Expert: Bea Harrell - 8/19/2008

Question
hi bea, i am not an avid crocheter as i have arthritis in both hands, i thought if i started to crochet again the exercise might limber my fingers. i thought i would start out simple, i bought leisure arts #3977 weekend wear poncho to make for my grandaugter. i feel so stupid its only made with 2 rectangles, what i can't get is this row 1 right side ch 81, dc in 6th ch from hook, that i understand next is (5 skipped chs count as 1st dc, ok,  plus 2 skipped chs) what does the plus 2 skipped chs mean? i understandstand the rest of row 1, row.2 ch 4(counts as first dc, plus ch 1) i understand ch 4 counts as first dc, what does the plus ch 1 where does the plus ch 1 fit in.  row 2 turn
; dc in same stitch, does that mean dc in the first dc on row 2 ?????? i am confused! row 3 is just ch 3 (counts as first dc) no extra plus ch, if there is no plus ch on row 3. why is there plus extra ch's on row 1 & 2. i hope you understand my questions, because i sure don't! thank you for help!!! kay kbritt@magproperties.net

Answer
Hey, Cathrine! The pattern is just poorly worded, so you aren't stupid! (the person who wrote the pattern, might be!) Ch 3 ALWAYS counts as the first dc (they don't tell you that either!) So, the first 3 chains are the dc and the plus 2, makes 5 chains. It's the same with the ch 4, it's ch 3= one dc, plus one extra. When you turn & dc in same stitch, it means dc in in the first dc on row 2, because you're starting row 3! Row 3, is just the ch 3= first dc.

Hope this helps you get going on your project!

Regards,  Bea