Update on Works in Progress

I do enjoy talking about my current projects. So much so that family and friends try to steer conversations away from crocheting.
The scrubbies were a hit with my Sunday School friends. Our teacher called them "goodies".
One of my daughters wants me to make a plarn bowl for her and a set of scrubbies to fill it. She has a newly refinished cast iron bathtub to use them on.
Oh, joy, another new project for me!
I have a couple of shoulder bags waiting for more bags of a specific color.

 I think I finally have enough to finish this one.

I do have more for this one, sadly I don't think I'll be able to finish it yet.

 I've spent a lot of time thinking of how I want to make this stole. I like the idea, just not the pattern.

I think I can use this afghan pattern for the basic pattern, with a few tweaks. It will take some time. Hopefully, I will have it ready to wear by spring.
So, I have 2 new projects and only one near completion. That's the way it goes! At least I'll never get bored!

Practice Reading Patterns

Now, the only way to learn a new skill is to practice it. After a bit of practice, the common abbreviations will seem like any words you've been reading for so long.
Try this round from an afghan pattern. The previous round ended with 40 spaces.
Sl st in next dc and in next ch 2 sp, ch 3, (dc, ch 2, 2 dc)in same sp, (ch 2, 2dc) twice in next ch 2 sp, ch 3, sc in next 2 sps, ch 3, (sc in next ch 1sp, ch 3) 4 times, sc in next 2 sps, ch 3, * (2 dc, ch 2) twice in next ch 2 sp, (2 dc, ch 2, 2dc) in next ch 2 sp, ch 3, sc in next 2 sps, ch 3, (sc in next ch 1 sp, ch 3) 4 times, sc in next 2 sps, ch 3; repeat from * 2 times more; join with sl st to first dc.
What does that say? It looks like a mess of random letters, numbers, and symbols.
The previous round had 40 spaces of 1, 2, and 3 chain stitches separated by double and single crochet stitches. So, slip stitch in the first double crochet stitch of the previous round. Slip stitch in the next space. Chain 3. In the  next space, work the stitches in the parentheses: a double crochet, 2 chain stitches, and 2 double crochet stitches. In the next chain 2 space, work the stitches in the parentheses twice: chain 2, 2 dc. (When you work these stitches twice, you get a shell) Chain 3, work a single crochet in each of the next 2 spaces. Chain 3. Single crochet in the next space. Chain 3. There must have been 4 spaces in the previous round, because those last 3 actions were in parentheses, to work 4 times. Single crochet in each of the next 2 stitches. Chain 3. Now, here's a star. To finish the round, we're going to come back to this point in the pattern 2 more times. That's what it says farther on, each pattern will tell you how many times to repeat. In the next space, work 2 double crochet and 2 chains twice. In the next space, work 2 double crochet, 2 chains, 2 double crochet (a shell!). Chain 3. Single crochet in each of the next 2 spaces. Chain 3. There must be another 4 spaces in the previous round to work a single crochet and a chain 3 in each of the next 4 spaces. Single crochet in each of the next 2 spaces. Chain 3. Here's where it tells you how many times to repeat from the star, so you go back in the pattern and work those stitches again. A second repeat gets to the end of the round, so join with a slip stitch to the first of the round, in this case, it would be the first chain 3 that's counted as a double crochet.
Whew! That took a lot more space!
Take your time. Crocheting should be relaxing! Patterns may look difficult and complicated. Some are time consuming to make. You can do it!

How to Read Patterns 2

Have you found a list of abbreviations? You'll probably not need it for long, most of the abbreviations are intuitive and don't take much practice to remember.
Patterns have suggested materials and hook sizes. You obviously don't want to start using size 10 thread on a pattern calling for worsted weight yarn, or vice versa. The listed hook size is a good suggestion of which size to use to make a first sample to test your gauge. Especially with clothing patterns, if you don't check your gauge and change the hook size as needed, you might not make the correct size. ALWAYS check your gauge. It will prevent later disappointments.
Most patterns start with: ch a number. Make that many chain stitches. Easy, right? Obvious, right?
Many of my doily patterns continue with: join with sl st in first ch to form circle. You've made the required number of chain stitches, now you make a slip stitch in the first chain stitch (the one farthest from your hook), which gives you a circle to crochet around.
Patterns which are worked in rows will say: turn. In (a number of ch st) from hook, work (a stitch). The number will change depending on which stitch is called for, and if there will be a space between stitches. For sc (single crochet), the 1 ch is not counted as a stitch, for all other stitches, the ch stitches are counted as 1 hdc (half double crochet), or 1 dc (double crochet), etc. This is often mentioned in the pattern to remind you.
Then, instructions to finish the row. I sometimes still have to read directions more than once to know what the writer meant. But, starting to make the stitches usually makes it clear. At the worst, I might have to rip out a few stitches.
Often at the end of a row or round, there will be a number of stitches or spaces. Count your work to be sure you have the same number. This helps you find mistakes more quickly. It's much less frustrating to rip out part of a row than it is to rip out several rows. Much quicker, too.
It might still look strange, but try it with a list of abbreviations beside the pattern. It's fine to work slowly at first. Being able to read patterns opens up so many more possible projects for you.

How to Read Patterns

I guess at first glance, patterns look like they're written in a foreign language, or maybe gibberish. I remember one time, working on a project in front of a friend who didn't crochet. He asked how I knew what stitch to make next. I said from the pattern, and showed him the book, which he picked up and was amazed that I could read. He said it didn't look like English. Another friend, who does crochet took the pattern from him and proceeded to read it out loud. I don't think he ever did believe us. That was over 10 years ago.
More recently, I taught Mom to crochet, but she still doesn't read patterns. She seems content to only make plarn rugs and plarn bags. I've tried to interest her in other projects, thinking she MUST be getting bored (I know I would be). Apparently not.
The abbreviations are the first hurdle. Grandma taught me to crochet before I could read, so I had to learn how to read before I could read patterns. That was a long time ago, but I still remember reading patterns with a list of abbreviations beside the pattern. That was years ago, long before the internet, so most patterns were only in purchased books. Most books had a list of abbreviations used in the patterns in the book. Over the years, these abbreviations have become standardized, so lists have become unnecessary, at least for experienced crocheters.
The only other advice is: when, at the end of a row, or a round, a number of stitches or spaces is given, COUNT! Make sure your work is accurate. Better to find out now, rather in 2 or 3 rows when the mistake has compounded and you have to rip out so many more stitches.
Happy crocheting!

Scrubbies as Gifts

I like my scrubbies so much, that I think I need to make some for friends. My daughter has asked for some, also. I think I need a plarn bowl for my counter to hold my scrubbies.
Bowl. Round 1: ch 2. 8 sc in 2nd ch from hook.
Rnd 2: 1 sc in 1st sc. 2 sc in 2nd sc. Repeat around.
Rnd 3: 1 sc in next 2 sc, 2 sc in next st. Repeat around.
Rnd 4: 1 sc in next 3 st, 2 sc in next st. Repeat around.
Rnd 5: 1 sc in next 4 st, 2 sc in next st. Repeat around.
Rnd 6: 1 sc in next 5 st, 2 sc in next st. Repeat around.
Continue increasing evenly until the base of the bowl is as large as you want. Then work even until the bowl is as tall as you want. If you want the bowl to flare out, continue increasing every other row. Less increasing will make a smaller flare. More increasing will make a bigger flare.
Then, I'll have to make lots of scrubbies.