IVth Online Crochet Class

Hello Everyone...

Here we are again preparing for our next series of online classes. This is FOURTH in the series, and we will have two classes this time -

1. CROCHET BASICS for BEGINNERS - Dec 1, 2010 [12 noon PST].
2. CROCHET for INTERMEDIATE CROCHETERS - Dec 2, 2010 [12 noon PST]

All you have to do be a participant in this class is fill out the poll here. CLICK HERE FOR THE POLL

On the poll we have an option of attending both classes, however, please DO NOT opt for both unless you already know the basics of crochet. If you are absolutely new to crochet, following the intermediate class will be of no help to you at all. And if you are an intermediate lever crocheter, then you dont need the beginners class. A synopsis of the beginners class is available on the blog. Please look that up as a refresher or if you would like to know what will be covered in the beginners class. CLICK HERE FOR THE BEGINNER CLASS SYNOPSIS 

It does not matter how you got to this page, if you are interested in learning about Crochet, just sign up!

Crochet Hook Sizes

I've been asked about US Crochet Hook Sizes...
Here is my list -



There are many charts online that can give you a comparison of Crochet Hook sizes, with the variation of US, UK, Vintage hooks etc.

Here are some links -

http://www.geocities.com/nornsneedlework/crochet/hookchart.htm

http://www.yarnforward.com/crochetconv.html

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

Follow up of the Second Online Crochet Class - IHM

The Second Online Crochet Class was great fun !
Most of us managed to work through the project - Valentine Envelopes.
The pattern was picked from Lion Brand's Website. Here is the link -

http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/81111AD.html?noImages=0

Having the pattern on screen helped all of us read and understand how to follow a pattern. We used a 4 ply Cotton yarn for the project. Although we were not able to complete the project with in the given time, many of us went ahead and did it after class.

Here is what I made -


It was wonderful to see inspiration flow... Thank you all for sharing your enthusiasm with me. I am very pleased to put up pictures of the wonderful things created and shared by my friends after the class. I look forward to receiving more pictures and your feedback !
Thanks !!

Deepti's Baby Blanket -


Amisha's Colorful Scarf -



Archana's Summery Scarf -


Archana's Baby Booties -


Payal's Beanie Cap for Momie and Baby -

Follow up of the First Online Crochet Class - IHM

This post is all about thank yous !!!

Thank you IHM for doing what you do.. for letting us connect in this wonderful way. Thank you to all the girls for being there for the First Online Crochet Class for IHM.

The sessions went great ! I am amazed at the large turnout.. Thank you all for the encouragement. I was dead at the end of the day but very very excited for the fun times to begin!

For those who missed the class, here is what we did -

1. YARNS - We talked about yarns and threads, the varieties. Often on my visits to yarn stores I find people who are confused about what yarn to pick and what crochet hook size to choose... the options are just too many. So we began talking about the different kinds of yarns. Yarns can range form being lightweight to worsted weight to chunky or heavy yarns. The lightweight yarns are slender and very fine, they are used to make laces, socks etc.

Worsted weight yarns (WWY) are medium weight and are the most popular. 'Worsted' does not mean anything.. its the name of a place where they first began making this medium weight yarn which could be used for a variety of projects. The worsted weight is a sort of standard for yarns. These yarns are smooth, even, easy to work with and very versatile. I use these a lot in my projects.

The chunky or heavyweight yarns are used for decorative projects such as hats, jackets, decorative pillows and scarves. You'll see some of these in my projects too!

2. CROCHET HOOKS - Apart from the yarns, we talked about Crochet Hooks. They come in many sizes and though there is no specific rule about using a certain size of hook with a certain type of yarn, we vary the size of the hook according to the thickness of the yarn. In general, a thicker yarn is used with a thicker needle & a thin yarn is used with a thinner needle. So a smaller needle gives u small stitches & a thicker needle will give u bigger stitches. When a thick needle is used with a thin yarn, it makes loose stitches which a fashionable for a stole or muffler. While using a thick yarn with a thin needle will give you very tight stitches & will make your work stiff, which can be used to make place mats or other things like baskets.

3. GAUGE - Gauge sounds very technical but its simple meaning is - stitches per inch / cm. Usually every pattern you look at or every skein of yarn you find in the stores will talk about the gauge. What that means is this -
If you used a particular size hook with a yarn to make a square block, it will hold a certain number of stitches and a certain number of rows. That lets us compare the size of our work to that of the given pattern. This is very useful for making things that must fit a particular size (such as sweaters / dresses). Most yarns available in the stores have a gauge printed on the label. (I will have a separate post with pictures of what the printed gauge on the label mean)

When you begin a pattern & want to check your gauge, you should crochet a square block of say 5" by 5"(inches), measure inside the block - 4" x 4" & count how many rows you made & how many stitches.

Match these counts with the gauge given in the pattern. If your number of stitches & rows are more than that of the pattern, use a thicker needle than what you used to make this block BECAUSE - using a thicker needle will make your stitches bigger & thus less number of stitches will hold in the same 4"x4" block which will match your pattern. And vice versa, if your number of sticthes & rows are less than that given in the pattern - simply use a smaller needle to hold more stitches in the same 4"x4" block.

Here is a link from internet search on measuring Crochet gauge - http://www.ehow.com/how_7420_gauge-crochet-stitches.html

4. CROCHET BASICS - We talked about the 5 basic Crochet Stitches and looked at samples. Each stitch is represented by short forms as mentioned below. These are -
a. Chain - ch
b. Single Crochet - sc
c. Half Double Crochet - hdc
d. Double Crochet - dc
e. Treble/Triple Crochet - tr

5. STITCH SIZES - We also talked about the size of each stitch. The chain is the foundation of every project, although you use it in varied forms. The Chain length is used to size up the other stitches in most projects. Just for starters, this is what we concluded in class -
1 SC stitch length = 1 chain length
1 HDC stitch length = 2 chain length
1 DC stitch length = 3 chain length
1 TR stitch length = 4 chain length

We concluded the class with some samples of easy crochet projects and chose to learn to make crochet envelopes for the second class.

SAMPLES -


SINGLE CROCHET (sc) STITCHES SQUARE




HALF DOUBLE CROCHET (hdc) STITCHES SQUARE




HALF DOUBLE CROCHET (hdc) STITCHES ROUND




DOUBLE CROCHET (dc) STITCHES SQUARE




DOUBLE CROCHET (dc) STITCHES ROUND

Crochet Classes for IHM - Part 2

Welcome to our Second online crochet class !

We'll be making a cute envelope using the chain and single crochet stitch. If time permits, we'll be learning the different crochet stitches... and will happily crochet along...

I need you to fill out the POLL below if you have not done it earlier. Thanks !!
If you have filled out the poll for the first class then you DONT need to fill out this one.

CLICK FOR THE POLL HERE

Crochet Classes for IHM - Part I

Welcome to our first online crochet class !

We'll be going over the Basics of Crochet in this class... we'll talk a little about yarns and the different sizes of Crochet hooks. We'll also look at some of the different yarns available and the possibilities with crochet.

We'll be learning the different crochet stitches... and will happily crochet along...

But before we start, I need you to fill out the POLL below.
Thanks !!
CLICK FOR THE POLL HERE