Sweet Nothings Crochet: February 2017

BEAUTIFUL CROCHET CHOKER – 4

Dancing dolls 1

Just from the title of this blog, you will know that I have three earlier similar blogs. Working off those ideas, I thought of this one, that (after completion) looked a little like little dancing dolls.

If you don’t see the dolls (as yet) read on and see how you can work this one.

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Materials used : Today I’ve used the lovely Indian Anchor knitting cotton yarn with a 1.3 mm crochet hook ; a chain ; beads, if needed ; glue to seal ends.

For Indians : You could use Red ros e or unbranded knitting cotton as well

General yarn info : The yarn used today is not specific to this pattern.

You can use any yarn with a suitable hook to make this project to any size.

International yarns : Among the international yarns I have used in this thickness, I’d suggest Aunt Lydia Cotton 10, Aunt Lydia Bamboo-Viscose 10, DMC Petra, Sullivans knitting cotton (Australia), Milford Soft, Hilaza Rustica Eclat , Alize cotton yarn and Alize bamboo yarn.

Skill level: Intermediate

Stitches used : Using US terminology

Starting slip knot : Here’s how you start with a slip knot. https://youtu.be/lJcqsVcs8cw

Starting slip knot 1 or the Sloppy Slip knot : This is a neat new way to start your work without a slip knot. https://youtu.be/YfC7KmGpifs

Magic circle : To refresh your skill, please view this easy video https://youtu.be/ISC39yOqWro

What is a chain stitch ? Here is an easy video tutorial https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pXx5ukBjKkY

What is a slip stitch : Here is a neat video tutorial at https://youtu.be/weB3QNbA8Iw

Single Crochet : Sc : yo, insert hk into st ; yo (2 lps on hk); yo, draw through both lps. One sc made. Check out the video at https://youtu.be/ghACqBpA-3k

First stitch for Single Crochet : This is how I like to start my row of sc. Check out the video at https://youtu.be/6pVYRfsf4_M

Double Crochet : dc : yo, insert hk into st ; yo (3 lps on hk);

[yo, draw through 2 lps] twice. One dc made.

Check out the video at https://youtu.be/xdnjB27zpYo

Chainless start for Double Crochet : I dislike the ch-2 / ch – 3 start, and this is what I do to start my row of dc.

Check out the video at https://youtu.be/wskv3iTjRx0

Double crochet 4-tog as a decrease stitch : dc 4-tog : Here is an easy video tutorial for working a dc 4-tog over 4 sts at https://youtu.be/WjSNi7ithIU

Double crochet 4-tog as a decorative stitch : dc 4-tog : Here is an easy video tutorial for working a dc 4-tog all in the same stitch as a decorative stitch at https://youtu.be/_B0-ye0cClU

How to add beads : Check this video at https://youtu.be/EcpgMgBox8I

How to work with beads in crochet : Check out this video at https://youtu.be/yanbAnF_pr0

Abbreviations used : Using US terminology

sc : single crochet dc : Double crochet

ch : chain ch-sp : chain space

sp : space rep : Repeat

hk : hook lp (s) : loop(s)

yo : yarn over sl-st : slip stitch

dc 4-tog : Double crochet 4-together

Instruction information

For this project we will start with a fsc row first, and work the top part of our choker. We will then work in the shells at the bottom, and then work back around the top with a few picots making it look like little dancing dolls around your neck.

I saw the dancing doll ‘effect’ only after I completed the picots and took a photograph, so not only will I tell you what I have done, but also how to try and get them to dance for you ;)

Foundation Single Crochet : fsc : To refresh your skill on the fsc, please view this video https://youtu.be/mcT85fwh4mA

Start with fsc in multiples of 4 for the length needed around the neck. Turn.

Row 1 : dc in the 1^st fsc ;

*sk next 3 fsc ; 5 dc in the next fsc* ;

rep *to* till the last 4 fsc,

sk next 3 fsc, dc in the last fsc. Turn.

You are now at one end of your fsc chain, so you will turn your work around, and we will now work on the other side of your fsc chain for the picots.

We will work a ch-3 picot which is (ch 3, sl-st in the 3^rd ch from hk)

Here I am going to give instructions first for what I have done, and then instructions for a 2^nd way that make these dolls look more like dolls ;)

How to work a picot stitch : Traditionally for a ch-3 picot, you work (ch 3, sl-st in 3rd ch from hook). For a ch-5 picot, you will do (ch 5, sl-st in 5th ch from hook).

Here’s a great video https://youtu.be/8s3zVaBcn4s

Row 2 : sc + picot in the 1^st fsc ;

*ch 1, sk next fsc, sc + picot in the next fsc* ;

rep *to* till the end. Turn.

Fasten off and weave in ends.

This is what I have done, but after completion, I thought that this would work too.. so here’s a tweak in case you wish to try it..

Row 2 OPTIONAL : sc + picot in the 1^st fsc ;

*ch 1, sk next 3 fsc, sc + picot in the next fsc* ;

rep *to* till the end. Turn.

Fasten off and weave in ends.

In my mind, I *see* that the picot will be a ‘head’ on top of the shelled skirt and the fsc chain will form the ‘body’ of our little dancing doll. So go ahead, and give it a try.

And that’s done.. yet another project brilliantly executed !

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Tuesday, 28 February 2017

BEAUTIFUL CROCHET CHOKER – 4 : Dancing dolls 1