Crafts Articles

Article / Updated 07-28-2022

The double crochet (abbreviated dc) is one of the most common crochet stitches and is about twice as tall as a single crochet. (You can read about single crochet in How to Make a Single Crochet.) A fabric made of all double crochet stitches is fairly solid but not stiff and is great for sweaters, shawls, Afghans, placemats, or any number of other home decor items. You can also combine the double crochet stitch with other stitches to produce many interesting patterns and textures. First things first: Row 1 The following steps set you up to work your first double crochet stitch: 1. Make a foundation chain by doing 15 chain stitches (ch 15). (Check out How to Crochet the Chain Stitch if you need to.) 2. Chain 3 more stitches for the turning chain. (Get the scoop in How to Crochet a Turning Chain.) Now for your first double crochet stitch: 1. Yarn over the hook (yo), which you can read about in How to Yarn Over in Crochet. Remember to yarn over from back to front. 2. Insert your hook between the 2 front loops and under the back bump loop of the fourth chain from the hook (see Figure 1a). Figure 1: Beginning a double crochet stitch. 3. Yarn over the hook. 4. Gently pull the wrapped hook through the center of the chain stitch, carrying the wrapped yarn through the stitch. Now, you should have 3 loops on your hook (refer to Figure 1b). 5. Yarn over the hook. 6. Draw your yarn through the first 2 loops on your hook (see Figure 2a). Figure 2: Drawing your yarn through the loops. 7. Yarn over the hook. 8. Draw your yarn through the last 2 loops on the hook (refer to Figure 2b). One double crochet (dc) stitch is complete. You should have one loop remaining on your hook. To finish your first row of double crochet, work 1 double crochet stitch in each successive chain stitch across the foundation chain, beginning in the next chain of the foundation chain as Figure 3a shows. You should have 16 double crochet stitches in Row 1 (counting the turning chain as the first double crochet). Figure 3: Finishing the first row of double crochet. Take a look at Figure 3b to see what the end of the first row of double crochet looks like. Turn around and begin again: Row 2 To work the second row of double crochet, follow these steps: 1. Turn your work so that the back side is facing you. 2. Chain 3 (ch 3; for the turning chain). 3. Yarn over the hook (yo). 4. Skipping the first stitch of the row directly below the turning chain, insert your hook in the next stitch (see Figure 4a). Figure 4b shows you the wrong place to insert your hook. Figure 4: Inserting hook for the first stitch of second row. 5. Repeat Steps 3 through 8 from the previous section in each of the next 14 double crochet (dc) stitches. Be sure to yarn over before inserting your hook in each stitch. 6. Work 1 double crochet in the top chain of the previous row's turning chain (see Figure 5). You should have 16 double crochet stitches in Row 2 (counting the turning chain as 1 double crochet). Figure 5: Insert the hook in the top chain of the turning chain. Repeat these steps for each additional row of double crochet. Continue until you feel comfortable working this stitch. Figure 6 shows you how rows of double crochet look as a fabric. Figure 6: Several rows of double crochet. Don't work a stitch into the first stitch of the row after the turning chain. Doing so produces an extra stitch, and if you continue to add a stitch in each row, your design gets wider and wider as it gets longer and longer. Be sure to count your stitches frequently to make sure that you haven't inadvertently gained (or lost) any stitches along the way. Sometimes, especially when you're working with bulky yarn or a larger than usual hook, the turning chain on a double crochet row leaves a gap at the beginning of the row. To get a neater edge, try chaining 2 instead of 3 stitches for the turning chain. See also: How to Decrease Double Crochet How to Increase Double Crochet at the Beginning of a Row How to Make a Double Triple Crochet How to Make a Half Double Crochet

Video / Updated 06-23-2022

Making slime with glue is a fun, cheap activity that continues to engross small kids and teens alike. According to CNBC, the craze of making slime with glue is so widespread that stores are struggling to keep glue stocked. Ask any teacher and they can tell you, making slime is an easy way to keep kids working with their hands for hours. Some parents report irritation of the skin as a result of the ingredients contained in common slime recipes. However, Snopes.com investigated the dangers associated with popular ingredients in slime. They determined that there is no concern regarding the use of Elmer’s Glue as an ingredient for making slime and little concern when it comes to other common ingredients. Keep in mind that making slime is an experiment. You can add less or more of each ingredient to play with the consistency of your slime. You can start with a small amount or add extra to make a large amount. The point is to play around until you find a recipe that you love. Have fun! How to make slime with glue and Tide For this slime recipe, you will need the following ingredients: Glue Liquid Tide laundry detergent Shaving cream (Optional) Food coloring (Optional) You can use any kind of liquid laundry detergent. However, we like the consistency created by using Tide. Experiment with different kinds to find what you like best. Get out your mixing bowl and spoon and get started by following these steps: Add some glue to your mixing bowl.This does not need to be an exact measurement. Remember, you can experiment with the amounts to achieve your desired consistency. If you prefer a fluffier slime, add shaving cream. For slime with color, add some food coloring when you add the shaving cream. Keep in mind that the shaving cream and food coloring are optional ingredients and are only necessary if you want fluffy slime or color for your concoction. The amount of shaving cream you will add depends on your preference. The more you add, the fluffier your slime will become. Similarly, a little food coloring will result in a lighter color, while adding more will make a deeper colored slime. Put Tide detergent into bowl with glue.You will add less Tide than glue. Start with a ratio of about 1:4 and modify as necessary. Mix ingredients together with spoon until your slime feels and looks how you want it. Looking for more slime recipes? Check out these cornstarch slime recipes and other slime recipes without borax or glue to continue with the experimenting fun!

Cheat Sheet / Updated 04-28-2022

You can read and understand knitting patterns easily when you're familiar with common knitting terms and abbreviations. When the knitting patterns use metric measurements, you'll need to know some simple conversion formulas. Keep charts handy of your body measurements and yardage estimates of commonly knitted items so that you're ready to start a knitting project at anytime.

Cheat Sheet / Updated 03-25-2022

You're never too old or too young to discover crochet. The skills you master, the benefits you receive, and the beautiful heirlooms you create can last a lifetime and be passed on to future generations. To get started with crocheting, you need to decode crochet symbols and abbreviations so you can follow patterns with ease, and you need to find out what gauge is (and why it's so important).

Cheat Sheet / Updated 03-17-2022

Quilting results in pieces prized for both usefulness and beauty. The long history of quilting offers ages-old tips, and modern technology throws in some shortcuts, if you want to take them. But the lingo hasn’t changed very much and tips for choosing quilting fabric remain practical as well as creative. Knowing how to apply common fabric yardages to quilting is useful, and so is having a list of all the materials that go into a finished quilt.

Cheat Sheet / Updated 03-17-2022

Woodworking brings together nature, human, and technology to produce long lasting pieces of function and art. A great piece of woodworking begins with knowing how to choose the right type and piece of wood. Then, following a step-by-step process helps you craft a successful piece every time.

Cheat Sheet / Updated 02-24-2022

Knitting is a popular craft that can result in functional and decorative art. To get to the point where you're knitting useful garments, you need to know some knitting terms and their abbreviations. You may have to put your math skills to work as well, converting inches to centimeters or vice versa.

Cheat Sheet / Updated 02-17-2022

If you want to make your own candles and soaps, you need shopping lists for the basic ingredients for both. Get to know the types of candles you can make: tapers, pillars, or votives — the varieties abound. And when you make soaps, you'll want to know how to fix common problems that affect the appearance and what causes them.

Cheat Sheet / Updated 02-15-2022

Before you begin making jewelry or beading projects, gather some basic tools and supplies and become familiar with recommended lengths for necklaces, bracelets, and more. Consider how to personalize your bead work by using birthstones (precious or semiprecious) or their crystal equivalents. And when you need help — with design inspiration, supply sources, or technique — take advantage of the rich online resources created by other jewelry-making fans.

Cheat Sheet / Updated 02-15-2022

When you first get started knitting and crocheting, it can feel like you’re immersing yourself into a foreign land with its own language, symbols, and culture. But with this cheat sheet, you’ll feel like a native in no time. In it you’ll find lists of the abbreviations and symbols you’ll see most often while reading patterns and instructions.