It has been one week.

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It has been one week. One week since I was awoke by the sound of traffic.

I live in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, and the road I live on is a major access for the community of Grizzly Flats. It was one week ago that from the traffic, being too heavy and commuting in the wrong direction, that I knew something was wrong.

I checked news sources and social media outlets, but it was at least 30 minutes until I found confirmation that Grizzly Flats was being evacuated due to fire. By morning I would learn that longtime friends had lost everything in the Caldor fire.

My turn- It has been one week

Only 24 hours later I would receive my own evacuation warning. My family loaded up the pets, packed the “important papers”, loaded up favorite mementos and left home. It is a surreal experience.

We have since returned home, as our notice is actually a “warning”, we are not under a “mandatory” evacuation. However we continue to live in a heightened state. Everything is still packed, and when things need to be used, they are re-packed immediately after. It is kind of like camping at home.

These are the times when you find out what is important. I am surprised at where crochet fit in this for me. Among my packings, I made sure my hooks found a vehicle. However only the yarns that I have current commitments had the same fate. The only completed projects that made the cut were ones that needed photography, as they are near a publication date. I didn’t pack any books, not any of my “specialty yarns”. I didn’t even pack my “specialty” or “collectable” hooks. Just the everyday hooks made the car, and that current projects made it there too.

Maybe it is because crochet is not a “thing” for me. Maybe the process is really what drives me. The movement of my hands, the twisting of the hook, the flow of the yarn between my fingers. Granted times like these make it difficult to be creative and design something new. Yet, crochet does keep my hands busy and my mind focused.

How you can help

As of today the fire has evacuated a physical area nearly half the size of the state of Rhode Island. If you want to assist those evacuated or how have lost everything, here is a site listing ways.

Crochet Quilt Blocks- the Half Square Triangle

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Crochet quilt blocks lend themselves to unlimited creativity. These can be great for scrap projects or planned out artistic works.

Below I describe how to create your own simple geographic block, as well as some idea suggestions.

Ohio Star Crochet Quilt Block

In the world of quilting the half square triangle, even using just this block, the possibilities are endless. Essentially it is simply a square that is worked with two colors. It is divided on the diagonal, creating a look of two triangles with the long ends together.

Sizes for crochet quilt blocks

Create your own design, just ensure that these blocks are the same size, or equal fractions of each other. Meaning make big and little blocks. The big block might be 10” then the little squares should be 5” so that they can all be put together equally.

Getting started with your crochet quilt blocks

To begin, create a chain the desired length of the diagonal of the square. This chain should be an odd number. Work a single crochet decrease over the 2nd and 3rd chain (need to know how to work a single decrease, check it out here), single crochet in each chain across until 2 chains are left.   Single crochet decrease over the last 2 chains, then chain 1 and turn.

All subsequent rows of this half of the square are worked the same. Work a single crochet decrease over the first two stitches, single crochet in each stitch across until 2 stitches remain, then work a single crochet decrease over the last two stitches. Repeat this until only 2 stitches remain, and then single crochet decrease these tow stitches together.

Half Square Triangle Crochet Quilt Block

The next side

Using another color and the unused loops of the beginning chain. Work the same stitch technique of decreases on each side of the row.

The block is really just that simple. Now for some ideas. I have found plugging the term “half square triangle quilt” into a search engine, and then selecting the images option, that there is a great abundance of uses.

Ideas for Crochet Quit Block -Half Square Triangles

Some of my favorites are the Ohio Star block, Flock of Geese block, and Pinwheel blocks. The half square triangles that are created can be put together to form these larger blocks, then these blocks can be put together to create pillows, blankets, ponchos, the possibilities are only limited by imagination.

Crochet Picots- 4 Ways

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Crochet picots can add a finished style to any fabric, and can be created 4 ways. Four different approaches can result in four different effects.

The Picot stitch is a little “bump” or “nub” that is created to embellish edges of fabrics. I have on occasion used a picot in the middle of a pattern. I have done this as a place to work stitches in subsequent rows. It really helps to center up the stitch location, while creating a very tight point in the design.

Four ways to make a picot L-R: Slip Stitch in front loop and side leg, slip stitch back to front atop stitch, slip stitch front to back atop stitch, slip stitch in first chain

The way that you create chain stitches can actually effect the outcome of the overall picot. I do not go into much detail about Yarn Over and Yarn Under in this post. You can learn more about it here. One of the primary differences is that Yarn Under the chain lays differently. This can cause the stitch to not stand out, resulting in a definite need for blocking.

Crochet Picot- Slip Stitch First Chain

There are many patterns that describe a picot by creating 3 chains and slip stitching in the first chain created. This creates a picot that is more flimsy, in the respect that is moves freer in all directions, than the other approaches. I feel that it is more likely to create a space between the stitch it is worked atop of and the next stitch worked.

Chain 3, slip stitch to first chain created
Picot created by slip stitch in first chain created

Crochet Picot- Slip Stitch Atop Stitch

Some patterns describe a picot as: “chain 3, slip stitch on top of the stitch the chain is worked atop”. I find that by working the slip stitch either from the front or the back can create a bit of a difference. Working a slip stitch from the front of the stitch to the back of the stitch, as is most readily done, twist for me. This doesn’t cause any problems, however I find that working the slip stitch from the back of the stitch to the front (in a completely different method than is traditional) creates a picot that sits more flat and dominate for me.

Chain 3, slip stitch atop stitch below chain (front to back)
Picot created with slip stitch atop stitch (front to back)
Chain 3, slip stitch atop stitch below chain (back to front)
Picot created by slip stitch atop (back to front)

Both of the “slip stitch to the top of the stitch” methods create a sturdy picot that stays in place. I also find that mine tend to recess to one side of the fabric.

Crochet Picot- Front Loop and Side Leg

The last approach to a picot is the method worked in the Crochet Guild of America’s Master Program. It results in a stable and readily repeatable picot that does not lead to any stitch distortion. This approach is uses a chain 3 and a slip stitch, inserting the hook through the front loop of the stitch that the chain is worked atop as well as the side of the “leg” of the stitch. I find the movement of creating this stitch to be a downward motion as I pick up the front loop, and a slight angle to catch the side of the leg that is away from all other stitches.

Chain 3, slip stitch through front loop and side leg of stitch below chain
Picot created through front loop and side leg

I find this approach to sit more in line with the fabric, from all angles, while being study.

Honestly, this last approach is often my go to, yet it can be more confusing written in patterns, so the picot stitch is often described as “in the first chain” or “atop the same stitch”. Just know that there is usually no reason that you cannot substitute the approaches to the picot stitch with one that you prefer instead. Give each approach a try and see what works best for you.

Swirls of Color in Crochet

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Creating swirls of color in crochet are easier than it seems. I love using this technique to create hats and have even used it to create a large circular blanket.

To create a swirl start with any method you like to begin a circle (check out the three most popular). Determine the number of stitches for the first round. In this sample I used 12 double crochet stitches.

Divide the number of stitches in the first round by the number of colors to be used. In this case I am using 2 colors, so that is 6 stitches in each color.

Getting started

Work the first stitch as a shorter stitch, for instance a single crochet. Then work the next 5 stitches as a double crochet.

Add the second color by joining directly after the last stitch made. Either slip stitch and chain or use a standing stitch join (learn that trick here). Work another short stitch, a single crochet, and another 5 double crochets. This completes the first round.

Crochet Swirls end of Round 1

Crochet Color Swirls Round 2

Insert the hook back into the loop of the first color (insert a stitch marker in this stitch), working over the second color work 2 double crochets in each stitch.

The first color of round 2.

Pick up the second color and work 2 double crochets in each stitch until the stitch marker. This will complete Round 2. Move marker to the last stitch worked in the first color. Notice how it the stitch increases were worked just as a non-color changing round (see my crochet hat formula for how to create a flat circle).

Completed Round 2

Round 3

Round 3 would be worked with an increase (2 double crochets) and a regular stitch (1 double crochet), so with the 2 colors, pick up the first color work [2 double crochets in the next stitch and then 1 double crochet] to the end of the second color. Pick up the second color and work the same stitch pattern to the stitch marker. This is the end of Round 3.

Completed 3 rounds

Move the stitch marker to the end of the first color, after the second color reaches it, and continue working the “flat circle formula” until it is the desired size.

To make the edges smooth, finish by working shorter stitches in each color, For example work 1 half double crochet, then 1 single crochet, and finally a slip stitch, and fasten off.

Seaming Crochet, it is a flatter join.

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Sometimes the things that hold you up are the simple ones, like seaming crochet projects. It is a process that has a different focus than what you have been doing and it can seam daunting to change the thought process. However once you finally get on to doing it, it doesn’t take all that long. Sometimes I want a seam that doesn’t stand as tall in the overall project and have found this technique makes a flatter join.

Different Joins

There are a few different ways to work seaming crochet, one can insert a hook through both fabrics and work a simple crochet or a slip stitch. Creating a slight ridge and a firm joining.

One can work the fabric as a “join as you go”. Saving a bit of yarn and creating a rope like appearance where the seam comes together. (I share my technique here)

Getting more creative

Then you can get a bit more creative and instead of working the fabric together in the same stitch work alternating stitches in each fabric. This “zig zag” effect can be made lacy by adding chains between stitches, and in general creates a wider seam that lays flatter.

It is relatively simple, and my example is highlighting a simple single crochet stitch.

Place the fabrics wrong sides’ together, work a single crochet on the fabric edge closest to you. Now work a single crochet in the fabric furthest from you, minding that you work it right next to the stitch just created (not behind it). Next work a single crochet in the fabric closest to you next to the stitch created (not in front of it).

A stitch in the fabric closest to you, then a stitch in the fabric furthest from you…
Now work a a stitch in the fabric closest to you…but skip a stitch….

Essentially on each piece of fabric it will be like working a stitch and then skipping a stitch, but the skipped stitch is worked in the other fabric.

This seaming technique lays flatter then working through both fabrics together.

Give this little back and forth seaming a try, you might just find that it keeps you mind engaged and ends up giving you a result that quite charming. All you have to do is change your focus.