are very fast and easy to make. My favorites are the Barack Obama and John McCain finger puppets, six Harry Potter characters, and one called George the Hairy Monster finger puppet. Dumbledore has a long, white beard and George the Hairy Monster is made from fun fur or eyelash yarn.
Maybe you can look them over and get some ideas of your own.
Happy crafting.

Cold Floors

Winter. When I hit the bare floors with my bare feet, I know for certain which season it is. So maybe crocheting can provide me a remedy.

If you have any old clothes hiding in the back of the closet, you can cut them into strips. www.about.com suggests that your fabric be cut on the bias so it won't ravel too much. Sew the ends of the strips together to give the best strength and the longest wear. Single crochet the rug in any shape that suits you. The oval ones are pleasant to look at but might not serve the purpose for which you are making it. For instance, I might be inclined to make a simple rectangle to lie in front of the sink. www.crochetcentral.com has patterns for using yarn to make rugs. There are dozens of patterns. Some have loops, or designs crocheted into the body of the work, or simple and fast ones.

If you want to try another type of craft with the same strips, you can try your hand at a braided rug or a simple woven rug. The library can furnish you with patterns and techniques for all of the above either in-house or borrowing from another library. www.youtube.com has videos showing how to make rugs on looms or with braids, and www.ehow.com shows how to make a braided rug lay flat.