Monday, April 28, 2008

A "Thank You"!

Comment: I JUST WANTED TO SAY THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH TO AUNT ESTHER FOR THE WONDERFUL VIDEOS. I AM A GUY THAT LIVED IN ENGLAND FOR TWO YEARS, WHILE IN THE MILITARY. I FELL IN LOVE WITH THE BEAUTIFUL SWEATERS THAT I SAW THERE AND IN SCOTLAND. I TRIED LEARNING TO CROCHET YEARS AGO AND FINALLY GAVE UP IN TOTAL FRUSTRATION. AFTER WATCHING AUNT ESTHER'S VIDEOS I REALLY FEEL THAT I CAN GIVE IT A TRY AGAIN! THANK YOU SOOOO MUCH! YOU REALLY HAVE NO IDEA HOW MANY LIVES YOU TOUCH IN SUCH A POSITIVE WAY! THANK YOU AGAIN FOR SHARING YOUR SPECIAL TALENTS WITH THE WORLD! I CAN'T TELL YOU HOW MUCH YOU HAVE DONE FOR ME! PLEASE KEEP MAKING THE VIDEOS! I WILL ALWAYS BE A FAN AND WILL WATCH EVERY ONE. THANK YOU AGAIN!"


Answer: My niece and I thank you! We have really enjoyed doing it too!

Thursday, April 24, 2008

How to join two different colors together

Q. Can you show me how to join two different colors together? I love your videos helped a lot thanks!

A. Sure, I'll explain it here, and in another video we'll also show it.

Go to the place where you want to add the new color. Simply pull your yarn through the highest crocheted loop on the very edge of your work. Then all you do is start crocheting as you would at the end of a row. (For starting the next row, chain 1 for single crochet row, or chain 3 for double crochet row.)

Thursday, April 17, 2008

What size of hook to use



Q. Dear Aunt Esther, THANKS! Your instructions are great -- slow and repetitive makes it work for me! My mother is a knitter, and I could just never get the hang of knitting. This looks a lot more like my kind of thing...one short hook, instead of two big needles. I have a long train trip coming up, and now I am motivated to give crocheting a go. I have Sugar and Cream yarn, and I would like to make dishcloths -- what size crochet hook do you suggest? Thanks again!



A. I know you can do this! I would use a crochet hook size C, D or E - these are larger sizes. If you're wanting a smaller stitch, you would use hooks F, G or H... You never know, my niece and I might do a learn-how-to-knit video one of these days! It's not too hard, either! Good luck!
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The higher the number of the thread, the thinner it is.

A popular thread size for crocheters who are just beginning to crochet with thread, is thread size 10, used with a U.S. size 7 or 8 steel crochet hook.

U.S. Steel Hook Size
Matched To Approximate Thread Size

U.S. Steel Hook Thread Size
14 80 - 100
13 40 - 80
12 30 - 60
11 30 - 40
10 20 - 30
9 20
7, 8 10

Links to this page are welcome. URL of this page is http://crochet.about.com/library/blthreadhook.htm
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http://www.crochet.org/hook/hooktype.html
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http://www.geocities.com/nornsneedlework/crochet/hookchart.htm

Thursday, April 10, 2008

The Cactus Cuties sing The National Anthem

(Cactus Cuties Natl. Anthem; From: bullhead003; front view)
(Cactus Cuties Natl. Anthem; From: bayleebcutie; singers' names, back view)
Taylor Jordan sings "Annie"! From: deespix
Keely sings "Tomorrow" from the Broadway show, Annie! From: keelyanna
cutie girl singing (11 years old) From: Trofimo
CACTUS KIDS
The Cactus Kids, Cactus Kiddos, and Cactus Cuties are mentor programs created and directed by Terri and Cami Caldwell. The idea, born out of the Cactus Theater in Lubbock, Texas, is to develop future “Stars of West Texas.” These young and talented entertainers perform all over the West Texas area for various community events. Their ages range from 4 to 17 years old. The Cactus Kids feature a variety of music, including Nostalgia from the 1940’s through the 90’s, Country, Patriotic, and Holiday songs.

Thursday, April 3, 2008

Border All Around

Q. Thank you for teaching me how to crochet! I am making a baby blanket in double crochet but how do I add a border all around in a different color? What stitch do you suggest I use? Thank you!

A. I always liked the shell stitch for a border. I usually start in one corner, and just tie your yarn in a double knot. Chain 3 (for your first of 3 stitches). In this stitch, you just crochet 3 double-crochet stitches in one stitch, then skip 3 stitches. Continue all the way around! When you've gone all the way around, take out your hook and enlarge the circle the hook came out of. You then cut your yarn off about 4 inches from your last stitch, and slip that "tail" through your last loop. Crochet the tail to hide it, and you're done!