Forum Changes

CrochetandKnitting Newsletter
Sunday, June 21, 2009

Hello Everyone,

First of all, Happy Father's Day to all the Dads out there!

Forum Changes:

I had to move the forum back to the original site. I was having
problems with the new forum and I didn't know how to fix it.
So the main forum is once again at
http://pub44.bravenet.com/forum/3703436600

I upgraded to the pro version to get rid of the ads. As well, the
pro version includes a lot of new features that weren't available
before. You can now easily post pictures and make links
clickable. See the pinned post I have at the top of the forum
about how to do that.

As well, you can choose the style for the forum, whether you
prefer the "Board" style or "Threaded" style. You do that by
clicking on either "Board | Threaded" at the top of the posts
on the right hand side.

On the other forum at
http://crochetandknitting.com/cgi-bin/iB_cgi/ikonboard.cgi
existing members can still post if they want.

I will leave that forum there for anyone to view as there is a lot
of good information about patterns and where to find patterns,
as well as the "Show and Tell" section with lots of beautiful
photos.

I can set up another section on the main forum, but I haven't
had time to figure out how to do that yet. So I will be adding
a "Show and Tell" there as well. I really enjoy seeing what
others have made.

So be sure to drop by
http://pub44.bravenet.com/forum/3703436600
Hope to see you there!

That is all for today. Happy crafting!

Sincerely,

Sue Norrad
CrochetandKnitting.com - Free Patterns, Craft Supplies
and much more.
Craft Discussions and Pattern Search Forum

Single Crochet Cluster Stitch Afghan or Dishcloth.

CrochetandKnitting Newsletter
Friday, April 24, 2009

Hello Everyone,

I have a new pattern to share with you today. I call it the
Single Crochet Cluster Afghan. This is my first afghan design.

I really like the look of this one. As well this pattern can be
used for a dishcloth pattern. I actually made a few dishcloths
at first, then decided that it would also make a great afghan.
For both an afghan or dishcloth, you just keep going until it is
the desired size.

Crocheted dishcloths from this pattern are very absorbent
and easy to wring out. Here's the link
http://crochetandknitting.com/afghan/index.htm

It may look complicated, but once you get started you just
repeat the same two rounds over and over until it's the
size you want. Then it's as easy as can be! I also have lots
of photos to show you how to get started on it.

As well, you can always get all my free patterns at
http://crochetandknitting.com/patterns.htm

That is all for today. Happy crafting!

Sincerely,

Sue Norrad
CrochetandKnitting.com - Free Patterns, Craft Supplies
and much more.
Craft Discussions and Pattern Search Forum

National Craft Month and more

CrochetandKnitting Newsletter
Friday, March 27, 2009

Hello Everyone,

I've been busy making dishcloths over the past month. I
ordered a big supply of cotton yarn online and I have it
almost used up now. I've had so many family members
asking for my dishcloths so I figured I would make some
to give away immediately, then stock up on some for when
they ask again. They all tell me that they much prefer my
crocheted dishcloths over the factory made kind. Of
course I do too.

Here is an easy and pretty way to make crocheted dishcloths.
There are no fancy stitches, it's done in all single crochet.
It's the way you work with colors that makes it so pretty.
It gives the dishcloth a plaid look. I was just thinking, this
would be easy to adapt for knit as well.

I got this from a potholder pattern. I searched for an
equivalent dishcloth design but couldn't find any so I
figured the same pattern could be used for a dishcloth,
with the only difference being that you wouldn't have
to make two and sew together as potholders are double.

Choose a color in dark and light shades, plus use white.
For example, I made most of mine in dark green, light
green and white. I also made one in dark blue, light blue
and white.

Decide on how wide you want your dishcloth and make
your starting chain in multiples of 12. Therefore you would
want to start with a chain of 36 or 48. (24 would probably
be too small)

I will use 48 in this example. With the dark color chain
48 + 1 as the turning chain. Sc in the second chain from
the hook, sc in the next 2 chains, in the next chain insert
your hook into the chain, yarn over and pull up a loop,
then drop the dark color and pick up the light color and
finish off the sc with that. This keeps the edges straight.
Do that with all color changes.

Hold your dark color along the top of the chain so you
can crochet over it and carry it along across the work,
with the light color sc in next 4 chs, holding the light color
along the top of the ch so you can crochet over it, with
the dark color sc in next 4 chains.

Continue doing this to the last four chains. Now drop
the light color, you don't need to crochet over it and
bring it to the end. With the dark color sc in the last
4 chs, ch 1 and turn.

For rows 2 and 3, with dark color 1 sc in next 4, with
light color 1 sc in next 4, repeat to end of row.

On row 4 you repeat the above, except you do carry
the light color over the last 4 dark sts. You drop the dark
color as you will not be using it in the next 4 rows. At the
end of the next 4 rows you will want to carry the dark color
up along the side of the work so you don't have to cut it
off and sew in the ends each time.

You will begin with the light color on the next row.
Row 5 - with light color 1 sc in next 4, with white 1 sc in
next 4. Repeat to end of row. Rows 6 to 8 are done the
same as the first 4 rows except now you are using your
light color and white.

Repeat these 8 rows for the pattern. You will want to end
with 4 rows of the dark color and light color. You can then
do a border around the dishcloth with the dark color, if
you want.

I think this is a very pretty pattern. I don't have a photo
to show you as I gave those dishcloths away as gifts. I
always seem to give the prettiest ones away and keep
those that are not as pretty for myself. :)

National Craft Month:
March is National Craft Month. So you still have a few
days to take advantage of special offers at Joanne
and Create For Less


If you like to knit or crochet for Easter, here are some
cute patterns you might want to try.

Crochet:

Easter Basket

Shell Stitch Easter Basket

Bunny Door Knob Cover

Inside-Out Easter Egg Into a Bunny

Easter Bunny Fridgie

Easter Egg

Victorian Egg Covers

Bunny Flowers

Easter Chick Fridgie


Knit:

Easter Egg Baskets

One Egg Easter Basket

Easter Bunny

Cadbury Bunny Pattern

Easter Basket Dishcloth

Easter Egg With Stripes Dishcloth

Easter Peeps

Bunny Egg Cover

Easter Egg Decorations


Craft Articles:
The following articles have been added to my Craft Articles section:
Free Crochet Patterns For Beginners - By Linda Spangenburg
Crafting During a Recession - By Violette Clark
Making a Quilt? Plan Ahead For Patterns and Colors - By Lamar Dean
5 Best Reasons to Knit a Scarf - By Alice Seidel
You can read those at http://crochetandknitting.com/articles


That is all for today. Happy crafting!

Sincerely,

Sue Norrad
CrochetandKnitting.com - Free Patterns, Craft Supplies
and much more.
Craft Discussions and Pattern Search Forum