How is it possible to tinker with a crochet technique when watching the Colts vs. The Patriots football game? Didn't I say just a few weeks ago that I found I had difficulty designing while watching listening to the World Series? Interesting enough, the football game with 60,000 people in attendance were, for the most part, quiet. Weird. Aren't they required to cheer or jeer? I'm not complaining, I'm just saying it made for some great crocheting last night while sitting next to Mr. Dee who was watching the game ...
So while he watched the game, I worked on a scarf for the 60 Scarves in 60 Days Challenge. It's a simple design of 14 double crochet stitches; I planned on going until the skein of yarn ran out. So, because I am an experienced crocheter, I decided to throw in a little challenge: to figure out another way to get rid of the dreaded "hole" caused by the "turning chain/skip stitch" rule used for double crochets. Do you dislike the hole too?
I think I found what will work for me and thought some of my readers might like to give it a try. If you do, please let me know your thoughts.
Here's how I got rid of the holes:
Chain 3, yarn over, insert hook into top loops of 2nd chain, yarn over & pull through chain and one loop on hook (watch your tension here, it might get a bit tight), turn work, skip 1st stitch, insert hook into 2nd stitch and pull up a loop. Work off in normal double crochet fashion.
Now, when it comes times for the next row, be sure to work into that turning chain or your stitch count will be wrong. If you have a tension issue then change the chain 3 to chain 4. I'm really liking the way this looks! :)
In the photo above, please note that the same hook (pictured) was used for all samples, and that both yarns are Lion Brand's "Micro Spun." None of the samples have been blocked.
6 comments:
that makes little sense to me lol. I'm assuming when you chain 3 you have already turned your work. Also you are again turning it, which leave me wondering if you are working from the end/beginning where is the 2nd one? Why not just put the double crochet into the hole and treat like you are decreasing, it fills the hole and you don't add on an extra stitch?
The scarf sounds like it will be gorgeous when it's done. Hope you have a great week ahead! You sure are making me want to finish my granny square blanket. Hugs,
Lisa
Dee: As a beginning crocheter, just let me say this: Huh? LOL I am making some scarves to add to your total, but what was the ending date for your goal? Laura
I was playing around with swatches to see how I'd like this method. Now, some people ch 3 then turn, some turn then ch 3. In Dee's method, you actually turn in the middle to the stitch combination. Ch3, yo and insert hook into the 2nd ch, yo & pull through the stitch and 1 loop, THEN turn and skip 1 dc and work into the 2nd dc. I've found that I have to talk to myself to keep from doing a yo at this point for my dc.
This creates a little diagonal stitch that may look funny in some yarn. In a basic acrylic worsted yarn I find it hardly noticable. But, it does get rid of that awful looking hole!
I usually ch 2, turn and then work into the first dc (don't skip the first dc) Then the ch 2 is NOT counted as the first stitch, and I don't have to work into the turning chain at the end of the next row. I use this whenever I'm going to be adding a border and the ch 2 is not noticable. However, I don't teach this because it can confuse people, do I count that turning chain or not, do I skip the first stitch or not?
I think I'll take up Dee's new method!
Jane
crochehooked what do you mean turn in the middle? You said you either ch 3 and turn or turn and chain 3, but that is neither. I cant visualize turn in the middle. Middle of what?
Well, you ch 3, yo and insert hook into the 2nd chain. yo and pull through the chain and one loop on the hook, and then you turn your work.
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