Weaving in Ends - Tight and Good

Weave in Ends - Good and Tight

By: James Lee Kelley

When I need to weave in my ends on a project,
                      
I do NOT grab a Yarn Needle.

I instead grab one of these type needles

(Dritz brand Yarn Darners - size 14 & 18)

Then I grab a stiff Bread tie wire or a Wire that was holding a cord when I bought something.

These are coated and I take and pinch the coating between my finger and my thumbnail and strip about ½" to ¾" off one end and I bend the bare wire into a U shape to form a hook like.

I then fold over the other end and make like an eye to hold my newly formed Needle Threader with.

WHY Go through all this trouble, you ask.

Because now I can go through the actual yarn fibers (like through the center of the yarn) instead of weaving the ends in through the stitches themselves.

This makes them stay longer as they are tighter and look a little better to me.

Here is a picture of my Yarn Threader stuck through the eye of a Yarn Darner needle.

You just catch the yarn in the hook and pull it through the needle eye. 

(You can also by threaders at Walmart or most stores that sell needles)

The one pictured works on yarn thicknesses up to but not including Bulky weight.

Let me know what you think of this by leaving me a comment.

Glori-Jam Small Handbag

Glori-Jam Small Handbag
By: James Lee Kelley and Gloria Clayton

MATERIALS:

Red Heart with LOVE in Boysenberry and Blue Hawaii.
I-Hook
H-Hook
PATTERN:
Using an I Hook, chain 32
Change to H hook
Rnd 1 - sc in 2nd st from hook and sc in each st to end (31 sts)

Rnds 2 - 5 - ch1, turn, sc in each st across. (31 sts)

Rnd 6 - ch2, dc in same st, dc in each st across, then dc in each end st of rows and dc in each st up other side and dc in row ends at the other end - join to top of first dc (68dc)

Rnds 7 - ch2, fpdc around ch2 and first dc of previous row, bpdc around next dc. * FPDC around next dc and then BPDC around next dc * repeat between the *s to end and join with sl st to top of first FPDC. (68 sts)

Rnds 8 thru 22 - ch2, FPDC around ch2 and fpdc of previous row, BPDC around next bpdc of previous row, *FPDC around next fpdc and BPDC around next bpdc * repeat between the *s to end and join to top of first fpdc with sl st. (68 sts)

*********** NOTE*************
*** This is where I changed colors ***

TRIM INSTRUCTIONS:
Use an H - HOOK Behind your 2 loops there is a horizontal bar, to make rounds 2 through 5 you will be working in this bar NOT in either front or back loop but behind them. After the 2nd row you will note the loops are pushed together to make a knit look. This is the STOCKINETTE Stitch and more info about it can be found here http://crochetkitten.blogspot.com/2012/11/crochet-stockinette.html

Rnd 23 - Ch 1, hdc in same st as you joined in and 1 hdc in each st around, join with sl st in first hdc (68 hdc)

Rnd 24 through 27 - Ch1, hdc in back bar in same st as you joined in, hdc in back bar of each st around, Join with sl st to first hdc. (68 hdc) Rnd 28: sl st in back bar of each st around. Join with sl st to first sl st. (68 sl sts)

*********** NOTE*************
*** This is where I changed colors ***

Handle INSTRUCTIONS:
Use an H - HOOK

Rnd 29 - ch1, sc in same st as join. Sc in each st around. Join with sl st to first sc. (68 sts)

Rnd 30 - sl st in each of next 11 sts, ch15, skip next 15 sts, sl st in each of next 19 sts, ch15, skip next 15 sts, sl st in the next 8 sts. Join with sl st to first sl st. (68 sts)

Rnd 31 - sl st in each of next 11 sts, 15sc in the ch15 space, sl st in each of next 19 sts, 15 sc in the ch15 space,, sl st in the next 8 sts. Join with sl st to first sl st. (68 sts)

Rnd 32 - sl st in each of next 11 sts, 15sc in the ch15 space, sl st in each of next 19 sts, 15 sc in the ch15 space,, sl st in the next 8 sts. Join with sl st to first sl st. (68 sts) 

Rnd 33 - Ch1, sc in each st around. Join with sl st to first sc. (68 sts)

Fasten Off

Crochet Post Fingerless Gloves

Crochet Post Fingerless Gloves
By James Lee Kelley

Pattern uses US English Terminology

MATERIALS:

About ½ Skein of Caron Simply Soft or an equivalent yarn

Hooks:

I hook for beginning chain - H hook for smaller gloves (or using RH yarn is what Testers have found)

H hook for rest of project - G hook for smaller gloves (or using RH yarn is what Testers have found)

SIZE:

These gloves should fit most people from young teen to adult women; they even me, although they are somewhat snug.

STITCHES:
FPDC = (front post double crochet)

BPDC = (back post double crochet)

PDC decrease = (meaning you do the first part of a FPDC or BPDC and then do the first part of a BPDC or FPDC (whichever combo is needed) in the next stitch then draw through the three loops left on your hook).

RSC = reverse single crochet.

PATTERN:

Ch 36 with the size I hook or size H hook for smaller gloves.

Then join (make sure ch is NOT twisted)

Change your Hook to the H-Hook or size G hook for smaller gloves.

Rnd 1 - ch2 (does NOT count as a stitch anywhere through) hdc in each ch - join to top of first hdc (36 hdc)

Rnd 2 - ch2, fpdc around first dc and ch2 of previous row, bpdc around next dc stitch, *fpdc around next dc, bpdc around next dc* repeat between *s around. Join to top of first fpdc. (36 pdc)

Rnds 3 thru 10 - ch2, fpdc around first fpdc and ch2 of previous row, bpdc around next bpdc stitch, *fpdc around next fpdc, bpdc around next bpdc* repeat between *s around. Join to top of first fpdc. (36 pdc)

Rnd 11 - ch2, fpdc around first fpdc and ch2 of previous row, bpdc around next bpdc stitch, *fpdc around next fpdc, bpdc around next bpdc* repeat between *s around until last two stitches, fpdc/bpdc last 2 stitches together. Join to top of first fpdc. (35 pdc)

Rnd 12 - ch2, fpdc around first fpdc and ch2 of previous row, bpdc around next bpdc stitch, *fpdc around next fpdc, bpdc around next bpdc* repeat between *s around. Join to top of first fpdc. (35 pdc)

Rnd 13 - ch2, fpdc around first fpdc and ch2 of previous row, bpdc around next bpdc stitch, *fpdc around next fpdc, bpdc around next bpdc* repeat between *s around until last two stitches, fpdc/bpdc last 2 stitches together. Join to top of first fpdc. (34 pdc)

Rnd 14 - ch2, fpdc around first fpdc and ch2 of previous row, bpdc around next bpdc stitch, *fpdc around next fpdc, bpdc around next bpdc* repeat between *s around. Join to top of first fpdc. (34 pdc)

Rnd 15 - ch2, fpdc around first fpdc and ch2 of previous row, bpdc around next bpdc stitch, *fpdc around next fpdc, bpdc around next bpdc* repeat between *s around until last two stitches, fpdc/bpdc last 2 stitches together. Join to top of first fpdc. (33 pdc)

Rnd 16 - ch2, fpdc around first fpdc and ch2 of previous row, bpdc around next bpdc stitch, *fpdc around next fpdc, bpdc around next bpdc* repeat between *s around. Join to top of first fpdc. (33 pdc)

Rnd 17 - ch2, fpdc around first fpdc and ch2 of previous row, bpdc around next bpdc stitch, *fpdc around next fpdc, bpdc around next bpdc* repeat between *s around until last two stitches, fpdc/bpdc last 2 stitches together. DO NOT JOIN. (32 pdc)

Rnd 18 - ch2 and TURN, fpdc around first fpdc and ch2 of previous row, bpdc around next bpdc stitch, *fpdc around next fpdc, bpdc around next bpdc* repeat between *s around. DO NOT JOIN. (32 pdc)

Rnd 19 - ch2 and TURN, fpdc around first fpdc and ch2 of previous row, bpdc around next bpdc stitch, *fpdc around next fpdc, bpdc around next bpdc* repeat between *s around until last two stitches, fpdc/bpdc last 2 stitches together. DO NOT JOIN. (31 pdc)

Rnd 20 - ch2 and TURN, fpdc around first fpdc and ch2 of previous row, bpdc around next bpdc stitch, *fpdc around next fpdc, bpdc around next bpdc* repeat between *s around. Join to top of first fpdc. (31 pdc)

Rnd 21 - ch2 TURN, slip stitch into next stitch, fpdc around first fpdc and ch2 of previous row, bpdc around next bpdc stitch, *fpdc around next fpdc, bpdc around next bpdc* repeat between *s around. Join to top of first fpdc. (31 pdc)

Rnds 22 and 23 - ch2, fpdc around first fpdc and ch2 of previous row, bpdc around next bpdc stitch, *fpdc around next fpdc, bpdc around next bpdc* repeat between *s around. Join to top of first fpdc. (31 pdc)

Rnd 24 - ch1, sc in same stitch, then do reverse sc in each st around and join to top of first sc. (31rsc)

OPTIONAL:

Join yarn with slip stitch to opposite side of beginning chain, ch1, sc in same stitch, then do reverse sc in each st around and join to top of first sc. (36rsc)

Autumn Front Post Hat

Autumn Front Post Hat

Written by:
James Lee Kelley

 Supplies:

Worsted weight yarn ( I used Caron Simply Soft “Pumpkin”  - Yarn Bee Soft Secret “Honey” for hat. Caron Simply Soft “Autumn Maze” – Caron Simply Soft “Stick & Stones” for the flower

H/8 - 5mm hook [for hat] (I crochet extra tight so I used a J/10 – 6mm hook on both the hat and flower)

J/10 – 6mm hook [for flower]

Yarn Needle for weaving in ends

Abbreviations:

Ch - chain

Dc - double crochet

Sl st - slip stitch

Fpdc - front post double crochet

Instructions:

Rnd 1: Magic Ring, ch 2. Inside ring, 12 dc. Pull ring tight, join with a sl st to top ch of first dc. (12 DC)

Rnd 2: Ch 2. dc, fpdc in each dc around. Join with a sl st to top ch of first dc. (12 DC, 12 FPDC) 

Rnd 3: Ch 2. *2 dc in dc. Fpdc in fpdc. Repeat from * around.  Join with a sl st to top ch of first dc. (24 DC, 12 FPDC)

Rnd 4: Ch 2. *2 dc in first dc, dc in next dc. Fpdc in fpdc. Repeat from * around.  Join with a sl st to top ch of first dc. (36 DC, 12 FPDC)

Rnd 5: Ch 2. *2 dc in first dc, dc in next 2 dc. Fpdc in fpdc. Repeat from * around.  Join with a sl st to top ch of first dc. (48 DC, 12 FPDC)

Rnd 6 – 11: Ch 2. *dc in next 4 dc. Fpdc in fpdc. Repeat from * around.  Join with a sl st to top ch of first dc. (48 DC, 12 FPDC)

Change color if you want the band like in picture

Rnd 12 - 14: Ch 2. * dc next 4 dc. Fpdc in fpdc. Repeat from * around.  Join with a sl st to top ch of first dc. (48 DC, 12 FPDC)

Change color if you did the band like in picture

Rnd 15 & 16: Ch 2. * dc in next 4 dc.. Fpdc in fpdc. Repeat from * around.  Join with a sl st to top ch of first dc. (48 DC, 12 FPDC)

Rnd 17: Slip stitch back into last FPDC, ch 1, *skip first dc, 5 dc in second dc, skip 2 dcs, sl st in FPDC Repeat from * around.  Join with a sl st to ch1. Finish off, Weave in ends.

PUFF FLOWER INSTRUCTIONS: Use a J - HOOK
Compliments of Gloria Clayton.

Puff Stitch: Ch 3, yo, insert hook in same st and draw up a loop, 

repeat 2 more times in same st, yo place hook in next st and draw up 

a loop 3 times, yo and draw hook through all loops on your hook, ch 

3, sl st in same st. Sl st in next st. 1 puff made. 

With J hook make a magic circle and ch 1. 

Rnd 1: Make 12 scs in magic circle; join with a sl st to beginning sc, 

Pull tail to close and weave in short end. 

Petals- Make 6 puff stitches and fasten off.

Place your flower between two of the FPDC rows centered on band of hat and take long stitches at attach the flower to your hat. 

Pull to back and finish off. Weave in end and cut yarn

My Magic Circle

My Magic Circle
BY: James Lee Kelley

Start with the end of yarn on the left as shown in picture, wrap the yarn over the top of your three fingers and come back up under the bottom.

 As shown in this picture. 

Now do a second wrap like the first.

Now you will bring the yarn over to back of hand and put the end towards your knuckles under your little finger.

As shown in this picture. 

By doing two wraps instead of one, the chance of the circle coming undone after the piece is finished is greatly reduced.

Insert your hook as shown and draw up a loop from the skein end that you previously tucked under your little finger.

It will look like this.

Now you will shift the loops off of the index finger as shown in this picture.

To begin a SC round you will chain one now.

To begin a DC round as I am doing, you will chain 2.

Now proceed to do your DC stitches into the ring until you are ready to close the ring.

Once you have the correct number of DCs in the ring, pull the tail gently until you see which ring of the two is closing. Do NOT close the ring completely.

You will see one ring shrinking like pictured here.

Grab the littler of the two rings and tighten the other ring by pulling it.

Now pull the tail of yarn again and close the ring tightly.

As shown in this picture, the Magic Circle with two wraps is now closed.

Now slip stitch into your beginning stitch as the instructions or pattern stated.

You now have a completed two wrap Magic Circle and the first round of DC stitches complete.