Crochet Video Tutorials For Beginners

Hello Friends!

I'm happy to finally upload to Youtube these video tutorials which I hope will help and encourage you all to continue to practice making crochet stitches as well as continuing to practice reading crochet patterns.  Written Crochet Patterns may appear strange at first but as you get familiar with the abbreviations, terms and their meaning, you will begin to enjoy and appreciate this very versatile hobby.

I want to say a heartfelt thank you to all my beginning students who inspire me to do these video tutorials.  Thank you very much for your patience, curiosity and enthusiasm!

The following is a list of Video Tutorials in proper sequence:

1) How to thread yarn on finger, click here

2) How to properly hold crochet hook and work, click here

3) How to make a slip knot, click here

4) How to make chains, click here

5) How to count chains, click here

6) How to make a single Crochet, click here

7) How to make single crochet in rows, click here

8) How to make a double crochet, click here

9) How to do 2nd and subsequent rows of double crochet, click here

10) How to do triple crochet, click here

11) How to do 2nd row of triple crochet, click here

12) How to locate next stitch, click here

13) How to skip a stitch, click here

14) What does "same stitch" mean?  Click here

15) What does ch-3 space mean?  Click here

16) Stitch VS Space, Click here

Tunic - Finished

The Tunic is completed.  It took 3 skeins of medium wt., category (4) yarn, 236 yds. per skein.  I used Red Heart Super Saver "stripes."  Size of Crochet Hook used was 5.00mm.

The finished tunic is heavy to wear so next time I make this style, I would have to use a sports weight which is a finer yarn.  I liked that the lower part of the tunic flares but it made it heavy.  I have to modify this flare for the next tunic with similar style.

I would like to make this in solid and less bright color.

Designing Tunic #1 -- Making The Lower Bodice Of The Tunic

The photo below shows the back bodice being joined to the front bodice ( see where crochet hook is attached.  The other side of the bodice will also be joined together.  Then the crochet work will be done in the rounds. 

Photo below shows the back of the bodice

Photo below shows the front of the bodice.

From this point on, I have to crochet several rows until the tunic is long enough according to my liking.

Designing Tunic #1 -- Partial Front Bodice and Back Bodice

Front Bodice of the tunic is partially done up to the waistline as shown on photo below.  The back and front bodice will be connected at armhole point on each sides of the row of both back and front bodice.  I stopped working on front bodice at this point because once the front and back bodice are connected at the sides to form the armhole,  I will crochet in the rounds, working on both back and front bodice instead of working on front and back bodice separately.  This will avoid having to join the side seams later on.

The yarn is attached to the marked area of the back yoke to start crocheting the back bodice as shown on photo below.

Working on back bodice as shown on photo below.

House chores calling out so I have to stop for now.  Can't wait to get back to making this project!

Designing Tunic #1-- Neck And Front Bodice

I'm designing a cover-up or tunic to wear over leggings or exercise leotards.


The neckline shown on photo below is finished.

Photo below --- Making the front of the tunic.

Please watch the progress of this tunic on my next post.  I have to stop due to pressing errands but I'll get back to it soon.

Zumba Gold Are For Seniors!

I enjoyed doing Zumba exercise with a group of very friendly ladies today at Karns Senior Center.  I like Zumba because, the music motivates me to keep up with the exercise routine. When I'm doing Zumba, I forget that I'm doing exercise and I feel that I'm only dancing to the music, especially, after I get familiar with the dance steps.

We have a very friendly dance instructor that leads us through the Zumba dance routines.  It does not take long for us to work out a good sweat!

Zumba can be a rigorous exercise so it is better to consult your physician before beginning this type of exercise.  Zumba Gold is tailored for Senior citizens but again it is better to consult your physician first, especially if, you have some preexisting condition that may prohibit engaging in this type of exercise.

Let's get out there and join the Zumba group and exercise to maintain our health!  Please call the Karns Senior Center or click the link given above for schedule of activities.

Gardening In A Small Space

I thought I have to give up being surrounded by wildlife altogether when we decided to move back close to the city.  As it happens, I did not lose that joy of living in the mountains where I hear the wild birds singing each morning and the bees and butterflies hovering over flowers.  By planting flowering plants and putting out bird seeds and water in our tiny backyard, I'm inviting them to

to come.

Can you see a real butterfly in this photo?

The plant is a sweet potato which was bought from an Asian store. This is the kind that bears flowers and if given more space to sprawl, it will be all over the place and produce edible tubers on its many vines.   It's not an invasive specie due to the fact that it is very sensitive to cold weather.  Its tubers as well as its vines rot in the winter time when left outside.  If one wants to save the tubers for next year planting, one has to dig up the tubers and store them in a dry place, ideally in the garage.

The flower of a Sweet Potato is like that of the Morning Glory vine.

The plant in the foreground is yellow Coleus.   Bees, Bumblebees and Humming Birds love its flowers.  They have grown so tall and produced very large leaves in reaction to the absence of morning sunlight.  These area only receives sunlight from noon until dark.

The plant in the background with yellow flowers is Nasturtium,  this too produced very large leaves.

I even planted Bitter Melon, see the young fruit?  It flowered abundantly but most of its flowers were male flowers and only few female flowers that developed into fruits.

The plant in the center is Basil, plant to the right is Taro (Gabi), to the left is a mix pot of Nasturtium and Sweet Potato.

Coleus plants and Yard Long beans are planted together on the narrow garden bed.

Do you have a garden?  How does your garden grow?  I'm happy with my garden this year.  It is very small (most of the plants are in pots), very easy to maintain.  Takes me about 10 minutes to water them all and it gives me the same joy without spending too much time and energy.

Happy gardening everyone!