I'm a beginner crocheter. I starting teaching myself a year ago through the use of books and the internet. The extent of my creations are baby blanket, booties, hat & mittens, various snowflake ornaments using thread. I'm currently crocheting a winter hat. It has a band along the bottom of sc in the back loop to create ribbing. After the band is complete and sew onto the hat, ear flaps are attached to the band. Here's my problem.... I've had this problem before when making mittens. I'm not sure where to insert the hook when crocheting along the edge of the sc back loop ribbing. Can anyone clearly explain this or do you have any internet links to photos that can guide me? Thanks for your time. A
Here's my understanding of your question: Where do you place the hook when crocheting through the back loop of the previous row?
If that's what you're asking, I'll attempt to explain.
A crochet "loop" looks like a chain (or oval). Grasp your crocheted piece and look directly down at the top. There is a front thread and a back thread. () only sideways.
Put your thread in the back thread (the part of the loop that's away from you, or in the front thread (closest to you) depending on directions. In normal crochet, you go through both.
If I've misunderstood, please ask again. That's what we're here for.
Dianne
angel> I'm a beginner crocheter. I starting teaching myself a year ago
If you have a band that is 20 rows long and it requires starting the mitten by attaching 15 stitches, you are going to have spaces. That also happens in knitting. You simply have to judge how to space them out.
If you have a band 20 rows long and it requires attaching 30 stitches, then you just double up in some of the spaces, as evenly as possible.
Hmm. Forgive me if I misinterpret your problem or am explaining something you already know.
If you are now crocheting in a circle, your first stitch will be the first stitch in the preceding row. You've already joined the last stitch of your chain to the first stitch of the chain. You've indicated you sewed the two stitches together. That isn't necessary and is probably creating the 'hole'. Use a slip stitch to join the beginning and the end of the chain. A slip stitch is when you pick up your yarn with the hook, and pull it through both the chain stitch loop, and the loop on your hook.
Your loop will now be in position to start a new row. Your first stitch will actually be a chain 1. That pulls you up so you are crocheting down into the preceding row instead of working from ground zero, so to speak, and flattening out the first stitch. Crochet in the next stitch, and across, adding/decreasing stitch as needed. When you work your way around in the row, and are in the last stitch, slip stitch into the top of the first stitch, which is the chain 1 you made to start the row.
Am just guessing but if your problem is to deteermine where to put the ear flaps - put the partially finished hat on your head and mark the top of your ears with a pin - count 7 stitches on each side and depending on whether it tells you to start with the right side or wrong side facing pick your stitch and away you go.
The alternative, and for me the better choice, would be to simply make the flap separately and then sew it on. That way you can eliminate a bulky seam altogether and you can make it fit better.
Not to be mean - but have you thought about getting a basic, inexpensive Crochet reference book? Besides people helping you verbally - that would have pictures in it, as well as a permanent thing for you to look at. And likely explain things such as how to correct a mistake, different stitches, and of course placement of the needle. There are some not very expensive, straightforward books out there.
I know that while I have more serious knitting references - when I was thinking of picking it up I bought the "stitch'n'bitch" book - she now has one for crochet. It's an easy, clear read, with good illustrations, and not expensive - plus she always has some funky patterns included.
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page has a few listed:
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Kooler also has a crochet book in her "encyclopedia of " series - big,paperback - my knitting one has a ton of stitch patterns, and the next levelof information about increasing, decreases, errors corrections, etc. I'm not saying run out and buy an expensive hardback book - but at least having a reference would make your efforts go a lot smoother, IMHO.
We were just talking about this in my LKS the other day. I'd gone in to try and match something, got some advice, and was hanging out "unstitching" a piece. While there a couple of different people came in for some help - one just the normal question - show me something - which the shop is happy to do when you've been shopping there, bought your project there. And they'll help with other stuff - unless it's busy and you bought it elsewhere. Now they have workshop time that you can just pay a small fee and go do supervised knitting/crocheting. But, one of the people came in and literally sat there with someone helping her constantly because she had forgotten some basic things - for about 90 min. which if they'd been any busier would've been impossible for the helper to devote the time. So, the staff & I were talking about people not bothering to think of getting a reference - and how hard that is. We've become so used to either just asking someone, or looking on the web, that some people just have completely forgotten that having a reference book can be invaluable. Even experts have them. Heck - I bet most of us buy them for our stitching.
Just something to think about. Hope your crocheting is going well.
Most of the beginner crochet books do not cover where to put the hook in this situation. It is a matter of placing it between the outside (first) stitch and the next stitch of the rib. I've read a lot of crochet books and have never seen this explained well. But, of course, I haven't read every crochet book on the market, and no recent ones.
Angela should follow Jim's advice: if it looks good, it's correct. Remember what you did for the next time.
I agree - it is fun and interesting helping each other out. But, honestly - don't you think having reference books is a good idea? I know your shop is on the web, and you're full of good advice - but it's amazing in a stone and mortar shop how many people really have basic, basic questions, that we're happy to answer, show them, help them do it. And then they will return again with the same basic question because they have forgotten, and have no reference material. So, while we don't all learn well just from a book - and no doubt it's great to help someone, and even better to have someone show you a technique - IMHO - having at least 1 basic reference on hand - even if you borrow it from the library for a while - is a necessity.
I know for me with knitting - I love my LKS - but I'll go in there and ask some question about a technique, or ask if something looks right. And many a time I've sat there for a while - (usually to fix some stupid mistake) - and even I'll end up helping someone. But, I'm glad to have a book at home with an illustration that I can keep going back to when I forget or am not sure where to stick the needle for some increase or decrease, or picking up to add a placket. While I'm not a huge Donna Kooler fan - the reason I suggested looking at that book (her encyclopedia series) is that indeed she does have a lot of very clear illustrations - at least in the knitting version - for different pick-ups, techniques for increasing, decreasing, casting-on, fixing errors, and has a nice pattern collection at the rear.
I'm not saying to not ask for help - just pointing out that having a reference on hand would be convenient and visual.
Of course. But not all reference books are created equally. She asked a question about crochet that isn't often addressed in books. I have had crochet reference books which do not cover this particular problem.
You were assuming she did not have one. You are assuming that she just keeps asking questions when a book might be her better bet. What you didn't seem to get is that she couldn't find the answer, even after searching the Internet, and was wanting someone to give her a reference, particularly with pictures. I did a major hunt and came up empty handed, thus I tried to help with words.
I'm surprised you didn't try to answer her question if you know crochet. Otherwise, I'm surprised you bothered reading it and taking the time to answer it.
Actually, it seemed from the questions that the asker didn't have on hand a reference with good illustrations. The way that I read the original question sounded like something I've seen illustrated. I didn't assume it would be a better bet - but would provide a ready on hand source of information.
I'm a bad crocheter - in my opinion. I started crocheting when I was about 9 or 10, but don't really do it all that much anymore. And was lucky enough to learn from a mother and grandmother that were excellent at that (and we had the boudouir baskets, etc with crocheted stretchy gold mesh all over them to go with that). That said - I also find it hard to verbally explain things like go back to the chain one before the attached and put the hook in thru the underside on the back, etc.....
I was curious, and browsing through the topics. After seeing the question dialog repeated it just seemed like no one answering had suggested a reference - though several of you were nicely trying to answer the questions.
What surprises me is that while the original questioner didn't answer my query you did. And I'd point out that I started with the sincere disclaimer of not being mean - as in maybe she does have references that don't cover this, or maybe not or maybe hadn't even considered it or may just be someone that just doesn't think about having a reference book on hand (many people do fall into that category). Maybe the crochet references just aren't as complete as the knitting ones. Could be.
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