Expert: Patricia - 1/31/2009

Question
QUESTION: Hi Patricia! The majority of my crocheting is afghans. I have come across a pattern that is confusing to me. I have never done this one before.I will give you the first 3 rows.

Ch 178 loosely

ROW 1:  (right side): Sc in second ch from hook and in each ch across:  177 sc.

ROW 2:  Ch 1, turn; sc in the same st, (ch 4, skip next 3 sc, sc in next sc) across:  44 loops

ROW 3:  Ch 3 (counts as first dc, now and throughout),turn; dc in same st, sc in next loop, (ch 4 in next loop) 3 times,* [3 dc in next sc (shell made)], sc made in next loop, (ch 4, sc in next loop) 3 times; rep from * across, 2 dc in last sc.

I can usually figure things out but not this one.

As in both Rows 2 & 3 it states going into a stitch.  It's the part as in row 2, ch 1, turn; sc in the same stitch.  What is the "same stitch" and where is it?

The pattern is called, Shells and Lace Afghan, LeisureArtsLibrary.com # 800362 in this site. It's a Terry Kimbrough from leaflet 1292, Victorian Beauties.

I would really love to make this amd it is so pretty.

I wish I also had someone to crochet with. My family is gone and my girlfriend is over 1000 miles away from me. At least I have the company of my dog and cat!!  Take care.

Debbie



ANSWER: Hi Debbie,
I picked up your e-mail at work.  However, this evening when I get home, I will work that area and see if I can help with this.  Sometimes patterns are easier to figure out if you actually work them.  I really appreciate you sending me the actual instructions.  That helps tremendously.

Boy, can I relate to you about not having a crochet buddy! When I was a child, I had aunts and "lady" cousins who crocheted.  My mother sewed, but did no other needlework.  At 9 years old, she'd let me take the streetcar or city bus to my aunt's house in the French Quarter (New Orleans) and she'd help me with my pattern.  That was in the 50's.  I can't imagine doing that now.  

Anyway......I'll get back to you.

-Patricia

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: That sounds great to me. I will be here all day long. Work? On a Saturday, lol! I used to do that.

I was taught to crochet in 1966 and I still remember that. It was horrible. I have not done any of those intricate stitches. I am a seamstress and I make all my clothes, kids, my husband's etc. What a savings!

I was in New Orleans some time ago when I visited Elvis Presley's estate. I have a couple pictures but I cannot remember all of New Orleans. That's what happens to the mind when we age, lol! Then I had a good friend in Orleans but lost contact when he went blind.

Well, don't work too hard. Talk to you later.

Debbie

Answer
Hi Debbie,
I worked a little of your pattern and I went to the website to look at it.  You're right.  It is beautiful.  


The instruction to "sc in the same st" means to Chain 1, turn,  then put your hook right back into the base of that chain 1.

Same for the "dc in same st".  You usually do this at the end of a row.  Chain 3, turn, put your hook down in the base of that chain 3 and make another double crochet.  Counting the turning chain as your first double, you now have 2 doubles.  Notice that at the end of Row 3, you're putting 2 doubles in the single crochet of the previous row, just like you did at the beginning.

Get it?  Please let me know if you don't.

By the way, I use Leisure Arts books, too.  If you go to www.leisurearts.com, then customer service, there's an area where you can ask a question about a particular project if you know the leaflet number.  I have even gone so far as to take a digital picture of my problem area and send it to them.  They are very knowledgeable about their patterns and are very generous with their help.

-Patricia