Crochet Classes for IHM - Part 3 - Class Information

Hey Friends,

A lot many people took the poll... the number is larger than what I expected ! Which is always a great thing :-)
So I've decided to have classes on both days -
Wednesday, 16th Sept and
Friday, 18th Sept

The classes will be an hour long, give or take a few minutes. They will be just the same as far as content is concerned. Sometimes I get different set of questions from the participants in different classes and I assimilate them in the Follow up post for the class (which you will see on my blog soon after the class) just so everyone can read about what we learnt in class.




These classes are for BEGINNERS ONLY. If you are new to crochet or if this is your first time holding a crochet hook, you are MOST WELCOME TO THE CLASS !!! We will be talking about yarns, learning about crochet basics and we'll practice as many stitches as possible. This class will be aimed towards getting you ready to begin your first crochet project.



WHAT TO GET FOR THE CLASS -

1. YARN - 4ply worsted 100% cotton yarn
2. NEEDLE - US Size G crochet hook (4mm or 4.25mm)

Cotton yarns are the best to begin with because -
a. They are not very stretchable so you will be able to work with it without issues;
b. They are best to practice with since they are thick enough;
c. They come in such a variety of color... you'll be surprised.



So when you go looking for this yarn, just look for "Sugar n Creme" or "Peaches n Cream" cotton yarns (I am adding a few pictures of the cotton yarn that we will be using in the class). These are readily available in stores like Michaels, Joann, Walmart, Hobby Lobby etc.... these are fun to work with.. and you can choose from a wide variety of colors !!!

Feel free to leave me your questions and comments.

Crochet Classes for IHM - Part 3

Hey Everyone !

Welcome to our new online class !
This is going to be for BEGINNERS. Yes, we are going to do the very basics of crochet.. I hope all those who missed out the last classes will be able to join us this time.

You are required to fill out the Poll here. I guess you all have voted in the IHM Poll. I have created this one to ensure that your details can be kept confidential.

CLICK FOR THE POLL HERE

Crocheted Coaster Set

A simple and sweet project to begin crocheting...
thats what this is - COASTERS.

As seen in the picture, this is a set of 6 round coasters that fit into a round crocheted box with a lid. Making the coasters is very simple. All you need for this project is -

-2 skeins of 4ply worsted weight 100% cotton yarn
('Sugar n Cream' or 'Peaches & Creme' cotton yarn are good options)
-F sized Crochet Hook
-1 carpet needle
-1 big bead or button



COASTER PATTERN

4 ch, sl st in 1st ch to make a ring.
Round 1: 2 ch (counts as first hdc), 11 hdc in ring; sl st on top of ch 2 to join. (12 st)
Round 2: 2 ch, hdc in same st, 2 hdc in each st; sl st on top of ch 2 to join. (24 st)
Round 3: 2 ch, hdc in same st, hdc in next 2 st, * 2hdc in next st, hdc in the next st#, repeat from * to # around, sl st on top of ch 2 to join. (36 st)
Round 4: 2 ch, hdc in same st, hdc in the next 2 st, * 2hdc in next st, hdc in next 2 st#, repeat from * to # around, sl st on top of ch 2 to join. (48 st)
Round 5: 2 ch, hdc in same st, hdc in the next 3 st, * 2hdc in next st, hdc in next 3 st#, repeat from * to # around, sl st on top of ch 2 to join. (60 st)
Cut yarn and finish off.

Make six of these.



COASTER HOLDER BOX
We begin making the box from the base. Here is the pattern -

Round 1 to 5: same as above.
Round 6: 2 ch, hdc in same st, hdc in the next 4 st, * 2hdc in next st, hdc in next 4 st#, repeat from * to # around, sl st on top of ch 2 to join. (72 st)



Now to make the side of the box -
Round 7 & 8: 1 ch, sc in every st around (72 sc)
Round 9: 4 ch (counts as 1dc and 1 ch), dc in the same st(V-Stitch made), *skip next st; dc in next st, 1 ch, dc in same st #, repeat from * to # around, sl st on top of 3rd ch of the first four chain to join. (36 V-Stitches)
Round 10: 1 ch, *sc in the 1 ch space below, sc in the next st #, repeat from * to # around, sl st on top of 1 ch to join. (72 sc)
Round 11 to 15: 1 ch, sc in every st around, sl st on top of first ch 1 to join.
Cut Yarn, Finish off.

Lid of the box -
Round 1 & 2: same as above
Round 3: 2 ch, hdc in same st, 2 ch, skip next st, * 2hdc in next st, 2 ch, skip next st #, repeat from * to # around, sl st on top of ch 2 to join. (24 st, with ch 2 gaps)
Round 4: 2 ch, hdc in same st, 2 ch, skip next 2 st, * 2hdc in next st, 2 ch, skip next st #, repeat from * to # around, sl st on top of ch 2 to join. (24 st, with ch 2 gaps) Note: in this round we work only in the ch 2 spaces of the previous round.
Round 5: 2 ch, hdc in the same st, 3 hdc in the ch 2 gap, *2 hdc in the next st (these hdc are worked between the two hdc in the previous row), 3 hdc in the ch 2 gap #, repeat from * to #, sl st on top of ch 2 t join.
Round 6: 2 ch, hdc in same st, hdc in the next 4 st, * 2hdc in next st, hdc in next 4 st#, repeat from * to # around, sl st on top of ch 2 to join.



Loop -
10 ch, join in the first ch with sl st.
15 sc in the loop, sc on top of first sc to join.
Keep 6 to 8 inches of the yarn intact, cut yarn, bind off.

Putting it together -
Use carpet needle to sew in the ends of all coasters.
Sew the loop to one side of the lid.
Sew the other side of the lid to the box.
Check position of loop and sew the button / bead on to the box.
Sew in all ends, cut extra yarn.
Place coasters in the box, close box.

All done !!

The box could be kept soft or made stiff by using a stiffening product available at your local store. Hope you enjoy this simple project as much as I enjoyed making them. This crocheted set of coasters makes for a cute housewarming gift too.

Shell Stitch Bookmark

I enjoy making Bookmarks, specially coz they are small projects and get done in no time ! Plus I get the opportunity to experiment with new patterns.

This one is a crocheted bookmark. The basic pattern comes from a book called 'Crochet Inspiration' by Sasha Kagan. I've used this book for several projects and I highly recommend it. Whether you are new to Crochet or have been working with yarn for a long time, you'll enjoy reading and creating from this book.



This pattern is called : Shell Stitch Square
I have used the basic pattern and incorporated some bead work also. I will not be posting the pattern here for Copyright reasons. You can look for this book in your closest library. I will however, use the beading work in some other project which I will share here for the benefit of everyone reading the blog.

Enjoy !