Expert: Marla - 4/2/2011

Question
QUESTION: I found this crochet pattern for the simply shawl on the caron website.  I was enjoying this as my first real crochet project until I reached the instructions for the border.  I have no idea what to do!!!  can you re-word or simplify this for me?  Especially row 1 directions.

ANSWER: Hi Patty!
Thanks for asking! Welcome to crochet! It is my favorite hobby. Unfortunately, I have been having Internet problems, which is the reason I was on vacation so long. I have had to go to the library to get on the Internet. I cannot connect with the Caron website even though I get their e-mails (I feel lucky to even be able to open my own e-mails). And I have tried several times with their e-mails. When I clicked on their "Free Projects" I still could not connect. Sooo-- could you please send me the directions to this? I'm sorry about this.
Thanks in advance.

Marla

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

QUESTION: I know there is alot going on here.  I will appreciate any help you can give me.  Starting with BORDER  ROW 1 Shell=5 dc in next st or ch   Row 1: Ch 70, sc in 2nd ch from hk and each ch across.  Row 2: Ch 3, dc in next 2 sc. (skip next 2 sc, shell in next sc, sk next 2 sc, dc in ea of next 3 sc) across, turn. (27 dc, 8 shells).  Rows 3-98:  Ch 3, dc in ea of next 2 sts. (shell in 3rd dc of next shell, sk next 2 sts of same shell, dc in ea of next 3 sts) across, turn.  Row 99: Ch 1, sc in ea st across, turn. Now here is where I got lost!!!!  Border-Row 1:  Ch1, sc in first sc, ch 2, sk next sc, sc in next sc, *(ch 2, sk next 2 sc, sc in next sc) 2 times, ch 2, sk next sc, sc in next sc. Repeat from * across.  I think I got that right.  Now I don't know what to do or where to go.  Working on ends of rows ch 2, (sc in next row, ch 2) across; sc in 1st sc on starting row 1, ch 2, sk next sc, sc in next sc.  Repeat from* across.  Working in ends of rows, ch 2, (sc in next row, ch 2) across.  Join with sl st in first sc.  Row 2:  sl st in first ch-1 sp.  ch 6, dtr in same sp, (ch 1, dtr in same sp) 5 times.  *ch 1, sk next ch sp, sc in next ch sp, ch 1, sk next ch sp, dtr in next ch sp, (ch 1, dtr in same sp) 6 times.  Repeat from * around. end ch 1, sk next ch sp, sc in next ch sp, ch 1, sk next ch sp, join with a sl st in 5th ch of ch 6.  Row 3:  sl st in 1st ch-1 sp, ch 1, sc in same sp, (picot, sc in next ch-1 sp) 5 times. * sc in ea of next 3 ch-1 sps, (picot, sc in next ch-1 sp) 5 times.  Repeat from * around.  end sc in next 3 ch-1 sps.  Join with a sl st in 1st sc.  Fasten off!!!!

Answer
Hi Patty!
Thanks for getting back to me and sending the pattern.  I can understand your confusion. And you are right. It is busy. And I agree it is not really all that clear.  I certainly hope I can make myself clear on this one. When you get to the end of that row, where it says “Working in ends of rows, ch 2,” you turn the piece 90 degrees, so that the side of the scarf is on top, and the row you just crocheted on is on the same side as the hand you crochet with. This is the side you start to crochet in, that is, you will crochet in the side of the rows. The way I understand the instructions, you do not crochet in the row you just crocheted in, but the next row. You should be able to see sort of a space or “hole” that was made between the last two dc on the last row (that is, the last two of the 3 dc at the end of the row). So you sc in that space just like it was a stitch, by putting your hook between those last two dc in that row. So you make the sc, then you chain 2, and sc in the next row, which in this case would actually be between the turning chain (the ch 3) of that row and the next dc. One row will have a dc, and the next one will have the turning chain (3 ch).
When you reach the end, it says to “sc in 1st sc on starting row”. What you do here is sc in the unused loop of the foundation chain. That unused stitch may look sort of  like a slant. Then when you get to the end of this row, you repeat the stitches like you did for the other end. From here, I don’t think you will have any trouble, since you were doing fine before.
but please let me know if you are still unclear about this. And please let me know if there is anything else you need! Good luck!

Marla