Hooked on Needles

Saturday, August 22, 2009

Learn to Crochet Jacob's Ladder - Video Tutorial

There are so many wonderful sources for creative inspiration around these days, whether it be magazines, shops, what the person in front of you in the grocery store check-out line is wearing, websites, the paper band on a skein of yarn, you name it! I love poking through KnittingHelp.com to see what other people are doing, or what people are having trouble doing. Just recently, someone was having a problem with a crocheted afghan pattern, so I offered to help.

Here's what I came up with...


Jacob's Ladder Crocheted Multi-color scarfOh no, it's not an afghan!


Jacob's Ladder Crocheted Multi-color scarfBut I suppose if you are a very long, skinny snake, it could be an afghan!


Jacob's Ladder Crocheted Multi-color scarfNope, I'd have to say, it's definitely not an afghan.


Jacob's Ladder Crocheted Multi-color scarfBut don't you just love the colors?

I took a look at the link to the afghan pattern that was provided and discovered that it is the pattern called Jacob's Ladder. You can click HERE for the full pattern.

For the small sample I was going to use to make the following video, I decided to just whip up a little section of the pattern with only one ladder in it. I liked working on it so much that I dug up more leftover yarn and kept on crocheting! When I was finished, I had a fabulous and colorful scarf that should be very warm and cozy, not to mention quite eye-catching! It's approximately 6 1/2 by 80 inches and machine wash and dry.

OK, back to business! This pattern could be done using one color of yarn throughout or multiple colors. It lends itself nicely to the using up of scrap yarn - a real stash-buster! It would be nice in yarn weights from baby all the way up to chunky, using the appropriate sized crochet hook for the yarn chosen. Of course the beginning chain length would need to be adjusted depending on the size yarn used and the desired finished size.

The Jacob's Ladder pattern is a very simple combination of double crochet and chain stitch, with an easy single crochet edge at the end. Once the pattern is established in the base row of the piece, it is the type of project that you really don't have to give much thought to as you are working on it. If you are using up leftover yarn, you could just crochet until one color runs out and then add in the next color. This project was a nice break for me in between working on the knitted lace shawl that requires total concentration and no interruptions!

Here is a not-so-little video on how to work the Jacob's Ladder crochet pattern. I guess I was feeling a bit loquacious when I made it!

In the video, I use safety pins at the end as the pattern recommends to keep the ladder from unraveling. In hindsight, however, I would recommend using locking stitch markers such as those you can see on the knitted lace shawl post, or just a scrap of yarn tied in a bow at the top of each ladder. Safety pins can get caught in your yarn and can sometimes be hard to remove as you are crocheting along.




I hope you find this video helpful!

Happy Stitching!


Click here to return to HookedOnNeedles.com


Labels: , , , , , ,

4 Comments:

  • Thanks Mary Grace. I'm a beginner crocheter (at best) but your tutorial was clear and I think I can do this! :-)

    By Blogger Rumi, At August 22, 2009 at 8:57 AM  

  • omg, that is absolutely fascinating! i love jacob's ladder! and i feel like we just spent the morning together! ☺ thank you, as always, for the time you take on these tutorials...you are truly the most generous person...

    By Blogger Purple and Paisley, At August 22, 2009 at 10:45 AM  

  • Loved your tutorial for the Jacob's ladder, Mary. I've heard about it, but had never seen it crocheted before. You do fabulous work, Mary, and I loved all the colors. Thank you for making crocheting fun! You're so talented.

    By Anonymous Pat, At August 22, 2009 at 1:12 PM  

  • Mary Grace!

    Thank You so much... Right now, the beginning of " Jacobs Ladder " is laying in a pile with my the yarn to finsih it... Now I can get it to again and FINISH IT! Then start a new one with colors I want!!!

    THANK YOU AGAIN!!!

    Susan

    By Anonymous Anonymous, At August 30, 2009 at 10:59 AM  

Post a Comment

Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]



<< Home


 

 

Newer Posts Home Older Posts
Copyright ©2010 HookedOnNeedles.com. All rights reserved.