How to Chain and Crochet on the Opposite Side of the Chain | Posh Pooch Designs

This is a question I get almost every week. 

So I decided to discuss it in this weeks live video chat.

We have a Jam Packed Video for you today!
 New yarns, New Patterns, New Videos - A Crochet Along
and 15 Second Dance Party!



See The Live Video Chat on my Youtube channel at This LINK

I also made a short little video to show you.

 Sometimes it is easier to see it, then to read about it.

I have heard it described as the "other side of the chain" 

and "the opposite side of the chain", 

But both are referring to the same technique.

See the Video on my Youtube channel at this LINK

First you chain the amount of chains the pattern is asking you to.

Next, you Single Crochet  across, 

starting in the 2nd chain from the hook.

Unless the pattern you are following, 
is stating a different stitch.

Lastly, turn and single crochet across the chain, 

on the opposite or other side of the chain, 

join to the 1st single crochet with a slip stitch.

Abstract Shawl Made with Caron Cakes Yarn | Posh Pooch Designs

The Abstract Shawl Crochet Pattern 

By Sara Sach of 

Posh Pooch Designs

I Designed The Abstract Shawl a few years ago.

 When the Caron Cakes Arrived at Micheal's Crafts Store,

 I  bought a few of them.

 I thought the Cherry Chip yarn cake was perfect for my 

Abstract Shawl crochet pattern.

 And the really cool thing is, you only need

 1 cake to make this Shawl.

Look at the bright colors, and the long color changes.

I love them all.

The yarn is Worsted weight (4). It is soft, but holds it's shape.

And I just really love working with this yarn, 

as well as, love how it worked up.

See The Video on my Youtube channel at This LINK

The Crochet Pattern for the Original 

Abstract Shawl

 is at this LINK

How To Arm Knit A Cowl Pattern and Video | Posh Pooch Designs

I learned how to "Arm Knit"  when I was a child
 and I really had fun with it.

But, I will have to say, no one was very impressed.

 It was just something to teach kids, to keep them busy.

I have rediscovered it and have really enjoyed doing it again.

Arm Knitting is a very cool technique and once you learn it,

 there are lots of projects you can do with it.

Here is What I did.

See the Video on my Youtube Channel at this LINK

Arm Knit  Cowl Pattern By Sara Sach
Please, add this Pattern to Your Ravelry Favorites

Skill: Easy and fun

Materials:
1 skein of Bulky ( 6) yarn - I used Woolease, thick and Quick
A Pair of Scissors

Size: 4 inches wide X 36 inches long

We are using 3 strands of yarn at the same time.
I wound my skein of yarn into 3 balls to make it easier to work with.

1. We will basically be ding a long tail cast on  - with a 36 inch tail of yarn, make a slip knot,
slide that slip knot onto our arm.

 2. Make a loop with the yarn, Pull a loop from the tail through the loop.

3. Slip the loop onto your arm. Repeat 2 and 3 -- 3 more times for 4 loop

4. Wrap the yarn across your hand,

5. Slip the 1st loop over the yarn in your hand, then slip that loop onto your other arm.
Repeat 4 and 5 - 3 more times for 4 loops.

Continue to repeat For s many rows as you want. I did 16 rows.
Gently pull the scarf down after each row.

To bind off - Wrap the yarn across your hand, Slip the loop onto your arm.

Repeat For the 2nd loop, then slip the 1st loop over the 2nd loop.

Repeat For the next 3 loops, cut yarn about 16 inches long.

Slip the yarn end through the last loop and tie off.

Tie the ends together and make a bow.

Place the bow in the back or front. How ever you like.

I decided to make a video since it is every difficult to describe  what I did to make this cowl.

It is so much easier then it looks in these steps.

Check out the video.

How to Crochet With Super Bulky and Super Bumpy Boucle Yarns | Posh Pooch Designs

For Our Live Video chat I want to talk about this type of yarn.

 It can be frustrating to work with, 

and if you make a mistake, impossible to Frog.

The yarn is beautiful, soft and squishy, 

but if you don't know how to crochet or knit with it,

can make you mad enough to pull out your hair!

FYI - "Boucle" means Loop in French

See the Video on my Youtube Channel at this LINK

So I want to share a few things I have learned about Crocheting with this style yarn is :

1. Choose a large project.  Do not try to make little 

intricate designs.

Most of the color variegation can not be seen with a small

project. I suggest scarves, throws, blankets and cowls.

2. Choose a project with very little detail. 

Most intricate detail is lost because of the bumpy and

fuzziness of the yarn.

3. Crochet loosely - It is better to be too lose then 

too tight with this type of yarn. It is hard to find the

stitches if you crochet too tightly, and just as hard to work

with if you are a tight stitcher.

4. Lastly, don't let the yarn frustrate you. 

Make a practice swatch, and study how to find your

stitches, and where to place your hook.

If you are struggling with it, set it down and come back later.

How about a project to practice:

Homespun Coffee Cozy Crochet Pattern by Sara Sach

See This Video on my Youtube channel at this LINK

Skill: Easy

Materials:

 Crochet Hook - K

Yarn - About a 1/2 an oz.Any kind of Homespun Style yarn - Boucle'

Button - 1/2 to 1 inch button of choice.

Stitches:

Chain (ch)

Slip Stitch (sl st)

Double Crochet (dc)

Notes: ch 3 counts as 1 dc

R: 1 - ch 10, 1 dc in the 2nd ch from the hook, and in each ch across, ch3 turn ( 9dc)

R: 2 - 1 dc in each ch across, ch 3 turn ( 9dc)

R: 3- R 10 - Repeat R : 2

R: 11 - Repeat R : 2, tie off and weave in your ends.

Sew your button in the center of R: 1

You can use the button to close your Cozy if You cup has a handle.

Or Put your ends together, and slst closed to form a tube.

Here are few More Patterns I Designed using 

this Style of Yarn:

Just click the name below, it is the link for the pattern.

1. Thick and Quick Blanket

2. Fringed Homespun Colorado Cowl

3. Starry Starry Night Cowl

4. Everyday Shawl

5. Winter's Sky bulky Hood

Starry Starry Night Cowl Crochet Pattern | Posh Pooch Designs

Starry Starry Night Cowl

Crochet Pattern by

 Sara Sach of

 Posh Pooch Designs

THE STARY NIGHT COWL CROCHET PATTERN HAS BEEN 

RETESTED AND UPDATED WITH NEW PICTURES AND

 A BRAND NEW VIDEO AT THIS LINK

This Beautiful soft and Squishy Cowl is very comfortable to wear. 

It is warm, yet not heavy. It has a touch of elegance with a silver thread running through it.

I used Red Heart Stellar Yarn  Deep Space for my Cowl.

This Type of yarn can be tricky to work with, 

but this pattern takes all the struggle out of it.

 It is easy and quick to stitch up and and you have a fabulous and Glamorous Cowl to wear when your done.

An Ad Free Instant Download is 
Available from my RAVELRY Shop
For $2.50 At This LINK

Dog Hat Crochet Patterns For Small, Medium and Large Dogs | Posh Pooch Designs

We have been updating some of our Dog Hat Crochet Patterns

 to include sizes for Small, Medium and Large Size Dogs!

Oh, Cats love them too!

We have started with our most popular and  

most asked for designs.

You can find all of these Crochet Patterns

 in my Ravelry, Etsy and Craftsy Shops.

Click the Name of the shop you prefer,

 To see the pattern listings.

 The Skull Dog Hat - 3 Sizes

Ravelry Shop

Etsy Shop

Craftsy Shop

 Snowman Dog Hat - 3 Sizes

Ravelry Shop

Etsy Shop

Craftsy Shop

Turkey Dog Hat -  3 Sizes

Ravelry Shop

Etsy Shop

Craftsy Shop

Football Dog Hat -  3 Sizes

Ravelry Shop

Etsy Shop

Craftsy Shop

Mohawk Dog Hat -  3 Sizes

Ravelry Shop

Etsy Shop

Craftsy Shop

Easy Pumpkin Dog Hat -  3 Sizes

Ravelry Shop

Etsy Shop

Craftsy Shop

Cupcake Dog Hat -  3 Sizes

Ravelry Shop

Etsy Shop

Craftsy Shop

Dog Beanie With Pompom -  3 Sizes

Ravelry Shop

Etsy Shop

Craftsy Shop

Football Headband/Ear Warmer Crochet Pattern | Posh Pooch Designs

Football Headband/Ear Warmer

 Crochet Pattern

By Sara Sach of  Posh Pooch Designs

This Crochet Pattern has 

been retested and updated with

 New Pictures

And a Brand New Video

 At This LINK

This Super Easy, Super Fun Headband is Super Quick to Stitch up.

And you can add a pompoms, buttons, ribbons or appliques to cheer on your favorite Football team.

And it is super easy to adjust the size to any size head.

From baby to adult.

New pattern Release - Deer Dog Snood Knitting Pattern | Posh Pooch Designs

This is one of my designs that I am so very excited to finally release!

Please, don't misunderstand me, I love all the designs I release, 

and everyone one contains a piece of my heart,

 But this pattern is more than that.

It was a long time coming and I absolutely love how it turned out.

And it has got my "creative knitting juices" flowing.

Knitting was my first love, and then I started crocheting and sort of left my first love.

I originally designed this pattern in one size, but decided 

to include 3 sizes. Small Medium and Large.

So all Dogs could have a Deer Snood!

You can find this Pattern in my Shops at these links:

Ravelry Shop

Etsy Shop

Craftsy Shop

End of the photo shoot, when you are tired of posing.

Deer Dog Snood With Antlers for Small, Medium and Large Dogs - Instant Download KNITTING Pattern by Sara Sach

The Deer Dog Snood is the perfect photo prop for the Holiday or Christmas pictures or everyday wear, 

and is designed to be quick and Easy to knit up.

It is also designed to be cute, comfortable and warm for your pooch to wear. 

We designed it to be made out of any Worsted weight (4) yarn so it will be easy to wash and care for.

To Weave or Not To Weave? Live Video Chat with Sara of Posh Pooch Designs

To Weave or not to Weave?

I have  had a lot of questions about weaving in your ends
when Crocheting.

Do I have to use a needle? Can I just use my hook?

How do I do it so the yarn end does not come out?

See The Video on my Youtube Channel at this LINK


Here is a video close up of the Technique I use when weaving in.

You can see the video on my Youtube channel at this LINK

Here are a couple of tips I have learned:

1. Yes, you need to weave in your ends. 
If you do not, your project can unravel or fall a part.
 And it will look messy.

2. Leave enough yarn when starting, joining, and

changing colors to weave in your ends. About 5 inches is a good amount to work with to secure the ends. 

3. Yes, you can crochet over your ends, where possible, 

but still weave in your ends with a needle when finished.
Again you want a neat and tidy look, especially if it is a gift.

4. Weave in your ends with a needle. It can be plastic, bamboo
or metal, just make sure the eye is big enough for the yarn get through.

5. You can weave the ends in as you go, or at the end of the project. For me it depends on the project, and which ever is easier.

You worked hard on the Crochet Project, you want it to stay together through the wash.... 

So weave in those ends with a Needle!

I find, the best way to weave in the ends is to thread the needle and "sew" through the stitches, not the holes of the project, sort of stitching back and forth, till the yarn is to short to sew any more.

Whether your project is round, square or any shape, you need to weave in those ends. It only takes a few extra seconds to make your project look neat and be secure.

Dog Safety and Yarn | Posh Pooch Designs

Dog Safety and Yarn
By Sara Sach of   Posh Pooch Designs

I was asked this question this week, 

"Is it safe to give Puppies toys that are made of yarn?

 Which yarn is best?"

So I thought Dog Safety and Yarn would be a great thing to discuss in Our Live Video Chat this week.

A Puppy is like a human baby.

They are curious and love to put things in their mouth.

If its not safe for a baby, then its probably not

safe for a puppy.

You can see this video on my Youtube channel at this LINK

When crocheting or making toys and clothes for your puppies:

1.  Never use buttons, snaps, or beads.

These are choke hazards. Puppies love to chew and will chew these off and try

 to swallow them.

2. Never give a toy with a squeaker  in it to puppies.

Dog Bone Toys

I make woobies for my dogs, but never with a squeaker. 

They will rip it apart till they get the squeaker out,

 and try to swallow it.

That squeaker can get caught in their intestines

 and they can die, or it will have to be 

surgically removed.

woobies

3. Never Give a puppy loose yarn or string, 

or toys with loose yarn or string.

The string can be a choking hazard or it can get swallowed 

and again get caught in their intestines.

Pull Tug toy

4. When Crocheting or Knitting, many Small Dogs

 are allergic to Wool, and dyes and chemicals

 used to color the wool. Cotton is ok, But Acrylic is best.

I discovered this with my Maximo, the white Chihuahua, 

He has very sensitive skin and turns red

 from contact with wool. So I began to find other yarns,

 to use for his clothing.

My Favorite is I Love This Yarn! by Hobby Lobby.

It is soft, durable and washable.

I Love To design and make things for my dogs and I try to be safe.

And wanted to pass on a few things I have learned along the way.

I hope this was helpful and if you have any questions feel free to ask.

Oh, and all my Free Patterns for Dog toys 

can be found on this LINK