CROCHETING IN CIRCLES 

Hallo guys how is your day coming along? I hope you are positive about life wherever you are. I would like to thank all who have been supporting me so far, am truly greatful. Please follow my blog for more to come, I have alot of amazing stuff on the way.

Today I would like to wind up on crocheting stitches by doing an article on how to crochet in circles for instance like when crocheting a tam, a beret hat, a beanie and even some types of bags.I will also give an insight on the importance of following a crochet pattern or stitch diagrams. Lets get started :

Working in circles 

When  working on a project that requires you to work in rounds or in circles, it is required of you to create a center ring. The center ring works as the foundation row for all projects worked in circles.

The center ring is created by working several chain stitches which are then joined together by slip stitching the last chain on your hook to first chain stitch you made.

Working stitches in the ring 

1. Chain six stitches (ch 6)
2. Insert your hook into the first chain stitch you made to form a ring.
3. Yarn over and pull the yarn through the stitch and through the loop on your hook and you will be left with one stitch on your hook. (sl st)
4. After making the center ring you will be ready to work the first round. Crochet your turning chain so as to bring your hook upto the proper level to allow you work the next round of stitches. (rem, the number of stitches on your turning chain depends on the stitch you are working on. Refer to article on :crocheting:the stitches)make your turning chain, lets say you are using the double crochet stitches, after the turning chain continue working double crochet stitches around following the pattern you are using for your project. 

In the case of the tam above;

I worked a chain of six stitches, slip stitched, made a turning chain of three and worked eleven more stitches inside the ring to make a total of twelve stitches. 

The second round is worked by putting two double crochet stitches in each stitch that we made on our first round. This is an increase round. 

In the case of the pink beret hat with hearts below;

I made a chain of eight stitches, slip stitched, made a turning chain of three and worked twenty three more stitches inside the ring to make a total of twenty four stitches for your first round.

From there on I followed the pattern I was using for my project (written instructions will be available next week on the tam and Beret hat with hearts projects).

Keep in mind that :

The number of stitches in the beginning chain determines the size of the hole that the center ring creates as well as how many stitches you can work into the center ring.

Make sure the ring is large enough to accommodate the number of stitches that you will be working in it.

On the other hand make sure it’s not so long that you have a big loose hole in the center.

When you are working on a pattern, it tells you how many stitches you need for the proper size center ring.

CROCHET PATTERNS. 

Crochet patterns can be downloaded, can come with certain yarn or can be written by any crocheter.

Crochet patterns require one to know and understand the crochet terms and abbreviations. You should be familiar with stitch abbreviations and be able to interpret them. This is because crochet patterns are written in abbreviations to save space and time.

The pattern will tell you the number of stitches to work for the beginning chain, where you need to increase or decrease, where to make the turning chain and whether to turn or not among others.

Make sure you follow the pattern to the latter.

Following a stitch diagram in crochet :

Requires one to understand and be able to interpret the symbols and abbreviations of crochet.

The diagram usually shows only a few rows to avoid repetition and also to save time and space.

The pattern tells you how many rows you should make to complete your project.

• When working in rows, the right side row number is placed on the right hand side of the diagram,  meaning you work from the right side to the left side. On the wrong side rows the number is on the left hand side so you follow the diagram from left to right.
• When working in rounds you read the diagram counterclockwise, without turning between rows unless the instructions specifically instructs you to.
• Stitch diagrams are generally laid out from the right handed crocheter’s point of view, but left handed crocheters can read them just as well, if they reverse the direction of the pattern and work from left to right instead of right to left. So a left handed crocheter when working in rounds still follows the pattern counterclockwise, but works the piece clockwise, thus reversing the direction of the pattern. 

 

Until next week God bless.

Thought conditioner :

I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. Phillipians 4:13 

What we do with obstacles is directly determined by our mental attitude. Most of our obstacles as a matter of fact are mental in character. As you think so are you. The rough is only mental ;it is rough because you think it is. #NormanVincentPeale (The Power of Positive Thinking).