big red « GOODKNITS // a knitting & crochet blog

Crochet: Big Red

By Lisa Gutierrez on 11/08/2011

It’s D.O.N.E. DONE! [update 1] [update 2] [border] [offset shell stitch]

36oz (1890 yards) of yarn (I used SIX skeins of Caron Simply Soft)
J hook
Beginning chain 160, 80 rows of offset shell stitch
4 rounds of single crochet border, crab stitch edging
50″ tall x 48″ wide
12 days

Let me know how your projects are coming along!! Feel free to add photos to the GOODKNITS Flickr group!

Crochet: Get Crabby!

By Lisa Gutierrez on 11/07/2011

My favorite border/edge is the Crab stitch (AKA reverse single crochet). It’s super easy and provides a nice neat border for your projects. I’m currently using it on Big Red. Yep, that’s right. I am on the border! After 4 rows of single crochet, I am crabbing it up.

1. How my work looks after my last round of single crochet + 1 ch.
2. Insert hook in stitch immediately to the RIGHT and pull yarn through (2 loops on hook).
3. Pull yarn through both loops.
4. Repeat 2-3.

After a few stitches, you should have a beautiful border going. I’ll be working on my edging this evening. I started it and then realized I should share it for the folks who are looking for a nice, simple border for their work. I’ll share photos of the finished blanket tomorrow. It’s sososo lovely! I am head over heels for RED.

What is/are your favorite border(s)/edging(s)??

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Big Red [part 2]

By Lisa Gutierrez on 11/03/2011

For the past 2 nights (the night I made my first update & last night), my husband and I watched the last few episodes of the past season of Breaking Bad. MY.GOSH! If you don’t know, the show is pretty intense and fast-paced. We watched 3 episodes each night, after the kiddos went to sleep. I sped through 2 more skeins of yarn! My hook was FLYING!

My current blanket stats:
J hook, 3 skeins Simply Soft yarn
Beg chain 160 (~48″ wide)
46 rows of the offset shell stitch (~27″ tall)

I’m out of yarn, so I will be making a trip to Michael’s, tonight. I am getting 4 more skeins. That should make the blanket dimensions about 54″ x 48″ when I’m done. I’ll do 3 more in the current pattern, then start the border with my last skein. The blanket will be substantially big. I hope it gets some good use!

Offset Shell baby blanket [part 1]

By Lisa Gutierrez on 11/01/2011

What’s the status of your offset shell projects?? My baby blanket is coming along nicely!

Here are the stats so far–
Beginning chain 160
6mm (J) hook
1 skein of Simply Soft
15 rows
48″ wide, 8 inches tall

If I want to hit 40″, that’s 4 more skeins and 60 more rows. If I want to hit 60″, I need 7 more skeins and almost 100 more rows! I think my target is at least 48″ tall. That’s 5 more skeins of yarn and 75 more rows. Daunting! But it will so be worth it. My time-frame? About 2 weeks. I need to do at least 6 rows per day to make that. I CAN DO THIS.

Let me know if you started anything and how it’s going. I think I’ll update after every skein of yarn. I only bought 3 to begin with. PFFFFT! I need to go back to the store.