Learn to Crochet - Woven Stitch video tutorial

Woven Stitch in Crochet is such a versatile stitch, and one of my very favorites. A great stitch for the novice crocheter, it only uses chain stitch and single crochet. I've shown many examples of Crocheted Woven Stitch here, and one of them you see every time you visit Hooked On Needles. It's that scrumptious baby blanket in all those delicious colors on my website header! The afghans I made for my two younger children, shown HERE, were also crocheted in Woven Stitch. I made a crocheted scarf for the Special Olympics using the Woven Stitch, crocheting the length of the scarf instead of the width for a very interesting effect. More recently, the Big Black Scarf was made using Woven Stitch.

Way back when I first started offering tutorials here at Hooked On Needles, I did a picture tutorial on the Woven Stitch. But I thought it was high time I offered a video tutorial for those of us who learn better by actually seeing something done. So here it is...


Before you jump into the video, I thought I would show you a project that my daughter is working on right now. This is a scarf she is making using Red Heart Soft yarn and a size I hook. You can see just how tight her stitches are in this picture. Not a space to be found! This will be one cozy scarf!

Now on to the video...



Here is the video sample after a few more rows have been completed...

You can see the difference between my sample and the scarf my daughter is working on. I used a size K hook and I crochet a lot more loosely than she does.

With this Woven Stitch, you can also substitute any other stitch for the single crochet. For example, you could use half double crochet in this pattern in place of each single crochet. This would give you a softer and looser fabric. You could even substitute double or triple crochet for an even lacier look and feel. Try out different height stitches using the Woven Stitch pattern and see what you like best for the project you want to make.

Here's one more tip: When working your beginning chain for the Woven Stitch, you can count multiples of three if you want and then add the extra two, but it really is not necessary unless you need to repeat exactly the same thing later on. What I do is just work my beginning chain until it is as long as I want the width of my piece to be, then I start crocheting. If there is a chain leftover at the end of the first row, I will either un-do it and turn it into a knot, or I will work it into the border that I work around the piece at the end. I find that much easier than doing all that counting and worrying about one or two chain stitches!

Coming up soon will be a video tutorial on the Crocheted Basketweave Stitch and a handy tip for those who suffer with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. Oh yes, and my 500th post giveaway...can't forget that!

Happy Stitching!

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Learn to Crochet - Decreasing in Broomstick Lace Video Tutorial

Broomstick Lace can be used to make a variety of items such as vests, scarves, blankets, sweaters, hats...patterns are available free on the internet or in books and pamphlets where you buy your yarn and needles.

Recently I offered a video tutorial on the basics of crocheting Broomstick Lace which you can find by clicking HERE. Today I have a short video showing how to decrease in Broomstick Lace. Take a look and see how easy it is...




Decreasing in Broomstick Lace might be necessary when making something that requires shaping such as a sweater or vest, or a shawl that would be made in a triangular shape.

Soon I'll be sharing a video on how to increase in Broomstick Lace too, so stay tuned for that.

Happy Stitching!

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Learn to Crochet - Broomstick Lace Video Tutorial

Here's an oldie, but a goody, for you crocheters out there...Broomstick Lace! This method of crochet got its name because back in the day a broomstick would have been used to hold the large loops on the loop row. These days there are so many different sizes of large knitting needles made of so many different materials that it really is not necessary to use something as large as an actual broomstick, unless of course you are making something extremely wide such as an afghan.

To work Broomstick Lace, you will need a large knitting needle such as the size 19 which I use in my video below, whatever yarn you want to use, and a crochet hook in a size to match the yarn you are using. You can use a smaller knitting needle or a bigger one, or a sanded wooden dowel or broomstick, or anything that gives you the size loops you want for your piece and won't snag your yarn.


In this sample piece, I have shown what Broomstick Lace looks like when it is worked with five loops, three loops, through both loops of the previous row stitches, through the back loop of the previous row stitches, and combined with other stitches such as double crochet.

Starting from the bottom of the picture, the first row is worked using half double crochet in groupings of five loops. The next row up was worked by pulling the large loops through both loops of the previous row half double crochet stitches resulting in no horizontal line between the two rows. The third row up was worked by pulling the large loops through only the back loops of the previous row half double crochet stitches resulting in the horizontal line between the two rows. The fourth row from the bottom was worked by stitching through five loops for the first and last sections and three loops for the sections in the middle resulting in the same overall stitch count, but having more sections on the row. After two rows like this, I added in two rows of double crochet, chain 1, then worked one last row of Broomstick Lace.

Broomstick Lace is always worked from the front, so you never turn your work. It is similar to Tunisian Crochet in this way. There are two parts to a row of Broomstick Lace, the loop row where you pick up a loop in each stitch and put it onto your knitting needle or broomstick, and then the crochet row where you work the same number of crochet stitches into a group of loops as the number of loops you pick up. You can work single, half double, double crochet or any type of crochet stitch on the crochet row, depending on the look you want to achieve. You can also pick up any number of loops for each section as long as you work the same number of stitches into each section as the number of loops you pick up.

If you've never tried Broomstick Lace, this all may seem very confusing, so here is a video demonstrating the basics of Broomstick Lace so you can see how easy it really is.


Broomstick Lace would be a nice stitch to use for a scarf, shawl or wrap. It would also make a thick and cozy lap blanket. Working Broomstick Lace in finer yarns will produce a lighter fabric with a lacier look, and using heavier yarns will produce a fabric that is quite thick and warm. Try experimenting with different yarns, different size loops and using different stitches on the crochet row to see what fun results you can get.

Happy Stitching!

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Learn to Crochet - Forked Cluster Stitch

It's been a little while since I added a new crochet stitch to my library of video tutorials, and I've been working on a crochet project that incorporates a stitch that I have yet to demonstrate. What a perfect opportunity to share it with you! So here it is...


This is called the Forked Cluster and it is a variation of double crochet where the bottom part of the stitch spans two stitches, but the result at the top is just one stitch. This makes for a very tight crocheted fabric and an interesting upside down V design.

Here's a quick little video demonstrating the stitch...




The project I'm working on in this video is not quite finished, but as soon as it is, you can be sure to read about it here!

Happy Stitching!

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Learn to Crochet - Chain 3 Scallop Border Video Tutorial

Recently I began working on my first Crocheted Oddball Blanket, this one called Butterfly Kisses. All the others I have worked on have been knitted blankets with a crocheted border, so this is a little bit different in that the blanket itself is crocheted and then it has a crocheted border. Another difference is that I get to collect the crocheted blankets and donate them to my local CareNet Center so some new moms will have little handmade blankets for their new babies.


After crocheting the last section of this blanket, I worked 3 rounds of single crochet around the whole thing.


I like how the 3 rounds of single crochet give the border a substantial base on which to sit, and it extends the border a little bit, allowing it to make more of a statement and finishing the blanket off nicely.

Here's a little video showing how I worked the very simple chain 3 scallop border on this blanket...




I hope you find these videos helpful. I know some people just learn better when they have someone sitting right there with them, and sometimes a video on the internet is the closest a person can get to that these days.

Here's the finished border:


My section was worked in Bernat Softee Baby Soft Lilac, just as the rest of the blanket was worked, in rows of double crochet. At the top you can see the 3 round of single crochet, then the last round of the Chain 3 Scallop border.


And here it is all finished and ready to be washed and delivered to some lucky new mom for her very special little baby.

Happy Stitching!

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Learn to Crochet - Slip Stitch Cord Video Tutorial

A few weeks ago, I shared a link to Daphne's Crochet Cords Tutorial which shows 3 different types of crocheted cords. Below you will find a video showing how to crochet the first of these cords called the Slip Stitch Cord.




Crocheted cords can be used in many different ways but I think the most common is as a drawstring in a bag or purse. I have also seen cords used as decorations on hats, scarves, pillows, sweaters and other items too. Formed into decorative shapes, the cord is stitched onto an item using little tacking stitches or basting stitches and matching colored thread or yarn.

There are many ways to crochet or knit cords and I will be showing you how to do some of them in the coming weeks.

In the meantime, make sure you sign up for my 300th post giveaway to win a set of handmade dish or washcloths in your choice of colors. #300 is fast approaching so don't wait!

Happy Stitching!

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Circus Circus Oddball Baby Blanket Complete - Crocheted Wavy Border

Once again, a crocheted border around a knitted blanket gives it the perfect finishing touch.

Just recently you saw the oddball baby blanket called Circus Circus after all the knitting had been completed. The colors that each knitter chose to work with were all so bright and cheerful and conjured up happy Circus-like images.

The border has now been added in an equally cheerful color using a fun, and easy, crocheted wavy stitch which you will find below.


Here is Circus Circus in all its happy cheerfulness. The variety of stitches and colors really makes it a fun and uplifting blanket and I just know it will make some little baby very happy.


This crocheted border begins with 3 rounds of single crochet to provide a solid base for the wavy stitch.


Then the quick-to-stitch decorative wavy border is added for the final round. Here's how it is worked:

After completing one or more rounds of single crochet (3 in this case), begin the wavy border by working 2 Half Double Crochets (hdc), 2 Double Crochets (dc), 1 Triple Crochet, 2 dc, 2 hdc, 4 single crochets (sc). Work each of these stitches in a separate stitch. Repeat pattern around the blanket, working 3 of whichever stitch you are on in the pattern into each corner stitch. Join with a slip stitch after finishing the last repeat of the pattern close to the beginning.

My 300th post is coming up quickly, so don't forget to enter my giveaway. You could win 4 crocheted dishcloths in your choice of colors. Tell your friends too!

Happy Stitching!

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Learn to Crochet - Solid Granny Square Video Tutorial

The Traditional Granny Square that most people know is the one that has clusters of double crochets worked around the block, forming holes between each cluster. The Granny Square I am going to show you today only has holes at the corners, and one in the middle. The sides of the square are solid double crochets. This makes a much firmer and cozier blanket, and it is a square I prefer over the traditional granny with all the holes.


Here is a picture of my sample square that you will see me making in the video below. It has 3 rounds of stitching and it begins the same way as the Traditional Granny Square. The difference starts at the second round when each double crochet from the previous round gets a double crochet stitched into it. You can see in the sample that the first round has 3 stitches on each side. The second round has 7 and the third round has 11. You can make this square as big as you want it, ending after only 3 or 4 rounds and stitching a border onto it, or continuing until it is as big as a full size blanket. It is a very versatile square.

Take a look at this video to see just how easy it is.




I must apologize if this video seemed to end abruptly. I cut off the last portion of what I had taped and saved it for a future post since it seemed to be a good topic on its own. Plus the video was getting a little too long with that last segment included! So I will show you how to change yarn colors on this square, either from row to row, or within the same row, on the next post. You can get some nice effects with color changes on this block, so you won't want to miss that.

If this Solid Granny Square block seems familiar to you, it should be if you've poked around Hooked On Needles a bit. It is the pattern I used for my Pastel Squares Baby Blanket. You can find the written pattern in that post, but I noticed one difference. In the video, I used two chain stitches in each corner, but in the written pattern there is only one. For the Pastel Baby Blanket I did use only one chain in the corners. That is why the holes in the corners of each round don't show up much at all. You can practice this pattern each way and see what you like better.

Joining your Granny Squares with single crochet is a nice way to achieve a sturdy seam, but you can also whip stitch them together which is a technique I will be showing you in a near future video.

Happy Stitching!

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Learn to Crochet - Solomon's Knot Video Tutorial

A lacy crocheted scarf or wrap is sometimes just the perfect accessory for your spring or fall wardrobe, or a beautiful and thoughtful gift for someone special. Here is a stitch that works up fairly quickly and could be worked in a fine fancy yarn, or something big and chunky, and come out quite nice. It's called Solomon's Knot, and it's fun to do!


Here you can see the small sample I worked up and used to demonstrate the stitch in the video below. It looks complicated, but in fact is quite simple, as long as you pay attention to where you put your hook when making the knot.

Watch the video, and then grab some yarn and a hook and stitch along with the video until you get the hang of it. It's fun to do and turns out so pretty.

Solomon's Knot

Beginning chain is a multiple of 4, plus 2 extra.

Row 1: Single crochet (sc) in second chain (ch) from hook. Work a double knot (see video). Skip 3 ch, 1 sc in next ch, *1 double knot, skip 3 ch, 1 sc in next stitch.* Work from * to * to the end of the chain. Work 3 single knots for the 3-knot turning 'chain'. Turn.

Row 2: 1 sc in center of last double knot of previous row. *1 double knot, 1 sc in center of next double knot of previous row.* Work from * to * across the row. Work 3-knot turning 'chain'.

Turn and repeat Row 2 until desired length. End last row with a double knot instead of a 3-knot turning 'chain'. To finish, work (3 sc, sc in center of double knot) across and finish off.

I'll be using this stitch for a new project very soon. Have you ever used this stitch? What kind of project do you think it would be good for? I'd love to know what you think.

Happy Stitching!

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Learn to Crochet - One-color Traditional Granny Square Video Tutorial

A Traditional Granny Square is usually made with two or more colors of yarn and a contrasting border around the blocks and around the whole afghan. Sometimes, though, a solid color or single yarn granny square is desired. The method for crocheting such a square is a little bit different than for crocheting one where the yarn is changed after each round.

In yesterday's post, you saw some pictures of just such a granny square afghan, crocheted with pink and green for the blocks and black for the border.


Here is my sample block using blue for the middle and white for the border. This was crocheted with one length of blue yarn, continuing each round without cutting the yarn, until the last blue round was finished.


Here is the two-color block along side the all-blue block. The blocks are the same size because the pattern is almost exactly the same, the only difference being in how the rounds are joined and then the next one either started with a new color or continued with the same yarn.

And here is a little video showing just how to do a one-color or one-yarn Traditional Granny Square. You can find the written pattern below.

One-Color Traditional Granny Square


NOTE: Remember to stitch over beginning and ending yarn tails to save time later.

Chain 6. Join with slip stitch in first chain. (If you find the center hole too big using 6 chains, try using only 5.)

Round 1:
(Chain 3. Work 2 dc in ring) This forms a beginning cluster.
Chain 2. (Work 3 dc) This forms a cluster.
(Chain 2. Work cluster) 2 more times.
Chain 1. Join with single crochet into top of first chain-3.

Round 2:
Work beginning cluster.
(Chain 1. In next corner work cluster, chain 2, work cluster) 3 more times.
Chain 1. Work cluster in same corner as beginning cluster of this round.
Chain 1. Join with single crochet into top of first chain-3.

Next round:
Begin and end each subsequent round as for Round 2, working 1 cluster in all chain-1 spaces, 2 chains between clusters at corners and 1 chain between all other clusters until square is as big as you like.

For single crochet border, join with slip stitch in any chain-1 space. Chain 1. Single crochet into same stitch and each stitch and chain 1 space around. In chain 2 corners, work 4 single crochets. Join with slip stitch to beginning single crochet. Cut yarn and pull through.

There are many different stitches that can be used for granny squares and I will be showing some to you in the near future, along with several different ways to join granny squares and a few more Tunisian crochet stitches. I'll also be showing you a beautiful crochet stitch that I am looking forward to using in a project very soon.

Happy Stitching!

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Traditional Granny Square Pattern and Pictures

After looking at my recent post on how to make the Traditional Granny Square, I realized a couple of things. First is that I had neglected to provide the written pattern for the square. What was I thinking? If you continue reading, you will find the pattern written out for you to save and use as you like.

The other thing I realized is that you may not always want to make a granny square with a change of yarn after each row. So tomorrow I will give you a short video showing a different method of crocheting a Traditional Granny Square using the same yarn throughout. In the meantime, here is a piece of handwork you might enjoy seeing...



This is a very old granny square afghan crocheted with pink and green squares and a black border. This was made either by my grandmother or my Auntie, and I am very sorry to say I don't know which. Perhaps my dear mother could shed some light on that for me. I will have to remember to ask her in case she doesn't read this post! This is the afghan that made me realize that you might not want to change colors on each round and it might be helpful to see how to continue in the same color.


These blocks were bordered in black, continuing the pattern of clusters instead of a single-crochet border like I showed on my video. Once all the blocks were whip-stitched together (which I will be showing you later), the entire afghan was trimmed with two rows of the same clusters, then the decorative scallop border. Every stitch on this afghan is perfect and, despite having all the holes characteristic of the Traditional Granny Square afghan, it is quite warm and cozy.

Here is the crochet pattern for the

Traditional Multi-color Granny Square:

The video tutorial can be found HERE.

NOTE: Remember to stitch over beginning and ending yarn tails to save time later.

Chain 6. Join with slip stitch in first chain. (If you find the center hole too big using 6 chains, try using only 5.)

Round 1:
(Chain 3. Work 2 dc in ring) This forms a beginning cluster.
Chain 2. (Work 3 dc) This forms a cluster.
(Chain 2. Work cluster) 2 more times.
Chain 2. Join with slip stitch into top of first chain-3. Cut yarn and pull through.

Round 2:
Join next color with slip stitch in any corner.
Work beginning cluster, chain 2, work cluster in same corner.
(Chain 1. In next corner work cluster, chain 2, work cluster) 3 more times.
Chain 2. Join with slip stitch into top of first chain-3. Cut yarn and pull through.

Next round:
Join next color same as before.
Work each subsequent round as before, working 1 cluster in all chain-1 spaces, 2 chains between clusters at corners and 1 chain between all other clusters until square is as big as you like.

For single crochet border, join with slip stitch in any chain-1 space. Chain 1. Single crochet into same stitch and each stitch and chain 1 space around. In chain 2 corners, work 4 single crochets. Join with slip stitch to beginning single crochet. Cut yarn and pull through.

Tomorrow I'll be bringing you the video and written pattern for a one-color Traditional Granny Square, and then be on the look-out for a video on a Solid Granny Square. I'm not talking about solid color, but a granny square with No Holes! It's one of my favorites!

Happy Stitching!

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Learn to Crochet - Traditional Granny Square Video Tutorial

The Traditional Granny Square is probably one of the most crocheted designs known to man, woman or child. It is used to make full size afghans, baby blankets, handbags, scarves, sweaters, shawls, hats, stitched in all sizes of yarns and threads, in every color combination imaginable, and pretty much universally loved by all. Most people will tell you that a Granny Square afghan reminds them of their grandmother or their great aunt or some other special person of some previous generation. I don't think the Granny Square has ever really gone out of style though.

There are many different designs for a granny square but today I'm going to show you a Traditional Granny Square and then you can watch the not-so-little video and follow along with hook and yarn to make one yourself.


This is the front of my sample square, made with the Red Heart worsted weight yarn that I had left over from the Special Olympics scarves I made a few months ago. I used a size J hook. You can use any size yarn or thread that you like, along with a hook sized appropriately for your yarn. You can also use as many or as few colors as you like and combine them in any way that you like. My grandmother used to make granny squares with alternating variegated and solid rounds, in many different colorways. She would then edge each block in black and join them in quilt-like patterns. The contrast between the colors and the black was quite striking.


Here is the back. Notice that all the stitches show their front side on the front of the square and their back side on the back of the square. This is because, when crocheting a granny square, you do not turn your work. You simply continue crocheting in the same direction around and around until the square is as big as you want it to be. I've seen granny square afghans that are just one gigantic square, begun just like this one and continued until the desired size. Not much finishing work on an afghan like that!


Here's a close-up of the center of the sample square. I love how the clusters seem to be disconnected from the other clusters of the same color.

Now go grab some yarn and a hook and have your scissors handy. Turn up the volume just a bit so you don't miss a thing. Click the play button, and in about 20 minutes or so, you will have yourself a pretty little granny square.



I must beg your pardon for the very end of the video where I seem to not finish my train of thought. My memory card was full and I was just going to say that you can stitch over that last tail when you join your squares together but I couldn't get my words out quite fast enough!

You can find the written pattern for this granny square by clicking HERE.

There are many different kinds of granny squares. At least one other you have seen here on Hooked On Needles already, but in the coming days and weeks, I will be making videos for many of them so you can see how they are done and hopefully add them to your list of favorites.

Happy Stitching!

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Tunisian Short Row Dishcloth Video Tutorial

Not too long ago, Merry of the darling Noah's Ark Crocheted Blanket fame, contacted me and asked if I could help her with a new project she had found on Ravelry for a Tunisian Short Row Dishcloth. Since I had not yet covered Tunisian crochet here at Hooked On Needles, I used that request as motivation to begin some tutorials on a few of the basic Tunisian stitches before jumping into the dishcloth pattern. I have had such fun with Tunisian Crochet since then and with this dishcloth pattern in particular. I hope you give it a try and see if you like it as much as I do.


Here are a few pictures of my first dishcloth which I made just to make sure I could do the pattern myself before offering to help anyone else with it. It was pretty easy to pick up the technique and I thought the result was very pretty and different.


The six wedges of this pattern are all crocheted in one piece using a method of Tunisian Crochet called Short Row, which means just what is says...short or incomplete rows of Tunisian Crochet. The pattern is an original of Khebhin Gibbons who posted it on Ravelry as a free pattern. I contacted him and asked his permission to include the pattern here to go along with the video, since not everyone has or wants a Ravelry account. He graciously granted permission for me to reproduce his pattern here on my site, so now you can try it too. You can find the pattern after the video at the end of this post. Please make sure you give Khebhin credit for this dishcloth pattern if you share it with anyone else.


This is the completed dishcloth that you will see from beginning to end in the following video tutorial. I used a solid color in the video just so the picture wouldn't be quite so busy. It is about 9 inches across the middle so it is a generously sized cloth. It took about 2/3 of a ball of Peaches 'N Cream cotton yarn and I stitched it with a size K or 10 1/2 afghan hook. The single crochet border was worked with the same yarn and a size K regular crochet hook.

Here's the video, which I will warn you is quite lengthy for a tutorial, running just shy of 18 minutes. I tried to cover all the major points of making this pattern so that hopefully even a beginner would be able to crochet it. If you have never done Tunisian Crochet before, you might want to start out with the Tunisian Knit Stitch tutorial so you have a basic understanding of the technique. Also when you watch the video, you might want to click the pause button just after starting the video and allow most of the video to buffer before playing it. This should allow you to watch it without any odd little glitches caused from the buffering.

Tunisian Short Row Dishcloth

You will need:
1 skein of dishcloth cotton-variegated preferred
size “J” afghan hook
yarn needle

*Note: all return rows are done as follows: Yo, pull through 1 loop on hook. **Yo, pull through two loops on hook. Rep from ** to end.

Chain 15.

First Wedge

Row 1: Pull up a loop in 2nd chain from hook. (2 loops on hook). Work return as shown in notes.

Row 2: Pull up a loop in next vertical bar. Pull up a loop in next chain st. (3 loops on hook.) Work return row.

Row 3: Pull up a loop in each of next 2 vertical bars. Pull up a loop in next chain st. (4 loops on hook.) Work return row.

Row 4: Pull up a loop in each of next 3 vertical bars. Pull up a loop in next chain st. (5 loops on hook.) Work return row.

Continue as established, pulling up a loop in next empty chain st after all vertical bars have been worked until you have worked all the chain sts and you have 15 loops on the hook. Work a return row. (1 loop remaining on hook.)

Wedges 2-6

Work as for Wedge 1, but using vertical bars on previous wedge instead of chain stitches.

After the sixth wedge has been worked off, slip stitch in each vertical bar across. Break yarn and thread yarn needle. With right sides facing, sew or whip stitch edges together. Using tail from original chain, sew center hole closed. Attach yarn to any stitch on outer edge and work 1 round of single crochet around entire edge. (That part is optional). Weave in ends and call it a day!

This Rainbow Tunisian Jacket designed by Dora Ohrenstein is a colorful example of using Tunisian Short Row for shaping a garment. It's a little more ambitious project than the dishcloth, but certainly something to look at and admire. I'm considering adding it to my wish list of projects to do someday!

Happy Stitching!

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Crocheted Border - Simple But Pretty!

A crocheted border on a knitted or crocheted afghan can give it such a nice finishing touch. Depending on who will be receiving the afghan or baby blanket, either a simple border of single crochet or a foofy frilly ruffle border might be appropriate. Of course there is always a Something In Between type of border that could be just the thing too.

The most recent Oddball baby blanket I completed was Forest Greens on which I knitted the last section in a basket weave design. On that blanket, I was also on Border Patrol so I came up with a simple but pretty -- and easy -- border for this one. Here is a close-up of a finished corner...


Working a round or two of single crochet around a knitted piece is a good way to get a border going. It stabilizes the edges and provides crochet stitches into which you can work the decorative border for the last round.


This is the whole blanket all finished and ready to be delivered. The colors in this picture are much closer to real life than the colors in the corner picture above.

Would you like to use this border pattern on your own knitted or crocheted blanket? Here's the pattern:

Work 2 or more rounds of single crochet (sc) around the entire piece, making sure to work 3 sc in each corner so the piece will lie flat.

For final decorative round, * sc in each of next 3 stitches. Chain 3. Sc into same stitch as last sc was worked.* This will create a little loop of chain stitches coming from the same sc stitch.

Continue working from * to * around the piece. Join with slip stitch. Cut yarn leaving a tail of about 10 inches to weave in. Draw tail through last loop to secure. Weave in ends.

Borders are fun to experiment with. Use your imagination and creativity to come up with variations of other borders you have tried from patterns. You can crochet a different border on every afghan you make, creating a truly one-of-a-kind work of art!

Happy Stitching!

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Easy Crocheted Oddball Afghan

After working on many different knit and crocheted items over the past few years, I accumulated quite a few partial skeins of yarn. Any whole skeins, I return to the store. Any very small scraps, I throw away. But somewhere in between, I hang on to the remains and figure that someday I'll use it for something.

The other day my daughter was cleaning out her closet and found a crochet project she had started quite a long time ago out of some leftover variegated yarn. She started working on it again and quickly ran out of yarn. She wondered how she should continue the project without having to make a trip to the store to try and match the yarn and I suggested to her that she make an 'oddball' blanket using the remains of other yarns I had stashed in my sewing room, much like the blankets I have signed up for on the knitting forum I have mentioned here before. She thought that was a great idea, being as frugal as her mother, and this is what she has created so far...


She had started with Red Heart's Aspen Print variegated yarn which was leftover from the Ripple Stitch afghan I made for our bedroom. I showed some pictures of it at the end of the article on how to do the Ripple Stitch in crochet.

Then she picked up the variegated blues yarn also leftover from a Ripple Stitch afghan I had made for a friend.

After that is Red Heart's Painted Dessert variegated yarn, leftover from another Ripple Stitch afghan I had made for a wedding gift.

Then she decided she wanted bright colors alternating with the more neutral colors, and she bought the red, white and blue variegated yarn. She found a few more neutral yarns from my stash that she will use, and she bought a few more bright colors for in between.

Isn't this a great way to use up leftover yarn? Take a look at the way this afghan is made...


This is the center, started with a simple chain of 8, and worked in single crochet around in a continuous spiral, adding 2 chains at each corner. I'll write out the pattern at the end in case you want to try it.


This shows one of the corners made by the chain 2, and also clearly shows the nice ridge line that is made by working the single crochets in the back loop only. How to crochet in the back loop only is demonstrated towards the end of my video tutorial on single crochet if you would like to see how it is done.


Here's another close-up of a corner. Elizabeth does nice even work and her afghans always turn out cozy and warm.

The beauty of working an afghan in a spiral like this is that you can actually use up all of each yarn crocheting over the tails each time you join a new one, then when all your yarn is gone, simply pull the tail through the last loop and weave in the end and the afghan is finished. You don't have to worry about having enough yarn to work some kind of color pattern. You also don't have to figure out how wide to start the blanket and hope that you can get enough length on it before running out of yarn. This spiral pattern allows you to simply crochet until you run out, and then you have a square blanket and no leftover yarn.

This is also a very easy pattern which, once you get established, doesn't require much attention at all. You don't have to count stitches or worry about missing that last stitch at the end of the row, or how many chains you need to turn. So if you're looking for a very easy crochet afghan pattern to use up the yarn you have on hand, here's the pattern for you...

NOTE: Single crochet in back loop only if you want the ridge line on the front of the piece. If you don't want that ridge, then work each single crochet through both loops.

Chain 8. Single crochet (sc) in the 8th chain from the hook forming a loop and in the next chain. Chain 2. Sc in the next two chains. Chain 2. Sc in the next two chains. Chain 2. Sc in the next two chains. Chain 2.

Single crochet in each single crochet across, then in one chain. Chain 2.

*Single crochet in chain, then in each single crochet across, then in one chain. Chain 2. *

Repeat from * to * until your afghan is as big as you want it, or until you run out of yarn. Weave in ends and enjoy.

You may also add any type of border you like around the outside edge of this afghan. The Reverse Single Crochet border is one of my favorites for a blanket like this. Or you could use a simple scallop border you make up yourself or use this one I put onto a knitted blanket.

So there you have a simple pattern to use up leftover yarn, or even to make with freshly purchased yarn for a special gift.

Happy Stitching!

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How to Crochet a Border Around a Knitted Piece

After working on my first Oddball Baby Blanket which was knitted all except for the border which was crocheted, I thought that making a little video tutorial on how to work a single crochet border around a knitted piece might be helpful to some knitters out there who are not very confident with a crochet hook. And now that I think of it, it might also be helpful to confident crocheters who are not very comfortable working on a knitted piece too.

This technique can be used to crochet a border around a knitted baby blanket as is done on all the knitted Oddball Blankets, and other things too. You could knit squares for a patchwork type of afghan and crochet a simple border around them before joining them together. I find joining squares with a crocheted border much easier than joining the edges of knitted squares. Another good use for this technique would be for knitted dishcloths or face clothes which tend to be a bit stretchy. Crocheting a simple border around them would help them retain their shape better and reduce the stretch factor.

Take a look at the video and then maybe give it a try on your next knitted project.




If you would like to work a decorative border after the single crochet border but you are not sure how to do one, take a look at the Finished Oddball Baby Blanket and try the border pattern given there. I'll be posting a video on how to do that border pattern soon, just in case someone out there would rather See It Done!

Happy Stitching!

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Wedding Gift Crocheted Afghan Coming Along

In my recent post about the Close Scallops Stitch in crochet, I showed you a video on how to work the stitch and shared with you the written pattern. Today you get to see the project I am working on using this stitch. As I mentioned before, it is an afghan for my niece's wedding gift and it's working up rather quickly. Yippee! That is exciting for two reasons. The first is that the wedding is in November and it would be nice to send it to her before the wedding. The second reason is a little more selfish and that is because it's getting very cold here in New England and the longer the afghan gets, the warmer it keeps me while I am working on it!

Here are a few pictures of the project and the stitch:

This is how far I've gotten since starting to work on it not quite a week ago. I think I'm on my fifth skein of yarn already. The yarn I am using is Red Heart's Easy Tweed bulky weight yarn which calls for a size J crochet hook, but I am using a size K. The color is called Pistachio and when I first received it in the mail I was just a little bit apprehensive about the color. It was a little more ... uh ... green than I expected it to be. But now that I have worked with it and I see how it looks in this pattern, I really like it.


The picture above shows the beginning of the piece. You can see how straight the bottom and side edges are, and notice that you can't really see the holes from where the scallops are formed in the single crochet like you could on the sample from the video. This is because of the yarn being bulky weight combined with the use of a crochet hook that is closer to the size recommended for the yarn being used.


This picture shows the top edge with the pretty scallop the stitch makes. When I am finished crocheting the afghan, I will stitch one row of single crochet on the bottom edge of the afghan and work a pattern row so that the scallops will be on both ends. Then I will work a single crochet row on each side of the afghan and a pattern row. This will put a nice scalloped border all the way around the afghan, as well as add a little bit to the width of the afghan.

So what do you think of the Close Scallops stitch? Could you see yourself cuddled up under an afghan like this? Why don't you give it a try!

Happy Stitching!

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