Thursday, July 29, 2010

Single Double

Here is a very extra simple pattern that I'd like to share. I have a close friend (Sarah) whom I taught to crochet a few months ago and she found this pattern and shared it with me. I didn't use the flash in these pictures because I wanted you to be able to see the bumpy texture of the pattern. I am just keeping it extra simple this week because my kiddos have been sick. Ok, chain to start as usual. Sc in 4th ch from hook. DC in nex ch, *1 sc, 1 dc, 1 sc, 1 dc* all the way across. When you reach the end of your chain, if you end with a dc: ch1, turn, sc in 1st dc, and basically repeat row 1 across. If you end with a sc: ch 3, skip 1st sc and sc in 1st dc, and repeat row 1 across.
Here is a quick headband idea. All it is, is one row of dc, sc, dc, sc! Isn't it pretty??! Simple Simple Simple, but so cute too!
Happy Hooking!
Love,
Mama Nettie

Monday, July 19, 2010

Mama Mia's Star Stitch

One of my all time favorite stitches is the one that my mom always called the Star Stitch! So we'll call it "Mama Mia's Star Stitch"!
Isn't it gorgeous??! I think it's lacey and beautiful and still tight enough to be really cozy and warm! So...here's how you get started. Chain the length that you want the project to be...it needs to be an odd # of stitches. (make your chain a little looser than usual, because this stitch will stretch it to its limit. If you find that your edges do not stay straight, you may want to go back and make your chain with a hook that is 1 or 2 sizes bigger than the one that you do your stitches with.) Ok...here we go! When you get your chain made, ch 3 more for first DC, turn, begin DC in 4th ch from hook. See picture...
You are not going to finish this DC. Just yo, pull it through chain, yo, and pull through 2 lps leaving 2 lps on your hook. See picture...*YO, Begin DC in second ch from hk...see picture below. Notice that there are 3 lps on hook, On this DC you will pull thru 2, then pull thru 3(this connects this star to the previous star) DC in same stitch, begin dc in same stitch, pull thru 2 and leave 2 lps on hook...* repeat from * across.
When you get to the end, there will be 2 stitches left that you could go in. Continue with pattern by skipping 1 and start DC in last st.[pull thru 2, pull thru 3, same as above]. Finish by doing 1 full DC in same stitch. Chain 3 to turn and repeat row 1, over and over until you reach your desired length.
Please fee free to comment if you get lost in here or find this a bit confusing. I'll be checking often and am glad to help!

Happy Hooking!

Mama Nettie

Thursday, July 15, 2010

Another Awesome Idea using the


Shell stitch is making a headband or possibly a belt!!! Check out this look!! The generall idea of what I did here is, Chain the length that you want the product to be, slip st on the chain (the length that you want the tie to be, and begin shell stitch(sc 1, skip 2, dc5, sk 2, sc 1...etc...) continue until you only have the length that you want the tie to be remaining at the end, sl st to end, round corner and repeat working down the bottom of your chain!!! Isn't it a cool look??!!!
This one is done with tiny thread and makes a beautiful headband for an infant!! Try with a bulky yarn, twine, or a wide polyester thread for a really cute belt!!!
Happy Hooking!!
Mama Nettie

Monday, July 12, 2010

Simple Shell Stitch

It is absolutely unbelieveable that I've gone this long without knowing the simple shell stitch!!! I love it! It is the most forgiving stitch that I've ever done and it is gorgeous in variegated, stripes, or solid!! The blanket that I'm making right now is solid and usually that gets a bit boring to me, but with this stitch, I feel the love every time I pick it up!!! So here's how to get started. Make a chain(of course!). Most things that you crochet will stretch out, so it is common to make the chain a bit shorter than you want the item to turn out, but NOT ON THIS STITCH. Make the chain the length that you want the item to be. When you finish your chain, turn, then chain 1 more and SC in the 1st CH from hook. (See Below) 5 DC in 3rd CH from hook (Skipping 2 CH) *Skip 2, SC, Skip 2, 5 DC in 3rd Ch from hook* Repeat from * across. When you come to the end, you want to make sure that you end your row in the middle of a shell (Like you see here) So 3 DC in SC on end. Turn, CH 1. SC in 1st DC. *Skip 2, 5 DC in 3rd st from hook, Skip 2, 1 SC in 3rd St from hook.* Repeat from * across for every row until your item is the length that you want it!
Note: Every SC will be in the middle DC of the shell on the row before, and every Shell will be worked in the SC from the row before.
If you have any questions, love the stitch, hate the stitch, find an error, have trouble reading the pattern, or just have something to share, Comment below!

Happy Hooking!!
Mama Nettie

Sunday, July 11, 2010

I don't think there is anyway to know, when you first....

pick up a crochet hook, how much love there will be in every stitch! The feeling of being able to make something beautiful for someone that you love is priceless! The time that you spend with your daughter, or a friend who wants to learn the craft is priceless! The comfort that you give to a sick friend or neighbor with a little throw blanket, or pillow, is priceless!

There's love in the stitches, and I'm excited to share it with you!! These instructions will be directed to those who know the crochet basics (Chain =Ch, Single Crochet =SC, Double Crochet =DC, Treble Crochet = TC, Loop = LP, Slip Stitch = SlSt), but if you are a beginner, have no fear! I am excited to teach as many as possible!! Just e-mail me at mamanettiescrochet@gmail.com and I'll send detailed instructions and walk you through the learning process. There will be lots of pictures to make it easy to follow along!

We are going to work on 1 new pattern per week! I can hardly wait to get started! I'm looking forward to your comments! Feel free to post a comment if you've seen a stitch that you'd like to learn how to do!

With Love,
MamaNettie