Knit Dragon's Tail Scarf Finish

I've finished the Dragon's Tail Scarf that I showed in the previous post.  It can either be worn as a scarf or as a shawl.

This pattern is really easy.  If you are searching for it on Ravelry, it is called

 Drachenschwanz,  and is a free pattern.  The only stitches you need to know to make this scarf are the knit stitch and how to increase.



 

I've really enjoyed making this and am seriously thinking about doing a second one.  I love working with variegated yarn.  I should probably check my yarn stash first??????

 I hope you are finding some time to stitch today.

Thanks for stopping by! 

Dragon's Tail Scarf

This is my latest knitting project and it's called Dragon's Tail Scarf.





When I visited Katrin's Blog Cattinka a few days ago, I saw a scarf in her post that she had finished.  She sent me a copy of the pattern which is a free pattern available on Ravelry.  Katrin told me that it is best to have around 200 yards of yarn (or more) and to knit until you have done at least 24 of the cast off points (or spikes).  I love how this is looking so far.

This pattern is all knitting with an increase in two of the stitches on the front rows, so it is really easy.

If you try this pattern and have any questions, feel free to email me.

Thanks for stopping by for a visit!  

Crochet Granny Stripe Afghan Tutorial Rewrite

I've received a lot of questions about my Crochet Granny Stripe Afghan Tutorial so I've decided to rewrite the pattern and try and take some better photos.  In my other tutorial I started the first row differently than this one, and I think this one looks better.

The granny stripe afghan beginning chain should be a multiple of 3 plus 2.  For a test piece I've chained 32 (3 X 10 + 2).  Turn and single crochet in second chain from hook where you see the arrow and in each chain.  You will have 31 stitches.



Chain 3 and turn.

Double crochet in the same stitch as the chain 3.

Skip two stitches then do 3 double crochets in the next stitch.

Continue across row skipping 2 stitches between each double crochet cluster (3 double crochets).

Your row will end with two double crochets in the last stitch (because you started with 2 DC).

Chain 3 and turn.

Do a double crochet cluster (3 double crochets) in each gap from the row below.  Continue across the row ending with 1 double crochet in the top of the last double crochet from the previous row.

If you start your row with two double crochets, you will end with two double crochets.  If you start with one double crochet, you will end with one.  Each row alternates.  The next row will start with two double crochets.

That's it.  Those rows repeat over and over.   You can change colors after the first two rows, after one row, or the entire afghan can be made from all one color.  I have changed colors every two rows.

This is how I change colors.  I know that most people say to leave two loops of the old color of your double crochet on your hook and attach your new color by pulling through the two loops on the hook.  But I have had too many ends of blankets come undone by doing that.  So I knot off the old color and tie the new color on with a knot.

Pull a loop through the gap.



Chain 3.



Do a double crochet in the same gap.



Do 3 double crochets in each gap across the row.



End this row with 2 double crochets in the last gap (because you started the row with 2 DCs).



Chain 3 and turn.



Continue with 3 DCs in each gap across the row.



End the row with 1 DC in the top of the stitch below.  Turn your work and tie on the next color and repeat.





How many to put in the beginning chain?

How many you chain to start depends a lot on what weight yarn you are using, size of hook, how tight or loose you crochet.  I mostly use worsted weight yarn and an I hook.  You can make a test chain and measure it to see how many stitches you have per inch and then figure out how many to chain to start your blanket.  This is just a guess as to how many to chain for different bed sizes.  The bed measurements in the chart below are conventional mattress sizes and are
TOP OF MATTRESS ONLY.

 BED SIZE          BED MEASUREMENT           APPROXIMATE NUMBER TO CHAIN      

Crib                      28"  X  52"                                      92

Twin                     39"  X  75"                                     125

Full                       54"  X  75"                                     170

Queen                    60"  X  80"                                    188

King                       76"  X  80"                                   233


After you do a few rows on your test piece, you will see that it is the same two rows over and over.  I hope these photos help to better explain the math and how to begin your own Crochet Granny Stripe Afghan.  If you have any questions, please write me at lakrug@comcast.net.

Hope you are finding some time to do some stitching today!

Squeaky

Our cat Squeaky died on Friday morning while we were on our way back from vacation.  She had
a runny nose before we left and was on an antibiotic.  She had almost stopped eating so my son took her to the vet on Thursday per our request to stay and be treated until we got back home.  She seemed to be doing okay, and then Friday morning the vet called to say she had stopped breathing on her own.

Squeaky was a little over 8 years old, and had spent 7 of those years here with us.  When our daughter moved to Huntsville, Alabama, for a job, she took Squeaky to live with her and then kept her in Lafayette, IN, for two years while she did Master's work at Purdue.  The two of them were best buddies.  Squeaky always came along on Kim's visits here, and she was a big part of our family.  The two of them have lived here since last December.





The house is so quiet.  She was always in someone's lap or watching the squirrels or birds or the leaves blowing outside.  Squeaky seemed better on Sunday morning when we left.  I can hardly believe that we came home to an empty house and that she won't be coming back.




Squeaky, we will always love you and miss you.


 

I try to keep my blog to happy subject matter...quilts, yarn projects, holidays, etc., but today my heart just aches.

Sorry to double post.  This post is also over on my Loose Threads blog.  I know I have had a couple of questions from readers about my Granny Stripe Afghan pattern, and I will get busy on a new sample and more photos in the next day or so.

Thanks for visiting.  

Mixed Stitch Crochet Blanket Update

I'm still working on the Mixed Stitch Blanket Crochet Along.   You aren't seeing triple.   I have started over for the third time.   I wasn't happy with the cluster row (the one that has the zig-zag line through the middle of it).




It doesn't really show in the photo, but the triple crochets aren't flat and make the blanket look puckered along that section.  

In between the first and second start, I chained 38 and started working on a mixed stitch pillow top.  That right edge looks pretty jagged and will definitely need some kind of border.  

Then I decided to order Basic Crochet Stitches by Erika Knight.  Several of the stitches that are in the crochet along come from this book.  

I found out that I wasn't doing the treble crochet the right way.  I have always done just one yarn over, but when I do it this way, the blanket lays nearly flat.  That was worth the price of the book.




I'm not sure what I'll do with the first two pieces that I've started.  Any ideas??????


I hope you have some time to take a few stitches today.

Thanks for visiting!