Every month, on the first Wednesday of the month (unless there is a major holiday), we have a "Coffee, Crochet & Chat" session at our local Borders bookstore located in Brookfield, Connecticut. On this day we hold two sessions: one in the morning from 10AM - Noon, and one in the evening 6PM - 8PM. If you find yourself in the area, please do consider joining us! :)
I usually attend the morning session. And I was there yesterday, enjoying the company of our regulars: Ruth, Judy and Priscilla. Joining us for the first time, thanks to Ravelry.com, was Karin. Since we were having so much fun, a Borders' customer decided to join in, Marsha!
Ruth was working on a baby sweater that she plans on selling for the Jimmy Fund; Judy was working on a ripple blanket, Karin was working on a dress designed by Lily Chin, and Priscilla was working on a Doris Chan pattern. Marsha didn't have her crocheting with her, but she picked up a lot of tips, and shared in our discussion of various projects and yarns we love.
What did I bring? My "top secret" project. I did show my current project to the ladies and they loved it. While showing it I expressed my extreme dislike of using turning/lifting chains when working new rounds starting with a cluster stitch. Seriously. You have the chain just "standing there" next to a two-legged cluster. I really don't like the way it looks. So I changed it. For this "top secret" project, I have replaced the chain with a single crochet, chain one combo prior to starting the "two-legged" cluster. To me, it looks more "normal" to a real cluster. And since it doesn't matter, in this case, that the beginning of the cluster is a bit smaller that a chain-3 would normally be, I went with it for the entire project. Do you like the way it looks too?
Experiment. Then go with the technique that you like best. :)
How to make a Cluster: YO, insert hook in st, YO and draw up a loop (3 loops now on hook), YO and draw through two, YO, insert hook in st, YO and draw up a loop (4 loops now on hook), YO and draw through two, YO, insert hook in st, YO and draw up loop (5 loops now on hook), YO and draw through two, YO and draw through all remaining loops on hook.
How to make a Beginning Cluster Like Dee's: (remember, only use this technique when starting a round that begins with a cluster stitch) Instead of joining round with a slip stitch, remove hook from work, insert hook under top two loops FROM THE BACK, placing loop back onto hook; draw loop through. This will have your loop ready to immediately start a single crochet stitch without the slip stitch joining bulk! Create your single crochet stitch as normal (no need to chain 1 first), chain one and then create cluster as follows: YO, insert hook in st, YO and draw up a loop (3 loops now on hook), YO and draw through two, YO, insert hook in st, YO and draw up loop (4 loops now on hook), YO and draw through two, YO and draw through all remaining loops on hook.
If you liked this tip, you should consider signing up for the Pushmi Pullyu class! :)
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