Posted on 8 Comments

Crochet basics demonstrated, plus a winner!

Mod Floral Blanket, by Lisa Clarke, Polka Dot Cottage

First order of business: we have a winner for the Mod Floral Blanket eBook giveaway! Congratulations, Amy S., and thank you all for playing along, spreading the word, and being generally all-around cool!

There is still an opportunity for some of you to take advantage of the coupon code CROCHETFUN for half off the price of the book, but hurry because it goes away after twenty uses!

Polka Dot Cottage Video Blog Episode 4: Crochet Basics for the Mod Floral Blanket

Ok, next up: my new video!

As of September, I have committed to bringing you one new eBook nearly every month, and as part of that effort, I will also be producing videos more regularly. The videos will show you some of the basic skills necessary to complete the eBook projects. Cool, right?

So today I am sharing with you the first of these videos: Crochet Basics for the Mod Floral Blanket!

In this 6 minute video, I demonstrate all of the following techniques:

  • slip knot
  • how to hold the yarn
  • chain stitch
  • slip stitch
  • double crochet
  • changing colors
  • single crochet
  • half double crochet
  • fastening off a color
  • joining a new color
  • single crochet three together
  • triple crochet
  • weaving in ends

That’s a lot for six minutes!

The demonstrations are in a weird order because they are presented in the context of the Mod Floral Blanket, and therefore show up in the order they are needed as you work the pattern.

Most of the demos are shown only once for a few reasons:

  • brevity – less people are likely to try out a 27 minute video than a 6 minute video
  • through the magic of technology, you can always repeat a demo as many times as you need in order to make it stick

Floral blanket in progress, at Polka Dot Cottage

Who is this video for?

Well, if you’ve never crocheted before, it’s for you. It provides a quick overview of everything you need to know, and you are free to re-watch it (or seek out more in-depth instruction), if you are intrigued enough to give the blanket a try (and I hope you are!)

If you’re a lapsed crocheter who needs a refresher course, this video is for you.

If you’re just curious about the blanket pattern and not sure if you want to spend the money on it, this video is for you. See what it’s all about, and what is required of you.

I think that’s enough of a build-up, don’t you? 🙂

Here it is, the Polka Dot Cottage Video Blog Episode 4: Crochet Basics for the Mod Floral Blanket! (that’s a mouthful…)

Thanks for watching! And for buying my pattern/tutorial (here’s that link again) 🙂 Happy crocheting!

LET’S KEEP IN TOUCH!

Sign up for occasional Polka Dot Cottage news and get a coupon for 10% off your next order!

Don't worry, we won't bother you more than once or twice a month!

Posted on 8 Comments

8 thoughts on “Crochet basics demonstrated, plus a winner!

  1. What a great video! It is always great to see how other people accomplish the tasks that can be done in a variety of ways. I love how you change colors and start a new color. It’s also great that you included how to sew in the tails. This is a very helpful video!

    I love the music too.

    1. Thanks! I’ve been enjoying that music, too. (I’ve watched my own video about 6 times, just to listen to the music, LOL!)

  2. Lisa, wonderful video! Great reminder to be careful of technique. Love the idea of using a tapestry needle with a bent/curved tip. I need to get one of those!

    1. Thanks! I can’t remember where I saw the bent-tip needle originally, but it is quite useful!

      1. The needles came in the mail yesterday (thank you Amazon – how lazy can I get?!) and I wove in a bunch of ends at lunch. Much easier. Something you wouldn’t think would be that much of a difference but it really did. Great tip!

        1. I am totally just as lazy – I ordered needles on Amazon last week, too 🙂 That Amazon Prime is a dangerous thing. So easy to press BUY NOW on so many things while sitting on the couch in your pajamas, when there’s no shipping cost to worry about.

  3. Hello Lisa

    The blanket is lovely! Will undoubtedly be trying it myself at some point.

    Trying to finish another blanket project at the momentacoe wondered what method you favour when joining squares together?

    1. I join them as I go – the instructions for doing so are actually included with the pattern.
      I hate sewing things together at the end, so the more I can do as I go, the better!

Leave a comment!

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.