Dear Crochet lover,
Caring Crocheters: A Blessing in Every Stitch
I am always inspired whenever I hear or read about crocheters who use their stitching skills to bless others. It never ceases to amaze me how nothing more than a hook and some yarn worked into a bunch of loops can create wonderful items that bring happiness, and even hope, to people in need, as the following stories wonderfully illustrate. This group of card-playing ladies recently traded in their cards for crochet hooks and began making blankets to warm people in their community. Read about them here. When using our crochet skills to bless others, the greater blessing often becomes ours. The saving graces of crochet's therapeutic powers helped one troubled Native American in her journey to a better life. Our soldiers in Iraq put their lives on the line every day to protect us. These special elementary school students are doing their bit to help protect our soldiers from Iraq's harsh sandstorms by crocheting scarves for them. Sometimes the best lessons learned in the classroom aren't always in textbooks. Sometimes they come from the heart, as these middle school students discovered. Click here to read how they are making a difference. This story is a wonderful testament to the fact that a person is never too old to crochet -- or help someone else. Three of the ladies in this charity crochet and knitting group have a combined age of 302 years! Back to top Crochet Coach
All crocheters, whether beginners or experienced stitchers, encounter problems or questions in their crochet work. Sometimes it may be something as simple as just getting started or as complex as wanting to convert one type of stitch to another in a project. Q. From Mary L.: I have an old crochet pattern for a tote bag that is worked in rounds and calls for a split single crochet stitch. The pattern does not give any instructions for making this stitch, and I'm lost. Can you help? A. To work a split single crochet stitch, sc between the vertical bars (see the illustration) of the sc on the previous rnd instead of working it in the top loops of the stitch as you normally would.
 | Split Single Crochet | Q. From Christy W.: I am teaching myself to crochet and am so frustrated because I can't seem to make my beginning knot correctly. It keeps coming undone. What am I doing wrong? A. It's never a good idea to use a plain knot when beginning a crochet project. It can be the undoing of a lot of work and a waste of precious time spent. The best and most secure type of knot to use when beginning your crochet project is a slip knot. It's simple to make, once you know the correct way to do it.  Following the illustration, begin by leaving a 4-inch end; then make a loop in the yarn, crossing the section of the strand coming from the skein (the working strand) over the 4-inch end of the yarn (see step 1). Next, insert the hook through the loop, yarn over with the working strand (see step 2) and pull through the loop. Finally, pull the 4-inch end to tighten the knot below the hook (see step 3). Don't pull too tightly, or it will be difficult to adjust the size of the loop on the hook.
You can tell if the knot is formed correctly by pulling the ends. When the 4-inch end is pulled, the loop on the hook should loosen. When the working strand that's attached to the skein is pulled, the loop should tighten. Q. From Vivian A.: I have a sweater pattern that I truly love. It's done all in single crochet, and I've made several, but I'm getting tired of plain single crochet. I'm afraid to change the stitch pattern to half-double or double crochet because the fit is so perfect. How can I dress up the pattern and still keep it in single crochet? A. Using the split single crochet stitch shown above will provide a nice variation on the look of regular single crochet. For a subtle raised rib effect, you could try working in the back loops only on every other row or alternate working rows in the front loops only and back loops only. Keep in mind, however, that working in only one loop can result in your stitches sitting a bit higher on the row, so you'll want to carefully check your measurements as you work since fewer rows might be needed to achieve the finished measurements of each piece. You might also try using a long single crochet stitch here and there for a different look. To work a long single crochet stitch, simply work your stitch into the next stitch one or two rows below your working row (see the illustration).
 | Long Single Crochet | You can also achieve a nice dimensional effect with the use of post stitches, which will also create a plusher, bulkier effect. These little tricks can help add texture and interesting detail to simple single crochet and help keep you from getting bored! Q. From Marie R.: I would like to know how to change an afghan stitch to single, half-double or double crochet. I have several beautiful afghan patterns in afghan stitch that I'd rather do in a different stitch, but I don't know how to go about it. How can I do this? A. It's very easy to substitute sc, hdc or dc for afghan stitch. If you are working your afghan in squares, your directions should give you the measurement of each square. Afghan and regular crochet hooks come in the same sizes. For example, if the afghan hook called for in your pattern is a size G, use a size G regular hook and the same yarn called for in the pattern. Disregard the number of rows called for in your directions, as this will vary if you are working in hdc or dc. The number of rows worked in sc should be very close to your afghan-stitch directions, but to be on the safe side, set your directions aside, and use your ruler or tape measure instead to make sure your squares measure the same size that is indicated in your pattern. If your afghan is worked in sections, panels or all in one piece, make a foundation chain to correspond to the width measurement stated for each section. Work in your desired stitch to the finished length of each section. Again, disregard the number of rows called for in your directions, and let your tape measure be your guide. Join your squares or sections as desired or as stated in the pattern. Back to top Yes, It's Winter, but Think Spring!
With the cold winter winds howling and frosty snowflakes swirling outside, I thought it would be nice to offer up an early glimpse of spring with some cheery flowers to brighten up your crochet world. Our pretty little Floral Lapel Pins are so quick and easy to make, and there are so many ways you can enjoy them. They're also a great way to use some of those lovely buttons that have been hiding in your sewing box for a while.
 | In addition to being worn as pins on jackets, blouses, sweaters or tops, these charming blossoms could also be used as decorative accents on a variety of fashion accessories such as purses, hats, scarves, belts, gloves or shoes. Add a simple chain loop on the back to make them into pretty napkin rings, or a small barrette to create sweet hair decorations for little girls. They would also add a punch of pizzazz to gift packages or handmade cards, too. Stitched in yarn and sewn to the center of a simple square or motif, they could transform an otherwise plain afghan into a work of floral beauty. The possibilities are endless! Back to top A Cool "Go Green" Mesh Bag
Today, everything is about "going green" as we are more focused than ever on the environment and what we can all do to help protect our planet. Cutting down on the use of plastics that clog our landfills and paper that continues to strip our natural wood resources is a great way to help contribute to a better environment.
With that in mind, here is a really cool mesh Tuck-Away Tote that gives shoppers a great alternative to the question of "paper or plastic?" It conveniently folds up into a smaller carry-along piece that can easily be tucked into a purse or pocket. It's great for crafters and travelers -- or going to the beach, too! If you love the idea of using eco-friendly shopping bags like this, the March 2009 issue of Crochet! magazine features another roomy, easy-to-make mesh shopping tote that is absolutely fantastic. The Go Green Shopping Tote is styled differently from the Tuck-Away Tote and features a collapsible metal-ring construction that gives it strength and easy portability. What a cool design!
The March 2009 issue of Crochet! will be on sale January 27, 2009. If you are not already a subscriber or can't find it on your local newsstand, you can download an electronic version of the March 2009 issue of Crochet! at
e-PatternsCentral.com. Look for it soon! Back to top Get Ready For the Digital Revolution!
Speaking of Crochet! magazine, I simply can't resist letting the cat out of the bag with some really exciting news! I am thrilled to tell you that, effective with the March 2009 issue, Crochet! magazine is going digital! Customers, as well as our many international friends who've clamored for an easy, convenient way to get Crochet!, have been eagerly waiting for this, and we've been working very hard to make it happen. The digital, flip e-zine version of Crochet! will open up a whole new experience for Crochet! readers with a fun, versatile format that will give you lots of flexibility in enjoying the magazine. You'll be able to enlarge any text, detailed drawing or technique illustration so you can see it more clearly, and you can print out only what you want. Digital subscribers will also have instant access to two years of past issues. And this is just for starters! If you're tired of storing paper magazines and want a more efficient way to keep your issues within easy reach right on your computer, the new digital Crochet! magazine is the perfect solution. Besides, with all the extra space you'll have from no longer storing paper magazines, you'll have room for more yarn! As we get the new digital version of Crochet! rolling, the first issue (March 2009) will be available when the print newsstand version goes on sale January 27, 2009. But future issues of the digital magazine will be available to subscribers well before the print version hits the newsstands, allowing digital subscribers to be the first customers to get every new issue! I'll be giving more details in upcoming issues of Talking Crochet, so stay tuned! Back to top | 
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