Super Easy Crochet Stitch

Another stitch for my collection! 

Multiple of 5, plus 2

Row 1: sc in 2^nd ch from hook, *ch 5, skip 4 ch, sc in next ch* across. Ch 3, turn.

Row 2: 5 dc in next ch-space, *ch 1, 5 dc in next ch-space* across; dc in last sc. Ch 1, turn.

Row 3: sc in same beginning space, ch 5, *sc in next ch-1 space, ch 5* across; sc in last dc. Ch 3, turn.

Repeat Row 2 – Row 3.

Sharp Crochet Hook Review

Disclosure: I received a free Sharp Crochet Hook and Pattern Book ($10.99 value) to test and write a review. The opinions expressed below are completely my own based on my own experience.

A couple of weeks ago I was offered to write a review for a Sharp Crochet Hook, a special kind of hook for crocheting through fabrics. I agreed to test the hook and write a post sharing my honest opinion.

As I received the hook in the mail, I opened the packaging right away and closely examined the hook. I noticed that the hook has a distinct pointy head, though I realized it’s not as sharp as I expected it to be.

Next, I tried the hook on different fabrics. First on a towel as I wanted to add some lacy charm to my bath towels for a while. I must admit I was disappointed. The hook does pierce the thick towel texture, but I expected it to do it with more ease. I had to employ some effort in piercing it through. 

Next I tried poking holes with the Sharp Crochet Hook on an old receiving blanket. I just wanted to see how it would work on flannel. It worked better than on the towel! 

Finally, I decided to make a complete project using the Sharp Crochet Hook. I have some dinner napkins that I wanted to add crochet trim to. The fabric of the napkins is 50% cotton, 50% polyester blend, and I used size 10 crochet cotton thread. At first it was quite difficult, but as I progressed it became better.

To make this lacy edging, I made a round of single crochets directly into the napkin edges using the Sharp Crochet Hook. Then I switched to a steel hook size 1.25 mm to make the lace trim.

To see how the Sharp Crochet Hook works compared to a regular hook, I tried crocheting the edge with a regular steel hook size 1.25 mm, which looks slightly smaller than the Sharp Crochet Hook. I don’t know what size the sharp hook is as it doesn’t say neither on the hook, nor on the pattern book. 

I found that the pointy head of the Sharp Crochet Hook has an advantage over the regular size 1.25 mm hook. Though I realized that with a bit more effort it’s still possible to make the trim with the regular hook.

My conclusion: The pointy head of the Sharp Crochet Hook is an advantage!

However,

* The head is not sharp enough to easily pinch the fabric. 

* The Sharp Crochet Hook comes only in one (unknown) size, which doesn’t work equally well with different kinds of fabrics. For example, this hook would not work with a delicate handkerchief fabric as it leaves big holes. It would be more practical if the hook came in different sizes. 

*With only a bit of extra effort, a regular steel hook size 1.25 mm can be a thriftier option (especially if you already own it).

Lacy Infinity Scarf, my free crochet pattern

I finished my infinity scarf!

But it’s still at least a couple of months before I will be able to wear it as autumn arrives late to California. I’m not in a hurry though and I’m very much enjoying summer days. 

I’m more than pleased with how my scarf turned out. It’s soft and nice to touch. And it definitely looks much better on me than on the hanger in the photos. I might post more pictures once I actually get to wear my scarf.

This pattern is my original design. It cannot be posted on other sites or distributed in any other form. If you would like to share this pattern, you can post ONE image on your site with the link to my original post. You can use this pattern to make items for personal use or for sale. If you sell finished items from this pattern, you must give design credit to Lacy Crochet blog (lacycrochet.blogspot.com). Please, respect my work. Thank you!

Skill Level: Easy

Size: about 9.5 inches wide, about 65 inches long (before stitching) 

Materials: Baby Alpaca Worsted Glow yarn in Olive by Plymouth Yarn, 5 balls (500 yards)

Crochet Hook US size F (3.75 mm)

Shell in this pattern: (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) all in same space.

Ch 58 loosely.

Row 1: shell in 6th ch from hook, *ch 3, skip 5 ch, sc in next ch, ch 3, skip 5 ch, shell in next ch* across, skip 3 ch, dc in last ch.

Row 2: ch 6, turn; *sc in next shell, ch 3, shell in next sc, ch 3* across, end with sc in last shell, ch 3, dc in last dc (Note, here by last dc I actually mean the turning ch, so in Row 2 make last dc in top of turning chain. But starting from Row 4 and onward, make last dc into 2nd (not 3rd) ch of turning ch-3. This way you will have a nice, straight edge). 

Row 3: ch 3, turn; *shell in next sc, ch 3, sc in next shell, ch 3,* across, end with shell in next sc, dc into 2nd (count from bottom) ch of turning ch-6.

Repeat Row 2 – Row 3 until your scarf measures about 65 inches, ending with Row 2. Fasten off, but leave a tail long enough to stitch the shorter ends of the scarf together (about 18-20 inches).

Lay your scarf on a flat surface. Flip one side to form a twist. Stitch the shorter ends together using a tapestry needle. Wave in the ends.


January 2014 update: if you need help with this pattern, check out my photo tutorial. 

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Crochet Patterns from my Shop

Vintage Ukrainian Rushnyks with Crochet Trims

This coming Saturday, August 24, Ukraine will celebrate its independence.  

For many centuries Ukraine was a part of the Russian Empire. Back in the 18^th and 19^th centuries, Ukraine was even referred to as Malorossia (“Little Russia”). In the early 20^th century when the Russian Empire collapsed, Ukraine struggled to gain its independence, but it wasn’t meant to happen. And only after the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991, Ukraine finally became an independent country.

I was born and grew up in Ukraine. And even though I have lived in the USA for over a decade now, my Ukrainian heritage is very important to me. What is more, I want to pass it on to my children.  Each year on August 24, we celebrate our Ukrainian heritage and ancestry.

Today I want to show you beautiful Ukrainian rushnyks (handmade towels that are used for ceremonial events or decorating), which I received from my aunt when I left Ukraine.

Isn’t that embroidery gorgeous? The colors faded on the small rushnyk in the middle, but the other two are still quite bright.

Notice the crocheted trims. They shrank with the time and the original snow-white color changed to brownish yellow. And yet I find them very beautiful and special.

I will use these rushnyks to decorate my dining room for the upcoming celebration. Here is a picture that I took a few years ago, when I used one of the rushnyks as a table runner for my Ukrainian tablescape.  

When I was a child, I remember my grandparents’ small hut in the Ukrainian countryside decorated with lots of rushnyks. My grandmother hanged rushnyks on the walls over the icons (religious depictions of Jesus Christ, Mary, or Saints) as well as over collages of old photographs. In a huge old chest she had even more rushnyks, embroidered gowns and linens with crocheted trims. I wonder now what ever happened to all those things.

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