Expert: Bea Harrell - 6/3/2008

Question
I have just started crocheting a few months ago and I was asked to make a baby blanket. I bought the yarn and everytime I read the pattern I become more confused.
Here is the pattern
BERNAT BABY
COORDINATES SWEET
STRIPES
YELLOW CROCHET
BLANKET
MEASUREMENTS: Approx 27½
ins x 35 ins [70 cm x 89 cm].
MATERIALS
Bernat Baby Coordinates Sweet
Stripes (150 g/5.25 oz)
09622 (Sunny Stripes) 3 balls
Size 5 mm (U.S. H or 8) crochet
hook or size needed to obtain
gauge.
GAUGE: 17 sts and 18 rows = 4 ins
[10 cm] in pat.
INSTRUCTIONS
Ch 116.
Foundation row: (RS). 1 sc in
2nd ch from hook. *Ch 1. Miss
next ch. 1 sc in next ch. Rep from
* to end of row. Turn. 115 sts.
2nd row: Ch 1. 1 sc in first sc. 1 sc
in next ch-1 sp. *Ch 1. Miss next
sc. 1 sc in next ch-1 sp. Rep from
* to last sc. 1 sc in last sc. Turn.
3rd row: Ch 1. 1 sc in first sc.
*Ch 1. Miss next sc. 1 sc in next
ch-1 sp. Rep from * to last 2 sts.
Ch 1. Miss next sc. 1 sc in last sc.
Turn.
Rep last 2 rows until work from
beg measures 34½ ins [87.5 cm],
ending with RS facing. Do not
fasten off.
Edging: 1st rnd: Ch 1. 3 sc in
first st. 105 sc across top of Blanket.
3 sc in corner. 130 sc down left side
of Blanket. 3 sc in corner. 105 sc
across bottom of Blanket. 3 sc in
corner. 130 sc up right side of
Blanket. Join with sl st to first sc.
2nd rnd: Ch 1. Working from left
to right instead of from right to left
as usual, work 1 reverse sc in each
sc around. Join with sl st to first sc.

Also, I don't understand what gauge means, could you please explain that to me.
Thank you.

Answer
First, here are the instructions for making a reverse single crochet:

How to make a reverse single crochet stitch: Working left to right, insert hook in next stitch to the right, complete as sc.


Imagine that you have just finished crocheting a row of single crochet in the usual manner (right to left). Do not turn. The same side of the work will always be facing you for this technique. Instead, (working left to right) insert the hook in the first stitch to the right. The hook is inserted under the loops exactly the way you usually do a single crochet. The difference is in the direction in which you are working the row.

Step 1 - With the right side of the work facing you, working left to right, insert hook in next stitch to the right:


Step 2 - Yarn over, draw yarn through stitch:



Step 3 - Yarn over, draw yarn through 2 loops on hook (1 reverse sc).

Repeat steps 1 - 3 for each stitch that you are making in reverse single crochet across the row.

OK, lets work on the pattern!

Ch 116, make sure this chain doesn't get twisted! Then sc in the second ch from your hook (that's the ch stitch just below your hook.)

Foundation row: RS means the right side of the work, which will be facing you.Each time you turn, the wrong side will be facing you. *Ch 1, skip one ch, sc in the next ch. Repeat from * all along the ch to the end. You will now have 115 single crochets. TURN. Now you are working back across the row of single crochets you just made.
Row 2: Ch 1, 1 sc in first sc, 1 sc in the next ch 1 space.  (This is the ch 1 you made between the sc's on the foundation row.)
Ch 1, skip the next sc, 1 sc in next ch 1 space. Repeat this from *, to the last sc, 1 sc in that last sc. TURN.

REpeat these 2 rows until your piece measures 34 1/2" long. This is an inch and a half shorter than a yard stick. End with right side facing you.

I hope this helps, & if you need further assistance, just E me.

Best,  Bea