Expert: Bea Harrell - 5/28/2008

Question
I am doing the Soft Wave ripple by Jan Eaton, and I am stuck. It says 2dctog,twice, then dc in next 3 ...what is the 2dctog mean. also do I do the foundation chain loose as it looked funny and pully. I am new to crochet.Thanks

Answer
Hey, Kelly!  Your foundation chain should be loose enough to work in, but not so loose that it leaves little gaps/holes, or gets twisted. Try pulling your single crochets just a bit as you make them, and be sure that you keep your foundation row flat & untwisted, as you work, or you'll wind up working on the back side of the chain, as well as the front, and it will not work up right!
2dctog, means to start a dc, work off one loop in the next stitch,then start another dc in the next stitch, and work off only one loop.  You should now have 3 loops on your hook, yarn over and pull it through all three loops. Do this once more, over the next 2 dc, then dc in the next 3 dc...  These are decrease stitches, and used to be called half double crochets. Hope this helps! Just E me again if you get stuck!

Best Wishes,  Bea