Expert: Bea Harrell - 7/19/2008

Question
I am currently trying to start the "Watercolor Wrap" featured in Fresh Afghans for baby, a Leisure Arts publication.  I am stumped with the instructions to "work over unused color throught afghan"  Initially, you chain 144 with the varigated yarn (I am using TLC Baby Amore worsted medium wt yarn.  
Row 1 instructions: (wrong side): Working over Pink, sc in second ch from hook, ch 1, (skipnext ch, sc in next ch, ch 1) 4 times, skip next ch, *sc in next ch changing to Pink, sc in next ch changing to variegated, (sc in next ch, ch 1, skip next ch) 5 times; repeat from * across to last ch, sc in last ch: 83 sc and 60 ch-1 sps.
Rows 2-9: ch 1, tur; working over pink, sc in first sc, ch 1, (skip next ch-1 sp, sc in next sc, ch 1) 4 times, skip next ch-1 sp, * sc in next sc changing to pink, sc in next sc changing to variegated, (sc in next sc, ch 1, skip next ch-1 sp) 5 times; repeat from * across tolast sc, sc in last sc; at end of row 9, change to pink in last sc.

How do I work over unused color?  I have no experience with this particular instruction.  I have been crocheting off and of for about 30 years, and have made numerous blankets (large and small), and baby sweater sets.  Can you help me?  I really want to make this blanket and I only have until october...
Thank you,
Maria
masowers@cox.net

Answer
Hey,Marie! I am going to have to make some assumptions here, and guess that the verigated yarn is a combination of colors which includes pink, since the pattern says "working over pink" as the first instruction. Normally, when you "work over unused" anything, stitches, spaces,loops, ect,it means using those skipped stitches,loops, ect from the previous row, but working over an unused color could mean colors from the verigated thread,while on the same row.  So,if your using verigated, and changing to pink, (you have skeins of both)then my guess would be that you will be working over all the other colors in the verigated thread.  I'm sorry I can't be of more help, but I'm just not sure if you're working with just verigated, or also with pink, so I can't be anymore precise. If you would like toE me again, with more details,I'll be happy to try& help.

Best,  Bea