To celebrate the upcoming pattern that will be published in Twist Collective, I've conjured up a tutorial on the Tunisian Simple Stitch (sometimes known as an Afghan Stitch among other names I've encountered). It really is a very simple stitch that uses a regular crochet hook as long as you don't require a very wide simple stitch. The pattern that is in the works uses the simple stitch to make a belt accessory. I've also used it to make a strap for a crochet bag, and it's very effective because it is a stable stitch and has a nice woven texture...
Here is what the finished stitch looks like:
Illustrated tutorial begins here:
1.
To begin the Tunisian Simple Stitch, you make a single crochet chain
with the desired number of stitches (plus one extra). Maintain this
number of stitches throughout. This kind of crochet is worked only on
one side so it's not necessary to turn the work.
2. Insert hook one stitch away from hook in the back of the stitch. Pull up a loop and keep it on the hook. Insert hook into the back of the next stitch and pull up a loop keeping it on the hook. Continue until you've pulled up a loop for every stitch in your chain counting to make sure you've the goal number of stitches on the hook.
3. Next, YO, pull through one loop. YO again, but this time, pull through 2 loops. Repeat YO and pulling through 2 loops until 1 remains on the hook. This remains on the hook and becomes the first loop on your hook for the next step.
4. Insert hook behind the vertical bar of the next stitch and pull up a loop keeping it on the hook. Insert hook behind the vertical bar of the next stitch and pull up a loop keeping it on the hook. Continue until you've pulled up a loop for every stitch in your chain counting to make sure you have maintained the goal number of stitches on the hook.
5. Steps 3 and 4 are repeated until desired length is reached. BO with crochet bind-off.
In a few days, I'll get the video tutorial up and running... Look for it in an upcoming post!
All of the images and illustrations in this tutorial are Copyright 2010, Adriprints Press. Please do not use them without express written permission of the author and illustrator. Thank you.
We had a late-night guest at our place a few weeks ago, and with nothing in the house except rolled oats, I decided to make oatmeal for us. Mostly, I am an observer of the oatmeal eater. My grandfather has eaten oatmeal for breakfast every day of his life. And, my husband eats it for breakfast, but both have exceptionally different styles of preparing it. Gramps makes it by boiling it with milk and a little butter. Hubs eats it straight from the package in a bowl with cold milk. Neither were ever very appealing to me as a breakfast choice, that is, until I came upon a recipe that used a lightly beaten egg in the mix. Hubs was incredulous, and had never dreamed of a creamy, warm, rich oatmeal (or was just to lazy to make it). I made the recipe with my own adaptations and both hubs and our guest were instantly converted to oatmeal made this way:
Tasty Oatmeal Recipe
makes about 2 servings
Ingredients
1.5 Cups Milk
1.5 Cups Rolled Oats
1 Egg (beaten)
3 Tbsps brown sugar (or maple syrup) to taste
1 tiny pinch of salt
1 Tsp Butter
Cinnamon (optional)
Instructions:
In a pan on med-high heat, mix together milk, egg (beaten), and sugar (or syrup). Stirring continuously until just boiling, add rolled oats and pinch of salt. Bring to a boil and then turn down the heat and continue to stir until desired consistency is achieved. ((I like my oatmeal thick with the oats themselves still having a bit of bite to them)) Add butter and stir until combined. Serve in individual bowls and sprinkle cinnamon on top of the servings (if desired). I've also seen fresh fruit like bananas, strawberries, and also raisins added to the oatmeal. Really, the options are endless...
This past week I received my contributor's copy of the Typodarium 2011 Calendar... It's really cute! It's really an honor to have my fonts near those of Sudtipos, Linotype greats, and so many really talented typographers.
I'm not feeling all that well today, and with so much to do, complete, edit, make, etc...
This little t-shirt brought a smile to my face. Hope it does the same for you.
The longer I look at the illustration, the cuter it gets.
