Week 2: The Cluster Stitch

This is a very simple stitch that is actually just a couple double crochet worked in the same stitch and hooked together at the top. Yes, that's my technical description. We are going to do a 3 stitch cluster, different patterns may call for a different amount, though I think 3 seems fairly common.
Terms:
yo: yarn over
ch: chain
st: stitch
sc: single crochet
dc: double crochet
( ): repeat across
{ }: total number of stitches

To make a cluster:
(yo, insert into st, yo and pull up loop, yo, pull through first 2 loops); repeat 3 times in same stitch. [You should have 4 loops on your hook at this point] yo, pull through all 4 loops, ch 1 to close off

Yes, that is it! Here it is broken down step by step with pictures.

yarn over, insert into stitch, yarn over and pull up loop

pull through 2 loops (like the first half of a double crochet)

repeat 3 times in same stitch

yarn over

pull through all 4 loops on hook

yarn over

 pull through to close stitch

I used a J/10-6.00mm hook and 100% cotton 4 ply yarn (Peaches and Cream to be exact) Using these supplies my swatch was approx 4.25" wide.

I wanted mine to have small holes in between so I chained 1 and skipped a space between each cluster.  You can make a cluster in each chain if you prefer.  If you do be sure your foundation chain is pretty loose or it will really curl up on itself as you make your clusters.
Now let's make our swatch!

Ch 14, work will begin in 3rd chain from hook

Row 1: Cluster in next chain space, (ch 1, skip next chain, cluster in next chain), ch 3 turn {6 clusters made}

From here forward we are going to work in the holes made in the previous row

Row 2: (cluster, ch 1) - last cluster will be made in the ch 3 space

Row 3: repeat Row 2

Continue this as long as you'd like. You could make a little face scrubbie, washcloth or scarf. 

If you find your edges bowing out more than you'd like you can substitute the last cluster in the row with a double crochet.

Hopefully this all made sense and is typo free!  Sorry no video, my spare hands weren't home!  If you'd prefer video here you are.

Cluster Stitch Right Hand
This was the best I could find for you lefties!  It's a Cluster V stitch, but should work for you if you need it!


There you have it!  You are now a Cluster stitch master!  If you post a blog or your results I'd love for you to enter them here so we can check each other's out!

Links back up and working!

After some minor major difficulties getting this thing started, the Stitch-A-Long links are back up and functional!  This was completely beyond my control...and Teresa's I am sure!  I can only imagine the headache this caused her this week :)  Now, especially all you that have been wanting to learn...go...learn!

Week 1:  learning the basics

Week 1 Stitch-A-Long

Week 1

If you are looking for the blog button or more stitch-a-long info please click HERE

Let's get started on our Stitch-A-Long! If you are new to this blog let me explain what we have planned! Every week (or every other) we will introduce and attempt a new stitch. It will likely post on a Sunday, but no promises! This is to help us all, myself included, to expand our knowledge, practice new stitches and get out of our comfort zones. Please take a Stitch-A-Long button with you and put it in your blog sidebar. Of course this isn't required but will hopefully get more people involved! I also encourage you to write a post about how your progress/stitch comes along I will have a place where you can link your blog posts up. I have also set up a flikr group to post pictures of our swatches. Remember, you don't have to do any of these! You don't even have to comment, or tell me you are participating...though I do admit I would love it if you did!

Not wanting to leave any one out of the fun, this first week will focus on the very basics of crochet. Really...honestly and truly, if you have never crocheted before, now is the time to start! If you know these stitches you can make most of my patterns! That should show you just learning a few basic stitches really opens the door to a ton of projects.

I originally was going to make my own videos of this until I hopped on YouTube and was shamed by this woman. Please don't leave me for her...I will miss you :) Seriously though, she makes great instructional clips along with patterns for some items. If you move your cursor over the video you can actually click over to a video for you lefties! Now that is beyond what I would willingly record myself doing. I am not good at left handed anything. After checking out her videos she seriously has tons and they are much better than mine ever will be! I am a girl that knows her limits so I don't feel there is much point in reinventing the wheel! For now we will use hers; at some point down the road I may make a few or if I run across a stitch she doesn't already have (doubtful) I will make one.
I hope this is ok with everyone!

I will not give yarn or hook requirements since it won't really matter. Just as an FYI and for you brand new peeps (that maybe want some direction in what to get), I will be using 100% cotton worsted weight yarn such as peaches and cream. Its cheap (usually less than $2) and is available just about anywhere (even Walmart which I think has locations on the North Pole and moon).  This yarn will also show the stitches more clearly and photograph well. I will likely use a K or J hook for the same reasons. Darker yarn is harder to see so stick with a lighter less busy choice.

This is just what I am doing, please feel free to use your favorite yarns and hooks!

Click on any of the topics below; don't forget if you are a lefty simply put your mouse on the video and you can switch over to a lefty tutorial.

How to make a chain

How to single crochet

How to double crochet

How to half double crochet

Not Teresa's videos but still good :)

How to join in the round (right hand)

How to join in the round (left hand)

I hope you are inspired to learn!  Please feel free to post your progress on your blog and link up here.  You can also leave me any feedback in a comment here or email to innerhooker@yahoo.com