HELP NEEDED

roo1 wrote

on May 5, 2011 7:44 AM

Hi, I have recently started crochet and an trying to work a pattern but am stuck on exactly what i should be doing.

the pattern reads as follows

make a magic ring and work 6 dc (6 stitchs)

work 2 dc in to each stitch (12 stitches)

1 dc in each around ( 12 stitches)

I can make a magic ring but i dont know how to make a dc magic ring? am i being think is a normal magic ring dc or single please help any step by step idiots guide greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance

jroberts123 wrote

on May 5, 2011 8:36 AM

Hi Roo1

Maybe this will help.  Yarntomato wrote about the magic ring and the pics are great.  The example shown has dc going into the adjustable ring.  The only difference is that the round is started with a chain 3 to count as the first dc. 

Good Luck!

http://www.crochetme.com/forums/t/28917.aspx

roo1 wrote

on May 5, 2011 12:01 PM

Hi thank you for your help, can you tell me when you siad the only difference is the ch count of 3. should i do the exact same as the example shows or shoulkd it be different based on my pattern, i have tried pattern as is on the site and can do that but end up with a dip in the circle not a smooth circle?

any ideas gratefully appriciated

thanks

jroberts123 wrote

on May 7, 2011 7:49 AM

I usually try to follow the pattern.  When a round begins with a chain 1,2,3 4 etc.  it means you are trying to get the height of that first chain to equal the other stitches in the round...then at the end of the round it will usually tell you to "join" the round and you do a slip stitch in the top of the chain at the beginning of the round.  When you use this method you will notice that the joining looks more loose than the rest of the round.  That is because the chain is a thinner density than the dc.  I usually increase the tension when I do the chain, but I still notice a difference.

When a pattern just has you crochet stitches in the round without "joining" the rounds, your pattern will make a spiral effect.  It sounds like maybe your pattern does that and you would want to keep that look.  The dip may be the spiral effect.  I would try a few more rounds and see how it looks.  I recommend that you use a marker (they sell markers or you can make your own.  It can be a different colored piece of yarn or a safety pin...anything that can be placed at your first stitch) Because you will be increasing differently at each round, the marker helps to keep your place.  As you come to the marker..finish your round and as you start the next round move the marker to that stitch.

Maybe someone else has a special trick to help with hiding the joint or the dip??

pattyb1 wrote

on Apr 27, 2012 2:12 PM

I don't have a solution to the 'dip', but have a question regarding joining rounds.  I have patterns that call for joining in the first stitch of the round with a slip stitch, then doing a chain etc.  I also have patterns that call for working in spiral, which I understand.  My question is, as I prefer working in spiral, can I substitute working in spiral when the pattern calls for joining with a slip stitch?

When I follow the pattern for joining with a slip stitch, my piece tends to have a seam that travels up at an angle to the left.  This happens when I slip stitch, then make the next stitch in then first stitch following the join.  If I make the first stitch in the same stitch as the join, the 'seam' looks lumpy.  Boy this is hard to explain, but if anyone has any thoughts, I'd welcome them.  As it is now, I am taking my artistic license & working the pattern as I see best.

onecraftycathy wrote

on Apr 27, 2012 8:33 PM

You described it perfectly.  Either method is okay.   I think the spiral method works best with sc and hdc; any stitch taller than that doesn't work the spiral as well.  When working the other method, completely hiding that "seam" is really difficult.  You might try doing your slip stitch join differently.  This is from The Crochet Answer Book:

"Work to the end of the round, but before joining with a slip stitch, remove the hook from the loop.  Insert the hook into the spot you want to join as if to make a stitch, pull up the loop you just dropped, and continue.  If you still don't like the way it looks, try it again, inserting the hook into the stitch from back to front and pulling through the loop."

pattyb1 wrote

on Apr 28, 2012 2:09 PM

Thank you so much for the information.  I will certainly give it a try!