Yarn Count

19. Take an inventory of my stash for the purpose of quantifying ALL yarn and plan a strategy to use or share it.

"I intend not to hoard my yarn. I will begin this process soon, as in this week."

I said that on January 6th.

Today is January 12th, and I began sorting yarns last night! I think a little accountability is going a long way and has helped me gather the courage to begin this task.

Alison Murray's Knitted House

STASHOLOGY: in layman's terms, the study of stash.

The needlecrafter's version of navel-gazing.

Yarn memories.

So many yarns are linked to happy times with my mom, yarn crawling in Philadelphia, or quiet solo perusals of shops and bargain bins on afternoons I thoroughly enjoyed. Stephanie Pearl-McPhee reads aloud in one of her books: "but if I knit that, then I won't have the yarn anymore." Which brings me to the stasher's paradox.

We love to stash, we want to use up stash, sometimes we wish we were one of those knitters who has no stash other than what is needed for her current project.

However. Having the stash comforts us like a security blanket that hasn't been made yet.

The memories of yarn-buying trips, or good intentions for projects we later realize were insane (sport-weight bedspreads, anyone?); the humor of realizing that when we thought we were buying a "sweater's worth" of yarn when in reality, we bought 5/8 of a sweater's worth and now don't know what to do with that yarn, the fear of wasting the yarn by embarking on the wrong project....all of these issues come to bear when we contemplate stash.

But I don't mean to make excuses for this hoarding. Not too many, anyway. There is such a thing as yarn guilt. Sometimes the excess I carry becomes a burden to my creative spirit. I do want to reduce and use the yarn, or give it some one else to make better use of than I am by getting it all out every few months, looking at it and putting it away again.

I counted the balls to see how many I actually have. Guilt is setting in. Here goes.

1. Sorted all current swatching yarns into one place: 21

2. Sorted mini-balls of yarn into one place: not counted  78; but they are very small

3.  Put all odd balls (enough to make a small project) into big basket: 39

4. All creams/beiges sorted into one place for work on a free-form afghan/cowl/hats: 33

5. Earmarked certain skeins for specific project completion: 30

6. Overflow yarn. For now, they will go into the closet: 169

7. Also went through the swatch bag and arranged an afghan idea themed by color:

Total: 370 balls of yarn

I sat here in an awed silence after typing that number, when my cell phone rang. It was my husband. I told him about the final count and the blessed man said, "That's nothing! I won't be satisfied until your yarn inventory hits 4 digits." Some people might call him an enabler, but I call him the love of my life.

Until next time, Yarnies!

PROGRESS REPORT: 25 Things in 150 Days

DEADLINE: Tuesday, April 30, 2013: My 29th birthday
DAYS REMAINING: 120

In the spirit of the new year, it's time to check in with the list, reassess my plans and see what's happened in a month. Here is the original list.

1. Do an unassisted pull-up
Small progress. I lack the certainty that this will happen. In a workout about 3 weeks ago, I attempted a pull-up and found that I can only move my body about 1.5 inches up and down when hanging from my hands.

2. Join the CGOA (12/7/12).
I've joined and looked around the site a little bit. I'm eager to learn more about the professionals program, and possibly connect with a mentor!

3. Crochet myself a winter sweater.
Not even started; barely thought about except when I'm cold :)

4. Try crocheted fair isle. (12/6/12) Not only try it, but now play with and design with it.
I love this technique. More research has led me to find out about tapestry crochet, also known as "hard crochet," I like the stranding technique, and have found a way to prevent the yarn balls from tangling--that would be a good tutorial to share here on the blog.  As for designing, I'm still swatching and debating whether or not I like to work shallow single crochet or shallow half-double crochet to form the most pleasing blocks of color without the shapes biasing around the piece.

5. Learn to style my hair. (12/1/12) Still ongoing, but I have learned so much!! Thank you, Kate!
Still enjoying curling and straightening my hair. I can't believe how much better I feel knowing that I can competently do my hair. Not at the mercy of whatever head of hair circumstances may produce.

6. Go really blonde! (1/3/13)
Got my hair highlighted and really enjoying feeling sunnier. It makes my winter pallor look more fair than ashen.

7. Lose 10 lbs.
You know the saying one step forward, 2 steps back? Yeah, that applies. But then how about 3 steps forward? I'm forming better habits and letting the chips fall where they may (fewer of them into my mouth would be good).

8. Carry my camera with me everywhere for 1 week.
Briefly considered and dismissed.

9. Write three poems.
Lines of poetry emerged from thin air yesterday; I did not have the gumption to capture them in my butterfly net, but it was nice to see them, like a plump chickadee sitting on the fence of a winter morning.

10. Write & produce my first crochet pattern collection e-book
In process!

11. Listen to The Brothers Karamazov. (Begun 1/2/13)
I'm in Part II of Book I. I'm not deeply into the story yet, but I already love the different character sketches of the brothers and their dissipated father.

12. Browbeat my mother into starting  Help my mother get the family photos organized and possibly digitized.
1/3/13 - Discussed with mother who refused to give the photos to me to let me start. I'm sure she feels they will never come back.

13. Go a month without buying myself any *new* clothing item. Used/thrifted is ok. (Begun 1/2/13)
Bought 3 thermal tops and a new swimsuit on after-Christmas sales in preparation for this. I'm in the clear again on Groundhog Day.

14. Write a love letter.
Not yet :)

15. Share a free crochet pattern on the blog.
DONE! 1/5/13
Here it is!

16. Establish a business bank account.
Noted.


17. Establish a business financial system.
Also noted.

18. Get wedding photos ordered/negatives purchased and one photo framed for the house. We've only been married 5 1/2 years, what's the rush? ;)
Procrastinating more.

19. Take an inventory of my stash for the purpose of quantifying ALL yarn and plan a strategy to use or share it.
I intend not to hoard my yarn. I will begin this process soon, as in this week.

20. Upholster a chair with crochet/knit.
I'm  having second thoughts about this since I use the chair for box jumps when I work out...I wouldn't want to jump on the crochet!

21. Knit a friend's WWII watchcap.
Not started, but yarn is allotted to this task.

22. Go screen-free for 1 day (camera doesn't count).
Nope. Is there a day when I will be stranded at a monastery coming up? Will check my calendar.

23. Experiment with crocheted steeks.
Yes! I had forgotten about this. Very cool idea...will work this in eventually.

24. Go thrift and antique shopping for home decor.
Not buying much right now. In fact, this may not happen within the set time frame. We are more busy cleaning out than bringing in more things.

25. Host friends for a meal.
Plans being made, but nothing yet.

Baklooptus ~ A Free Crochet Pattern

Hello Crochetophiles!

At long last, I have a free crochet pattern to share with you here on the blog. Read on for some background on the design concept and, of course, for the free pattern.

If you hang around Ravelry much, you've probably seen the ingeniously knitted Baktus Scarf pattern.

The theory of the project is brilliant and simple. Beginning with only a few stitches, you increase evenly at only one side of the knitting [in our case, crocheting] until you have used half your allotted yarn.

From there, you decrease evenly at the same side until your yarn is gone. Voila! You have a very wide, short triangle that forms a wonderful scarf or shawlette and looks endlessly chic and fashionable, especially in stripes or different stitch patterns.

This free pattern is a crocheted take on Baktus using half-double crochet back-loop ribbing, ergo Baklooptus! I planned to use 2 balls of sock yarn from the get-go, so I didn't need to weigh my skein to find out when I had reached the halfway point, I simply completed the last full row possible with the first ball, joined the second and began my decreasing half of the project.

I love that you use every bit of your pretty yarn with this pattern. HDC ribbing is reversible so it's easy to wrap or tie the scarf since it looks great on both sides.

Baklooptus Scarf

SKILLS REQUIRED: 
Skill Level: Easy (CYCA Yarn Standards)
Skill Level: Adventurous Beginner to Somewhat Experienced (Chatty Terms)
Foundation hdc - Not required, but nice to use 
Extended turning loop (ETL) - Instead of the conventional 2-ch turning chain used with hdc, I like to make 1 long chain that reaches the height of the hdc you are about to work. Using this method, you will turn your work to begin a new row and then simply pull up a longer loop than normal - pull up the loop to reach as high as the stitch you are about to work. Do not yo & pull through, you aren't making a complete chain. Just work your hdc into the last st of the previous row, there is no need to skip any stitches at the edge of your work when you use this method. I love me some tidy edges!
Half-double crochet
Increasing 
Decreasing (Hdc2tog)
Working in back loops

SIZING
Finished scarf measures 64” (163 cm) long  and 9” (23 cm) wide at triangle's point.

YARN
332yds/304m; 3.52oz/100g Fingering weight, 4-ply yarn
The sample was made using:
Patons Kroy Socks FX; Camelot Colors; 2 skeins

HOOK
US Size E (3.5 mm), or size required to obtain desired gauge

GAUGE
22 sts and 12 rows = 4” (10 cm) over hdc-tbl (half-double crochet through back loops) Dare I say gauge is not critical to this pattern? See what fabric texture you like best.

NOTIONS
Yarn needle

PATTERN NOTES

• The scarf is worked side to side from short end to short end in rows.
• The finished dimensions of the scarf as stated represent the finished size of Baklooptus with 2 skeins of the recommended yarn. Use of a different yarn and/or different gauge will most likely produce a scarf of different dimensions and require a different quantity of yarn.
• Severe blocking is not recommended to preserve the elasticity of Half-double crocheted ribbing. Of course you can always see what effect you like best!
• All pattern abbreviations are noted at the end of this pattern.

INSTRUCTIONS
Begin at scarf end point:

Set-up Row: Work 2 fhdc, turn OR Ch 2, ETL, 1 hdc in each ch, turn...2 hdc.
Row 1 (RS): ETL, inc 1 as follows: (1hdc, 1hdc-tbl) in edge st, 1hdc-tbl in each st across, turn.
Row 2 (WS): ETL, 1 hdc-tbl in each st across, turn.

Rep Rows 1 & 2 until you have worked your last full Row 2.

Row 1 (RS): ETL, dec 1 as follows: (yo, insert hk under both (front & back) loops of edge st, pull up a loop, yo, insert hk through back loop only of next st, pull up a loop, yo, pull through all loops on hk), 1hdc-tbl in each st across, turn.
Row 2 (WS): ETL, 1 hdc-tbl in each st across, turn.

Rep Rows 1 & 2 until only 2 sts remain.
Work Row 2 once more.
Fasten off.
Break yarn, leaving a 6" tail.

FINISHING
Weave in all ends.
Gentle steam blocking will even out the stitches; not too hot if you want your ribbing to keep its stretchiness.

ABBREVIATIONS
ch: chain
cm: centimeters
dec: decrease
ETL: extended turning loop; see instructions above
fhdc: foundation half-double crochet
g: grams
hdc: half-double crochet
hdc-tbl: half-double crochet through the back loop only
hk: hook
inc: increase
m: meters
mm: millimeters
oz: ounces
rep: repeat
RS: right side
st(s): stitch(es)
yd(s): yards
yo: yarn over
": inches

25 Things in 150 Days

I began the 101 Things in 1,001 Days exercise, but only got to about 28 items before I started adding things that weren't really burning in my soul to achieve such as "visit Ireland" -- yes, I really want to do that someday, but international pleasure travel just isn't part of my life's picture right now...at all.

I realized there was something wrong with the longer term approach (for me) when I added "Buy a house" and "Have a baby" to my draft list. Those things are too major to be casually set down beside "play with crocheted steeks." No insult to crocheted steeks intended, but seriously.

So I am doing an abbreviated version of 101/1,001 with the items that I either want or need to accomplish at this point in time. The deadline is charmingly arbitrary, my birthday!

#19:  Organize stash. Looks easy, huh?

Psh, piece of cake!

Well, everyone's got some yarn tucked away, no biggie.

Pug-bombed!

Tee hee, what a tangle!

Stephen King's Yarn Tower Series next to some of the books.

Closet stash. But I'd like it to be recognized that the bag furthest from the camera contains only swatches!

DEADLINE: Tuesday, April 30, 2013: My 29th birthday

1. Do an unassisted pull-up.
2. Join the CGOA (12/7/12).
3. Crochet myself a winter sweater.
4. Try crocheted fair isle. (12/6/12) Not only try it, but now play with and design with it.
5. Learn to style my hair. (12/1/12) Still ongoing, but I have learned so much!! Thank you, Kate!
6. Go really blonde!
7. Lose 10 lbs.
8. Carry my camera with me everywhere for 1 week.
9. Write three poems.
10. Write & produce my first crochet pattern collection e-book
11. Listen to The Brothers Karamazov.
12. Browbeat my mother into starting  Help my mother get the family photos organized and possibly digitized.
13. Go a month without buying myself any *new* clothing item. Used/thrifted is ok.
14. Write a love letter.
15. Share a free crochet pattern on the blog.
16. Establish a business bank account.
17. Establish a business financial system.
18. Get wedding photos ordered/negatives purchased and one photo framed for the house. We've only been married 5 1/2 years, what's the rush? ;)
19. Take an inventory of my stash for the purpose of quantifying ALL yarn and plan a strategy to use or share it.
20. Upholster a chair with crochet/knit.
21. Knit a friend's WWII watchcap.
22. Go screen-free for 1 day (camera doesn't count).
23. Experiment with crocheted steeks.
24. Go thrift and antique shopping for home decor.
25. Host friends for a meal.

Go and do as the pug sees fit.

Yarn, Pugs, and Other Things

This week I visited my LYSes and dog-sat for my parents. They were both exciting, all-consuming events in their own ways.

Willy (short for Willoughby, named after the lovable rogue of Sense & Sensibility and demonstrating some of the same dash, charm, and wit minus any jilting of young women) came to stay with us the Thursday before last. He is 14 1/2 which I'm told is over 100 in people years. Our lives feel somewhat taken over by the demands of his routine, but it has been fun to have him around!

He is a wonderful crochet buddy, because he LOVES to sleep hunkered slightly onto your leg as you sit. All day long he makes the most unbelievable noises ranging from snorts, gasps, and snuffles to what sounds like choking, gagging and hacking. That's a pug for you.

Willoughby a.k.a. Willy, Woozy, Woozeman, Dr. Woozeman, Buzzy, Bug Bear, Bean Bag Bear, ET CETERA :)

I've been feeling drained and out of ideas lately after finishing a big project due out next February (yay!) and absorbing several rejections (boo!). Willy forced me to sit down and play with my crochet again, and I can feel a deluge of design ideas coming on, the kind where I can't possibly get to them all and don't know what to do first, hallelujah! This wave was furthered by trips the yarn shops and public libraries. 

New yarn, swatches, crochet books, and leopard-print slippers = Happy Crocheter

For me, there is nothing like vintage crochet books to jump start my design brain. The cheesier, the better.You never know what wonderful tip or technique is lurking in a yellowed, cigarette smoke-reeking library book of garish (or amazingly chic albeit insanely styled) crochet featuring unwearably squeaky acrylic yarn and Lurex.

That was an awful lot of adjectives...I'll work on that.

I've begun work on my own E-book collection of crocheted accessories. I can't share much yet, but here is a teaser of my guiding inspiration: 

Any guesses?

I finished a fun project this week, a granny pillow made from assorted stash yarns - this covers a very dull, old pillow of burgundy red. I'm loving the upcycle.

These grannies were made ages ago, but I ran out of steam on the queen-sized bedspread I was planning...really?
What was I thinking?

Pug-bombed!

So...what do you do to get inspired when you're in a creative trough?

Until next time! XOXO, Sara & Woozy Boy

Heart Vines Scarf ~ A Free Pattern

 Fall is the in the air, and I'm offering a new free pattern to celebrate!

The Heart Vines Scarf features a subtly heart-shaped lace panel generously bordered by seed stitch. This scarf matches the Heart Vines Beret, a free lace hat pattern using the same lace insertion but repeated around the hat to make a lace fabric. A hat and scarf set would be a wonderful holiday gift for some one special in your life. Knitting the scarf from the bottom up in two halves which are bound off together at the center ensures that the climbing vine pattern is balanced on each end and appears to best advantage when worn. 

SKILLS REQUIRED
Intermediate knitting skills, including numerous kinds of increases and decreases for lace, three-needle bind off

SIZING
Scarf measures 7.5” (19 cm) wide and 88” (224 cm) long [See Pattern Notes]

YARN
465yds/425m; 221g/7.75oz worsted weight, 10-ply yarn

The sample was made using:
Patons Classic Wool, 100% wool (3.53oz/100g, 210yds/192m skein) Wisteria #77308: 3 skeins [See Pattern Notes]

NEEDLES
US Size 9 (5.5 mm) straight or circular needles, or size required to obtain desired gauge

GAUGE
17 sts and 20 rows = 4” (10 cm) over seed stitch pattern

NOTIONS
Yarn needle
2 stitch markers (different colors are helpful, but not essential)


PATTERN NOTES
·         The scarf is worked in 2 halves from the edge to the center.
·         The finished dimensions of the scarf as stated represent the finished size of Heart Vines Scarf with 3 skeins of the recommended yarn. Use of a different yarn and/or different gauge will most likely produce a scarf of different dimensions and require a different quantity of yarn.
·         Blocking will relax the stitches and lengthen the scarf somewhat. The sample scarf became 8” (20 cm) longer after blocking.
·     All pattern abbreviations are noted at the end of this pattern.

INSTRUCTIONS
Scarf Half, make 2.
CO 35 sts.
Row 1 and all other WS rows: Sl 1 st knitwise, *p1, k1; rep from * 4 times more, place marker A, p13, place marker B, **k1, p1; rep from **4 times more, end k1…35 sts. (On subsequent rows, slip marker as it is worked.)

Row 2: Sl 1 knitwise, *p1, k1; rep from * to first marker, sm, k3, (yo, k1) twice, ssk, k3, k2tog, k1, sm, **k1, p1; rep from ** 4 times more, end k1…35 sts.

Row 4: Sl 1 knitwise, *p1, k1; rep from * to first marker, sm, (k3, yo) twice, k1, ssk, k1, k2tog, k1, sm, **k1, p1; rep from ** 4 times more, end k1…35 sts.

Row 6: Sl 1 knitwise, *p1, k1; rep from * to first marker, sm, k3, yo, k5, yo, k1, sl-k2tog-psso, k1, sm, **k1, p1; rep from ** 4 times more, end k1…35 sts.

Row 8: Sl 1 knitwise, *p1, k1; rep from * to first marker, sm, k1, ssk, k3, k2tog, (k1, yo) twice, k3, sm, **k1, p1; rep from ** 4 times more, end k1…35 sts.

Row 10: Sl 1 knitwise, *p1, k1; rep from * to first marker, sm, k1, ssk, k1, k2tog, k1 (yo, k3) twice, sm, **k1, p1; rep from ** 4 times more, end k1…35 sts.

Row 12: Sl 1 knitwise, *p1, k1; rep from * to first marker, sm, k1, k3tog, k1, yo, k5, yo, k3, sm, **k1, p1; rep from ** 4 times more, end k1…35 sts.

Rep Rows 1-12 20 times more OR until your piece is half the total length of your desired scarf. See Pattern Notes.

Center
Row 1: Sl 1 knitwise,*P1, k1; rep from * to marker, p to next marker, **k1, p1; rep from ** 4 times more, end k1…35 sts.

Row 2: Sl 1 knitwise, *P1, k1; rep from * to marker, k to next marker, **k1, p1; rep from ** 4 times more, end k1…35 sts.

Break yarn, leaving a 32” tail. Place live sts of Scarf Half 1 on a holder. Do not bind off. Work Scarf Half 2 as for Scarf Half 1.

FINISHING
After you have made both scarf halves, use 3-needle bind off in patt, joining the 2 scarf halves with RS facing, removing the sm as you work. Break yarn, leaving a 6” tail.
Weave in all ends.
Gentle steam blocking will open the lace work and even out the stitches.


ABBREVIATIONS
co – cast on
k – knit
k2tog – knit 2 together
k3tog – knit 3 together
p – purl
patt – pattern
rem – remain(ing)
rep – repeat
RS – right side
sl –  slip
sl-k2tog-psso – slip 1, knit 2 together, pass slipped stitch over
sl st – slip stitch(es)
sm – slip marker
ssk – slip, slip, knit
st(s) – stitch(es)
WS – wrong side
yo – yarn over

Freeform Explorations

Lately I've been reading a lot of Sylvia Cosh and James Walters--the inventors of the "scrumble." 

If you love crochet, PLEASE look for these books at your library, used book sales, special order from the big bookstores or the big online one! They have that very 70's-80's crochet feel, but I assure you that there are real treasures inside. These are mostly technique books that you can return to again and again for new ideas, to listen to the authors' friendly art philosophy. The full book list can be found at the bottom of this post. 

     The following photos show my current freeform WIP. 

To get started, I selected 11 or 12 yarns from my stash that were related in some way by color. Then made sure to include some differing textures. My scrumbles in the past suffered from the use of too many smooth yarns of similar twist and fiber type--the result looked a little more tortured than fun. Working in the new textures really adds to the feeling of exploration rather than odd or random appearance. 

Self-criticism is a real bugbear for beginning freeformers, and expecting your work to resemble masterful knit or crochet artists is a common pitfall. I really enjoyed this fun foray into fiber, texture, and color. 

You could definitely use the word "habit-forming."

Book List
The Crochet Workbook by Sylvia Cosh & James Walters
This is a wonderful explanation of freeform and conventional crochet techniques. If you have ever felt overwhelmed by the "freedom" that you have no idea what to do with your crochet--read this book. They teach you in a very easy-to-understand way that is open for interpretation but also contains enough instruction to get you going!

The Crocheted Sweater Book by Sylvia Cosh
My obsession with bobbles came from this book. Sylvia's approach to garment construction, stitch-yarn-color combination is mesmerizing. I am beginning to believe that extreme tailoring is somewhat less desirable in crocheted fabric than in knitting, for example. By its nature, every crochet stitch is full of potential for change, decision, random play. Knitting often works on a more strategic level with smaller stitches, coordinating some or many stitches to achieve an effect.

Crochet Workshop by James Walters

You need to see this book; that's all that needs to be said. :)

Tutorial: Seamless Crocheted Ribbing

Hello, Friends!

I will be continuing this blog--and posting a lot more often--as part of my full-time website: sarakayknitandcrochet.com! I'm very happy to have a stable web address to share. I hope you'll come with me! There's a lot of crochet and knitting ahead!

To celebrate new beginnings, I decided to try doing something else that is new to me, so I created my first crochet tutorial!  Check it out at my new online corner, and take a peek around the site too! I'd love to hear your thoughts.

As I was in the middle of working on this tutorial (which took a really long time but was a surprising amount of fun), a thunderstorm whipped up out of the blue. It was so great because the drought in central Illinois has been rough this summer, and it really cooled the evening off.

In other news, Inside Crochet, Issue 31 came out a few weeks ago, and I was delighted to see a full seven pages devoted to my Printemps Cardigan pattern. I finished the pattern-writing for this cardigan in February, and it was a healthy challenge. Inside Crochet underwent a change of ownership from All Craft Media to Tailormade Publishing recently. Issue 31, my issue, if I may call it that is just as beautiful if not even more beautiful than its earlier volumes.  It was a thrill to see my own pattern professionally modeled and photographed, too! I could get used to this.


Wow, I managed to chop the poor model's head off 3 times. Good thing the magazine didn't.

Confession time: When I got the magazine in the mailbox, I opened it up and was so stunned to see the pattern live and in person in a magazine that I jumped up and down and squealed in parking lot of my apartment. Yup. It's true. Someday I'll get over myself.

Seamless Crocheted Ribbing

Today I'm going to show you how easy it is to work crocheted back-loop ribbing onto another piece of crochet--no seams!
     This technique is incredibly useful. Where do you usually need ribbing? Cuffs, necklines, waistbands and hat brims for a start. But whole garments can be made by building ribbed crochet onto an existing  piece of knit or crocheted fabric, or try some rib-on-rib action! For an example of this, check out my Belinda Vest! 

Let's get started!

1. Begin with a piece of crocheted fabric. For this example, I have a swatch of simple half-double crochet.

2. Join the yarn you'll use to make your ribbing.

3. Draw up a loop and make a chain as long as you'd like your ribbing to be + 1 chain. I made 7 chains (6 +1).

4. In the 2nd ch [chain] from the hook and each chain across, work 1 sc [single crochet]...6 sc's made.

5.  Now you need to join your 1st row of rib to the main fabric. In the next st [stitch] of the main fabric, slip stitch.

6. Turn. Do not chain.

7. In the back loop of the first sc and each sc across, sc-tbl [single crochet through the back loop only]

8. Ch 1, turn.

9. Repeat Step 7; working 1 sc-tbl in each sc-tbl across.

10. Slip stitch into the next st of main fabric; turn.

Repeat Steps 7-10 for pattern.

Ta-Da! See how the edges are slightly fluted? Perfect for a feminine bell cuff, but what if you're trying to add ribbing to the edge of your husband's skullcap? He might not appreciate a jaunty frill framing his face.

For a firmer rib that lies flush with the main fabric, simply skip a stitch of the main fabric at each join.

Like this:

Work some rows as before, but joining the ribbing in every other stitch of the main fabric. This ribbing will look something like this:

See how the blue ribbing is pulled slightly more taut and lies even with the gray crocheted fabric?

Here's a better view:

Side Note: I am working outside and must pause this program to flee a sudden t-storm!

Phew!

Now that you've seen how the technique works, try experimenting with different stitch heights such as hdc, dc, trc and the corresponding joins--skip 0, 1, 2, 3 sts and see how much flounce you get!

Below I've added a few rows of hdc rib. You can see that I've skipped 2 sts of the main fabric at each join so it lies very flat. The combinations are endless!

And here are all three ribs:

I hope you enjoyed this tutorial. Leave a comment with any questions or let me know how it's worked out for you.

Bon Crochet!

Sara Kay