Well, it’s not really all about me… « Cocoa Cream’s Craft Closet

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Well a lot has happened since I last wrote, dual knee surgery, gastric bypass, breast cancer, lost my job, fought to get  disability, major depression which lasted 8 years until the right meds were found to work for me, at least 8 hospital stays due to health reasons, 4 of them just in 2013. 2013 was a rough year for hospital stays, I was on a respirator 4 times. Talk about scary!!

 Well on to the new stitch of the month!

 This classic design is an excellent filler block that will complement every afghan style. It is also quick to crochet with a pattern that is easy to memorize. 

Crochet Block: Concentric Squares

http://www.lionbrand.com/stitchfinder/crochet-block-concentric-squares/

Foundation chain: Ch 35.
Row 1 (right side): (as chart) yo, insert the hook into the 4th ch from the hook, work 1dc, dc into the next ch, this completes the first mesh. Cont to the end of the row using the chart as reference and counting each ch as either a sp or a st. Read the chart from right to left on odd numbered rows and left to right on even numbered rows. Turn.
Row 2: Ch 2 (counts as 1dc) cont to the end of the row, work the last dc into the 2nd ch of the beg-ch. Turn.
Cont to work as the chart, ch 2 (counts as 1dc) at the beginning of each row, and work the last dc into the top of beg-ch before turning.
Fasten off yarn.

Inverted variation

This block works well when surrounded by blocks with firmer edges. These will help to give the outer open mesh blocks shape.  

Foundation chain: Ch 36. Row 1: (as chart) yo, insert the hook into the 6th ch from the hook, work 1dc this completes the first mesh.
Cont to work as the chart, working the solid mesh blocks as open mesh blocks and the open mesh blocks as solid mesh. Ch 2 (counts as 1dc) at the beginning of each row, and work the last dc into the second ch of beg-ch before turning.
Fasten off yarn.
om open mesh-ch 1, sk 1 sp or dc, dc into the next dc st
sm solid mesh-dc into the next sp or st, dc into the next dc st

ABBREVIATIONS / REFERENCES Click for explanation and illustration
beg = begin(s)(ning)	foll = follow(s)(ing)
ch(s) = chain(s)	sk = skip
cont = continu(e)(s)(ing)	sp(s) = space(s)
dc = double crochet	st(s) = stitch(es)

Pattern by permission from Crochet Blocks in a Box by Luise Roberts, St. Martin's Griffin, 2007

 

YouTube - How to Crochet - Spiral Scrubbie Tutorial

YouTube - How to Crochet - Spiral Scrubbie Tutorial

Donna Wolfe from Naztazia http://naztazia.com shows you how to crochet spiral scrubbies, also known as dishcloths, washcloths, and tawashi. These crocheted items are great for beginners and advanced users and make wonderful gifts for babies, children, even adults.

Casting Off | KnittingHelp.com

Casting Off | KnittingHelp.com

Looking Back

This is the story of Richard Holcomb, Dick & Rick Hoyt, the most inspirational father and son team to race in an Ironman.

Thank you

I can only imagine

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GRHxHapwirw&feature=player_embedded

Front loop Crocheting

Crocheting in the front loop only (flo) makes a fabric that is smooth and taller than regular double crochet. And, in an almost magic way, the fabric is both looser and provides better coverage than double crochet worked through both loops. This happens because the new row pulls the previous row's front loop up, covering the wee gap produced at the base of a double crochet worked through both loops.

Going with the flo can feel a bit odd at first, as you work your hook under the front loop. To make the crocheting easier, tilt the fabric backward slightly so that the front loop stands up. This all gets easier as you move along.

As you work your stitch in the front loop, the unworked back loop creates a fine horizontal line for an interesting texture. The resulting fabric is light and drapier than regular crochet, with a slight vertical stretch that is not as extreme as blo.

After you've done a swatch, you might be ready for more. Check out SeafoamVest (IC Spring 2007, see below), which is worked entirely in flo. Flo fabric has a tendency to grow as gravity pulls at it; the hip-level band harnesses the growth of the vest, making it more relaxed over time without becoming frumpy.

After you're comfortable with the fabric, try working flo on a pattern that is worked in both-loop double crochet. You'll have to do a little math because the flo row gauge is significantly different from double crochet in both loops. (To see pictures of the swatches side by side, see the CrochetMe blog or just look below as I've included it..) Select a pattern with minimal shaping and be sure to refigure the row count based on your gauge.

As to the Seafoam Vest, it costs: $5.50. Since I recently became unemployed, I think I'll put it on my list of possibilities, not necessities!

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free bead patterns - About.com : Beadwork

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Tattered (Tatting, lace)

Tattered (Tatting, lace)

Crochet History - Victorian & Edwradian Crochet - Irish Crochet

Crochet History - Victorian & Edwradian Crochet - Irish Crochet

Gmail - Auctiva Checkout - Item: 290254318797 (verification)

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antiquepatternlibrary : Message: Re: Oya/Oyalari

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See Eunny Knit!: Majoring in Lace - Part IV

See Eunny Knit!: Majoring in Lace - Part IV

Crochet World : Featured Stitch

Crochet World : Featured Stitch: "Irish Crochet
The distinctive, rich, delicate beauty of Irish crochet never goes out of style. Some of the most beautiful examples of this work are done with very fine thread. The motifs vary and include flowers, shamrocks, tendrils, buds, stems, leaves, etc. The picot is used in profusion on both the backgrounds and the motifs.
Irish crochet is not worked in traditional rows; it is worked with a mesh background. The motifs are worked separately. The mesh can be worked in around them or it can be applied later to the finished background. This is a more simplified method, and one you might like to try before tackling some of the more intricate designs. Included you will find a basic background pattern, a pattern for the traditional Irish crochet rose and one for a shamrock. Simply work your background and sew the flower, shamrock, leaf, etc., motifs in place.
Picot Mesh Background Lace
Row 1: With size 10 cotton and size 7/1.65mm steel hook, make a ch 1/2-1-inch longer than the desired measurement of your piece, sc in 3rd st from hook (picot made), ch 2, sc in 9th ch from picot, *ch 5, sl st in 3rd st from hook, for picot, ch 2, sk 4 ch, sc in next ch (single picot lp made), rep from *, ch 9, turn.
Row 2: Sl st in 3rd st from hook for picot, ch 2, sc in next lp, * work a single picot lp, sc in next lp, rep from * and rep 2nd row.
Our featured pattern can help you practice this technique."

Crochet World : Welcome!

Crochet World : Welcome!: "Irish Crochet
The distinctive, rich, delicate beauty of Irish crochet never goes out of style. Some of the most beautiful examples of this work are done with very fine thread. The motifs vary and include flowers, shamrocks, tendrils, buds, stems, leaves, etc. The picot is used in profusion on both the backgrounds and the motifs.
More"

~~~~~~~~~~ "Featured Stitch" ~~~~~~~~~~

Tunisian (Afghan) Stitch

also called Tricot Crochet, Shepherd's Knitting, Hook Knitting, Railroad Knitting

For great videos demonstrating Tunisian crochet go to NexStitch.

Some crochet stitches look just like the stockinette stitch in knitting. Here are two options that will look just like the knitted stockinette st on the right side of your work. The back will be heavier. The crocheted stockinette is not as elastic as the knitted stockinette.

How it looks

~~~Front View~~~ ~~~Back View~~~

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Here are a few points to remember when working this stitch.

1.) Never turn your piece. You work down the row on the right side, then back on the same side. (If you want to turn your piece then you might be interested in working with the cro-hook which is basically tunisian, but you turn your work, and uses two colors - and it doesn't curl.)

2.) Always begin the second half of a row by pulling yarn through one stitch only. After you've completed the first stitch, pull through two stitches at a time.

3.) The last stitch remaining on the hook is always the first stitch of the next row.

4.) Always skip the first bar when starting on a new row.

5.) You will always be working with the same number of stitches as established on the chain (unless you are doing a decrease or increase)

6.) Increases and decreases are worked only in the first half of the stitch row.

7.) To decrease curling, purl your first row.

For those of you who need visuals:

Another type of Afghan stitch

Afghan Stockinette Stitch

All patterns begin with a foundation row of chains. Right side is always facing up since you never turn work.

Ch desired number of sts, keeping all lps on hook, pull up a lp on hook in each st across, yo, pull through 1 lp on hook, rep across row.

Row 1, first half: Keeping all lps on hook, * insert hook under vertical bar of next st and pull up a lp on hook, rep from * across

Row 1, 2nd half: Yo, pull through 1 lp, * yo and through 2 lps on hook, rep from * across.
Rep first and 2nd halves of Row 1 for pattern.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Here is another variation:

Afghan Knit Stitch

Row 1: Work row same as afghan st.
Row 2: Sk first vertical bar, insert hook between front and back vertical bars and under horizontal bar of next st, draw up 1/4-inch lp, rep knit st across, work lps off hook.

Want more information??

Here are a few wonderful sites

TUNISIAN CROCHET - AFGHAN STITCH

http://www.crochetcabana.com/ (an excellent site!!)

Knitted Threads

Cindy is way more knowledgeable and talented in this area than I am. Check out her site:

Cindy Murray's tunisian crochet

She includes how to change colors, starting a new color, picking up color changes from a previous row, weaving ends, assembling pieces, counting stitches and two tone blending.

Also, be sure to check out Serendipity. Dave gives us insight into some special techniques using Afghan Stitch. He has two Afghan Stitch tutorials. One is the Basic Tunisian Stitch Tutorial and one is the Afghan Stitch Mini-Tutorial (Special Techniques) for preemie sweaters.

LA2501 52 TUNISIAN CROCHET STITCHES COMBINE TO MAKE AN AFGHAN STITCH SAMPLER ($7.00) by Dolores Franks; a sampler of afghan stitches used to make 7" squares. There are two color, puffs, raised stitches, plain ones and fancy ones. There is a color picture of each square as well as a picture of the completed afghan (on the back cover). Multiples are given so you can increase (or decrease) the size of the square. Copyright is 1993. Available through Country Yarns http://user.camtel.net/countryyarns/wesell.htm

Learn to crochet

Learn to crochet

Learn crochet techniques

Learn crochet techniques

Antique Pattern Library - book list

Antique Pattern Library - book list

BEWARE OF THIS BOOK!

If you have children or grandchildren, work with children at church, or you have neighborhood children whose parents you know, please take note of the information below and pass it along to others. Schools are distributing this book to children through the Scholastic Book Club.
The name of the book is Conversations with God..
James Dobson talked about this book twice this week. It is devastating. Parents, churches and Christian schools need to be aware of it. Please pass this information on to church/e-mail addressees, Parents, Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles, Cousins,friends. Please pay special attention not only to what your kids watch on TV, inmovie theaters, on the internet, and the music they listen to, but also be alert regarding the books they read.

Two particular books are, Conversations with God and Conversations with God for Teens, written by Neale D. Walsch.

They sound harmless enough by their titles alone. The books have been on the New York Times best sellers list for a number of weeks, and they make truth of the statement, "Don't judge abook by its cover or title." The author purports to answer various questions asked by kids using the"voice of God". However, the "answers" that he gives are not Bible-based and go against the very infallible word of God. For instance (and I paraphrase), when a girl asks the question "Why am I a lesbian?" His answer is that she was 'born that way' because of genetics (just as you were born right-handed, with brown eyes, etc.). Then he tells her to go out and "celebrate" her differences. Another girls poses the question "I am living with my boyfriend. My parents say that I should marry him because I am living in sin. Should I marry him?" His reply is, "Who are you sinning against? Not me, because you have done nothing wrong." Another question asks about God's forgiveness of sin. His reply "I do not forgive anyone because there is nothing to forgive. There is no such thing as right or wrong and that is what I have been trying to tell everyone, do not judge people. People have chosen to judge one another and this is wrong, because the rule is "'judge not lest ye be judged."

Not only are these books the false doctrine of the devil, but in some instances quote (in error) the Word of God. And the list goes on. These books (and others like it) are being sold to school children through (The Scholastic Book Club), and we need to be aware of what is being fed to our children.

Our children are under attack.

So I pray that you be sober and vigilantabout teaching your children the Word of God, and guarding their exposure to worldly mediums, because our adversary, the Devil, roams about as a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour (1 Peter 5:8). We know that lions usually hunt for the slowest, weakest and YOUNGEST of its prey. Pass this on to every Believer you know. God bless! And, if you are indoubt, check out the books yourself.

Today in History

July 4, 1776
U.S. declares independence ~ No it wasn’t signed on this day - just approved.

In Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the Continental Congress adopts the Declaration of Independence, which proclaims the independence of the United States of America from Great Britain and its king.

The declaration came 442 days after the first volleys of the American Revolution were fired at Lexington and Concord in Massachusetts and marked an ideological expansion of the conflict that would eventually encourage France's intervention on behalf of the Patriots.

Most of the delegates signed the Declaration on August 2, 1776, the first signature being that of John Hancock. Several signatures were obtained later ... George Wythe (Virginia) on August 27; Richard Henry Lee (Virginia), Elbridge Gerry (Massachusetts), Oliver Wolcott (Connecticut) signed in September; Matthew Thornton (New Hampshire) in November. Thomas McKean, representing Delaware, was serving in the army and was unavailable to add his ‘John Hancock’ until 1781.

Thomas Jefferson was the major author of the Declaration of Independence, but he had help from John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Robert R. Livingston and Roger Sherman. Following the natural rights theory of John Locke, the document proclaimed the equality of ‘all men’ and their ‘unalienable rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness’.
The authors wrote that governments were established to secure these rights; when they failed to do so, the people could abolish them. This one statement alone was considered as treason to the British crown. And so, at the signing of the Declaration of Independence, John Hancock said, “Now we must all hang together.”
Always the sharp wit, Benjamin Franklin smilingly stated, “Or most assuredly we will all hang separately.”

The first major American opposition to British policy came in 1765 after Parliament passed the Stamp Act, a taxation measure to raise revenues for a standing British army in America. Under the banner of "no taxation without representation," colonists convened the Stamp Act Congress in October 1765 to vocalize their opposition to the tax. With its enactment in November, most colonists called for a boycott of British goods, and some organized attacks on the customhouses and homes of tax collectors. After months of protest in the colonies, Parliament voted to repeal the Stamp Act in March 1766.

Most colonists continued to quietly accept British rule until Parliament's enactment of the Tea Act in 1773, a bill designed to save the faltering East India Company by greatly lowering its tea tax and granting it a monopoly on the American tea trade. The low tax allowed the East India Company to undercut even tea smuggled into America by Dutch traders, and many colonists viewed the act as another example of taxation tyranny. In response, militant Patriots in Massachusetts organized the "Boston Tea Party," which saw British tea valued at some 18,000 pounds dumped into Boston Harbor.

Parliament, outraged by the Boston Tea Party and other blatant acts of destruction of British property, enacted the Coercive Acts, also known as the Intolerable Acts, in 1774. The Coercive Acts closed Boston to merchant shipping, established formal British military rule in Massachusetts, made British officials immune to criminal prosecution in America, and required colonists to quarter British troops. The colonists subsequently called the first Continental Congress to consider a united American resistance to the British.

With the other colonies watching intently, Massachusetts led the resistance to the British, forming a shadow revolutionary government and establishing militias to resist the increasing British military presence across the colony. In April 1775, Thomas Gage, the British governor of Massachusetts, ordered British troops to march to Concord, Massachusetts, where a Patriot arsenal was known to be located. On April 19, 1775, the British regulars encountered a group of American militiamen at Lexington, and the first shots of the American Revolution were fired.

Initially, both the Americans and the British saw the conflict as a kind of civil war within the British Empire: To King George III it was a colonial rebellion, and to the Americans it was a struggle for their rights as British citizens. However, Parliament remained unwilling to negotiate with the American rebels and instead purchased German mercenaries to help the British army crush the rebellion. In response to Britain's continued opposition to reform, the Continental Congress began to pass measures abolishing British authority in the colonies.

In January 1776, Thomas Paine published Common Sense, an influential political pamphlet that convincingly argued for American independence and sold more than 500,000 copies in a few months. In the spring of 1776, support for independence swept the colonies, the Continental Congress called for states to form their own governments, and a five-man committee was assigned to draft a declaration.

The Declaration of Independence was largely the work of Virginian Thomas Jefferson. In justifying American independence, Jefferson drew generously from the political philosophy of John Locke, an advocate of natural rights, and from the work of other English theorists. The first section features the famous lines, "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness." The second part presents a long list of grievances that provided the rationale for rebellion.

On July 2, 1776, the Continental Congress voted to approve a Virginia motion calling for separation from Britain. The dramatic words of this resolution were added to the closing of the Declaration of Independence. Two days later, on July 4, the declaration was formally adopted by 12 colonies after minor revision. New York approved it on July 19. On August 2, the declaration was signed.

The American War for Independence would last for five more years. Yet to come were the Patriot triumphs at Saratoga, the bitter winter at Valley Forge, the intervention of the French, and the final victory at Yorktown in 1781. In 1783, with the signing of the Treaty of Paris with Britain, the United States formally became a free and independent nation.

On a Side Note

1826 ~ 50 years to the day, former President's Thomas Jefferson & John Adams died on July 4th.

1827 - Slavery was abolished in NY

1832 ~ It was on this day that America was sung in public for the first time -- at the Park Street Church in Boston, MA. Dr. Samuel Francis Smith wrote the words, borrowing the tune from a German songbook. Ironically, and unknown to Dr. Smith at the time, the melody is the same as the British national anthem.

1881 - Tuskegee Institute opened its doors to the students who built it with bricks made in their own kiln. An abandoned plantation in Tuskegee, Alabama was the site chosen for Booker T. Washington’s institution for academic and vocational training.

1895 - America the Beautiful, the famous song often touted as the true U.S. national anthem, was originally a poem written by Katherine Lee Bates. The Wellesley College professor’s poem was first published this day in the Congregationalist, a church newspaper.

1939 ~ Lou Gehrig retired from baseball due to Lou Gehrig disease, he later died in 1939

1955 - The first king cobra snakes born in captivity in the United States were hatched at the Bronx Zoo in New York City. A total of nine eggs hatched between July 4th and 12th of 1955.

1985 - A crowd, estimated at one million, gathered in Philadelphia to celebrate the 209th anniversary of America’s independence. The Beach Boys were joined by Mr. T. on drums to really add some fireworks to the festivities. The Oak Ridge Boys, Joan Jett and Jimmy Page joined in the celebration (but wouldn’t let Mr. T. play ...)

1997 - The Mars Pathfinder spacecraft, launched by NASA from the Earth in December 1996, entered the atmosphere of Mars. A heat shield, parachutes, and airbags helped it land safely. The Sojourner rover searched the surface of Mars for rocks while millions of earthlings watch it on TV and the Internet.

Sources:
http://440.com/twtd/today.html
http://link.history.com/services/link/bcpid1184539009/bclid1213979358/bctid1209892871

07-02-2008 Civil Rights Protection enacted on this date in 1964

On this day in history, July 2, 1964-- President Lyndon Johnson signs the Civil Rights Act into law. The following is the announcement the President made just prior to this signing--

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

My fellow Americans:

I am about to sign into law the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

I want to take this occasion to talk to you about what that law means to every American.

One hundred and eighty-eight years ago this week, a small band of valiant men began a long struggle for freedom. They pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor not only to found a nation, but to forge an ideal of freedom--not only for political independence, but for personal liberty

--not only to eliminate foreign rule,but to establish the rule of justice in the affairs of men. That struggle was a turning point in our history. Today in far corners of distant continents, the ideals of those American patriots still shape the struggles of men who hunger for freedom.

This is a proud triumph. Yet those who founded our country knew that freedom would be secure only if each generation fought to renew and enlarge its meaning. From the minutemen at Concord to the soldiers in Viet-Nam, each generation has been equal to that trust.

Americans of every race and color have died in battle to protect our freedom. Americans of every race and color have worked to build a nation of widening opportunities. Now our generation of Americans has been called on to continue the unending search for justice within our own borders.We believe that all men are created equal. Yet many are denied equal treatment. We believe that all men have certain unalienable rights. Yet many Americans do not enjoy those rights.We believe that all men are entitled to the blessings of liberty. Yet millions are being deprived of those blessings--not because of their own failures, but because of the color of their skin.The reasons are deeply imbedded in history and tradition and the nature of man. We can understand--without rancor or hatred--how this all happened. But it cannot continue. Our Constitution, the foundation of our Republic, forbids it. The principles of our freedom forbid it. Morality forbids it.

And the law I will sign tonight forbids it.

That law is the product of months of the most careful debate and discussion.

It was proposed more than one year ago by our late and beloved President John F. Kennedy.

It received the bipartisan support of more than two-thirds of the Members of both the House and the Senate.

An overwhelming majority of Republicans as well as Democrats voted for it.

It has received the thoughtful support of tens of thousands of civic and religious leaders in all parts of this Nation.

And it is supported by the great majority of the American people.

The purpose of the law is simple.

It does not restrict the freedom of any American, so long as he respects the rights of others.

It does not give special treatment to any citizen.

It does say the only limit to a man's hope for happiness, and for the future of his children, shall be his own ability.

It does say that there are those who are equal before God shall now also be equal in the polling booths,

in the classrooms,

in the factories,

and in hotels,

restaurants,

movie theaters,

and other places that provide service to the public.

I am takingsteps to implement the law under my constitutional obligation to "take care that the laws are faithfully executed.

"First, I will send to the Senate my nomination of LeRoy Collins to be Director of the Community Relations Service.

Governor Collins will bring the experience of a long career of distinguished public service to the task of helping communities solve problems of human relations through reason and common sense.

Second, I shall appoint an advisory committee of distinguished Americans to assist Governor Collins in his assignment.

Third, I am sending Congress a request for supplemental appropriations to pay for necessary costs of implementing the law, and asking for immediate action.

Fourth, already today in a meeting of my Cabinet this afternoon I directed the agencies of this Government to fully discharge the new responsibilities imposed upon them by the law and to do it without delay, and to keep me personally informed of their progress.

Fifth, I am asking appropriate officials to meet with representative groups to promote greater understanding of the law and to achieve a spirit of compliance.

We must not approach the observance and enforcement of this law in a vengeful spirit.

Its purpose is not to punish.

Its purpose is not to divide, but to end divisions-

-divisions which have all lasted too long.

Its purpose is national, not regional.

Its purpose is to promote a more abiding commitment to freedom,

a more constant pursuit of justice,

and a deeper respect for human dignity.

We will achieve these goals because most Americans are law-abiding citizens who want to do what is right.

This is why the Civil Rights Act relies first on voluntary compliance, then on the efforts of local communities and States to secure the rights of citizens.

It provides for the national authority to step in only when others cannot or will not do the job.

This Civil Rights Act is a challenge to all of us to go to work in our communities and our States, in our homes and in our hearts, to eliminate the last vestiges of in justice in our beloved country.

So tonight I urge every public official,

every religious leader,

every business and professional man,

every working man,

every housewife-

-I urge every American-

-to join in this effort to bring justice and hope to all our people-

-and to bring peace to our land.

My fellow citizens, we have come now to a time of testing. We must not fail. Let us close the springs of racial poison. Let us pray for wise and understanding hearts.

Let us lay aside irrelevant differences and make our Nation whole.

Let us hasten that day when our unmeasured strength and our unbounded spirit will be free to do the great works ordained for this Nation by the just and wise God who is the Father of us all.

Thank you and goodnight.

--------------------------------------------------

You can go to this page on about.com and read the text of this act http://uspolitics.about.com/od/usgovernment/a/civilRights_act.htm

----------------------------------------------------

Sources:
Lydon Baines Johnson Library and Museum. "President Lyndon B. Johnson's Radio and Television Remarks Upon Signing the Civil Rights Bill July 2, 1964." Available from http://www.lbjlib.utexas.edu/johnson/archives.hom/speeches.hom/640702.asp. Internet; accessed 02 July 2008.
Gill, Kathy. "US Civil Rights Act - 1964 Public Law 88-352." Available from http://uspolitics.about.com/od/usgovernment/a/civilRights_act.htm. Internet; accessed 02 July 2008.

Stitch of the Day

Mile-a-Minute Lace

Mile-a-minute crochet can be worked with any hook and yarn you like. It makes fine cotton lace. Stripes made with worsted -weight yarn can be joined to make any number of projects, such as afghans, pillow, etc. A beginner can do it.

Here's how:

Ch 8, (dc, ch 2, dc) in 7th ch from hook, ch 3, (dc, ch 2, dc) in next ch, [ch 6, turn, (dc, ch 2, dc) in ch-3 sp, ch 3, (dc, ch 2, dc) in same ch-3 sp] rep to desired length, fasten off.

Joining strips: Ch 8, (dc, ch 2, dc) in 7th ch from hook, ch 3, (dc, ch 2, dc) in next ch, [ch 3, sl st in adjacent ch-6 sp of previous strip, ch 3, turn, (dc, ch 2, dc) in ch-3 sp, ch 3, (dc, ch 2, dc) in same ch-3 sp, ch 6, turn, (dc, ch 2, dc) in ch-3 sp, ch 3, (dc, ch 2, dc) in same ch-3 sp] rep until working strip is joined to previous strip, fasten off.

This is just one variation of Mile-a-Minute technique.

Try this for practice

Apple Mile-a-Minute Afghan & Pillow

This pdf can be found at the following http://www.crochet-world.com/featuredpattern.html for 1 day, otherwise, it can be found at the following;

Crochet World magazine, February 2002, Vol. 25, No. 1, pages 38-39, Copyright @ 2002 Crochet World Magazine. Most public library's usually carry this for loan or you can buy it on line by searching through ebay or google. Crochet World would also carry it for purchase.

Stitch of the Day

The Somerset Stitch Pattern

A Stitch Pattern From The Year 1917

This stitch pattern is from the year 1917. It has been rewritten and added to the crochet directions.
Also included are the authentic antique instructions. It can be interesting to see the difference between the way patterns were written in that era and now.

Directions by Sandi Marshall - Materials Used In Example: Worsted weight yarn Crochet hook size G

Abbreviations:


ch = chain
chs = chains
dc = double crochet
sc = single crochet

Work all the rows in one solid color or alternate colors as you choose. One way that you could use this pattern would be to make long strips to join for an afghan.


Starting Chain - Ch 46.


Row 1 - 4 dc in 4th ch from hook, * skip 2 chains, sc in next ch, skip 2 chains, 4 dc in next ch **, repeat from * to ** 5 more times, skip 2 chains, sc in next ch, skip 2 chains, dc in last ch. Ch 3, to turn.


Row 2 - 4 dc in first sc of previous row, * skip 2 dc, sc in the space between the 2nd and 3rd dc of this 4-dc group, skip 2 dc, 4 dc in next sc **, repeat from * to ** 5 more times, skip 2 dc, sc in the space between the 2nd and 3rd dc of this 4-dc group, skip 2 dc, dc in last stitch of row. Ch 3, to turn.


Repeat - Repeat row 2, until you have reached the length desired.

-- End of Rewritten Directions




This photo shows the hook inserted in the space between the 2nd and 3rd dc of that 4-dc group, in preparation to work a single crochet in that space.





This photo shows one row worked in a contrasting color, so that you can more easily see the placement of the stitches in that row.

Directions From 1917

Materials
Fleisher's Germantown Zephyr
4-fold and Amber hook No. 4 ~ hook size given in the 1917 publication.

Following are the directions from the antique pattern book, exactly as originally written (including punctuation) and in its entirety.

Starting Chain: Chain 46.
1st Row. - In 4th stitch from hook make 4 double crochet, *Skip 2 chain, in next chain make 1 single crochet, skip 2 chain, in next stitch make 4 double crochet,* skip 2 chain, 1 single crochet in next chain, skip 2 chain, 1 double crochet in end stitch. Turn. Chain 2.
2d Row. - *4 double crochet around single crochet, 1 single crochet around 2d and 3d double crochet of 1st row,* 1 double crochet in last stitch. Turn, chain 2. Repeat 2d row. --

End of 1917 Directions



Somerset Stitch Pattern was originally published in the book Fleisher's Knitting and Crocheting Manual, Fifteenth Edition, published in the year 1917 (now in the public domain).


Somerset Stitch Pattern rewritten instructions and the Stitch photos on this page are copyright 2003 by Sandi Marshall, licensed to About.com, Inc. Free for your own personal use only. Do not redistribute my rewritten instructions or my Stitch photos in any form, even for free. If others would like to have my rewritten directions for this pattern, please give them the URL of the main page for this pattern or the URL of this printing page ... Thank you! The main page for this pattern is http://crochet.about.com/library/weekly/aa071203.htm The URL of this printing page is http://crochet.about.com/library/n071203.htm



Printing Page For The Somerset Stitch Pattern Free Instructions

Gift of the Month

Badia's 4shared library

Badia got a free account at 4shared.com where she uploaded hundreds of patterns under all categories, just some of her PDFs which she has collected from here and there after years of searching for free online patterns as we all do.

Badia is now sharing some of her free patterns library in the hopes that it will be of inspiration and use to all of you as it was and still is to me.

http://www.4shared.com/account/dir/5106378/e3ce29f1/sharing.html?rnd=7
From Badia herself ~

"I just would like to point out here that I am not violating any copyrights as I am not selling those patterns, I got them shared and I am sharing them.

I can never claim any is mine, all is published in their owners' names and references, please visit their sites and if you can afford buying those patters or others from the sources please don't hesitate to do so, get inspired and don't copy, support them as they do great efforts to support us knitters and fashion crafters everywhere."

have fun and enjoy the Gift
Badia A. Ali

Wists

Crochet Stitch of the Week:

Scallop Stripes

(colors A, B and C)

Stripe Sequence 2 rows A, 2B, 2C, 2B, 2A, 2C

(ch a multiple of 11 sts + 10)

Row 1 ~ Work 1 dc in 4th ch from hook, ch 1, skip 2 ch, 1 sc in next ch, *ch 5, skip 4 ch, 1 sc in next ch, ch 1, skip 2 ch, (1 dc, ch 1, 1 dc) in next ch, ch 1, skip 2 ch, 1 sc in next ch; rep from *, end ch 2, skip 2 ch, 1 dc in last ch. Turn.

Row 2 ~ Ch 1, 1 sc in first dc, skip ch-2 sp, *3 dc in each of next 3 ch-1 sps, 1 sc in next ch-5 sp; rep from *, end 3 dc in last ch-1 sp, 2 dc in top of t-ch. Turn.

Row 3 ~ Ch 4, 1 sc between 2nd and 3rd dc of first scallop, *ch 1, (1 dc, ch 1, 1 dc) in next sc, ch 1, 1 sc between first and 2nd dc of next scallop, ch 5, skip next scallop, 1 sc between 2nd and 3rd dc of next scallop; rep from *, end ch 1, 2 dc in last sc. Turn.

Row 4 ~ Ch 3, 1 dc in first dc, 3 dc in ch-1 sp, *1 sc in ch-5 sp, 3 dc in next 3 ch-1 sps; rep from *, end 1 sc in t-ch sp. Turn.

Row 5 ~ Ch 3, 1 dc in first sc, ch 1, *1 sc between first and 2nd dc of next scallop, ch 5, skip next scallop, 1 sc between between 2nd and 3rd dc of next scallop, ch 1, (1 dc, ch 1, 1 dc) in next sc, ch 1; rep from *, end 1 sc between first and 2nd dc of last scallop, ch 2, 1 dc in top of t-ch. Turn.

Rep rows 2–5, continuing stripe sequence.

Crochet Stitch of the Week :

St. George's Variation

(colors A and B)
(ch a multiple of 14 sts + 9)

Row 1: With A, 1 dc in 4th ch from hook and in next 5 ch, *[with B, 1 dc in next ch; with A, 1 dc in next ch] 3 times; with B, 1 dc in next ch; with A, 1 dc in 7 ch; rep from * to end. Turn.

Rows 2–4: With A, ch 3 (counts as 1 dc throughout), skip first st, 1 dc in next 6 dc, *[with B, 1 dc in next dc; with A, 1 dc in next dc] 3 times; with B, 1 dc in next st; with A, 1 dc in 7 dc; rep from * across, end last rep with A, 1 dc in last 6 dc, 1 dc in top of t-ch. Turn.

Rows 5–8: With A, ch 3, skip first st, [with B, 1 dc in next dc; with A, 1 dc in next dc] 3 times; *with B, 1 dc in next 7 dc, [with A, 1 dc in next dc; with B, 1 dc in next dc] 3 times; with A, 1 dc in next dc; rep from * across, end last rep with A, 1 dc in top of t-ch. Turn.

Row 9: Rep row 2.

Rep rows 2–9.

Stitchfinder : Crochet Stitch: St. George's Variation : Help and Information from Lion Brand Yarn

Crochet Stitch of the Week :

Knot Stitch

(also called Lover's Knot Stitch)

Shawls made in this stitch are very light and airy.

Make a ch in the desired length, * draw up a 1/4-inch loop on hook, yo and pull through ch, sc in single lp of st (single knot st), draw up another 1/4-inch lp on hook, yo, pull through lp, sc in single lp of st (double knot st), sk 4 sts of ch, sc in next st of ch, rep from * across ch.

Work 3 single knot sts to turn all rows. *Work 1 sc in lp at right of sc and 1 sc in lp at left of sc at center of next double knot st, work a double knot st, rep from * across row. Do not work into the remaining single knot st at the end of row. Continue to desired length.

Crochet Stitch of the Week : Playblocks

(colors A, B, C, D, E, F, and G)

Stripe Sequence 2 rows A, 2B, 2C, 2A, 2D, 2E, 2F, 2G


FPtr (Front Post treble) Yo twice and insert hook from front to back to front around post of stitch two rows below (first row of previous color), yo and draw up a lp, [yo and draw through 2 lps on hook] 3 times.

(ch a multiple of 10 sts + 12)

Row 1 With A, 1 dc in 5th ch from hook and in each ch across. Turn.

Row 2 With A, ch 3 (counts as 1 dc throughout), skip first dc, 1 dc in each dc across, end 1 dc in top of t-ch. Turn.

Row 3 With B, ch 3, skip first dc, 1 dc in next dc, *[FPtr in next dc, 1 dc in next dc] 3 times, 1 dc in next 4 dc; rep from *, end last rep 1 dc in last dc, dc in top of t-ch. Turn.

Row 4 With B, rep row 2.

Row 5 With C, ch 3, skip first dc, 1 dc in next 6 dc, *[FPtr in next dc, 1 dc in next dc] 3 times, 1 dc in 4 dc; rep from *, end 1 dc in last 2 dc, dc in top of t-ch. Turn.

Rep rows 2–5, continuing stripe sequence.

Stitch of the Day

Broomstick Lace

Broomstick lace can be worked into lovely panels. It is exceptionally beautiful mixed with other types of stitches.


Row 1: Ch desired number of sts, do not turn, sl last lp on hook onto broomstick or other comparable rod and, working back toward slip knot on starting ch, *insert hook in next ch, yo, draw lp through ch and slip onto broomstick, rep from * across, do not turn, sl first 5 lps from broomstick onto hook, yo, draw lp through all 5 lps on hook, ch 1, 5 sc in same 5-lp group, [sl next 5 lps from broomstick onto hook, yo, draw lp through all 5 lps, yo draw lp through both lps on hook, 4 sc in same 5-lp group] across, do not turn.

Row 2: Sl last lp on hook onto broomstick, [insert hook in next st, yo, draw lp through, sl lp from hook onto broomstick] across.

Row 3: [Sl next 5 lps from broomstick onto hook, yo, draw lp through all 5 lps on hook, ch 1, 5 sc in same ch-5 lp group] across, do not turn. Rep rows 2 and 3.

Crochet Stitch of the week:

Striped Chevrons

(colors A, B and C)
Stripe Sequence 2 rows A, 2B, 2C
(ch a multiple of 10 sts +1)

Row 1 Work 2 Sc in 2nd ch from hook, *1 sc in next 3 ch, skip 1 ch, 1 sc in next ch, skip 1 ch, 1 sc in next 3 ch, 3 sc in next ch; rep from * to last 10 ch, 1 sc in next 3 ch, skip 1 ch, 1 sc in next ch, skip 1 ch, 1 sc in next 3 ch, 2 sc in last ch. Turn.Row 2 Ch 1, 2 sc in first sc, *1 sc in next 3 sc, skip 1 sc, 1 sc in next sc, skip 1 sc, 1 sc in next 3 sc, 3 sc in next sc; rep from * to last 10 sc, 1 sc in next 3 sc, skip 1 sc, 1 sc in next sc, skip 1 sc, 1 sc in next 3 sc, 2 sc in last sc. Turn.
Rep row 2, continuing stripe sequence.

http://www.lionbrand.com/cgi-bin/faq-search.cgi?store=/stores/eyarn&faqKey=373&language=

LEARN TO CROCHET PICTURE AFGHAN PATTERNS MANY CATEGORIES FREE PATTERNS

LEARN TO CROCHET PICTURE AFGHAN PATTERNS MANY CATEGORIES FREE PATTERNS

Crochet Stitch of the Week:

Shell Pattern 2

Shell (2 dc, ch 1, 2 dc)
(ch a multiple of 4 sts)
Row 1 shell in 4th ch from hook, *skip 3 ch, shell in next ch; rep from * to end. Turn. Row 2 Ch 3, *shell in ch-1 sp of next shell; rep from * to end. Turn.
Rep row 2.

Stitch of the Day

Lace Ripples

(colors A, B, C and D)

Stripe Sequence 2 rows A, 2C, 2A, 2B

(ch a multiple of 16 sts + 2)

Row 1 With B, working in back lps only of foundation ch, 1 sc in 2nd ch from hook, *1 sc in next ch, ch 1, skip 1 ch, 1 hdc in next ch, ch 1, skip 1 ch, 1 dc in next ch, [ch 1, skip 1 ch, 1 tr in next ch] twice, ch 1, skip 1 ch, 1 dc in next ch, ch 1, skip 1 ch, 1 hdc in next ch, ch 1, skip 1 ch, 1 sc in next ch, ch 1, skip 1 ch; rep from *, end last rep 1 sc in last 2 ch. Turn.

Rows 2, 6, 10 and 14 With A, ch 1, 1 sc in each st and ch-1 sp. Turn.

Rows 3, 7, 11 and 15 With A, ch 1, 1 sc in each sc across. Turn.

Row 4 With C, ch 4 (counts as 1 tr), skip first st, *1 tr in next st, ch 1, skip 1 st, 1 dc in next st, ch 1, skip 1 st, 1 hdc in next st, [ch 1, skip 1 st, 1 sc in next st] twice, ch 1, skip 1 st, 1 hdc in next st, ch 1, skip 1 st, 1 dc in next st, ch 1, skip 1 st, 1 tr in next st, ch 1, skip 1 st; rep from *, end last rep 1 tr in last 2 sts. Turn.

Row 5 With C, ch 4 (counts as 1 tr), skip first st, *1 tr in next st, ch 1, skip 1 st, 1 dc in next st, ch 1, skip 1 st, 1 hdc in next st, [ch 1, skip 1 st, 1 sc in next st] twice, ch 1, skip 1 st, 1 hdc in next st, ch 1, skip 1 st, 1 dc in next st, ch 1, skip 1 st, 1 tr in next st, ch 1, skip 1 st; rep from *, end last rep 1 tr in last st, tr in top of t-ch. Turn.

Rows 8 and 9 With B, ch 1, 1 sc in first st, *1 sc in next st, ch 1, skip 1 st, 1 hdc in next st, ch 1, skip 1 st, 1 dc in next st, [ch 1, skip 1 st, 1 tr in next st] twice, ch 1, skip 1 st, 1 dc in next st, ch 1, skip 1 st, 1 hdc in next st, ch 1, skip 1 st, 1 sc in next st, ch 1, skip 1 st; rep from *, end last rep 1 sc in last 2 sts. Ch 1, turn.

Rows 12 and 13 With D, rep rows 4 and 5.Rows 16 and 17 Rep row 8 and 9.

For further questions & patterns, go here

http://www.lionbrand.com/cgi-bin/faq-search.cgi?store=/stores/eyarn&faqKey=355&V2=