The Chicks with Sticks Guide to Crochet: Learn to Crochet with more than 30 Cool, Easy Patterns

160 Pages·2008·13.04 MB·English

by  Nancy Queen

Text and project designs copyright © 2008 by Nancy Queen and Mary Ellen O’Connell
Schematic illustrations copyright © 2008 by Potter Craft
Instructional illustrations copyright © 2008 by Potter Craft
Photographs copyright © 2008 by Potter Craft
All rights reserved.
Published in the United States by Potter Craft, an imprint of the Crown Publishing Group, a division of Random House,
Inc., New York
Originally published in the United States by Potter Craft, an imprint of the Crown Publishing Group, a division of
Random House, Inc., New York, in 2008.
www.crownpublishing.com
www.pottercraft.com
POTTER CRAFT and colophon is a registered trademark of Random House, Inc.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Queen, Nancy.
The Chicks with Sticks guide to crochet : learn to crochet with more than thirty cool, easy patterns / by Nancy Queen and
Mary Ellen O’Connell.
p. cm.
Includes bibliographical references and index.
eISBN: 978-0-30758703-9
1. Crocheting—Patterns. I. O’Connell, Mary Ellen. II. Title. III. Title: Guide to crochet.
TT825.Q514 2008
746.43’4–dc22
2007036432
Executive Editor: Joy Aquilino
Development Editor: Amy Vinchesi
Art Director: Timothy Hsu
Production Director: Alyn Evans
Photographer: Sonya Farrell
Crochet illustrations: Sherry Polley
Schematics: Sivan Earnest
v3.1

To Dan, Dave, and Hadley.
And special thanks to our husbands,
Chris & Ben, for their unwavering support
CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION
Lesson One:
GETTING HOOKED
Yarn Ho! The Lure of Yarn
Size Does Matter: Crochet Hooks
It’s in the Bag: The Chicks’ Tools Checklist
Crochet Patterns: Recipes for Success
Crochet Lingo
Lesson Two:
THE CHICKS’ CRASH COURSE IN CROCHETING
What Is Crochet?
Get a Grip: Holding the Hook
Control Yourself: Yarn Tension
Be a Little Knotty: The Slip Knot
Yarn Over
Chain and Foundation Chain
Counting Chains
Single Crochet
Slip Stitch
Turning Chains
Horse of a Different Color
At the End of your Rope? How to End a Project
She’s Come Undone: Fixing Mistakes
Chicks’ Slit-Top Felted Bag
Laguna Felted Crochet Hook Case
Lesson Three:
OH MY, HOW YOU’VE GROWN!
Half Double Crochet
Double Crochet
Feeling a Little Loopy: Working in Front or Back Loops
Purple Haze Fingerless Gloves
Girl’s Night Out Triangle Wrap
Lesson Four:
REACH FOR THE SKY
Treble Crochet
Sunrise Shawl
Lesson Five:
GIVE ME MORE
Increasing
Curly Scarf
Lesson Six:
TAKE IT AWAY
Decreasing
Leftovers Diagonal Scarf
Zigzag Silk Bag
Retro Chevron Stripe Throw
Lesson Seven:
TAKE A TEST DRIVE
What Is a Test Swatch?
How to Make a Test Swatch
Test Swatch Project Ideas
Lesson Eight:
UNDERSTANDING GARMENT CONSTRUCTION
Following a Garment Pattern
Crochet Shorthand
Alex’s T-Shirt Vest
Lesson Nine:
CROCHETING IN THE ROUND
Totally Tubular!
Crocheting a Circle
MP3 Player Sock
Regatta Rolled-Brim Hat
Smellin’-Like-a-Rose Washcloths
Lesson Ten:
AND YOU CALL YOURSELF A SHRINK!
Cool Facts About Felting
Laguna Felted Bag
Large Felted Christmas Stocking
Lesson Eleven:
CHAIN GANG
Stitch Variation: Chain-Space
Our Esprit Pullover
Lesson Twelve:
HEAT UP THE GRIDDLE
Cobble Stitch
Artisan Belt
The No-Sweat Hoodie
Big ’n’ Rich Pullover
Lesson Thirteen:
DON’T GET YOUR STITCHES IN A BUNCH
Cluster Stitch
Holey Cowl Pullover
Lesson Fourteen:
LICENSED POPOLOGIST!
Popcorn Stitch
Pet Sheep
Lesson Fifteen:
DON’T BE SHELL-FISH
Shell Stitch
Surfer Chick Quick Cap
Sensational Angora Wrap
Lesson Sixteen:
POSTING IT
Front Post or Back Post Double Crochet
The Boyfriend Basket Weave Scarf
Lesson Seventeen:
EMBELLISHMENTS
Backstitching
Bad to the Bone Dog Jacket
Diva Dog Tutu
Overstitching
Single Crochet Edge
Picot Edge
Chicks’ Felted Zebra Slippers
Game Day Tee
Posh Ballet Wrap
Pocket Full of Posies Felted Purse
Lesson Eighteen:
TAKE IT FROM THE TOP
Top-Down Construction
Making Buttonholes
Heather’s Café Cardigan
Lesson Nineteen:
GET IT TOGETHER!
Sewing & Finishing
Blocking
Getting It All Together: Seaming
Lesson Twenty:
WELCOME TO THE CROCHET COMMUNITY
Ways to Put More Crochet in Your Life
The Benefits of Meeting Other Crocheters
Charity Crochet
Start Your Own Crochet Club
Further Reading
Acknowledgments
Resources
Get to Know the Chicks with Sticks
Crochet Horoscopes
Index