This week a good friend called me and offered
to trade crochet lessons for massage time. Her proposal sounded like a win-win
situation to me-I make a new crochet buddy and get a relaxing half-hour
massage. Tonight is our first lesson.
Though some people may panic at the thought
of teaching even their favorite craft, I love sharing my crochet knowledge with
beginners and the crochet uninitiated.
To prepare for my lesson, last night I sat
down with our latest Crochet
Me Workshop:
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Crochet Corner Basics and Beyond, which features
crochet guru Kristin Omdahl, for a basic crochet refresher. This DVD is a
compilation of her Crochet Corner segments from Knitting Daily TV. I love this DVD and even
picked up new tips on stitches I had been using for ages. The basic crochet
stitches that really caught my attention were post stitches.
Post stitches are one of the easiest ways to add
texture and elasticity to crochet, whether through creating cables, woven
textures, or ribbing. And post stitches are easier than they appear.
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The front post double crochet (FPdc) is worked
like a regular double crochet, with the exception of where you place the hook.
Yarn over, then instead of inserting the hook under the top two loops, slide
the hook from front to back to front behind the post of the stitch. This pushes
the post of the stitch you are working around to the front. Yarn over and pull
up a loop, then yarn over and draw through two loops on your hook two times
just as you would for a regular double crochet. |
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To create a back post double crochet (BPdc),
yarn over and insert the hook from the back to the front to the back of the
post; then complete the stitch as normal. This pushes the post of the stitch
you are working into to the back of your work. |
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You can work post stitches in single crochet,
half double crochet, double crochet, treble crochet, or any height stitch you
can create.
An example of a pattern that uses post stitches to
create both ribbing and cables is the Doris Chan's One for All Family of Mitts
(at right) from the Crochet
Accessories 2010 issue.
For those who want to learn how to crochet or
learn new crochet stitches or who want to share the gift of crochet with a
friend, I recommend preordering a copy of Crochet Corner. Kristin clearly walks you
through the basics of crochet from yarn and hook choice to the basic stitches
and shaping. She also demonstrates more complicated stitches such as Tunisian
and hairpin lace. And for those who want to design, there's a segment on that.
But the best part is that you don't have to set up a time with her for a
lesson; just pop in the DVD and start crocheting. Whether you are new to
crochet or just looking for a little inspiration, Kristin with teach you to
take your crochet to a new level.
Best wishes,
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