HodgePodge Crochet Pillow Showdown WINNER!!

Curious to know who won the HodgePodge Crochet Pillow Showdown and nab some deep discounts on these fabulous patterns??

Head on over to the HodgePodge Crochet Website to read all about it and don’t forget to update your bookmarks so you don’t miss out on any future content!! 

http://hodgepodgecrochet.net/2015/08/hodgepodge-crochet-pillow-showdown-winner/

The Pattern Pack: April 2015 GO GREEN!

I am super thrilled to announce that HodgePodge Crochet is this month’s EXCLUSIVE design in The Pattern Pack GO GREEN edition!!!

Within the pages of this edition you will find my exclusive design for the Framed Hook Holder! I’ve been sitting on this project for a long while now and am so happy to have finally written it. Now I have a place where I can display all of my favorite hooks and markers that is both functional (I’ll never lose a hook or marker again!) and beautifully displayed. It’s also a great conversation starter and is perfect for every size hook I own from the smallest thread hooks to the biggest covered hooks!

This issue is also packed full with other amazing designs, all of which embrace the theme of living a green lifestyle and using our yarn to create beautiful things that are also eco-friendly!

Click the link >> http://www.thepatternpack.com/this-months-pack/ << to find out how to get your copy today!

+1 Anyone?

I get asked a lot of interesting questions about crochet and today a really great one came my way that I thought would be perfect to share right here on the blog!

HodgePodge Fan Writes:

I’m trying my first graphghan and I am a little confused as to how to begin. My foundation chain calls for 150 stitches. I am supposed to put +1 for the turning chain which makes 151. Right?

Well, Row 1 is the same exact stitches…shouldn’t it be 1 less…150 and not 151? Your help would be greatly appreciated!

That’s a great question because foundation chains and + amounts confuse a lot of crocheters. When creating something with so many chains, it is so important to get right because you don’t want to have to frog that much yarn.

Here is the skinny on + amounts in foundation chains.

Sometimes a pattern will tell you that the skipped chain(s) count as whatever stitch you are working for row 1. Most of the times, the skipped chains are there because they take the place of a stitch in the pattern and are important for the multiple to work correctly. For example:

Chain 20

Row 1: DC in 4th chain from hook (skipped chains count as dc)…

In this pattern, you would include the skipped 3 chains in the foundation as a dc stitch when you get back to this end in row 2 of your pattern. Generally, the pattern will tell you to work into the turning chain (this is the + amount of your foundation or the 3 skipped chains)

When you are working a graphghan, the skipped chain does not count. Most patterns won’t really tell you that but generally what this means is that you will not be crocheting into it on the way back in row 2. Adding a +1 means you will end with the exact number of stitches you need. In the case of the question above, that means 150 sc.

If you were to leave out that critical +1 when crocheting the foundation chain of 150 sts, when you get to the end you would have 149 sc. (Not including the skipped chain.) Your graphghan would be off by one stitch. That’s not a huge deal if your edges are all a solid color but if your pattern takes the design all the way out to the edge, something is going to go awry!

If you’d like to include the skipped chain (meaning you will crochet into it when you finish row 2) then you will have 150 sts but you might also end up with a pinched foundation that throws your corners off as your blanket grows. It might not be noticeable at first but you’ll see it as you get 10+ rows in.

If you’d like to see what I mean (but on a smaller scale) you can try two test swatches in a solid color. Here is how:

Test One: +1 Included:

With any hook and worsted yarn:

Ch 10 +1

Row 1: sc in 2nd ch from hook (skipped ch does not count as a st), sc in each ch to end, ch1, turn. (10 sc)

Row 2-4: sc in 1st sc, sc in each sc to end, ch 1, turn. (10 sc)

Row 5: sc in 1st sc, sc in each sc to end, Finish off. (10 sc)

Test Two: +1 Not Included:

With the same hook and yarn:

Ch 10

Row 1: Sc in sc in 2nd ch from hook (skipped ch does count as a st), sc in each ch to end, ch1, turn. (10 sc)

Row 2: sc in 1st sc, sc in each sc to end, sc in beginning turning chain, ch 1, turn. (10 sc)

Row 3-4: sc in 1st sc, sc in each sc to end, ch 1, turn. (10 sc)

Row 5: sc in 1st sc, sc in each sc to end, Finish off. (10 sc)

Notice how both photos show exactly 10 sc over 5 rows but that the second–without that tricky +1 chain–has a weird corner. That will come back to haunt you later when it’s time for a border and depending on how tightly you crochet, it could pull your entire blanket out of line and make you wish you hadn’t started at all!

So, to recap, add a +1 to all of your graphghan patterns and do not treat the skipped chain as a stitch! Practice the technique over a smaller swatch just to make sure you’ve got it down and if you have used this technique I’d love to see your finished projects over on the HodgePodge Crochet facebook page!

Better Blanket Corners

Lots of people ask me about blankets. Mostly, how to keep their sides square and neat.

Generally speaking, square blanket corners are made right from the foundation chain. If you get that right, odds are your finished blanket will be stunning.

But how is that possible?

The answer is TENSION!

If you’re interested in learning how to create better blanket corners, you’re in luck! In about 7 minutes from now you’ll be well on your way to cranking out corners like a pro!

I love reading your comments so if you have time, drop one below! Also don’t forget to click that like button (to give me the warm and fuzzies) and if you enjoyed this and don’t want to be left out whenever I make a new blog post, head on over to the side bar and click that Follow HodgePodge Crochet button!

Solstice Sun Rising: 12″ Granny Square

Introducing the Solstice Sun Rising: 12″ Granny Square!

Challenge yourself to a fresh new twist on the classic granny square with this gorgeous pattern!

Perfect for advanced beginners to experienced crocheters, there is sure to be something to delight and hold your interest as you whip up a stack of these splendid blocks.

You can find your FREE copy over in my Craftsy or Ravelry shops!

http://www.craftsy.com/pattern/crocheting/home-decor/solstice-sun-rising–12-granny-square/132374

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/solstice-sun-rising

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PHOTO CREDIT!!

Photos used with permission. All Rights Reserved.

https://www.facebook.com/FromHomeCrochet

https://www.facebook.com/tangledtied

https://www.facebook.com/AsUWishCrafts

https://www.facebook.com/mycrimsonclover

https://www.facebook.com/OnTheHookBoutique

https://www.facebook.com/CopperImages

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MARCH 2015 BLOG UPDATE!

Much thanks to the exhaustive efforts of HET HAAKBEEST :: www.hethaakbeest.be :: for the Dutch translation of the Solstice Sun Rising: 12″ Granny Square!

Dit patroon is door HodgePodge Crochet. HET HAAKBEEST :: www.hethaakbeest.be :: in het Nederlands vertaald.

HodgePodge Crochet SOLSTICE SUN RISING 12 inch square DUTCH TRANSLATION