February 25, 2009

Use of Abbreviations in Crochet

Question of the week concerns the use of abbreviations in crochet. You can't get around them and they save wear and tear on the finger when keying in the instructions as well as the length of instructions.
The question is about one abbreviation in particular:

Sa = Same

I include a list of abbreviations I use at the end of all my patterns that I sale.
Recently I was asked what stitch it meant when I said: Ch-1, sc sa st as beg ch-1.
Written out: Chain 1, single crochet same stitch as begin chain-1.
I have also been told that the use of sa for same is confusing.

So what is the vote?

Should same be written out completely
or
is sa acceptable?

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Crochet Tutorial on Chain Loop Stitch

Crochet Tutorial on Chain Loop Stitch

I like to use the chain loop st to add texture to my crochet like in this Echoing Heart Tote.

It is a very easy stitch to master and works up quickly.

It's also great to the touch which is why I love to use it when I make bath rugs for my home!










The stitch is based on chaining and slip stitches in foundation row.









I have begun by making a base row of half double crochet.
In the first photo I have chained 12 or ch-12.
In the second photo I have slip stitched two stitches or sl st next 2.
You continue across the row: Ch-12, sl st next 2.



Here is the finished row








Here I have pushed or pressed the loops made in the previous row to the back of my work which will become the front of my piece and am now beginning to hdc in ea st across to lock the chain stitches in place and to have another row to work the Ch-12, sl st next 2.






Here is the back of the work with 1 base row hdc sts, 1 row ch lps and 1 row hdc.







Here is the front of the same piece.










This is how the next row of ch lp looks.







This is the back of a completed sample square of ch lp.











This is the front of the same piece.








In this sample is shows a much shorter ch lp st of ch-6 sl st next 2 sts.









On the top is the shorter ch lp st sample
On the bottom is the longer ch lp sample
By verying the number of chains in the loop you can get a very different texture.










Bunny in a Basket Free Crochet Pattern


BUNNY IN A BASKET FREE CROCHET PATTERN

MATERIALS:

1 skein Bernat brand Boa yarn in White, Blue Bird and Toucan, H hook or hook to obtain gauge, small amount of stuffing, small amount of cardboard, needle to take yarn, 2 chenille stems, craft glue, two 1\4” white pom-poms, one 5mm pink pom-pom, two 5mm brown pom-poms and one 1\2” white pom-pom.

FINISHED SIZE: Bunny: 9” tall including ears; Basket; 3-1\2” X 5”

Gauge: 4 sc = 1”, 4 rows sc = 1”

BUNNY:

With white yarn and H hook ch-4, sl st to form a ring.

RND 1: Ch-1, work 8 sc in ring, sl st top beg sc, ch-1, turn. (8 sts)

RND 2-3: (2 sc next st, sc next st) around, sl st top beg sc, ch-1, turn. (12 sts)(18 sts)

RND 4-8: Sc ea st around, sl st top beg sc, ch-1, turn.

RND 9: Sc next 2 sts, (sk next st, sc next 3 sts) around, sl st top beg sc, ch-1, turn. (14 sts)

RND 10-11: Sc ea st around, sl st top beg sc, ch-1, turn.

RND 12: Work 2 sc in ea st around, sl st top beg sc, ch-1, turn. (28 sts)

RND 13-19: Sc ea st around, sl st top beg sc, ch-1, turn.

RND 20: (Sk next st, sc next 3 sts) around, sl st top beg sc, ch-1, turn. (21 sts)

RND 21: (Sk next st, sc next 2 sts) around, sl st top beg sc, ch-1, turn. (14 sts)

Stuff bunny.

RND 22: (Sk next st, sc next st) around, sl st top beg sc, ch-1, turn. (7 sts)

RND 23: (Sk next st, sc next st) 3 times, sk last st, sl st top beg sc, fasten off. (3 sts)

ARMS (MAKE 2):

With white and H hook rep rnd 1-2 of bunny.

RND 3-9: Sc ea st around, sl st top beg sc, ch-1, turn. At the end of rnd 9 fasten off.

Fold rnd 9 flat and with needle and matching yarn sew to bunny at shoulders. Rep for other arm.

LEGS (MAKE 2):

With white and H hook rep rnd 1-2 of bunny.

RND 3-12: Sc ea st around, sl st top beg sc, ch-1, turn. At the end of rnd 12 fasten off.

Fold legs flat at rnd 12, with needle and matching yarn sew legs to bottom of bunny.

EARS (MAKE 2):

Cut two 4-1\2” long piece of chenille stems. Twist stems into the shape of a circle and secure ends.

With one circle join white yarn with H hook around stem. Sc evenly around stem making certain stem does not show through, fasten off.

Rep for other circle.

Shape the circles into bunny ears and with needle and matching yarn sew to the back of the bunny’s head.

Glue two 1\4” white pom-poms to face for muzzle. Glue the 5mm pink pom-pom above this and the two 5mm brown pom-poms to the face for eyes. Glue the 1\2” white pom-pom to the backside of the bunny for a tail. Cut a length of either color of the boa yarns and tie around the bunny’s neck in a bow.


BASKET:

With Toucan and H hook ch-4, sl st to form a ring.

RND 1: Ch-1, work 8 sc in ring, sl st top beg sc, ch-1, turn. (8 sts)

RND 2-4: (2 sc next st, sc next st) around, sl st top beg sc, ch-1, turn. (12 sts)(18 sts)(27 sts)

RND 5: Sc next 2 sts, (2 sc next st, sc next 4 sts) around, sl st top beg sc, ch-1, turn. (32 sts)

RND 6: (2 sc next st, sc next 3 sts) around, sl st top beg sc, ch-1, turn. (40 sts)

RND 7: (2 sc next st, sc next 4 sts) around, join Blue Bird, sl st top beg sc, ch-1, turn, fasten off Toucan. (48 sts)

RND 8-19: Sc ea st around, sl st top beg sc, ch-1, turn. At the end of rnd 19 join toucan and fasten off blue bird.

RND 20-21: Sc ea st around, sl st top beg sc, ch-1, turn. At the end of rnd 21 fasten off.

BASKET BOTTOM:

With toucan and H hook rep rnd 1-7 of basket, at the end of rnd 7 fasten off. Cut a piece of thick cardboard a little smaller than piece just made. With needle and matching yarn, turn basket inside out and sew bottom to the bottom of the basket inserting the cardboard as you sew.

HANDLE:

Twist both ends of one chenille stem into small loops. With Blue Bird and H hook join around stem, ch-1, evenly sc around stem to other side, fasten off. With needle and matching yarn, sew handle inside the basket.


This is a super easy and fast project to make!
Not just for Easter either!

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