Happy National Craft Month! Since March is also National Crochet Month, we're sharing two great crochet tips for jogless stripes and better joins for in-the-round crocheting. Stay tuned for a special giveaway, too!
Many beginning crocheters are disappointed when they see jogs in their striped projects (such as hats) or when they have a bumpy seam going up their in-the-round projects.
The Problem: Color Jogs & Messy Joins
First, let's look at the traditional joining method to see why color jogs happen:
Many beginning crocheters are disappointed when they see jogs in their striped projects (such as hats) or when they have a bumpy seam going up their in-the-round projects.
The Problem: Color Jogs & Messy Joins
First, let's look at the traditional joining method to see why color jogs happen:
In color A, single crochet all the way around, slip stitch to join. Chain 2, insert your crochet hook into first stitch and join color B.
This technique creates a spike or a jog in the stripe. While it isn’t that apparent in large stripes, with 1-3 row stripes these jogs are unsightly.
The Solution:
In Color A, single crochet around until you get to the final stitch of the round. Insert your hook into the last stitch, yarn over with Color A and pull a loop through. With Color B, yarn over and pull the final loop through, and slip stitch to join. This gives you a jogless join!
What about those funny bumps when joining in the round?
For solid color pieces in the round, your best option is to use the spiral method.
For solid color pieces in the round, your best option is to use the spiral method.
When you reach the end of your round, instead of slip-stitching to the beginning of the round, single crochet into the first stitch and continue. Use a removable stitch marker to keep track of the number of rows you’ve crocheted. Slip stitch on the final row to finish off the piece.
We hope these tips help you with your crocheting in the round!
Giveaway
One lucky blog reader will win a Waves Crochet Set! To enter, leave a comment on this post telling us what projects you're looking forward to making this spring. Be sure to also mention your Ravelry ID or email address so that we can contact you if you win.
We will pick our winner at random to announce on our next blog post on Friday, March 24. Good luck!
Winner
Congratulations to Margo B., our winner for the bonus giveaway we announced on our last blog post! We'll get in touch with your shortly to arrange the delivery of your prize. Thank you to everyone who entered our contest!
One lucky blog reader will win a Waves Crochet Set! To enter, leave a comment on this post telling us what projects you're looking forward to making this spring. Be sure to also mention your Ravelry ID or email address so that we can contact you if you win.
We will pick our winner at random to announce on our next blog post on Friday, March 24. Good luck!
Winner
Congratulations to Margo B., our winner for the bonus giveaway we announced on our last blog post! We'll get in touch with your shortly to arrange the delivery of your prize. Thank you to everyone who entered our contest!
Making a shawl soon.
ReplyDeleteI am a knitter, but would love to learn to crochet!
ReplyDeleteRavID: ReannaLynne
I recently finished 2 round ripple baby blankets and have NO idea what to make next.
ReplyDeleteMargostitches on Ravelry
I recently started making crochet baskets with T-shirt yarn so I'll be making a ton of those the spring! Ravelry ID – 4nir
ReplyDeleteI just learned to crochet recently- I made a cowl and look forward to making more
ReplyDeleteI just bought a lovely filet crochet cowl pattern called Zigfinity. Now I just have to figure out how to crochet!
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to some small projects like a scarf right now, but then maybe something more substantial.
ReplyDeletePlanning on making a Southwestern Mosaic Cross throw.
ReplyDeleteI'm planning on crocheting some flowers for a twiddle muff I'm making for my mother. I'm tedebayer on Ravelry. Thank you for the opportunity.
ReplyDeleteSo many projects, so little time. I have an Afghan and a baby blanket which are must do this year. Witatter on Ravelry.
ReplyDeleteSome pretty lacy afghans for these cool spring evenings reading on the couch.
ReplyDeletegreyowl on ravelry
I'm not a good crocheter but I don't have good quality hooks. Maybe this will encourage me to try again. I'd love to make a lacy wrap.
ReplyDeleteI'm making socks... trying to get ahead for Christmas (it's a shocker!)
ReplyDeleteI'm doing a baby sweater KAL in April that I'm super looking forward to! I have three friends who are expecting right now. Thanks for the chance to win! I'm ShadowAP on Ravelry.
ReplyDeleteI'd like to crochet some new potholders - I need to do some pattern research.
ReplyDeleteSheilaOKeefe on Rav
I do a fair amount of crocheting for hospital auxiliary fundraising. What I WANT to make time to do is complete a knitted shawl, or even start and complete a different one! Also want to make another pair of socks!
ReplyDeleteteresep6 on Ravelry
I'm hoping to finally make a Baby Surprise Jacket this spring. I've been reading the pattern over and over, and I think I almost understand it well enough to cast on.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the great givaway! The Waves crochet sets look awesome!
MrsCollinHobbs on Ravelry