May 31 2008
CROCHET CRAZINESS!
Yes, it’s going to be a brand new month tomorrow so it’s time to start a brand new topic: Crochet. June is Crochet Craziness here at Crafting 101 so let’s talk about what will be going on.
- June 1st through 7th - Basic Stitches of Crochet: This includes learning to chain stitches, single, double and triple crochet plus how to make a simple dishcloth with these stitches.
- June 8th through 14th - Using the Stitches: I’ll show you how you can make five different items by using the basic stitches in different ways.
- June 15th through 21st - KAL #2 for Crafting 101: You guessed it - another KAL! These are popular on the internet so of course we’re having another one! This will be all crochet using the stitches we learned earlier in the month.
- June 22nd through 28th - Five Cute Patterns: Pretty self-explanatory, I’ll show you five cute things to make by crocheting them.
- June 29th and 30th - We’ll review a bit and I’ll give you a heads up on July - all about sewing!
I hope that you will join us and make some items. Feel free to leave comments and send me pictures to post on the website of what you’re doing. We’ll see you June 1st!





This is a photo of some Christmas gifts I made last year. The one on the right (the square one) is knitted with a pattern that I do all the time for quick gifts. (The one on the left is crocheted, a pattern I created myself in the car on the way to Texas!) But I wanted you to see the stripes that I put in it. Stripes always make things interesting I think! If you’d like the pattern, check it out
Also, this is a great pattern for making blankets. Get a pair of huge needles, bulky yarn and go to town! That’s what I did with this blanket I made for a friend of mine having her fourth baby. I used size 17 needles and chunky yarn and it was done in an afternoon!
If you have your needles, some yarn and your pattern, you can create
all sorts of things. I have made bags, leg warmers, socks, hats, blankets, loads of dishcloths, cell phone cozy, and more. I have two dishcloths and a bag on the needles right now. I use bright, vibrant colors. I use different types of yarn. I change out my needles for larger or smaller sizes.
Changing these things are what makes it all fun!
There are lots of places to find patterns of projects that are fun and hip! Do a search online for knitting patterns. You’ll find all sorts of things for free. Visit a local bookstore to find magazines. They have several patterns in there.
This KAL when completed became a dishcloth with a checkmark in the middle. It’s a pattern that I wrote myself just for Crafting 101! It’s my first time to write a pattern for a dishcloth that’s knitted and I think it turned out well! What do you think?
We learned the following stitches: Garter Stitch, Stockinette Stitch, Seed Stitch, Moss Stitch, Rice Stitch, Box Stitch, and Ribbing. Each used the basic knitting and purling stitches in a different pattern to create a different look. Learning the names of the stitches and how to execute them is helpful when reading patterns. The patterns will say to knit so many rows in this stitch and it’s helpful to have already done them so you know what to do.
I hope that you are having a great Memorial Day! For those that are inside enjoying the A/C instead of the hot sun, here’s the beginning of our week in review!
This included figuring out which method would be best for you to use, Continental or English; how to create a slip knot and cast on to your needle and how to knit your first row! When then knitted a cute little coaster/scrubbie and learned how to bind off and weave in the ends so you could be done with your project.
During our second week, I introduced you to 


