9 June 2015

Stocks And Single Crochet





Ok, ok, I know we in the UK (and I think Australia) know this stitch as 'double crochet' but 'single crochet' afforded me the opportunity of a pleasingly alliterative blog post title.  While we're on the subject, I have to admit that I think the term 'single crochet' makes much more sense.  Double indicates two singles, implying that there is a single, and in UK terminology there simply isn't.  To that end, why we can't all use the same terminology baffles me.  It makes pattern reading and writing so very complicated.  Anyway, I'm glad I can chat to you about these things …!

I'm making another baktus wrap.  I love the last one I made but it's just a little on the small side.  Perfect as a jaunty accessory where a jaunty accessory is required but it doesn't rate very highly on the cosy scale.  No, this one is going to be a fair bit bigger.  And pink.  I'm using the same super simple pattern by Helda Panagary.

My last baktus took three 50g balls of Baby Cashmerino but I'm aiming for four or five balls of Drops Extra Fine Merino this time.  I shall also add a proper border to this one.  I'm not sure exactly what type at this stage, I have a few ideas, but it's more than likely to include that beautiful coral.  I adore the combination of the two colours.

Working on this has really reminded me just how much I love the humble double crochet (US single) stitch.  Poor much-maligned little double crochet.  Towered over by its big brothers, treble and double treble, and often considered functional rather than beautiful.

Well, no more!  Let's hear it for double crochet I say!  It creates the most perfect fabric canvas.  It's wonderfully tactile.  And the neatness?  Oh yes.  A big fat tick in my perfectionist box.  I'm tempted to pursue this matter further …

As for the stocks - aren't they beautiful?  I have a peculiar relationship with stocks.  I'm always visually attracted to them like a moth to a flame but I'm in two minds as to whether I like their smell.  Sometimes I find it quite pleasant, other times I find it utterly obnoxious.  As I said, peculiar.

xxx

23 comments:

  1. Yay for DC - I love it too ! And I'm so with you on the stocks _ I adore the old fashioned look of them but I haven't bought any for years now because of the constant moaning from fellow family members about the smell of cat pee !!
    Lovely post Heather as always ....
    Big hugs
    Kate xx

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    1. You, of course, are my kindred crochet spirit Kate! xx

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  2. You always have such lovely photos in your posts. I like the look of the double crochet, it is so neat but if I am honest I do find it a bit slow :-) I think my favourite stitch at the moment has to be the linked treble/double treble, I love the firmness that it gives very similar to double crochet, the speed and also the look of it. The stocks are beautiful, something we have never had in our garden. x

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    1. The funny thing is, I actually find I crochet faster when using dc, Sharon. Odd huh? I know what you mean about the look of double trebles though, I really must use them more. Thanks for your lovely comment. xx

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  3. A big fat tick for double crochet from me too - that and half treble. What a lovely photo the last one is, the colours in the stocks are beautiful - there has to be a nice piece of crochet in those colours some day! I like stocks and the scent of a new bunch, but when they start to fade a little at the bottom they seem to give off a different, slightly headache-inducing aroma - either that or I think I like the scent and then I don't! Have a good week. Jane x

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  4. Double crochet is gorgeous isn't it, such a wonderful texture. And so easy and even. Love it. Stocks here too, just outside the kitchen door. I know exactly what you mean about the scent. CJ xx

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  5. I could not agree with you more about the name for the littlest stitch - I often call it single crochet anyway! We need a universal crochet language - you know the hooky version of Esperanto?
    Stocks are so lovely, and so is your crochet! Sam xxx

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  6. I love single crochet too! It makes such a nice solid fabric and I agree on the neatness point, so many people ask me what stitch I am using when I make things in this stitch, I think it gets a bad wrap for being slow compared to other crochet stitches, but it is still quicker than knitting for me! Lovely pink wrap you have on the go there, I might have to go and check out that pattern! Have a lovely week, xxx Julie

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    1. Julie, I suspect I'm preaching to the converted because I think of you as the queen of single crochet! xx

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  7. Love your wrap in a gorgeous soft colour and your stitches are indeed so perfectly neat! I wish there were universal crochet terms. I learnt to crochet when living in the U.S. and expecting my first baby, so I always use American terms and the British terms confuse me! The stocks are glorious!

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  8. I use uk terms for everything, except dc, I always seem to refer to it as sc. I don't know why. It just makes more sense. It is the perfect stitch to embroider on, but I don't ever seem to use it that much. I'm not sure why. You've got me thinking now! xxxxx

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  9. I get very confused by the terminology and end up enlarging the pictures and counting the stich to see how high it goes!! Love this wrap, pretty in pink.

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  10. I adore dc/sc stitch I find it so comforting. It is such a beautiful stitch. Thank you for the mention. I really love your cowl in the previous post. Have a lovely day

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  11. I'm cheering for DC!!! It really looks so pretty!!! xx

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  12. I completely agree, just one set of terms would be so much easier! And you're right, the double is a stitch I often ignore in favour of the speedy treble but you are making a great case for it!

    S x

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  13. I love dc as I can do it and watch the telly at the same time. With you on the stocks - they make me headachy, so I wish they did unscented ones as they are so pretty. Love the shawl and the yarn you've chosen xx

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  14. Loving your blog - all the way from Australia x

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  15. Love your blog and was interested to hear your feelings about crochet terms. When I learned to crochet (more than 40 years ago - how is that possible!!), the slip stitch was always referred to as a single crochet.

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    1. Ahhh, thank you - the term 'double crochet' makes more sense now. :-)

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  16. Your stocks and crochet are so pretty, Heather! When I began to crochet I found (still find!) the terms baffling! I just make up most of my crochet patterns, whatever the stitch is called!
    Happy new week.
    Helen xox

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  17. I so agree about the sc versus the dc! Single makes so much more sense!
    best daisy j

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Thank you so much for taking the time to comment. Anyone ever told you that you're a peach? xx

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