Expert: Marla - 11/30/2010

Question
QUESTION: I really wanted to know if this scarf was achieved through knitting or crochet?
And what size of needles or hook was used, and what type of stitch (also how
this stitch can be achieved). thank you so much!!!

ANSWER: Hi Obiageri!
Thanks for asking! Sometimes it is difficult to tell by the picture, but it looks like it is single crochet. It looks bulky, and may be made with two strands or a bulky type of yarn. If it is a double strand of yarn, I would use perhaps a size K hook. I’m not very familiar with the bulky type of yarn, but a size J hook may work with this. If it is just the pattern you like, and not the bulkiness of the scarf, when I crochet things like this, I use a size H hook, but this is just a matter of preference. It may not give a “fluffy” feel to the scarf, which may be important. If you want a “looser" stitch, you may want to try a larger hook. Now then, if this pattern is single crochet, what you do is crochet in the back loop on each row. This gives it the “ridged” effect. When you have crocheted enough rows continue around (you make maybe two or three stitches in each corner) and crochet along the ends, making one single crochet at the end of each row. Then when you get to that first row, you would crochet in the loop that will still give it the ridged effect.  
You may need to experiment with the sizes of hooks to come up with the results you want.

Now, if you are unfamiliar with crochet, one website I found that looks OK is: http://www.wannalearn.com/Crafts_and_Hobbies/Crochet/. It is a link to other sites. I learned how to crochet by just a little pocketbook-type instruction guide I found at the checkout stand. Of course this was back in the 70’s, when there was no Internet.

I hope this helps. Please let me know if you need anything else. Good luck!

Marla


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

QUESTION: ya I want the bulkyness and I really like how tight the stitches are. How do i start
a single crochet ridge stitch? start with a long chain then double crochet the first
row then use what you described for the rest? I attached another picture did she
use the same stitch? thanks so much

Answer
Hi Obiageri!
I guess I should have called this the “rib stitch” I think that is the official term, although it still looks like ridges. The second picture does look like the same stitch. Anyway, what you do is crochet a chain, then you single crochet in the back loop of each stitch. Then you ch 1, then turn, and again single crochet in the back loop. If you double crochet in the back loop, there will still be a “ridge”, but the ridge won’t be a prominent as in the single crochet.

I hope this helps. Good luck! Let me know if you need anything else!

Marla