I’m not sure today’s teens know what a hope chest is. I’m going to rant briefly. It seems we have a few “good” kids and MANY not-so-good kids out there.  I know (this is fact) that many teen girls today want a baby.  They want a baby of their own.  Some of these girls might be the oldest daughter or child in a family and may be left baby-sitting her younger brothers and sisters.  She may want a child of her own so that she doesn’t have to baby sit any more.  Some may want a baby to have something “of their own.”  I’ve heard statements from teens of this fact.  It’s unfortunate that many have sex to start having “their own” family, some girls are younger that 13.  I know of many girls (yes, many) that are 13 and giving birth.  So, my rant is over …

I hope changing a focus for girls (and boys) today might help.

Let’s talk HOPE CHESTS! What is a hope chest, besides a wood box lined (usually) with cedar? It’s a box that girls put their newly made linens, laces, and other goodies waiting to set up their own household. Now you’ll notice I said household, not preparing to marry. Who says we have to marry to leave our parents’ homes? Who says one must be a girl to have a hope chest? I say each and every kiddo out there needs a hope chest. How will we fill it?

Hope chests should be filled with items needed in a new home, whether the home is an apartment or a house, shared with someone else or to be lived in alone. Let’s remember how expensive it is to set up a home with items we take for granted every day. Towels, wash cloths, sheets, pillows, sauce pans, skillets, microwaves, refrigerators, mops, brooms, vacuums, dust cloths, and a whole plethora of other items …. Paper towels, toilet paper, glass cleaner, dish soap, automatic dish soap, laundry soap, etc., etc., etc. Below are a few suggestions of mine to help fill the chest:

Towels: bath, hand, kitchen
Wash cloths: bath and kitchen
Sheets, pillows, blankets
Shelf liners!!!
Sewing kit/Mending kit
Pattern books (never ever, ever go unprepared for needlework)
Pot holders/ hot pot pads
Pretty new nighties (okay, we need those! We do!!!)

Girls and boys should learn how to sew a button on, repair a tear in clothing, knit or crochet an afghan. These are every day skills that come in awfully handy. They need to learn how to do laundry, including how to separate laundry (ugh! Pink underwear for boys hehehe). They need to know how to wash dishes, not only how to load a dishwasher. Learning the basics makes each and every one of us prepared for tomorrow. We may, or may not, be in a position to hire someone to do these mundane chores … but if we have to do them ourselves, we need to know how to do it!!

So, to make things for the hope chests, I’d like to hear YOUR suggestions. Do you have something that you’d like instructions to make? I’d love to see your comments.

If you’ve never crocheted using the Tunisian technique (remember afghan hooks?  it’s the same thing), ARNies link is the place to go.  She also has a yahoo group for even more information.  

I can’t add more at this point than ARNie has on her site so do check out chezcrochet.com and tell ARNie Sara sent ya’!

Most needlework as we know it has been around for centuries.  That isn’t true for crochet.  As a matter of fact, crochet has an elusive history.

According to my Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary, crochet is defined as:

     (as a noun) needlework consisting of interlocked looped stitches formed with a single thread and a hooked needle.
     (etymology) French, from croche “hook,” of Scandinavian origin.
     (as a verb) to make of or work with crochet.

Sailors whiled away time making nets with knots.  There have been reported depictions on ancient shards of pottery of chain-like strings.  I’ve even read reports of “finger-hooking” or “making lace in the air”.  Crochet may have disintegrated so that it is unrecognizable in excavations on ancient sites.  There is no definitive answer on ancient crocheting, nor is there accepted evidence, as of this writing, of crochet before the 1800s.

During the potato famine, nuns, who previously taught knitting and lace-making to the poor for cottage industries, began teaching crochet to those same people.  Crochet mimicked lace borders and European laces.  As these peasants immigrated to the US, they brought their skills.  Pioneer women walking or riding with their wagons would work on crochet to decorate their new homes in the West.  Notables were crocheting as well; Queen Victoria was seen crocheting in public.

Crochet seemed to almost disappear from view in our more recent times.  Today, crochet is “hot” again.  Lacey designs, baby items and warm comforters grace our homes again.  We warm our elderly and cuddle our babies in afghans.

Crochet has evolved with the times.  Cro-tat, crochenit, Tunisian crochet (previously known as the afghan stitch with an afghan hook) and filet crochet (one of the older forms of crochet) keep our creative juices flowing and our fingers busy.  In this month of National Crochet Month celebrations, I challenge each crocheter to teach someone special simple stitches.  I also challenge my fellow chrocheters to learn and grown in his or her own craft.

Remember, the teacher is the best student.

Want to learn more?  Try these links:
     Crochet Guild of America:
          Teacher resources:  http://www.crochet.org/teach/toc.html 
          Crochet History:  http://www.crochet.org/newslet/nl0997a.html 
     Crochet stitches:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_crochet_stitches

Happy Hooking, fellow crocheters!

To Assemble Rows:  Take Square 1 and Square 2, wrong sides (WS) together, Square 1 facing you.  Join Color B with sl st in 2nd ch of Square 1 upper right sc-2 and 1st ch of Square 2 in the same corner.  Rev sc across square.  Repeat for each square across row.  Then, repeat complete sequence for each row across.  The color layout is as follows:

ROW 8:  B -A -B -A -B -A -B -A  (4 squares of Color B; 4 squares of Color A)
ROW 7:  A -B -A -B -A -B -A -B  (4 squares of Color A; 4 squares of Color B)
ROW 6:  B -A -B -A -B -A -B -A  (4 squares of Color B; 4 squares of Color A)
ROW 5:  A -B -A -B -A -B -A -B  (4 squares of Color A; 4 squares of Color B)
ROW 4:  B -A -B -A -B -A -B -A  (4 squares of Color B; 4 squares of Color A)
ROW 3:  A -B -A -B -A -B -A -B  (4 squares of Color A; 4 squares of Color B)
ROW 2:  B -A -B -A -B -A -B -A  (4 squares of Color B; 4 squares of Color A)
ROW 1:  A -B -A -B -A -B -A -B  (4 squares of Color A; 4 squares of Color B)

To Join Rows:  Hold Row 1 and Row 2 WS together with Row 1 facing you.  Join Color A with sl st in upper Left hand corner, in 2nd chain of ch-2 Sq 1 and in 1st chain of ch-2 in Square 1 of Row 2.  Rev sc across.  Repeat for remaining rows.

At this point, you should have a checkerboard.

BORDERS:

Top and Bottom of Checkerboard.  Crocheting in FRONT LOOPS ONLY:  Join Color A with sl st in upper left corner in 2nd ch of ch-2.  Rev SC across.  Turn afghan so the Row 1 is at the top with right side facing you.  Repeat Rev SC sequence across.  NOTE:  Do not stitch in rev sc of assembly rows.

Sides of Checkerboard:  Crocheting in FRONT LOOPS ONLY:  Join Color B with sl st in upper left corner in 2nd ch of ch-2.  Rev SC across.  Turn afghan so the Row 1 is at the top with right side facing you.  Repeat Rev SC sequence across.  NOTE:  Do not stitch in rev sc of assembly rows.

Final Border Rows: 

Row 1:  Join Color B with sl st in unused back loop of any corner dc.  Ch 1, sc in each dc around, ch-3 over corner ch-2 spaces. Join with sl st in beginning sc.  Note:  corner ch-3 are only worked in the 4 afghan corners.

Row 2:  Chain 3 (counts as 1st dc), DC around working 2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc in each corner ch-3 space.

and VOILA!  You have an afghan/checkerboard.   These are great for boys especially.  They’re so hard for me to find appropriate crochet patterns for!

Checkerboard Game/Afghan

Again, if you have ANY questions or comments, please let me know!  This pattern is currently being tested for accuracy.

–Sara

© Sara Nowlin-Edens and Sara’s Craft Blog at saracrochets.wordpress.com, 2008 – 2009. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Sara Nowlin-Edens and saracrochets.wordpress.com with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.  Patterns provided by Sara Nowlin-Edens and saracrochets.wordpress.com are for personal use.  Finished products from said patterns may be sold individually or at craft shows and fairs, but may not be sold by or through the internet.  Patterns may be linked to but not copied or sold.

Yarn:  Color A:  21 oz (3 skeins Red Heart)
              Color B:  21 oz (3 skeins Red Heart)
Crochet Hook:  Size I

Stitches Used:  slip stitch (sl st); chain (ch); double crochet (dc); Reverse single crochet (rev sc); single crochet (sc)

Part I:

Round Motif :  Make 24 in Color A; make 24 in Color B

Chain 4, join with sl st.

Rnd 1:  Ch 3 (counts as first dc), 11 dc in ring.  Join with sl st. (12 dc)

Rnd 2:  Ch 3 (counts as first dc), dc in same st, 2 dc in each dc of prev row.  (24 dc)

Fasten off.

Assemble Checkers:  Take 2 Round motifs of same color, put them WS (wrong side) together.  With same color, join with sc and use Rev sc around, last rev sc in beginning sc.  Fasten off.

You will end up with 12 checkers in Color A and 12 in Color B.

Part II: 

Square Motif:  Make 32 in Color A; make 32 in Color B

Chain 4, join with sl st

Rnd 1:  Ch 3 (counts as first dc), 11 dc in ring.  Join with sl st. (12 dc)

Rnd 2:  Ch 3 (counts as first dc), dc in same st, 2 dc in each dc of prev row.  Join in top of beginning dc.  (24 dc)

Rnd 3:  Ch 3, dc in next 2 dcs.  *(2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in next dc, dc in next 5 dc, rep from * two times.  (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in next dc, dc in next 2 dc.  Join with sl st in top of beginning ch 3.  (36 dc)

Rnd 4:  Ch 4, Sk 1 dc, dc in next dc, ch 1, sk next dc, dc in next dc. *(2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in corner sp, dc in next dc, (ch 1, sk next dc, dc in next dc)] four times.  Rep from * two times. Dc in next dc, ch 1, sk next dc, dc, ch 1, sk next dc, join with sl st in 3rd ch of beginning ch-4.  Fasten off.  Secure loose ends.

If you have any questions about this so far, just give me a yell.

See Free Checkerboard Game Afghan Pattern, Assembly & Border for the finishing of this Game/Afghan

© Sara Nowlin-Edens and Sara’s Craft Blog at saracrochets.wordpress.com, 2008 – 2009. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Sara Nowlin-Edens and saracrochets.wordpress.com with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.  Patterns provided by Sara Nowlin-Edens and saracrochets.wordpress.com are for personal use.  Finished products from said patterns may be sold individually or at craft shows and fairs, but may not be sold by or through the internet.  Patterns may be linked to but not copied or sold.

I’m saddened  by this and I just want to throw a few thoughts out there for pondering . . .

When at the grocery store, if an older person has 1, 2, or 3 items and you have a lot, let them go first.  That’s just common decency.  Sometimes shopping really knocks all the energy our of our senior citizens, and standing in line take more energy than shopping does.  It doesn’t hurt to be nice and let someone in ahead of you.  There’s not a grand prize for being rude

Speaking of letting others go first:

. . . there’s no shame in letting a car back out of a partking space, even if you don’t want that space;

. . . there’s no shame in letting a car into the traffic flow when traffic is heavy;

. . . there’s no shame in waving to neighbors or welcoming a new neighbor with a cake or cokkies or a pitcher of tea.

These are just a few of my thoughts.  I’m saddened by the adult selfishness I see and appalled by the lack of adult supervision of adolescents and teens.  As rude as our nation has become, heaven help us when we become the seniors (and that’s not far off for me) and have to depend on these folks.

Just a little food for thought

I love the “old” pot holders of days gone by.  I’m especially fond of the decorative Pot Holders, mitts and hot pads.  I have a bunch that I made hanging on the wall above my stove.  They’re in 4-5 fruit patterns with different colors to make my “50s Fruity/Tuscanny” kitchen a little more finished.

There are a number of patterns, both free and for sale, on the internet.  My favorite “for sale” patterns came from Maggie’s Crochet (www.maggiescrochet.com).  Get used to seeing Maggie’s link!  She has a number of my favorite patterns.  I’ll add more links as I think of them in this blog.

Believe it or not, a number of people collect pot holders, like they collect Pyrex, Fire King, Tupperware, and other oldie-goldie items.  and you guessed it!  M & I both collect these …. and more!  *sigh*.  I think we’ll end up having to buy a second house to house our goddies!! LOL

“Gay & Gifty Pot holders” by Barbara E Mauzy is a nice book for pot holder collectors.  The particular book I have wa published in 2003, so I’m certain things have changed a bit since then.

I’m not a “serious” collector of anything.  I do treasure my items and treat them well, but I believe “if ya’ got it, use it” even applies to my goodies around the house.  That being said, I ue collector’s books not to find the perfect collectible, but to verify that I’m not gouged by a seller when I buy something.

In Ms. Mauzy’s book, there are wonderful examples of crocheted pot holders.  There are a number of these that I think I’ll have to figure out how to make them for my kitchen and there are several that I think, “hmmm, if this or that were added or changed . . .”  So, I supopose off and on you’ll be seeing potholder patterns here.

I am working on the checkerboard and have sent the first part out to be tested.  Hopefully I’ll have it all out to be tested by the end of next week.  This pattern will be free on this site, but not alll my patterns will be.  As a tester “you” get a free copy, it is copyrighted so please don’t share, send anyone who wants to peek or make it to this site.  Would you like to be a tester?  I only allow five people (of different skill levels) to test the patterns.  I’m always looking for beginners, beginner-intermediate, intermediate and advanced crocheters.  Contact me and we’ll see if we can find common ground.

Until later, stay tuned –

I’ve been working on a couple of crochet designs.  One, I hope to publish soon, the the other design will come later.  I’ve also been making a quilt for my lovely niece.  It’s burgundies and blues in a log cabin design.   I had it ready to lay out the blocks to decide on the final design layout, when …….. duh!  I’m one block short!!  So back to the sewing machine & rotary cutter I go.  I was in the middle of the last block when it was time to move, so the project is on a short hiatus.  Hopefully I can get back to it soon.

For those who don’t know me, I’m, a single grandmother and have a roommate (or is it housemate?).  We’ve been friends for years and an opportunity arose that allows us to live in the same house sharing expenses and babysitting each other’s dogs.  “M” goes to nursing shool (LVN, then RN) and I stay home making and selling my creations.  We’re not rich,,,,,,, but I love the lack of stress!

I’m sort of a “lay” historian and hope to finish my degree after “M” gets her RN completed.  I need my BA then want to get my MA.  I’m a voracious reader, I’ve been reading about ladies in WWII (service women), Henry the VIII’s life and wives and ancient Egypt lately.  I not only enjoy the history, I enjoy well-written novels from a historical perspective.  If you haven’t read Nefertiti by Michelle Moran, take a look at it.  I highly recommentd it.

Wow!  I didn’t know what I could come up with to write, but it appears that once startedI can’t shut up!

I’m going now to do more reading and work on my pattern so my lovely testers can get started on it.

Bye for now

–S–

Non-Stitch knowledge is any base of information that does not involve the actual construction of a stitch, excluding tensions and gauge.  When learning crochet, it is important to learn to rip out (also called frogging).  By remembering to rip out errors, you can make beautiful projects that you can be proud to give as gifts and sell to customers. I think the biggest plus to crochet is that it is so easy to frog and get your hook back in correctly. 

Check your tension as you crochet.  I have found that even tension is more important than gauge, and gauge is important!  By using even tension, the beginning rows of a project are the same width as the ending rows.  Sleeves will set in properly and evenly on both sides, the bottom of a project will be  the same width as the top of a project, one side will be equally full (or narrow) as the opposing side.   

Gauge is important to the crocheter so that your finished project the same size as the pattern.  If you are making a tablecloth and the stated size is 36” x 36”, but your gauge is different than the pattern’s, your tablecloth may be 32” X 32” or 40” X 40” or any other size.  Many things affect gauge:  yarn or crochet thread choices, tension of your yarn or thread, the size of crochet hook used or any combination of the aforementioned.  Because yarns are different thicknesses, textures, and sizes, using a baby weight yarn will provide a smaller project than using a worsted weight yarn.  You can make the same afghan pattern with either yarn, but expect different sizes when changing the yarn or hook from what is used in the pattern specifications.

Types of crochet require different knowledge bases.  Although all crochet work requires the same basic knowledge, Tunisian crochet is worked differently than filet crochet.  Tunisian crochet is worked with an afghan hook (now more commonly called a crochetnit hook or double-ended hook), looks more like knitting, and produces a thicker project.  Tunisian crochet is worked with yarn.  Filet crochet is most commonly worked with the small steel hooks (sizes 00, the largest, to size 14, the tiniest).  Although filet crochet is most commonly worked using bedspread cotton (similar to string), it can also be used when working afghans with yarn.  Filet patterns are more commonly written as charts. 

Crochet provides comfort, whether in giving a gift to a friend or loved one or in giving a gift to a charity organization, something I wholeheartedly endorse.   Crocheting also is also good therapy!  When I’m stressed out, I love to crochet.  I also love to crochet while watching sports or movies.  Finishing a project gives one a wonderful feeling of fulfillment, much cheaper than a therapist!  If you want enjoyment, fulfillment, and a creative outlet, crochet can be your tool. 

We will look at techniques, tools, yarns and threads for crochet in later articles.  Stay tuned!

Hi — I finally entered the world of “blog.”  This blog is for my opinions and patterns.  I love fiber crafts and am always making something.  My family enjoys receiving them as gifts, in fact some are disappointed if I DON’T make them!  LOL

Stay tuned for more posts and for my patterns.