No-Chain-DC to begin a row

Recently, I saw this video on how to start a new row of double crochet without doing the ch 2 or ch 3. I don't always want to load up a video to try a new technique, so I decided to make a photo tutorial really quickly. Now you can try whichever way you learn the best.

Complete your previous row, and turn your work.

Start your new row by pulling up a loop a little taller than a dc.

Place your pointer finger on the loop to hold it in place.

While keeping your finger on the loop, pull your hook toward you then behind the loop.

Yarn over, and pull through the first part of the loop...

...leaving two loops on the hook.

Yarn over...

...and pull through both loops to complete the dc.

Dc in the next st. They look identical!

There you have it! Have you ever tried this? Am I just slow to catch on to this technique as I was with the Magic Circle? Do you like it? It has taken a little practice to get a consistent size, but I really like the way this turns out.

Broomstick Lace Scarf

I have finally finished a Broomstick Lace project!

This was with Caron Simply Soft in Grey Heather. The yarn has that touch of shine that is so pretty!

My tools:
Less than one skein of yarn
Knitting needle the size of a baseball bat (That may be a slight exaggeration, but it is certainly around thumb-size-ish... very specific here. Oh wait! --double check... It seems to be around the same or slightly larger than Size 19 needles.)
Size H Susan Bates hook for all the sc parts
Size H Boye hook (I found this to be easier when hooking the yarn over the needle because it catches the yarn less than the Susan Bates hooks, which is, interestingly enough, one of my favorite qualities of Susan Bates hooks.)

For the fringe, I chained 15 then slip stitched into the next stitch. I like the look of it on this one. It seems to work well with the lace part.

Tamara said that she has done a vest or sweater with a Broomstick Lace pattern. That sounds just a bit too intimidating to me as of yet! Have any of you tried it? What did you think? Likes? Dislikes? I'm curious.

Baby Girl Blanket and Headband

Is it because summer is winding down that all of us are so determined to finish off various projects? School is almost starting and craziness will begin again? Back to schedules and calendars and much less free time? Whatever the reason, it's good to accomplish projects that have been waiting around, and I'm determined to put away certain ones to make room for something new.

We were headed out for camping this weekend, and I knew there were certain items I didn't want to drag along with me (more on that later). On Thursday night, I wanted to finish a project I had started with that fantastic yarn deal from earlier this summer.

Here is the Ocean Tranquility Afghan from Anastacia Knits.

I decided on a color changing pattern rather than one solid color. I also made it slightly bigger than the suggested baby blanket size using a Size H hook and beginning with Ch 93 rather than Ch 63.

I really liked this pattern! It was fun, simple, and it came together so quickly even with adding the color change in there.

When I finished, I had just enough yarn leftover to make a matching baby headband.

Here it is not-yet-assembled. Now it's time to find a really great button to put in there to make it perfect for a little girl.

Once I finished that blanket, I had to rush around to figure out what project I did want to work on while camping... oops. Plan ahead! I figured it out though, no worries.

Yarn Deal

While I wait to get a picture of both sides of the afghan with the Mystery Stitch, I have to show you my loot from a week ago:

It's hard to see all the colors here, but it's a great variety! There's some black with flecks Vanna's Choice yarn, some bright pink no-name yarn, some shiny silver Simply Soft, 3 balls of cotton I forgot to put back in, green and blue Loops & Thread Impeccable yarn, a very thick cream with a brown strand, and some soft pink and gold no-name yarn! At the bottom right, there are some "Comfort Grip" things to slide onto the hook. I've never tried it before, so I might have to give them a try.

See that little spot of turquoise-blue between the pink and package of Comfort Grips? I'm pretty sure that skein was rolled onto a paintbrush. =D Ha!!

All this amazing-ness for the low LOW price of...

$5 Yes, just 5 smack-a-roos!!! How fantastic is that?

Time to get out my ball-winder again for some great fun! Then I have to decide how to use these.

Antique Sale Find

Look at this!!

Walking past a table at a huge antique sale, I spotted a cone of rough twine. It caught my eye, and as I walked closer, I saw two crochet hooks. I picked them up to show my hubby, and the lady called out, "You can have both of those for a dollar." Um, twist my arm...Yes, please!

Doesn't that triangular one look interesting? I can't imagine working with it, but I'll definitely have to give it a try.

Why yes, that certainly is my favorite brand of hook!

The bottom line: Are they truly "antiques" here? Probably not. Do I care? Certainly not!

Do you have a favorite "find"?

X-ceptions to the rules

Pathetic choice for X, but what can you do?

So what are the "rules" for crocheting?

In each pattern, are you to assume you go through both loops in the previous row unless the X-ception is specified? Or only the front loop?

I think I was taught to go through only the front loop unless otherwise specified, but lately, I've been going through both loops unless specified. Which is the "real" or "correct" way?

I've also heard that you're not supposed to tie knots in your yarn when changing to a new skein. Yep, I've done that for years. I've recently learned how to weave your strands together without a knot, but honestly, it really doesn't work for all yarn. What do you do?

I weave in my ends using a smaller crochet hook. Other people always use a needle. There's certainly not a hard and fast "crochet rule" for that. What do you do?

When you yarn over, how do you do it? Do you use your "yarn feeding finger" to wrap it over or do you twist your hook to grab it?

While I'm on the subject of personal preference vs. crochet rules, what is your favorite hook? I've seen other crocheters ask out there, and I'm surprised by the variety! I'm a hook snob, and I only use Susan Bates hooks. I think they go through the loops more smoothly, and they catch the yarn better than Boye hooks. However, all my large hooks (L and larger) are acrylic with the same in-line shape as Susan Bates hooks. What kind do you like?

So...all that being said, are these things normal crocheters do, or am I just the X-ception to the rule?