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Saturday, December 27, 2008

How to Knot Stitch and More

When you start a knot stitch, you will need to avoid knot stitch the first square. Instead, start in the first row, chain stitching one time and single crocheting in the identical stitch. Draw up you loop to ¾ inches and Yarn over Yo through your loop on the crochet hook.

Next, intersperse your hook so that it is beneath your single back strand, Yarn over Yo and pull it through, Yarn over YO again and pull it through both your loops at the hook twice, and skip two stitches, single crochet in the following stitch, and repeat your steps across and to the finish, and turn. Complete your knot stitch on the second row. Chain stitch five in the first double crochet and another two chains in the next single across the middle knot of your starting loop. Chain two stitches, a single crochet in the middle knot of your following loop, continuing across, to the finish and chain two stitches a double crochet in the beginning chain of your preceding row. Repeat the steps outlined in the first row to complete your pattern.

NOTE: Chain stitching is sometimes called “Yarn over Yo.” SO when we mention Yarn over, begin chain stitches. From here on out however, I will refer to Yarn over as chain stitching.

One of the popular methods used in crocheting Afghans is the popcorn stitch. The stitch works your favorable number of stitches into the following stitch. Once you complete the steps pull up your loop into the following cluster stitch, and then drop the loop away from your crochet hook. Intersperse your hook into the beginning cluster stitch, and continue by plummeting, a loop, and drawing from side to side to the loop, completing your step with constricting.

How to puff stitch:
Experts in crocheting use the puff stitch to create patterns in completing the Afghan. To start keep your loops on your crochet hook and chain stitch followed by interspersing your hook in the identical stitch. Draw your loop up a few times and chain stitch through the nine loops on your crochet hook. Once you complete your steps move to the shell stitch.

How to shell:
You will need multiples of six, plus one to create a base. In the first row single, crochet into the second chain away from your crochet hook. Skip two chain stitches and five double crochet into the following chain, skip two more chains and single crochet the following chain stitch. Repeat your steps across, and then turn.

Moving to row, two add three chain stitches for your starting double crochet in the first stitch. Skip two double crochets and use the single crochet method to complete the following double. Skip two doubles, and work five doubles in the following single crochet, repeat the steps working across, and to the finish, working three doubles in the final single, skip your turning chain and turn. In row three-chain one stitch in the start stitch, skip two doubles, and work five doubles along the following double, skip two doubles and work a single into the following double. Repeat your steps across and to the finish adding a single in your turning chain stitch, and then turn. You have now completed your pattern.

Once you learn how to knot stitch, popcorn, puff, shell, you may want to learn how to V-stitch, zigzag lozenge stitch, sample square, border, and finally assemble your Afghan. The V-stitch is simple, so let’s get the step out of the way and move onto zigzag lozenge stitching.

How to V-stitch:
Skip your first stitch and two doubles, chain one, double two in your following stitch and repeat your steps across.

Saturday, December 20, 2008

How to Safe Keep Scrapbooks and Crafts

Scrap booking is designed to keep families connected, recall past events, and to clear up clutter. Since 1998, millions of dollars were spent on materials to make scrapbooks. Since scrapbooks are popular, stores across the world are opening up shops. At the shops, you will find materials to make crafts, including scrapbooks. In addition, you can purchase affordable materials at Dollar Stores.

How to gather materials:
You will need scotch tape, flour paste, rubber cement/, rubber stamps, and more to start creating your scrapbooks. For now, we can cover the basics and move onto deeper content to create your mementos. The information is basics, which you can consider when you start your craft project, i.e. scrapbook. Before you move into the project however, you will need safe keep tips to protect your papers and photos.

How to gather vitals:
Genealogy is part of the process of making scrapbooks. You will find genealogy sites online, or write to the “Superintendent of Documents, Government Printing” Offices in Washington D.C. Federal records are available as well, which you can write to the US Department of Commerce and the Bureau of Census to obtain copies.

Making the origins for scrapbook:
Victorian scrapbooks are common, since the original copies were likely started in this era. At this time people would decoupage, i.e., the people would use artistic skills to decorate shells by dressing patterns, or cutouts and then placing covers over them, using glaze. The ancient methods are used today.

TIP: Laminators are machines that glaze scrapbooks made today, which you can likely get good results using the equipment. You can purchase affordable laminators in various stores, or online.

How to Safe Keep Scrapbooks and Materials
Today craft companies are making safer tools to invent scrapbooks. Today you can purchase rubber stamps and paper crafting materials, rather than products made of lignin. Lignin is best used when creating archives. Otherwise, the material breaks down into an acidic compound as the years pass. If you want shapes, you can also purchase oval croppers. The croppers will assist you in cutting out oval shaped photos and paper.

To get started with a scrapbook you will need materials that protect your photos and/or papers. Remember the lignin is not suited for scrapbook making. Scrapbooks need a stamp of endorsement.

How stamp your scrapbook:
Remember you wan to avoid acid-based materials to make up your scrapbook, since acid will damage your photos, papers, etc. When searching for rubber stamps look for the products that has on its label, “OK,” or “CK.” Craft companies and manufactures promote these products since they are safe to use in scrap booking.

How to store your scrapbooks:
Once you create your scrapbook you will need to keep it safe. You want to keep your scrapbook away from moist areas. Dampness will cause distortion. Anyway, including your self-viewing your scrapbooks should wash their hands first.

If you intend to insert newspaper clippings in your scrapbook be advised that the materials are commonly made up of acid-based compounds. If you kids are viewing your pages, and leave fingerprints, use mist, window cleaners, and a paper towel to wipe down your book. Scrapbooks experts recommend that you wear “cotton gloves,” when viewing your photos.

Only handle the photos at the corners, since skin pigmentations submit oils that can damage photos. Humidity can damage photos also, as well as coldness. Try to keep your room temperature where you store your scrapbook around 75 degrees. In addition, store your scrapbook in dark regions to avoid damage caused from sunbeam exposure.

Protecting your photos and papers before you create a scrapbook is essential. Always store your papers and photos in a storage box.

Saturday, December 13, 2008

How to Finish the Sample Square in Craft

To finish steps eight through 18, you will need to learn the steps one through seven. We encourage you to visit your local library to take out books to help you finish crafting an Afghan. In the meantime, I will walk you through steps eight and 18 so that you can move onto your borders in crafting your Afghan to complete your pattern.

How to sample square:
Now that you have gathered your materials, such as alpaca gray wools, etc, you can move to step eight. In row eight you will combine pale, blue-gray with medium gray, light gray, etc, from the materials you purchased, such as the worsted-mohair, and cotton. Once you gather your dark, and pale, blue-gray yarn use the diagonal spike stitch to work toward the following stitch, skip one stitch, and repeat the steps across, and to the finish working a double crochet into your previous stitch, turn, and then close tightly. In short, you perform the same steps as you would in the previous row.

Now you can move to row nine. In this row gather your medium grays and use the diagonal spike stitch to work in the direction of the following stitch. Skip one stitch, reiterate the steps, starting across, and to the finish working two double crochets into your previous double, turn, and then close tightly.

In row, ten add your pale, blue-gray and start the zigzag lozenge stitch. (In row one on the left side chain two stitches to join the initial half-double crochet, and half double into the following stitch. Skip one stitch, half double, chain one stitch into the following stitch and repeat the steps continuing to the previous two stitches, skip one stitch, work two half doubles into the previous stitch and turn. *Continue the zigzag steps as followed:

*In the second row, take up again the zigzag on the right side. Chain three stitches to finalize the beginning double crochet. Double crochet the first stitch and chain one time, and double crochet three clusters in the following space. Repeat your steps starting across, and to the finish working through the final space, adding one chain, two double crochets in clusters and at the crown of your turning chain, and then turn.

Moving to row three, chain stitch twice for your first half double. Skip the starting stitch and half double, one chain, and another half double followed by space and repeat your steps across, and to the finish, completing with a half double in your crown section of the turning chain, and then turn.

Row 4 you will chain stitch three times for your first double, skip the initial stitch and cluster three doubles in the following space. Chain another stitch across, and to the final, working a double crochet into the crown of your turning chain, and then turn: Moving to row, five add two chain stitches to the first half double. Half double another stitch into the first stitch, half-double, first chain, half double, and into the following space. Repeat your steps across, and to the finish working two, half doubles into the crown of your turning chain, and then turn. Complete your steps by repeating the second through five rows.

You have completed the zigzag lozenge stitching steps. Now you can move to the sample squares, which sums up eighteen rows. Once you complete the steps, you can move onto the borders, and finally finishing your Afghan. Once you finish however, you will need to edge the pattern to finally finishing your Afghan.

Continue to row eleven and combine your medium shades of gray, performing the zigzag lozenge stitch. Do the same in the 12th row. In the thirteenth row combine your medium grays, work the puff stitch, double crochet, working across, and then close tightly. Combine your lighter shades of gray in row fifteen and perform the zigzag, ending with the double crochet into the previous stitch, and then close tightly. Row 16: combine the medium shades of gray and perform the zigzag lozenge, finishing with a tight close. Row 17: Combine the pale, blue-gray yarn and stitch three chains into the first double, add three doubles into the following stitch, skip two stitches, and work across the three doubles to the finish, working into the double crochet at the last stitch. In row eighteen, chain two stitches to combine the half-double crochet. Half double crochet into the stitches across your pattern, and then close tightly.

Sunday, December 7, 2008

How to Craft Bridal Collections

Perhaps someone in your family is planning a wedding. In this event, you are probably struggling to decide what type of gift the groom and bride would appreciate. Well, rest your mind and purchase a bit of finishing materials, such as small and large pillows, crochet thread, white fabric, matching thread, and some stuffing to craft a bridal present.

You can add some plants with three-lobe leaves (Trefoil), roses and so on to create a magnificent bridal gift.

What to buy:
Buy one 20-inch square pillow without the ruffles. Buy another 20-inch time’s 10-inch pillow without the ruffles also. You will need, thread (10) and 250 yards of white balls, as well as (10) crochet hook made of steel, and 45 inches wide of snow-colored fabrics. (Nine Yards) Add some snow-colored thread and purchase your filling. You are about to make 9 inch squares on a gauge to create six rose (or choice flower) motifs.

How to start:
Create eight chain stitches at the start and work them into a slipstitch. You will form a small band, which you will continue to create a chain stitch and around 24 single crochets forming at the bands and moving to the beginning single crochet. Create four chains, skip three singles, and create six times working to the following single crochet, creating a slipstitch that begins at the baseline of your starting chain. Create a single crochet, double, and three triples, along with another double, and single working it into your four chain loops and around your slipstitch created at the initial single. Hold your rose petals at the front, continue to chain five stitches into a single, and work back into the following single in between your petals. Repeat your steps around the slipstitch and continue to the first single and onto the six petals.

Create a single, double, and three triples as well as a single crochet into the five-chained loops created and about the slipstitch started at the first single. Stitch another seven chains, work it into a slipstitch in the middle of your stitches, and continue to the following petal. Chain seven stitches to the slipstitch following and move to the beginning two rose petals. Repeat your steps and work around your slipstitch, working to the beginning baseline of your chain.

Slipstitch again and work toward the middle of the stitches, working another seven chain loops into another seven and slipstitch it into the middle stitches, continue to the following seven chain loops and repeat the steps working around your slipstitch at the beginning base chain. Work up to seven single crochets into the seven chains loops and work around your slipstitch, working to the single you started.

Chain stitch and work into a single crochet, working it into the seven singles and the three chains, and into the slipstitch in your third chain away from your hook. You have created a decorative loop, which you will create twice by finishing the instructions. Single crochet until you reach the following fourteen singles and repeat working around the slipstitch you created at the first single.

Chain twenty stitches skip through seven singles and two decorative loops, six singles, and the slipstitch that works into your following single, skipping up to six times and slipstitch working to the initial single. Single crochet, working into the following stitches of your decorative loops and do this four times before you reach the single crochet in the following five stitches. Repeat the steps and work about the slipstitch, working to the first single. Tighten and then start your large leaf.