Crochet 101: Quick Stitch Preemie Afghan Pattern

Thanks for posting this, maybe I can make one when I get down making the afghan I will be making for my little brother's impending bundle of joy.

You're welcome - I hope to see pics of both when you are done!  Congrats, Auntie!

Nice stitch. I like that it's a close stitch.Thanks for sharing.

I use this pattern stitch a lot.  It is easy and works up fast.  It is pretty done all in one color or in various stripe patterns.  I also use this border a lot on different things.  It is cute and not too girlie.  This is one of the first pattern stitches I ever learned, but when I learned it it called for chain 3 instead of chain 2, and it made bigger holes and I did not like it. 

like hiding your tails as you go? I am sorry..it made me giggle.

I giggle too, but how else do you say it? lol

I call it weaving in loose ends, but I like "hiding your tails"!

Beautiful pattern Monica!

Hey - we all need a good giggle, don't we! 

Thanks Diane!

I am really glad you atarted this group and are joyfully sharing patterns and a helping hand. I am in the middle of 2 knitting projects, but want to do the baby afghan next.

Cool!  I want to see pics when you get it done. (the knitting too - never got the hang of that)

Thanks for posting the pattern.  I am putting a border on an afghan for my newest grandson.  Will start this one when I get it finished.

I love this pattern.  I am copying it so I can use it at a later time.  There is so much going on in my life right now that I don't believe I could focus long enough to work the pattern without many mistakes.

Monica could you explain what size 4 yarn is? Some might not know the yarns by their number. For example is size 4 a worsted weight or a sport weight?

Wanda - I thought size 4 was sports weight, but someone commented to me that it is not, so I removed that.  The info she looked at said 3 is sportsweight.  But we were also discussing how different 4's are different weights to the touch at least - for example, Red Heart and Simply Soft are both 4's but Red Heart feels much heavier.  So I decided to leave it at 4- the label has a box with the number in it to tell you what size the yarn is.

Here are three links that give information on yarn weights. In all three they list Sport weight yarn as a number 2. I think most people do better with the type listed rather than a number. The numbers have only started being used I think. I know I am more familiar with the terms sport, worsted, etc.

http://www.yarnstandards.com/weight.html

http://knitting.about.com/od/yarn/a/yarnweight.htm

http://www.crochet.org/pdfs/yarn_Q&A.pdf

Thanks for the info, Wanda.

You're welcome.

I will be adding more videos soon.  I hope these videos help you all learn to crochet.  If you have questions, be sure to ask!

Hello Monica, I have agree with Wanda Hello Wanda, Selene from Ga. I do not understand the yarn by number but by ww an so on.....

Thanks!  I checked the labels, and for size 4 it says worsted weight (I thought it was sport weight) so I have updated the pattern now.  I think looking at the number is pretty easy, now, since most labels are using this system now.  But in future reference, I will list both ways.

Oh I ment to tell you this is a Lovely Blanket but you know all your work is Lovely

You're too sweet!

Gosh I had not noticed that I guess I'd better pay more attition to the yarn label's. LOL

Yeah, I think it is faster now, because you just look forthe litle box with the number, instead of reading all over the place to see what type yarn it is.

thanks I'll pay more attention next time how would I go about making the blanket larger I have 2- 15 months old boy's they love to drag their blankets around

Quick Stripes Baby Afghan

 This is the same pattern stitch done with a bigger hook and thicker yarn and more chains to begin with -- and it is a different stripe pattern.  But you could use any yarn with the larger hook (used same hook on worsted weight and it turned out nice and soft).  It has a different stripe pattern, but if you use the number of chains and hook size for that pattern, then follow the color changes for this pattern (at least twice, I would guess) you would have a nice big blanket ofr them.  I am sure down the road I will make/write a pattern for that, but you could do it on your own if you feel confident.  If you do, please share pictures!  I love this pattern stitch.

Oh my.  I feel over my head already!  I left for vacation this morning and forgot to put my crochet bag in the car.  I'm a beginner.  So since I wanted to make this blanket we stopped at a WalMart where we are staying tonight.  They are moving so their selection was very small.  Only 1 crochet hook!  Size I.  Not knowing any better I picked up a nice soft white but it is a baby boucle.  I didn't realize how hard it would be to use.  I'm having a hard time seeing the details of my stitches.  I also don't know how big it's going to turn out, is looking small.  How long should the rows be?  Should I bother continuing with this yarn or use it for a different blanket, or maybe add more stitches?  If I add more, would I add in multiples of 3??

Two sizes smaller is going to make a significant difference in the finished product, but yours could be for a micro preemie.  If you look, the dimensions are listed and your rows should be the shorter of the two lengths (in other words, they should measure to be about 16 1/2 inches.  It is up to you if you want to continue.  Did you get more than one color?  Part of the lesson is learning to change colors, thus the stripes.  Making it solid is perfectly acceptable, it would just be different from the pattern.  and yes, you would add chains in multiples of 3 to make it longer.  Just make sure you count how many shells you have and make sure each row allways has that many shells.  too many and it will bow out, too few and it will cave in on the sides.  If you need more help, let me know!  Good luck!  (and a tough yarn to start off with may be annoying, but if you want to use it eventually, why not get used to it now.  If it is too difficult, just save it for later).

Thanks.  I think the size is going to be about right.  Don't ask me how.  I'll measure tomorrow when I get to the place we're staying the next week.  The first row was tough with this yarn but the subsequent ones are much easier because of the chain 2 space.  Yes, I got a second color.  It is not the boucle, hope it works in ok. 

Thanks for taking the time to show details on how to do the tricker parts!

You are welcome!  Glad the size is working, like I said, though, worst case scenario it is a micro preemie afghan -- which hospitals need too!  By the way, the first row IS ALWAYS tough.  Ask any crocheter what the hardest part and they will say it is starting that first row - which is why I love round ripples and granny square afghans so much - not a lot of chaining and easy to get started.

As for using two different types of yarn, it is a matter of opinon and a matter of shrinkage if they are composed of different materials.  I learned early on to try to keep them the same because when washed, sometimes one shrinks more than another and ruins the piece.  Other than that, it can work out just fine.  Look at the labels and see what they are made of.  If they are both acrylics, you may be okay, though you can still have shrinkage differences.  If one is cotton and one is not, you will definitely have a problem because cotton almost always shrinks.

Let me know if you need more help!  Good luck!

Things are going great.  I've been offline so couldn't comment earlier.  The 2 yarns look lovely.  I'll check the material listing when I get back to the project.  I love changing colors this way!  I do think the size is about right.  More later, thanks again.

I finished!  My stripes age going the short way, not the long as in your pic.  I also did more rows to make the desired size.  How do I send you a pic?

Yes, I turned it so it would look like that.  You can post it as an image here and send me the link or put the image in a comment (To learn how to do this, visit: How to Create Clickable Images in Your Comments - HTML LESSON).  Or if you prefer, you can e-mail it to me at monicajkennedy@gmail.com.  Congrats on finishing the project!  I am proud of you that you felt comfortable moving beyond the pattern to add more rows.

Hi Monica

I love all the videos that you're making.  Is it possible to focus more?   My videos are blurry and I can't see what you're doing.  I'm sorry to complain, but do you have control on your camera that you can focus more clearer.

I am new to doing the videos, and these I had to do on my own instead of having someone be my camera man, so they were an experiement.  I will try to get the other ones to look better.

I've tried sending my pics to you, but whatever I'm doing it's not working.  Do you go to Microsoft Word to open a new doc.?

Yes, I do.  You can send it to my e-mail - monicajkennedy@gmail.com.  Thanks!

Hi Monica

         I haven't been getting any emails from this site, what is happening?:

I have been getting them. so I am not sure what the problem is -- if you need assistance contact Gather support through the help link at the top of each page.  I have nothing to do with the running of the site - I just post here.

Hi Monica

             I have another question for you regarding subsitutes for yarn.  The pattern I would like to make is saying to use TLC Baby Light and I would like to you a baby sports weight.   The number listed for the code for the weight is #3.   Do you think it would make a big difference if I substitued the baby sports weight, instead of the light worsted.   What is a light worsted yarn?   I've never heard of it. 

The gauge says if I use a 3.25mm (D) I should have 5sc. that should  measure 1/12"   inches.  I'm having a hard time to make that gauge work for me.  I tried using a baby weight yarn, but it is to fine and I'd have to go to a large hook.

Thanks

If you substitute yarns for a thicker yarn, then you just need to make sure you adjust the hook size to match the yarn you are using or a slightly bigger yarn - just not smaller.  If your hook is bigger than the one in the pattern, then your finished product will be bigger as well.