Day 177 - How to convert from UK to NA

September 23rd, 2012

How to read United Kingdom to North American conversion chart - Hooks

Most crochet hook packages have both UK and NA listed on the outside, but unfortunately not all. So have a conversion chart is key. That way you can refer back to it before you start a project. Her.e are the best two chart I can find. Thank-you internet.

Besides using a different sizing chart, British patterns also use different terminology. Here is a quick chart to help with that too.

British vs North American Crochet Patterns
slip stitch (ss)	slip stitch (sl st)
double crochet (dc)	single crochet (sc)
half treble (htr)	half double crochet (hdc)
treble (tr)	double crochet (dc)
double treble (dtr)	treble (tr)
triple treble (trtr)	double treble (dtr)
miss	skip
tension	gauge
yarn over hook (yoh)	yarn over (yo)

Don't discount British pattern because the language can be difficult. If you take your time you can convert these easily.

Day 176 - How to steam clothing in the shower

September 22nd, 2012

How to steam clothing in the shower

Ironing can be time consuming, tedious and sometimes destructive, to either you or your clothing.

You will need

Hanger with handles that can twist

Shower with shower curtain

Clothing to steam

Step One:

Turn on shower on high pressure, only hot water if possible. Pull shower curtain across tub, leaving a few inch gap on either side of curtain to let steam out. Turn any fans off.

Step Two:

Hang clothing on hanger. Twist hanger handle 90 degrees and hang over curtain rod.Make sure the room gets very steamy and close bathroom door.

Step Three:

Wait 15 to 20 minutes. Check clothing. Tug on the garment if necessary to get out any super wrinkles. If the clothing isn't completely wrinkle free leave them in the steam for 10 to 15 minutes longer. Make sure no water gets on the garment while steaming. 

     

Day 175 - How to make a Triple or Treble Crochet Stitch

September 21st, 2012

How to make a Triple or Treble Crochet Stitch

The triple crochet is an expended version of the double crochet. Taller, thick and makes your project go faster, it's great for afghans and pillows.

You Will Need:

Crochet hook

Corresponding sized yarn

Step One:

Create a chain according to pattern. Note that you always have to chain three extra stitches on the chain to count at the first triple crochet in the row.

Step Two:

Wrap yarn over crochet hook twice. Insert needle in fourth chain from hook. Wrap yarn over hook and pull yarn through. You will have four stitches on the hook.

Step Three:

Wrap yarn over crochet hook. Pull through two stitches. Three stitches will be left on the hook.

Step Four:

Wrap yarn over crochet hook. Pull through two stitches. Two stitch will be left on the hook. 

Step Five:

Wrap yarn over crochet hook. Pull through two stitches. One stitch will be left on the hook. Which means you are done!

Day 174 - How to read a Crochet Pattern

September 20th, 2012

How to read a Crochet Pattern

For those of you that have already read the tutorial on how to read a knitting pattern, this will include a bit of a repetition.

When looking at the crochet pattern,  it will indicate the size of yarn and needles you will need to complete the project. Remember if you change the yarn or hook size you will change the gauge of the project and the garment may turn out larger or smaller than you intended. Crocheting a swatch, a crocheted test square, will best tell you if you have the right size hooks and yarn. Make sure the gauge matches the pattern, example the pattern says 10 stitches equal 4 inches, but you need 12 stitches you need neither big yarn or hook or both.

When buying yarn, a good rule is to buy at least one extra ball with the same dye lot number. (Dye lot number- is located on the tag. All balls of yarn with matching dye lot numbers were dyed around the same time with the same dye. Possibly in the same vat. This ensure the colour is consistent.)

Like knitting patterns, crochet patterns are also by rounds or rows. Unlike knitting, crocheting only uses 1 needle (called a crochet hook) whether working back and forth or in a round. Even when working in the round (Working in the Round is simply that. Crocheting in a continuous circle.) there is still a beginning and end of each round. Patterns are written in abbreviations, otherwise they would be way too long. 

ch is chain,  sc is single crochet, each set of letters is a stitch. When a number comes directly before or after the letters, this indicates multiples of the same stitches. Example,  ch 5 means chain 5 stitches. An Astrix * or bracket in a pattern indicates repeating a sequence. A sequence should also be repeated if indicated by "X times" as in dc sc X5 means crochet a double crochet then single crochet, complete 5. 

Abbreviation chart - includes but not limited to

These are the basic stitches which will provide you with a foundation for most patterns.

ch - chain - foundation stitch

sc - single crochet

dc - double crochet

tc - triple crochet

hdc - half double crochet

inc - increase - crocheting more that 1 stitch in a single loop from the previous row or chain. (like kfb)

dec - decrease - crocheting two stitches together. (like k2tog) OR

sc2tog - single crochet decrease

st - stitch

bl - back loop

fl - front loop

sl st - slip stitch

yo - yarn over

Day 173 - How to Read a Knitting Pattern

September 19th, 2012

How to Read a Knitting Pattern

The pattern will indicate the size of yarn and needles you will need to complete the project. Remember if you change the yarn or needle size you will change the gauge of the project and the garment may turn out larger or smaller than you intended. Knitting a swatch, a knitted test square, will best tell you if you have the right size needles and yarn. Make sure the gauge matches the pattern, example the pattern says 10 stitches equal 4 inches, but you need 12 stitches you need neither big yarn or needles or both.

 

When buying yarn a good rule is to buy at least one extra ball with the same dye lot number. (dye lot number- is located on the tag. All balls of yarn with matching dye lot numbers were dyed around the same time with the same dye. Possibly in the same vat. This ensure the colour is consistent.)

 

Knitting patterns are written by the row. Even when working in the round (Working in the Round is simply that. Knitting in a continuous circle.) with circular needles or DPSs, there is still a beginning and end to each row.Patterns are written in abbreviations, otherwise they would be way too long. 

K is knit, P is purl etc. Each letter is a stitch. When a number comes directly after the letter, this indicates multiples of the same stitches. Example, K5 means knit 5 stitches. An Astrix * or bracket in a pattern indicates repeating a sequence. A sequence should also be repeated if indicated by "X times" as in K5 P3 X 5. 

Abbreviation chart - includes but not limited to

k - knit.

p - purl.

kfb - knit front then back, this causes a bar increase.

k2tog - knit 2 together, put your working needle into 2 stitches instead of 1 & then knitting them together as if  they were 1 stitch, causing a decrease.

sl - slip a stitch.

St st - stockinette stitch; knit 1 row,  turn then purl the following row, turn, repeat as required if using 2 needles, if knitting in the round, knit every round, no turning required.

yo - yarn over; this causes an increase with a hole, used with lace.

co - cast on.

bo - bind off, finishing the last row.

ca - colour A, main colour, used when knitting with more than 1 colour.

cb - colour B, contrasting colour, used when knitting with more than 1 colour.

rs - right side; outside of the garment, the side people will see.

ws - wrong side; the side of the garment that is not intended to be seen

Day 172 - How to make a double crochet stitch.

September 18th, 2012

How to make a double crochet stitch.

A basic stitch that is used in many crochet patterns. It can create an absolutely beautiful garment.

You Will Need:

Crochet hook

Corresponding sized yarn

Step One:

Create a chain according to pattern. Note that you always have to chain two extra stitches on the chain to count at the first double crochet in the row.

Step Two:

Wrap yarn over crochet hook. Insert needle in third chain from hook. Wrap yarn over hook and pull yarn through. You will have three stitches on the hook.

Step Three:

Wrap yarn over crochet hook. Pull through two stitches. Two stitches will be left on the hook.

Step Four:

Wrap yarn over crochet hook. Pull through two stitches. One stitch will be left on the hook. Which means you are done!

 TA DA! A row of double crochets. In a pattern double crochets are written dc.

Day 171 - How to grow an Avocado Plant

September 17th, 2012

How to grow an Avocado Plant

As most people know, avocados are exotic and delicious fruit. But what most people don't know is how beautiful a plant they are. Here is a how to plant one for yourself.

You will need:

An avocado pit - found in every avocado 

Four tooth picks

A plastic cup - opaque

Water

Sunlight

A knife

Step One:

Wash the avocado pit and using the knife scrap the brown outer covering off about halfway up the pit. 

Step Two:

Insert the tooth picks in a downward angle. One on each of the four "sides" of the pit. 

Step Three:

Fill plastic cup with water, suspend pit over lip of cup into water.

Step Four:

Put in sunny window. Wait for roots to grow. A shoot should sprout out the top. 3-5 weeks. Water regularly.

Step Five:

When you have a good amount of roots plant in soil. Cover halfway up pit with dirt. Water regularly.

Step Six:

Enjoy plant.