Woman's Way Issue 19

Knitting

BSETGAIRNTNIANTGTHE ›YORoUwaWn AILllLSeNasEoEnsDCotton, 60%

cotton, 40% acrylic (98yd/90m

››››pe114Traxxm5p051mei0ngsg(t(bUr2aby.Kla5ln)8lcle::mieUnd)S2lbeG3u5/t6tT)ooncrrnoacdhoet hook

TENSION

15.5 sts and 8 rows to 4in (10cm)
over double crochet using 4mm
hook. Use a larger or smaller hook
if necessary to obtain the correct
tension.

FINISHED SIZE

10¼in x 7½in (26 x 19cm)

is tablet uses the basics of crochet, it’s a great one to begin on

is is a perfect beginners’ Techniques used be subjected to a bit of wear and tear.
project. e type of yarn During the process you will get used to
and the size of hook mean DOUBLE CROCHET holding the hook and making loops. You’ll
the cover grows quickly find holding the yarn will come to feel less
and the project helps you Double crochet is the shortest and most basic fiddly, and you will soon end up with a useful
practise keeping your edges stitch that is used to make crochet fabric. new accessory.
straight. Double crochet Once you have mastered this lovely dense How to get straight edges:
creates a robust fabric that stitch, you will be all set to start making a Many beginners find it frustrating that
will protect your gadget wide range of beautiful crochet projects. their crochet does not end up with straight
perfectly. Double crochet is a short stitch that makes edges – they seem to magically add stitches
a dense fabric perfect for creating toys,
accessories and homeware items that might WOMANSWAY.IE 55

Knitting

without understanding why or how. To avoid “Double crochet number of chain stitches to match your stitch
this happening, you need to make the right creates a robust will ensure that the sides of your work look
number of turning chains at the beginning fabric that will straight. You also need to know which stitch
of each row. is forms the edge for you protect your of the previous row to place your first proper
to make your new row next to. For double gadget perfectly” stitch into. For double crochet, the turning
crochet you need to make just one turning chain does not count as a stitch so the first
chain (see below) but for taller stitches you inserting the hook under the top two threads stitch of a dc row is worked into the stitch
will need more. of the first row of double-crochet stitches at the base of the chain. For other stitches,
To get straight edges you also need to place (these strands will look like a V-shape). Turn however, the turning chains do count as the
your first proper stitch into the correct stitch your work and repeat until your piece is the first stitch.
of the previous row. For double crochet, the size required.
first stitch of a row is always worked into the Stitch Turning chain
stitch at the base of the turning chain. SLIP STITCH (SL ST) Double crochet 1 ch
Half treble 2 ch
TIP is stitch is the most basic stitch. It has Treble 3 ch
no height and is often used to join rounds Double treble 4 ch
Note that for double crochet the turning together. It is also useful for adding Treble treble 5 ch
chain does not count as a stitch. With the decoration and for attaching two pieces of
longer crochet stitches, including treble- crochet together. Instructions
crochet stitches, the turning chain does 1 Insert the hook into a stitch. Wrap the yarn
count as a stitch. over the hook. COVER
2 Draw the loop through the stitch and the
Making double crochet (dc) loop on the hook. Row 1: Using 4mm hook, ch 36 sts.
1 Make a chain to the length required in the 3 Continue in this way to make the required Row 2 (WS): 1 dc in 2nd ch from hook, dc into
pattern you are following. With the right number of slip stitches. each ch to end, turn (35 sts).
side of the chain facing you locate the second Row 3: Ch 1, dc into each stitch to end.
chain from the hook. HOW TO COUNT CHAINS Row 3 forms the pattern. Work a further 67
2 Insert the hook through the centre of this rows.
chain stitch. Push the hook underneath and When you are making chain stitches, each Fasten off and weave in ends.
then around the yarn. is is called yarn over chain or loop counts as one stitch. Do not
hook. count the slip knot or the loop on the crochet Buttonhole loop
3 Catch the yarn with your hook and pull it hook when counting your chains. With WS facing, join yarn to the 18th stitch,
through the chain stitch only. is means that 1 is drawing shows the right side of the ch 40, sl st back into the same st to create the
you will now have two loops on your hook. chain. You can tell because you can spot the buttonhole loop. Fasten off and weave in ends.
4 Yarn over hook (push the hook underneath V-shaped stitches.
and then around the yarn). 2 is is the back of the chain, which looks Finishing
5 Pull yarn through both the loops on the a bit more like a chain and does not have With RS together, slip stitch or oversew both
hook, leaving one loop on the hook. is is V-shaped stitches. sides of the cover together. Fasten off and
the first double-crochet stitch. weave in the ends. Sew a button on the front
6 Continue to work one double-crochet TURNING CHAINS of the cover to correspond to the end of the
stitch into each chain stitch (steps 2 to 5) until buttonhole loop. Put the button through the
your first row of double-crochet stitches It is necessary to work a number of chain loop to keep the tablet safely in its cover. WW
is complete. Note that the total number of stitches at the beginning of each row or
stitches will be one fewer than the chain- round to make an edge that is the height TIP
stitch count. of the stitch you are about to make. is is
7 Turn the work so that the crochet you called the turning chain. Making the right At the end of the day you can ensure that
have just made is in your free hand and the your work doesn’t unravel by removing
reverse side is facing you. en chain one the hook and attaching a safety pin in the
stitch. is is the turning chain. last loop and carefully pinning it to your
8 Work a second row of double crochet by crochet fabric.

RELAXED Recently we've had a lot of feedback to our letters page in
KNITTING
reply to a reader who requested fewer knitting patterns in the
Combine craft with
calm in this book magazine. One common theme came up in a lot of letters, how

so many of our readers enjoy knitting as a form of relaxation.

With that in mind I think you'd love new book Knit yourself

Calm by Lynne Rowe and Betsan Corkhill (Search

Press, €13.99). It shows how you can use your JRUEOLENANSEED1
crafting skills to create a state of relaxation and
calm in everyday life. Making stuff and minding
yourself, we love it.

56 WOMANSWAY.IE

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