Yarn Lover's Room News
April 2011

Greetings, Some of you may be disappointed
about my news this month. I've just been notified that I'll
have to remove about half of the names I have for this newsletter.
I have just too many names. Yes. Starting in May, I must reduce my list by at least half. Can you believe it? Can you believe how
I've grown? Now.. Can I see a show of hands?

April fools!!! Did I fool ya? Where you worried? I played this
several years ago and it was so fun. I just had to do it again.
I love jokes on April fools. I once came home from school on
April fools, asked my mother “who hit your car?? “What?” She
said and then ran so fast, out the door, out into the street.
I yelled,” April fools”. After she held her chest and let out
a sigh she laughed and said “Oh Shirley”. My Mom laughed all
the way to the house. Pull a good one on someone you talk to
today. It's so fun!

I love this.. Our 36 year old daughter, Cherie, called and
asked “Guess what I'm doing Mom?” I think I named a bunch
of things and gave up. She said she was KNITTING! Yup.
Making a scarf. Now this comes from someone who wore out
running shoes. From someone who couldn't sit long enough
to watch how it was done, let alone knit anything. I'm so
proud. Her friend taught her how to knit, I'll teach her
to READ a pattern. It's Cherie's artwork I use throughout
the website. That's her life... Photography and Art.
She just won something like 8 national awards and several
more from Nebraska for her photography. Go take a look
see if you’d like. http://www.cphelpsphotography.com
just in case you're interested Or just to see what she's
all about. If you'd like to say “Hi” or “Congratulations
Cherie”? Go to http://www.cphelpsphotography.com/mailer.html
and tell her you hear from her mom now and then.

Now for some news for the ones following my every newsletter
I told you about my brother and Mother-in-law who were both
with hospice and they both were very ill. Well they both
passed 3 days from each other. My Mother in law passed on
Friday the 4th and my brother the next Monday the 7th. We
spent 4 days at the funeral home Wednesday and Thursday
for my Mother in law and Friday and Saturday for my bother.
Life will be very different without them. I’ll miss them both.

And on to a few Questions and Answers.
Q. What does RS stand from in crochet? When I check your
website it only shows knitting. Christine

A. RS = right side in either knitting or crochet

***
Q. Hello my name is Tracy. I found your site on an ask.com
search and hope you can help me... I started crocheting
last summer after wanting to for years but no one could
seem to teach me due to my being left handed and impatient...
well, 6 blankets later, I know how, however when I make the
blankets, the sides are "caving inward" as I go along.....
and it isn't very noticeable until I have gotten far into
making the blanket...any advice? Thank you in advance,
Tracy h.

A. You're doing what ALL people do while learning to crochet
or knit. Go to http://www.knitting-crochet.com/tip.html then
down to Edges keeping them straight and even.

***
Q. I have a pattern that calls for a stitch as follows "in
next stitch, k1 p1, k1. Could you show me how this stitch is
done? I am not a new knitter, but I haven't traveled beyond
the regular knitting stitches. Thanks Julia

A. in the same stitch on your left hand needle, you knit
in the front of it, DO NOT remove it to your right needle
yet, in the same stitch purl one stitch from the back of
this stitch, DO NOT remove it yet, now go back into the
front of this same stitch and knit another stitch. You
should have the 3 stitches you've just made on your right
hand needle. Now you can remove the one stitch from your
left needle. Your one stitch just became 3. Does all
this make sense?

***

Q. How do you FPDC? I know it is front post double crochet
but I can't find it in your directions. Christine

A. FPdc - Front Post Double Crochet - YO, insert hook from
front to back to front around post of st indicated, draw up
lp to height of working Row; {YO and draw through 2 lps on
hook}twice—FPdc made.

******

Q. In this pattern you say to Inc 16 (16, 16) sts on last Row.
How do you increase 16 stitches all in one Row? Joyce

A. evenly spaced

******
Q. Hello, How do I make a double seed stitch? Thanks for
your help. Pierre A

A. multiple of 5 + 2
Row 1: (right side) K2, * p3, k2, rep from * to end.
Row 2: purl
Row 3: * p3, k2, rep to last 2 sts, p2.
Row 4: purl.
rep these 4 rows

*******

Q. IT says double increase k in back of st and 1 Row below,
then k st in Row and k 1 Row below in same st again for 3
sts in 1. So could you please explain to me how to do
that? Nancy

A. I can try but without needles in my hand and you
sitting next to me ... well here goes .It means to knit the
stitch just under (the Row below) the stitch on your left
hand needle. Knit that but do not move it to the right hand
needle. Now knit the stitch on your left hand needle as
you're normally would, again do not move it.
Now ...go behind your work, to the back of the knitting,
and knit from behind the stitch...
Now move all three stitches to your right hand needle...

What this does it to bring up the stitch before and after
your stitch making a pucker like or dimple. Does that help?

*******

Q. I am looking for easy instructions for crochet
polish star stitch. Can you help me please? Thank you,
June

A. you can find your pattern Polish Star at
http://www.freepatterns.com/list.html?cat_id=319 then
scroll down about half way to Polish Star Pot Holders.
You have to log in or make an account to down load the
free pattern.Q. A friend gave me a "scrubbie" and
they are absolutely wonderful. Being a longtime
crochet-er, I thought "this is a no-brainer".
HOWEVER.... I am having difficulty crocheting with
the net. Perhaps I am using the wrong nylon net?
I have a size K crochet hook, but the net doesn't want
to cooperate. What does it mean "tie strips together
to make a ball"? Do you wind the net into a ball in a
special way, twisting it perhaps. Any instructions you
can give an old woman will be helpful.
Thank you in advance. Helen

A. If you cut the netting into strips you'd tie it end
to end while wrapping it all in as ball. It's hard on
your hands to knit or crochet for any time at all.
Maybe wear gloves?

*****************

Q. I am just checking to see if anyone might have
information on the size conversion chart I asked
about...........Thank you...........
Kathleen

A. Not sure which conversion chart you are looking for
but you'll find needle to hook at
http://www.knitting-crochet.com/found/conchafou.html

and a conversion for yarn at
http://www.knitting-crochet.com/found/yarn.html

***************

Q. Hi,
I am looking for a very simple pattern for mittens,
using 2 needles, as opposed to round one. I think that
I have found the easiest one so far on you website.
I have a very dumb ?. When i finish knitting the
instructions given, do i then "sew" the side seam,
(next to where the pinky would be?) I am an experienced
knitter for hats, scarf, and blankets, and a few
sweaters. So I feel silly asking, but none of us know
everything I guess.
Your webpage is very nice, gives the visitor a
welcome feeling.
I am in web promotions and I visit websites alllllll day ...
Have a good one and thanks for your help

Laurie
ps: I am putting your page in my "favorite places"

A. Yes, you sew up your mitten made on 2 needles on
the side next to the pinky.

***************

Q. Subject: crochet Navajo Indian
Multi-Colored Afghan

Hi I am Sooooo Happy right now!!! I have looked for
this patter for at least 8 yrs. !!!
just happened be browsing around last night and all
of a sudden BOOM there is was !!! I can't wait to
get started !!!!
THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART !!!
I would like to make this in baby colors for my newest
granddaughter. Do you have any suggestions for color
combination's of baby colors?? I cant seem to make up
my mind on what would look good.
Thank You Thank You Thank You !!!
Nancy D. from Michigan

A. I'd use all the pastel colors for a girl going with
maybe pink of violet in-between each color, making it
mostly pink of a girlie color.

For a boy I'd use lots of different blues with a tad white.

***************

Q. Hello,
My name is Jenny Johannesson and I'm pretty new to
knitting. I have a question that I havn't been able to

find the answer to on your site. I'm making a blouse and
in the putting it together instructions it's written.
" Working 4 Ch. 3. loops for buttons on left side edge,
work 1 row s.c around entire back opening and neck." Can
you please try to explain to me what this means? Thank
you very much for your help.
Jenny

A. Of course I will Jenny. The " Working 4 Ch. 3. loops
for buttons on left side edge" means you're going to make
4 loops evenly spaced going up / or down the left edge of
your blouse. Each will be made with a chain 3 loop that
will become the button hole you'll then wrap around your
button that will be sewn on in the front right side.

Does that make more sense to you?
Shirley

***************

Q. Hi, Shirley, I only crochet so I would like
more crochet patterns.
In crochet, how do change colors in the middle of a
row ,then go back
to first color and back to second color? Thanks.
Insert hook into next stitch (old color),
yo (now there should be two loops
on your hook, one from the previous stitch and the
one you just made by yo)
now drop that color and get your next color and
FINISH that stitch with the
new color meaning to pull the new color through
your loops and go to the
next stitch carrying your new color. Sounds easy right?
It is.

**************

A few patterns you may want to try. I'm sending along
a few small projects to work on this month. With all
the spring-cleaning inside and out I thought this would be
“just enough” to keep you busy. Enjoy.

Coat Hanger Covers in knit and crochet
http://www.knitting-crochet.com/found/coahancov.html

Single Crochet & Lace Dish Cloth
http://www.knitting-crochet.com/crochet/sincrolacdisclo.html

Ear of Corn Pot Holder
http://www.knitting-crochet.com/crochet/earcor.html

Flower Decked Pillow
http://www.knitting-crochet.com/crochet/flodecpil.html

Nylon Pot Scrubber
http://www.knitting-crochet.com/crochet/nylpot.html

Plastic Bag Handbag
http://www.knitting-crochet.com/crochet/plabag.html

Tote Plastic Bags (BEACH BAG)
http://www.knitting-crochet.com/crochet/totbag.html

Golf Club Covers crochet
http://www.knitting-crochet.com/crochet/golclucov.html

Golf Covers in knit
http://www.knitting-crochet.com/golcov.html

Spool Knitter
http://www.knitting-crochet.com/spokni.html

And last but not least is this to try.

Square-A-Day Table Cloth
http://www.knitting-crochet.com/crochet/squaday.html

From the Mail bag we read these;

Hello, Shirley.
I love your newsletter and read it all the way through
every time I get it.
I plan on making my grown children and grandchildren
raglan sweaters, either pullover or cardigan. But, I
cannot find patterns for the adult sizes. I have done
some web searching, but nothing helpful.
*********
Regarding the 'colorful' afghans: I use the corner to
corner crochet one: Ch 5, 3 double crochets in 4th
chain from hook, changing color as you complete
the 3rd double, ch 5, 3 dc's in 4th ch from hook,
slip stitch in 3rd dc of 3 dc group in previous row,
ch 3, 3 dcs in ch 3 of previous row.: You have a
row of 3 dc groups laying down facing your left; and,
when you turn and finish the next row they are also
facing left, with the previous row now facing right.
You can make this pattern square or rectangular.
If anyone is interested in the complete pattern,
e-mail me dalar@wavecable.com
I have made 18 from this pattern between June
and the end October this year for our local chapter
of Project Linus.
Right now, I am making knit 2, purl 2 stocking caps
for our local hospital ob ward.
I love getting your letter.
I hope you can help me about the raglan sweaters.
Thanks.
LaVina
--------------------

Hi Shirley,
I am not sure where you live, but here in Saskatchewan
(Canada) we love our summers, particularly July and August.
I don't knit much in these 2 months but I keep my eye
open for yarn sales.
Summer if full of flowers and gardening and eating
fresh veggies and fruit.
The kids play outside all day in the paddling pool
or swing set.
The dry heat is the best because it doesn't get to
muggy and make it feel hotter.
Don't garden in bales of hay, you will just grow more
hay, but get nice clean straw after someone has
harvested their wheat. Anything else will just
have too many weeds in it.

Thank you for the newsletter, I look forward
to it every month.

Sincerely,
Dawn
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada

Dear Yarn Lover's Room Newsletter:

I have been knitting and crocheting for about 20
or so years. Right now I am so busy that I don't
have much time for either. But I still love to
knit and crochet when I have the time.

I just wanted to let you know that I really enjoy

reading the newsletters that I receive from you each
month. They are full of extremely good and useful
information. I read each one word for word. I also
go to each website that you have listed in every
newsletter to look at and learn from all of the good
information that you put in each newsletter.

I know that writing a newsletter each month takes a
lot of time and thought about information that your
readers will find useful. But I think that you do a
very good job about putting together a good newsletter.
Thank you for all of your time and effort that you
put towards the newsletter each month.

A Devoted Fan, M

----

I was reading your web site just browsing around and
I noticed your bell pattern and thought I would share mine.

Cast on 14 stitches

First Row-Knit 10 purl 4
Second Row-Knit all stitches.
Repeat rows one and two. Until you get 22 ridges (44 rows).
Cut yarn about a 12 inch length.
Thread this through a large tapestry and yarn needle
and draw through the 30 sts from knitting needle,
pull thread tight, drawing the sts together.
It's as easy as that.
Thanks for the great patterns. Tina

----
Hi, Shirley! I actually prefer clicking on the
link to read the newsletter. This is
another fabulous issue. The Christmas novelty
patterns are going to be
particularly useful.
I subscribe to a lot of online newsletters but
yours is the warmest
and the fuzziest! Stay warm! Ali

----

* Thank you so much for this web site! I just came
across if using dogpile search engine -- and LOVE
the antique patterns -- that is so 'way cool'!
I don't have much time, have to get back to work,
but am going to be saving your site to my 'favorites'
so that i can get back on and check you out further.
also liked the section for the help request.
i would like to donate some of my time also to help
knit or crochet items to help others.
i will be getting back on to your site after work to
learn more about your site and how to help out also!
Thank you! Tammy

* Thank you so much for posting this pattern.
My mom gave this to me many years ago, and in the
process of moving, I lost it. I made many afghans
from this pattern, but gave them all away. I've wanted
to make one for myself, and now I can. Thank you again. Sandra d.

Talking about http://www.knitting-crochet.com/crochet/navafg.html

* Dear Shirley I love the found room the patterns are fab.
I have a list of what I need to do and what I want to do
for myself. I never stop knitting, cross-stitch, crochet
and have to many projects to do at once. I am just back
from knitting and stitch show in Belfast we just get
one a year here in Northern Ireland but we had a great
time. It was very busy with it being St Patrick's day
and I even met one lady that told me she is on your
site all the time and got talking about Victorian
knitting patterns and some of the nice antique ones you
have. We also found out that we both have family in New
Jersey and other parts of the USA so it is a small world
after all. I have been knitting one of your baby afghans
from your site for charity so I have a few more to do
thank you for all the wonderful patterns and tips.
Regards Michelle

* Just a short note to say thank you for all the tips and
information that you give all of us. I look so forward to
getting email from you, and I admit that I do get a rush
of energy from your site.

And who ever even thought of the idea of switching
patterns to adapt from crochet to knit, and vice versa!!?
Again, you are the BEST, and you are so appreciated. Patty
talking about
http://www.knitting-crochet.com/found/index.html and
http://www.knitting-crochet.com/exchange/index.html

* Hi, from Helen Duff, Newfoundland, Canada. I just have to
let you know how
much I enjoy your site, it gives me hours of pleasure, I
check out almost
every pattern on the Newsletter site. I now have a binder
(Yarnlovers) to
keep all the copied patterns in, now I just have to look
through and find the
one I want instead of looking through each newsletter.
Please keep up the
wonderful site. I love it.
Regards from the cooler winter climate!

* I have to agree with the woman that wrote in about
crocheting left handed. I've never had to make any
concessions either. I was taught by my right-handed
grandmother, 40 years ago. She never questioned that I
would be able to learn. I remember sitting in front of
her, face to face to learn how to make the basic
stitches. I was 6 years old then, and my work has
progressed since then to something I'm very proud of.
I follow the patterns exactly as written. Many people

have asked me to teach them, and I've done so with
great success. The only thing I don't do is pick up
a right handed person's work.
Some Tips and Tricks for you all. From Stacy who
sends us this. One of the hardest parts about being a
very mistake-prone new knitter is the number of times
I had to rip back and then try and get the stitches
back on the needle. I was forever dropping stitches
and just generally making matters worse for myself
until I finally developed a system that works really well
for me. When I'm ready to rip out my final Row, I thread a
tapestry needle with a contrasting color of yarn. Then,
as I pull out each stitch, I place the threaded needle
through that loop. When I'm all done, I have all my
stitches on the yarn. Leaving the yarn in place, I
put the stitches on the needle and when there all in
place, I simply pull out the yarn. I hope this helps! Stacy

I'll end this newsletter with this e-mail from Afoxybear
who says Man did not weave the web of life, he is merely
a strand in it. Whatever he does to the web, he does to
himself.
Until next month Have a Wonderful Easter if you celebrate
it and remember to give away smiles like they're free.

Shirley
Yarn Lover's Room
www.knitting-crochet.com