Lesson Six on Two Color Granny Square

In this photo I have dropped the violet yarn and have picked up the white yarn from the previous row. I have looped it around the hook(yarn over-yo) and I am going to bring it through the two loops on the hook. This will complete the dc and change the color. I can now proceed with the rest of Rnd 3....

Rnd 3 (cont): ch 2, 2 dc in same sp, dc in next 7 sts, (2dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in next ch sp, dc in next 7 sts, 2 dc in next ch sp, ch 2, join, fasten off.

This completes the series of lessons on The Making of a Two Color Granny Square.

(Want more like this? Comments are Welcome)

Lesson Five on Two Color Granny Square

Rnd 3: Sl st in next ch sp, ch 3(see picture), dc in same sp, dc in next 7 sts, (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in next ch sp, dc in next 7 sts, 2dc in next ch sp changing to white in last st made.........To Be Continued in Next Post

Lesson Four on Two Color Granny Square

Cont. Rnd 2: 2 dc in next ch sp changing to violet in last st made, ch 2, 2 dc in same ch sp, dc in each of next 3 sts, (2dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in next ch sp, dc in each of next 3 sts, 2 dc in next ch sp, ch 2, join, TURN. ( 28 dc, 4 ch-2 sps).

To Be Continued

Lesson Three on Two Color Granny Squares

Our last instruction after completing Rnd Two was to TURN. This is the different than when making the solid color granny squares. This picture shows the square after it is turned.

Rnd 2: Sl st in next ch sp, ch 3, dc in same sp, dc in each of next 3 sts, (2dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in next ch sp, dc in each of next 3 st,

To Be Continued in Next Post

Lesson Two on Two Color Granny Squares

Having joined the white in the last half of the Double Crochet stitch, we are now ready to complete Round 1. Picking up where we left off in the last post....

After changing to white in the last stitch made, ch 2, (3dc in ring, ch 2) 2 times, join with sl st in top of ch-3, TURN. (12 dc, 4 ch-2 sps).

To Be Continued.

Lesson One on Two Color Granny Squares

This is the first half of Rnd One, at the point where you are about to change colors. I have completed half of the last Double Crochet stitch and have dropped the violet yarn. I am going to pick up the white yarn and finish the Double Crochet stitch with the white yarn.

This is the pattern directions up to the point we are at now:

Rnd 1: With violet, ch 4, sl st in first ch to form ring, ch 3, 2 dc in ring, ch 2, 3 dc in ring changing to white in last st made.....To Be Continued In Next Post

Two Color Granny Square Tutorial

This is the first of a step-by-step tutorial on How To Make a Two Color Granny Square. These are quite useful when you want to design your own croquilts.

I will start with the full instructions and break it down in more details in subsequent posts.

Rnd 1: With violet, ch 4, sl st in first ch to form ring, ch 3, 2 dc in ring, ch 2, 3 dc in ring changing to white in last st made, ch 2, (3dc in ring, ch 2) 2 times, join with sl st in top of ch-3, turn. (12 dc, 4 ch-2 sps)

Rnd 2: Sl st in next ch sp, ch 3, dc in same sp, dc in each of next 3 sts, (2dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in next ch sp, dc in each of next 3 sts, 2 dc in next ch sp changing to violet in last st made, ch 2, 2 dc in same ch sp, dc in each of next 3 sts, (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in next ch sp, dc in each of next 3 sts, 2 dc in next ch sp, ch 2, join, turn. (28 dc, 4 ch-2 sps)

Rnd 3: Sl st in next ch sp, ch 3, dc in same sp, dc in next 7 sts, (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in next ch sp, dc in next 7 sts, 2 dc in nex ch sp changing to white in last st made, ch 2, 2 dc in same sp, dc in next 7 sts, (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in next ch sp, dc in next 7 sts, 2 dc in next ch sp, ch 2, join. Fasten off.

Crocheted Pillows

Forget paying big bucks at the mall for those designer pillows. You can be the designer and brighten up your decor at home and at the office.

It's really simple. Here's how you do it. Take a pillow form, or one of those pillows off your couch, and measure it. Subtract one inch off each side to get the size you need to crochet the cover. This makes the pillow firm. If you want a softer pillow, then simply increase the size of the cover.

The easiest way to do the cover is with single crochet stitches. If you make several pillow covers for your couch, you can do each one in a different color.

Let your imagination run wild here, and you can go into business for yourself.

"That's So Simple!" Scarf Pattern

Size 'J' Hook
Worsted Weight yarn

CH 35, Sc in 2nd ch from hook and across. (34sc)
Continue for a total of 16 rows. Fasten off.

Attach a second color at end of row 16 and sc across row for a total of 34sc. Continue for a total of 16 rows.

Repeat pattern until scarf is as long as you want it to be. Attach fringe at each end and you are done.

Mittens for Children

These mittens were made using the same pattern that I posted before. These are smaller versions made to fit a child's hand. I simply used one strand of yarn rather than two. The hook size remained the same.

After working the beginning of the thumb, I went more rows on the mitten on the right of your screen. That is why you see the two sizes are not the same.

The width is approx. 6 1/2 inches for a child.

Crocheted Mittens Pattern

Caron Simply Soft yarn in Autumn Red(MC) and White(CC) two 6oz skeins each color

Size 'I' hook

Finished measurements are 10 1/2 inches long (before folding cuff over) and 9 1/2 inches around.

Using two strands of MC held together, Ch 31.

Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and each ch across. Ch 1 and turn.

Row 2: Sc in each sc across for pattern. (30)

Continue working in pattern until it measures 1 1/2 inches long.

To begin making thumb, sc in first 14 sc, (sc inc)two times, sc in rem 14 sc. Ch 1 and turn.

Row 2: Sc in first 14 sc, (sc inc, sc in next two sc, sc inc), sc in rem 14 sc. Ch 1 and turn.

Row 3: Sc in first 14 sc, (sc inc, sc in next four sc, sc inc), sc in rem 14 sc. Ch 1 and turn.

Row 4: Sc in first 14 sc, (sc inc, sc in next six sc, sc inc), sc in rem 14 sc. Ch 1 and turn.

Row 5: Sc in first 14 sc, (sc inc, sc in next eight sc, sc inc), sc in rem 14 sc. Ch 1 and turn.

Row 6: Sc in first 13 sc, (sc inc, skip next 12 sc, sc inc in next sc), sc in rem 13 sc. Ch 1 and turn.

Continue to work sc in sc, omitting previous skipped sts, until piece measures 7 1/2 inches long.

Next row: Sc in sc(twice), sc dec, sc in sc(twice), sc dec (rep to end of row). Ch1 and turn.

Next row: Sc in sc, sc dec, sc in sc, sc dec (rep to end of row). Ch 1 and turn.

Next two rows: Sc dec across. Ch 1 and turn. Fasten off.

Back to thumb: Attach MC and sc in sc around. Continue working until you have made 6 rounds. Do not join. Use a marker to keep up with rnds.

Next two rnds work sc dec around and fasten off. Leave enough yarn to close up the end of the thumb with.

Attach CC at wrist and sc across. (30)

Continue working sc in sc. Ch 1 and turn at end of every row until you have made 2 inches in CC.

Fasten off.

Sew side seams and turn mitten inside out. Fold cuff down.

Explanation of terms used in pattern

Sc inc = single crochet increase

Sc dec = single crochet decrease

Croquilt

Here is a good example of a crocheted quilt. I like to call them croquilts. This one is made using small granny squares.

What can I make with a granny square?

Granny squares are fast, easy, and there are plenty of uses for them.

You can make up small ones in different colors and join them to make a quilt.

Join some granny squares end to end to make a nice scarf or even a belt. Fringe on the ends is optional.

Make two 12 inch granny squares and then crochet a panel about 2 or 3 inches wide using single crochet. Sew this panel to the sides of the two granny squares to make a tote bag/purse. Put a piece of plastic canvas on the bottom of the bag. Make a fabric liner to fit the inside and sew it in place. Add a shoulder strap or two handles and you are done!

Easy way to stiffen crochet

Having trouble with the stiffener clogging up in the holes of your snowflakes?
Try putting the stiffener on the snowflake and placing it inside of a plastic bag. Massage the stiffener into the thread and leave in bag for 30 minutes or so. Then, take it out of the bag and lay flat on wax paper with a folded towel underneath.

Smooth out the snowflake with a rolling pin and use rust-proof pins to keep it in place. Let dry.

If you still have excess stiffener inside of open areas try using a knitting needle to clear them before the item is completely dry.

Snowflake Mobile

Crochet some snowflakes and stiffen them. String them with filament and attach to ends of small dowels to make a nice winter mobile.