In need of a good DYI project or want to brush up on you crochet knowledge, well my dears, you have come to the right place. Welcome to the "pulling out your hair" section Crochet is an enjoyable, fulfilling, and lovely craft to master, but as with any valuable skill, there can be some frustrating moments, such as making errors. Everyone makes mistakes, don't they? While beginners might experience this more often, even intermediate and advanced crafters occasionally make mistakes. It can be challenging to determine how to correct your mistakes, but hold on... keep your beautiful hair intact, because we can repair them! I'll guide you through the process of fixing various common errors, including correcting uneven edges, addressing sizing problems, and more. It will serve as a recap of everything we've learned so far, so let's simplify mistake fixing for you today! No 1...Alice, one side will make you smaller, the other side will make you grow YOUR PROJECT IS GETTING BIGGER/SHRINKING Is your project making you wonder if it ate the wrong side of the mushroom, like Alice, and is growing or shrinking when it shouldn't be? How to fix: Mark your first and last stitches. After you crochet your first row, place a stitch marker in the first and last stitch. Now as you continue to crochet you will know exactly where to place your first and last stitches for each row. Count your stitches. Always count your stitches even when it gets repetitive and boring, especially when your project has 100-200 stitches. There are a few tricks to help ease the burden of counting. (1) Count in 2’s, 4’s, 5’s, or 10's (2) Use a stitch marker to mark your counts in intervals (ex: mark every 20th stitch), and (3) there are great little devices that can keep track of your count called stitch counters. They work by placing it on your finger, most commonly the pointer finger, and then keeping track by following the motion of your hand when you make a stitch. No. 2...To the jagged cliffs of insanity YOUR EDGES ARE JAGGED INSTEAD OF STRAIGHT. Having edges that don't look right, can drive you to insanity! Sometimes our projects bulge out on one side, and then stick out on the other, instead of having a nice, clean edge. Not the look we're going for. How to fix: Decrease the number in your turning chain. When you reach the end of the row you usually make a turning chain and you chain a certain number according to the stitch you're using. This can be some of the cause for a bulging edge. Use this little trick to help reduce it. When using a half double stitch - chain 1, instead of 2; a double stitch – chain 2, instead of 3; and for a treble stitch – chain 3, instead of 4. Use "Standing Stitches" instead. You may not find the "Standing Stitch" in a written pattern, it is easy to substitute and helps to keep your edges looking nice and neat. When you reach the end of your row, instead of making a turning chain, you simply turn your crochet piece to the other side and draw up a loop big enough for the stitch you are using. No. 3...A fairly common mistake GETTING THE RIGHT YARN WEIGHT. Designers know there is no wrong yarn weight or type since they are the masters of their designs, however, if you are following a pattern, using the right weight and type of yarn will make all the difference in the world. We have talked about yarn weight a couple of times and how to choose correctly especially when following a pattern. Here are the links to the two other blogs that mention yarn weight: Know Your Crochet...How to Start Crocheting, Part 2 Materials Know Your Crochet...How Much Yarn Do I Need? How to fix: Become familiar with the yarn labels. The pattern will tell you the size of yarn they used so you can match it with your yarn when you purchase it. Manually measure your yarn by "wraps per inch" or "WPI". If you recently purchased yarn, it probably still has its label. However, if you received yarn as a donation from a friend or neighbor, or if it's older yarn you already had, it might not have a label. If there's no label and you're not familiar with identifying yarn weight by sight and touch, what can you do? There's a handy tool you can use, like the one shown in the picture below: Begin by placing your yarn at the left side of the cutout and wrap it side by side until you reach the other end. After wrapping, count how many times you wrapped the yarn and refer to the WPI key to find your number. You can also create your own tool in a few ways. One method involves using cardboard or cardstock, cutting it into a rectangle or square, and making a one-inch-wide incision at the top. Alternatively, you can use a pen or pencil along with a ruler. Measure a one-inch section in the middle of the utensil with the ruler, and use tape to mark this section. Here is a pdf file of a WPI key you can print and use with your homemade tool: No. 4...On the wrong side of the tracks CROCHETING IN THE WRONG PART OF THE STITCH. This might be clear to an experienced crafter, but if you're a beginner, it's a common mistake. Beginners often insert their hook through just one loop instead of both, and recognizing the stitches can significantly impact your work. Each crochet stitch has multiple components, and working in one part and not the other can entirely alter the texture of your project. How to fix: Learn the anatomy of a stitch. Each stitch has a front loop (one closest to you) and a back loop (one farthest from you). Unless your pattern calls for working in the front or back loop only, you work into both loops. Working into both loops is the default stitch placement if none is listed. The common abbreviation for back loop only is ( blo ) The common abbreviation for front loop only is ( flo ). No. 5...What a mix-up! USING THE WRONG CROCHET TERMS FOR YOUR PATTERN. As you familiarize yourself with the stitch names and read your crochet patterns, remember to consider the language in which they are written. What!?... you might exclaim... the pattern already seemed like it was crafted by ancient aliens... but don't worry. How to fix: Learn the lingo or move to Britain. This occurs more frequently now than in the past due to the Internet, which offers access to crochet patterns globally. Grasping how the two styles of pattern writing align can help prevent future complications. While chain stitch, is a chain stitch and a slip stitch, is a slip stitch, these are the terms that differ: No. 6...Bobbing and Weaving NOT SECURELY WEAVING IN YOUR TAILS. Y ou finish a project, weave in all the tails left behind at the beginning, middle, and end, and throw it in the wash...but, unimaginable tragedy strikes! A tail came out and now there is a giant hole!! All those hours you worked on your project feels lost, but all is not lost. As my husband is fond of saying, "Knowledge gained is worth the money and work." Now that we know, we can prevent it from happening again. How to fix: Get a sharp (not blunt) darning needle with a large eye. Leave at least 6 – 7” tails for weaving in. Weave in first through the baseline of the stitches (where your tail ends) and up through the middle of the stitchs, then pull your needle through a stitch in the row below, and back down the middle of the stitches in the opposite direction (kind of a 'U' shape). No matter how you zig and zag, just avoid weaving in a straight line. No. 7...Reading enhances your life NOT READING YOUR PATTERN ALL THE WAY THROUGH FIRST. We've chosen our pattern, gathered all the materials, and are eager to begin! Most patterns will provide the gauge, stitch guide, pattern notes, and abbreviations, though these can vary between patterns. Pattern writing isn't bound by strict rules, even with the best intentions. Therefore, it's crucial to read the designer's notes. It's possible they altered a standard stitch or counted the turning chain as a stitch. How to fix: Read the pattern of course! If you take a moment to read it, you can also research any information or questions you might have online or consult someone knowledgeable about crochet in advance. You Made It...Literally and Figuratively You are now filled to the hooks, and even possibly the gills with crochet know-how and raring to go! There are so many possibilities to have fun with! #bloggingthemoonCM #knowyourcrochet #crochetmistakes

Check this spot for new updates or changes to The Crocheted Moon or our products. Your comments matter! Customer feedback gives me insights into your satisfaction levels. How happy you are as loyal Crocheted Moon customers is one of my biggest concerns. Your comments allow me to provide better customer service, and develop high quality products you want. Here's a little somethin', somethin' When you help me out by providing feedback, you'll not only help create a great atmosphere, but you'll get a reward for yourself. When you sign up at the Crocheted Moon you get access to our customer loyalty program where you can earn points towards rewards for completing certain actions. One of those actions is filling out the feedback form. Here's how: (1) if you are not signed up as CM member, create an account to gain access to the customer loyalty program (2) select MORE on the menu tab, and click on "Give Feedback" (3) fill out and submit the feedback form (4) earn 15 points every time you submit a form towards great rewards #bloggingthemoonCM #CMupdates #givefeedback Earn your rewards Use the shortcut below to fill out the feedback form and earn your reward. (You will need to sign up as a Crocheted Moon member to earn reward points.)

Ever wonder why certain crochet stitches are better for some patterns and not others? Does using a particular stitch really make a difference in the finished product? Even if you are not a crocheter, having a little bit of stitch knowledge can help you pick the best quality product. This year I want to find new stitches I haven't used yet. Come along with me as I explore new and fancy stitches and what projects they are best used for. What a stunning stitch! The Harlequin stitch is a gorgeous, classic pattern that will easily catch your eye especially when done in contrasting colors. As seen in the picture above, when you switch out your colors it makes for a fantastic border that allows you to keep crocheting without having to start a new stitch. How do you crochet this wonderful stitch you ask....well, just to confound your thinking processes for a second, the Harlequin is what they call a 4-row repeat done in multiples of 8 and is a combination of single and double crochet stitches as well as a cluster stitch created by crocheting 6 stitches together. Now lets unconfound you. You may have to concentrate on what you're doing in the beginning, but once you catch on you'll have no problem. Written Instructions: CHAIN 41 pattern repeat is multiples of 8 plus 1 (this means whatever number you chain, it must be divisible by 8 and then you add 1 extra chain at the end). ROW 1: In the 5th chain from the hook, work [3 DC, 1 CH, 3 DC], skip 3 ch’s, 1 SC in the next ch, *skip 3 ch’s [3 DC, 1 CH, 3 DC] in next ch, skip 3 ch, 1 SC in next ch, repeat from * to the end of the row. ROW 2: CH 3 and turn. Skip first SC, DC3TOG over next 3 DC, *CH 7, skip 1 ch, DC6TOG over next 6 DC (leaving the SC between unworked), repeat from * ending with DC3TOG over last 3 DC, 1 DC in the top of the last ch. ROW 3: CH 3 and turn. 3 DC in the first space (hole that formed between the DC3TOG and DC) from row below, *1 SC around the ch 1 space of the row below, (enclosing the 7 ch’s), [3 DC, 1 CH, 3 DC] in the center space of the DC6TOG’s, repeat from * ending 3 DC in top of last DC3TOG’s, 1 DC in top of the turning chain. ROW 4: CH 4 and turn. Skip first DC, *DC6TOG over next 6 DC (leaving the SC between unworked), ch 7, skip 1 ch, repeat from * ending with ch 3, 1 SC in top of the turning chain. ROW 5: CH 1 and turn. Skip first SC and the ch 3’s, *[3 DC, 1 CH, 3 DC] in center of the DC6TOG’s, SC in ch space one row below, (enclosing the 7 ch’s), repeat from * ending with 1 SC in the first of the 4 turning chains pulling new color through. REPEAT ROWS 2 – 5 until there are 5 completed diamonds. End work on a row 5. Video Instructions Here is the video for the Harlequin stitch by one of my favorite crocheters and bloggers, Daisy Farms. In this video she shows you how to crochet the harlequin stitch with a hot pad pattern. Give a crocheted hug When you find that stitch that pulls everything together and makes someone's mouth form an over exaggerated letter 'O', you know you just gave one heck of a crocheted hug. It's a special gift that makes that person feel warm and loved. Here are some crocheted hugs you can give with the Harlequin stitch: blankets, hot pads, or even wall hangings! #bloggingthemoonCM #stitchofthemonth #harlequinstitch

Check this spot for new updates or changes to The Crocheted Moon or our products. I'm loyal! As part of my commitment to all my existing and new customers at The Crocheted Moon, I have created a rewards program. In this program, you earn points to receive rewards when you complete specific actions. How do I earn points? To see how earn points and all the goodies you can use your points for go to: www.thecrochetedmoon.com Then on the menu bar go to more and select "Customer Loyalty Program". But I'm not a member... One of the best things about the loyalty program is it keeps track off all points earned on the The Crocheted Moon's website whether you're a member or not. This is great news because you may have already been earning points without even knowing it! The only way to use those points, however, is to sign up and become a member, which is quick and easy. Click the yellow "Become a Member" button and the black login screen will appear. Click the yellow Sign Up and it will give you 3 ways you can sign up. I did it with my email address. Enter your email address and a password, click the yellow button at the bottom. After you click the yellow button a confirmation code will be sent to your email. Check your email for the confirmation code. Go back to the website screen and enter the code from your email and click the yellow confirm and sign up button. Once you submit the confirmation code it'll take you back to the login screen and you can now login with your email and password you just set up. Keeping Track of Your Points Once you're a member and you login you'll be able to access your account info, reward points, profile, settings, and notifications. Just click the section you want on the submenu below your name. When you go to your rewards section it shows you how many points you've earned how close you are to earning each reward. Enjoy your earnings and please feel free to contact me directly with any questions about the program. I appreciate all our comments and business! #bloggingthemoonCM #CMupdates #customerloyaltyprogram Join the Customer Loyalty Program here!

In need of a good DYI project or want to brush up on you crochet knowledge, well my dears, you have come to the right place. What's the difference? Besides the direction in which you crochet, the shape and style of your project will influence whether you work in rows or rounds. Continue reading, and I'll demonstrate how to crochet using both techniques. Row, Row, Row your boat.... Boat meaning your crochet project of course! Rows are used for projects that need to be flat like, wash clothes, towels, scarves, blankets, or clothing. As you're crochet using rows, this is what your fabric will look like: It seems quite straightforward, and indeed it is. As you crochet, you'll work from right to left, and once you reach the end, you'll flip your piece to the other side. After flipping, you'll continue crocheting from right to left again. You'll repeat this back-and-forth motion until you achieve the desired number of rows or length. Keeping track of your rows is just as easy as crocheting them. Below, you'll see how to count each row, and a close look reveals how the rows appear different each time you switch sides. This variation can also assist in counting. Keeping track of the number of stitches is crucial to avoid accidentally increasing or decreasing them. To achieve this, count each stitch, which resembles a small 'V', across the top row. In summary, when crocheting a row, you work from right to left, turning the piece from front to back. Count the rows along the vertical edge and the stitches horizontally across the top. That's it! PROJECTS I HAVE CROCHETED USING ROWS Round and Round the Mulberry Bush We Go! Similar to the Mulberry bush, when you crochet in rounds, your project typically takes on a circular shape. Rounds are ideal for creating cylindrical items such as plush arms, legs, bodies, and heads. They are also suitable for making hats, Easter eggs, or balls. As you crochet using rounds, your fabric will appear like this: Rounds are as simple as rows, but when crocheting your piece, you will work in a leftward direction, much like driving a race car ;) You can begin your cylindrical project using either the magic ring or the chain method (click the link for further details). Know Your Crochet...The Magic of the Ring The magic circle is great if you need your project to have a top or bottom or both and the chaining method is perfect if the design is more open like the pic below: To quickly use the chain method, first chain the required number of stitches. Then, join the two ends of the chain by slip stitching the last stitch to the first stitch, forming a circle. Counting your rows is as easy as 1..2..3, literally you just count 1..2..3 (he he :)) In all seriousness, if you're using the magic ring for your rounds, here's how to count: Consider your magic ring (the center) as the first round, then count the rings as you move outward. As your project grows taller, continue counting the rounds. As illustrated in the picture to the left, a marker is used to keep track of the starting point of your first stitch, enabling you to count your rounds accurately. However, there is an alternative method to crochet your rounds without a stitch marker. Create your magic ring, and instead of proceeding with your stitches, slip stitch into the first stitch of the round to close the gap. Then, chain 1 (or 2, or 3, depending on the stitch you are using) and single (or half or double) crochet in the same stitch where you just slip stitched. This will serve as your first stitch for the next round. You can observe the difference in the picture to the right: Now all you have to decide is do I row, or do I round! #bloggingthemoonCM #knowyourcrochet #rowsandrounds PROJECTS I HAVE CROCHETED USING ROUNDS

The world and especially our little piece of it is full of skilled and talented small business owners. Wilbert and Friends highlights the special people I have come across in my own business dealings and feel they are extremely worth mentioning. Pictures are worth a thousand words... Especially Maddie's! Maddie is certainly noteworthy and I just wanted to mention her. It was so much fun having her take my daughter's senior pictures. Her photography skills will make your event stand out and be memorable, and she has a variety of packages that will meet your needs. Chelsah's Senior Pics: Here's Maddie! She introduces herself the best so in the words of Ms. Foster....Let me introduce myself. My name is Maddie Foster, I've been a photographer for over 8 years, but have done it as my only job for the last two. I love what I do! I am from Arizona, and moved to Utah for school in 2017. I left for a mission trip for my church to Atlanta, GA for a year and a half, and am currently getting my degree in business. Somehow I fit all that in while being a SAHM to my cute little baby boy who was born in 2022. My cute family of three is who is pictured above! What do I capture? My specialty is couples, weddings, families, graduation, and lifestyle photography. But I do a little bit of everything, including births! #bloggingthemoonCM #wilbertandfriends #maddiefosterphoto Contact me today Need a great, personable, skilled photographer, check out Maddie's work here and book your session now! https://maddiefosterphoto.mypixieset.com/ Watch Me! Photo Gallery Shop for Halloween

Ever wonder why certain crochet stitches are better for some patterns and not others? Does using a particular stitch really make a difference in the finished product? Even if you are not a crocheter, having a little bit of stitch knowledge can help you pick the best quality product. This year I want to find new stitches I haven't used yet. Come along with me as I explore new and fancy stitches and what projects they are best used for. What a mouth full! Besides being quite a mouth full to say the Wide Half Double Crochet Cluster Stitch (WHDC) The Half Double Crochet Cluster Stitch creates a dense but delicate looking fabric and seems to pair well geometric shapes, hats, blankets, or baby sweaters. Below are the written instructions and a video by Daisy Farm Crafts. I really like her style and think she makes great instructional videos. Written Instructions: YO, insert your hook in between stitch posts of previous row, YO and pull up a loop, YO, insert your hook into same space, YO and pull up a loop, YO and pull through all five loops on hook CHAIN Any number ROW 1 Starting in the 3rd chain from the hook, *YO, insert your hook, YO and pull up a loop. YO, insert your hook into same space, YO and pull up a loop. YO and pull through all five loops on hook. Repeat from * in each chain to end of row. CH 2 and turn. ROW 2 Starting in the space between the 1st and 2nd stitch, *YO, insert your hook, YO and pull up a loop. YO, insert your hook into same space, YO and pull up a loop. YO and pull through all five loops on hook. Repeat from * in each space between stitch posts of previous row, ending with the last stitch in between the final stitch post and the turning chain. CH 2 and turn. REPEAT ROW 2 Video Instructions More stitch worthy ideas for WHDC #bloggingthemoonCM #stitchofthemonth #whdcstitch Check out The Crocheted Moons Fall/Winter Selection!

Below you will find unique creations and patterns I have designed exclusively for my customers. I go into the "hows" and "whys" you won't find them anywhere else. New and ready to go! You've heard me talk about this problem several times....discontinued yarn! But that is only half the problem...yarn stretches when weighted down, there was no pockets, the strap was too long, and the bag itself was too bulky :( What is a designer to do? The answer, keep trying my friends, keep trying. I have tested several different bag styles along with several different materials to make it more durable, but still cute and fashionable and eureka! We want to see! First, I started with the name of the bag. I thought Grandma's Roses would be an enduring sentiment to the past, but a bag like this needs a fresh, updated name like, ROSE GARDEN HANDBAG. I then chose a new silky, thread like yarn for the flower petals, a beautiful medium green yarn that accentuates the color of the flowers, and chose to stay with the great linen color for the overall bag. That's not all folks, I have also made the squares smaller (which makes the bag a wonderful medium sized purse), added a canvas lining with pockets, & at the behest of my daughter, gave the bag a leather strap instead of a crocheted one. The canvas lining and the leather strap will help tremendously with the yarn stretching out of shape. One last detail, I adorned the bag with a large wooden button for the closure, so no more pulling on your bag (and stretching further out shape) to fasten it closed. I didn't change everything though, the bottom of the bag is still made with a marled mocha color that hides the dirt and stains purses can attract as we toss them around and set them down in somewhat questionable places. #bloggingthemoonCM #CMexclusivedesgin #revisedrosehandbag Rose petal colors: Yarn for leaf motif: Bag color: Bag Straps: Get your new and improved Rose Garden Handbag here: As a whole, this bag looks beautiful, is more durable, and has a wide range of uses. It is with great excitement that I share with you the new and improved version!

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Ever wonder why certain crochet stitches are better for some patterns and not others? Does using a particular stitch really make a difference in the finished product? Even if you are not a crocheter, having a little bit of stitch knowledge can help you pick the best quality product. This year I want to find new stitches I haven't used yet. Come along with me as I explore new and fancy stitches and what projects they are best used for. Boxed In This is considered a vintage stitch used in older patterns, but there's nothing out of date about the way this stitch looks. It is a simple stitch that makes a big impact and has gone by a few different names over the years, like, the crazy stitch, the crazy shell, or the brick stitch. It is also part of stitch collection called "brick stitches". Another example of "brick stitching" is corner to corner (C2C) crochet that is done on the diagonal, however, the box stitch is still done in the traditional manner of crocheting from side to side. To create this fun stitch you use basic crochet stitches to do it which makes it perfect for an advanced crocheter or an expert. Written Instructions: CHAIN Chain multiple of 5, plus 3 more (ex: ch 10 + 3 = 13 chains) ROW 1 Starting in the 2nd chain from the hook, work 1 SC. 1 SC into each CH across the row. CH 1 and turn. ROW 2 Starting in the 1st stitch, work 1 SC. 1 SC into the next st, CH 3. *Skip three stitches, work 1 SC into each of the next two stitches. Repeat from * to the end of the row. CH 3 and turn. (Turning chain counts as a stitch.) ROW 3 Starting in the space made by the chain 3, work 5 DC. Work 5 DC into each CH 3 space across the row, ending the row with 1 DC into the last SC. CH 1 and turn. REPEAT ROWS 2 AND 3 Video Instructions I found two great videos that shows a couple of different ways to crochet the box stitch. One is by Daisy Farms that was posted in 2021 and the second one was posted in 2019 by Kristina Crochet. Daisy Farms Kristina Crochet Breaking out of the Box No matter what style you choose to the box stitch in, it is a stitch that really does make a big impact. Here are some splendid examples. #bloggingthemoonCM #stitchofthemonth #boxstitch Check out The Crocheted Moons Fall/Winter Selection!

In need of a good DYI project or want to brush up on you crochet knowledge, well my dears, you have come to the right place. 1..2..3..Start! To create what is known as "the starting chain," "foundation chain," or "base chain," follow these three simple steps. Regardless of the terminology, nearly all crochet projects begin with a starting chain, which consists of a series of loops beginning with a slip knot. Once completed, it resembles a long, straight metal chain. You then crochet the first row of stitches into this chain to begin forming your crochet fabric. In the remainder of this blog, we'll discuss the three steps that unlock your creativity. First and Foremost, the Slip Knot Creating a slip knot is the first step in many crochet projects. A slip knot is used to attach the yarn to the crochet hook, allowing you to start making chains. Begin by forming a loop (pic 1) , slide the hook under the yarn connected to the yarn ball, and bring the end of your hook around so the yarn wraps around it (pic 2) . Pull the yarn through the loop on your hook (pic 3) . It now resembles a loose knot, and you simply need to tighten it so the loop matches the size of your hook's shaft (pic 4) . You can adjust the knot's size until you start your chain by pulling up on the loop or down on the yarn strand attached to the yarn ball. Coming in Second... Understanding yarn placement is crucial! Before diving into the details, let's clarify some key terms: Working Yarn refers to the yarn connected to your yarn ball, which is the strand used for crocheting. Tension describes the tightness or looseness with which you hold your working yarn strand. In your dominant hand, hold the hook, and in your other hand, hold the working strand. The way you hold your working strand affects the tightness or looseness of your tension. Tension influences the appearance of your stitches. If you hold the yarn too tightly, your stitches will be small and tight, which can cause your project to pull and pucker, making it difficult to crochet the next row. Conversely, if your tension is too loose, your stitches will be too large, your piece will not maintain its shape, the measurements will be incorrect, and the overall look of the project can appear sloppy. Tension is not a difficult skill to learn; it just requires practice and finding the best way to hold your yarn. The image above shows four different methods of holding your working strand. I hold my yarn like the picture on the bottom row, left side, where the yarn is only wrapped around the pointer finger. Here are a couple of tricks I've learned: First, once your yarn is in position, do not grip the yarn. Let your fingers act as a guide to keep the strand steady while you crochet. Second, if your tension remains too tight or loose after practice, try using a different hook size. If your tension is too tight, use a hook size larger than recommended; if too loose, use a hook size smaller. Last but not Least Lastly, let's examine the chain itself. Similar to dissecting a worm or frog in school, we'll explore the anatomy of the chain. Take a look at the pic in the middle, starting on the left you have your slip knot you just learned how to do and the yarn tail from making the slip knot. Then you have your front and back loops that make the shape of an 'V', the backside of the chain (back bump), your working loop that stays on your hook, and finally your working yarn strand. The picture on the right shows what the front side (right side) and the backside (wrong side) of your chain will look like. You'll want to pay attention to what side is facing you because as you are chaining, you can get your chain twisted. It won't have a huge effect on your project, but you won't have a neat straight edge at the end. Now onto the fun part, making your chain. Once you have your slip knot in place, and your working strand comfortably situated around the other hand: (1) you'll slip the hook underneath your working strand and bring the end of your hook around so the yarn is wrapped around it, (2) pull the yarn through the loop on the hook, (3) repeat steps one and two until you chain the number you need. Counting the number of chains you need is simple. Like the chart below, you just count the FRONT (or top) loop. Naturally, the most effective teacher is experience and repetition. Practice creating chains multiple times to get accustomed to your tension and make crocheting feel more natural. #bloggingthemoonCM    #knowyourcrochet   #slipknotsandchaining #TheCrochetedMoon #CMcrochetLifestyle

Ever wonder why certain crochet stitches are better for some patterns and not others? Does using a particular stitch really make a difference in the finished product? Even if you are not a crocheter, having a little bit of stitch knowledge can help you pick the best quality product. This year I want to find new stitches I haven't used yet. Come along with me as I explore new and fancy stitches and what projects they are best used for. Lovely, little, links This stitch has a wonderful woven look to it that is created by linking your double crochet stitches together in the middle of the post. By doing this you get the height of the double, but not the the thickness. It also eliminates the gaps and holes you can get with the double and makes a more solid piece of fabric. The written instructions to this handy stitch is below and below that from December 18, 2013 is video from Moogley that shows each step. Written Instructions: ROW 1 Starting in the 2nd chain from the hook, insert your hook, yarn over and pull up a loop, *insert your hook into the next chain, yarn over and pull a loop. Repeat from * two more times, (or until desired height of stitch.) Yarn over and pull through two loops 4 times or until you have one loop remaining on the hook. To begin the next stitch, insert hook under horizontal bar, YO and pull a loop back through. Insert hook under next horizontal bar, YO and pull a loop back through. Continue inserting hook under each horizontal bar in same manner until you reach the chain. Insert hook into next chain, YO and pull a loop back through. Yarn over and pull through 2 loops until one loop remains on hook. CH 4 (or however many you need to match the height on the first row) and turn. REPEAT ROW 1 Video Instructions What to do, What to do? When I first saw this stitch I immediately thought of edging. Edging for sweater cuffs and bottoms, for blankets, heat pads, and dish towels. But...there are several other items you can make with this stitch like, bags, hats, rugs and pillows! #bloggingthemoonCM #stitchofthemonth #linkedstitch Check out The Crocheted Moons Fall/Winter Selection!