Luvachicken Posted February 8, 2015 Share Posted February 8, 2015 Here is my attempt at the first stitch I've learnt. It looks a lot prettier than the photo shows. Just need to do something other than a big square Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quickcluck Posted February 8, 2015 Author Share Posted February 8, 2015 Lovely wool! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimnpaula Posted February 8, 2015 Share Posted February 8, 2015 That looks great! Unfortunately, learning a new skill always means boring practice But at least you can unravel it to reuse the yarn if you want. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat tails Posted February 8, 2015 Share Posted February 8, 2015 Or make a phone cover out of it! Just fold double and sew along the edges. Looks good though! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luvachicken Posted February 8, 2015 Share Posted February 8, 2015 Thanks all. Looking forward to trying something else. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluekarin Posted February 9, 2015 Share Posted February 9, 2015 That's a lovely looking start. Nice straight edges, and the tension looks even. Well done! Even if you frog it (rip it, unravel it) when you decide what to make, all this practise is worth it. The amount of chains and first few rows I did and then fogged and re did really helped me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quickcluck Posted February 11, 2015 Author Share Posted February 11, 2015 this weeks efforts at my class... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat tails Posted February 11, 2015 Share Posted February 11, 2015 Nice! I'm jealous of your progress! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quickcluck Posted February 11, 2015 Author Share Posted February 11, 2015 Took me over an hour Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat tails Posted February 11, 2015 Share Posted February 11, 2015 Oh that would easily take me over an hour too! At least the first time. I'm not a very fast crocheter. I hold my hook in the 'wrong' way. It works for me but doesn't let me crochet fast. It's not time but evenness. And your work looks very consistent! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted February 11, 2015 Share Posted February 11, 2015 Well done it'd take me a lot more than an hour. I bought some variegated 4 ply today to make some bootees, can't wait to get started. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quickcluck Posted February 11, 2015 Author Share Posted February 11, 2015 nearly round and nearly square Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimnpaula Posted February 11, 2015 Share Posted February 11, 2015 nearly round and nearly square That's what blocking is all about, to straighten/neaten everything up! Usually done by wetting natural fibre items and stretching and pinning them out, with acrylic pin out to shape then use a steam iron held above but not touching, the fabric will 'relax' with the steam. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat tails Posted February 11, 2015 Share Posted February 11, 2015 nearly round and nearly square That's what blocking is all about, to straighten/neaten everything up! Usually done by wetting natural fibre items and stretching and pinning them out, with acrylic pin out to shape then use a steam iron held above but not touching, the fabric will 'relax' with the steam. That sounds interesting! I have never bothered to try anything like that. I do very occasionally iron some crochet work. But only if there many different shapes in it, to make it more flat. But hey, I crochet mostly plushies, so no need for perfect squares! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimnpaula Posted February 11, 2015 Share Posted February 11, 2015 (edited) It's useful if you're making something like a granny square blanket when you want all the squares exactly the same size, or an intricate doily or lace designs to open up the spaces. I don't usually bother though as I don't make these kind of things - hats and net designs don't really need it, and my last construct was a huge tunisian entrelac wrap and I can't find any flat surface large enough to spread it out! Edit: Forgot to say, if you're making things wet/steamed use blocking pins or rust resistant pins and allow the item to dry while pinned out. Edited February 11, 2015 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quickcluck Posted February 11, 2015 Author Share Posted February 11, 2015 Plushies??????? :oops thinking about the tablet cover for my first project.. too tricky? http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/like/131177827243?limghlpsr=true&hlpv=2&ops=true&viphx=1&hlpht=true&lpid=108&chn=ps&device=c&adtype=pla&crdt=0&ff3=1&ff11=ICEP3.0.0-L&ff12=67&ff13=80&ff14=108&ff19=0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat tails Posted February 11, 2015 Share Posted February 11, 2015 But isn't that a knitting pattern? And to be honest... 3 pounds is a bit steep for something that is essentially just a large square... Here are some similar patterns but then completely free! A tablet cover would be a great project to start with. Nothing too complicated, not too big. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimnpaula Posted February 11, 2015 Share Posted February 11, 2015 I thought for a minute that you wouldn't want a knitting pattern, but then I read the description and not just the title! I think the small plain blue one, or the largest one should be doable - they are just like granny squares in rows (3 trebles in the space below). The middle sized one has a lot of colour changes and carrying yarn I suspect so I wouldn't make that your first project. Edit: But, yes, why pay when Moogly does free ones? - just be aware that Moogly uses US terms so the same stitches are called different things. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quickcluck Posted February 11, 2015 Author Share Posted February 11, 2015 they look fab! Have been worried about the american thing. but someone said you just size up on the stitch, so a single is a double, a double a treble etc... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat tails Posted February 11, 2015 Share Posted February 11, 2015 If it doesn't work, you can always undo it. But here is a handy conversion chart! Go for it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimnpaula Posted February 11, 2015 Share Posted February 11, 2015 Yes essentially, a google search produces plenty of charts to help you, I get confused with the longer stitches but can usually remember to convert the short ones correctly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted February 11, 2015 Share Posted February 11, 2015 It's amazing what you learn on a chicken forum Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluekarin Posted February 12, 2015 Share Posted February 12, 2015 Just looked on Deramores website and they do a crochet pattern for those tablet covers http://www.deramores.com/tech-covers-in-stylecraft-classique-cotton-dk-8850 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luvachicken Posted February 12, 2015 Share Posted February 12, 2015 Gosh quickcluck you have been very busy I need to pull my finger out and get started on something. Had a bad cold the last few days so haven't been up to much but your crochet looks fab. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quickcluck Posted February 12, 2015 Author Share Posted February 12, 2015 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...