Page 90 - Simply Crochet - Issue 93 2020

HOW TO CHANGE COLOUR INCREASING AND DECREASING

Create stripes and other colour effects Shaping stitches are vital for making garments

1Before you work the final 2 Pull through a loop of the INCREASE To increase one DECREASE For a quick
yrh (yarn round hook) on the new yarn to finish the old stitch is very simple – work decrease, just skip one stitch.
last stitch of a row in the old stitch. The working loop will one stitch into the next stitch For a neater look, work the
colour, drop the old yarn and be in the new colour. on the row below. When first part of one stitch and
then pick up the new one Continue, keeping the old you’ve finished, work another then begin the next stitch.
with your hook. yarn at the wrong side. stitch into the same stitch. Finish both together.

SEWING SEAMS
You can join crochet seams by using a tapestry needle or a crochet hook, using one of these four methods

1Sewing with a tapestry 2 To slip stitch a seam, place 3 For a dc seam, place the 4 A useful variation on the dc
needle is the regular and neat the crochet pieces right sides crochet pieces right sides seam, the dc and chain seam is
way to join seams. Place two together. *Insert hook into together, or wrong sides used when less bulk and/or
pieces of crochet right sides both edge stitches, yrh and together for a visible seam. greater flexibility is needed.
together and oversew them as pull through to complete 1 Work as for slip stitch seam, Work 1 double crochet and
shown above, using a tapestry slip stitch; rep from * working using double crochet instead 1 chain alternately.
or yarn needle. into the next edge stitches, of slip stitch.
keeping work fairly loose.

How to check your tension

Make and measure a swatch to check your tension

Most crochet patterns state the tension
required, in rows and stitches of a specific
type. Make a swatch at least 15cm square
and check that your tension matches. Place
a ruler across the swatch and insert two pins,
10cm apart. Then place the ruler along a
column of stitches and insert two pins 10cm
apart. Count the stitches and rows between
the pins – if you have less than the pattern,
your tension is too loose so you need to use
a smaller hook, but if you have too many,
use a larger hook. It’s usually better to
match the stitches than rows, because you
can always work more or fewer rows.

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