Learning Tunisian Crochet - Dog Collar

I have been learning Tunisian Crochet.

I started by Picking up a few books and 

then I discovered Videos

 By Kim Guzman.

You can find those at this Link:

Tunisian Instructional Videos

She also has a lot of 

Free Patterns at this link:

Kim Guzman Free Crochet Patterns

These videos are excellent.

I normally do not like videos, 

I more of a "book in hands" 

Sort of girl.

This is my first Tunisian Crochet project.

This is not really a pattern.

Just an explanation of what 

I did to make Maximo's Collar.

Skill - Easy, (But be sure to watch the 1st video, it will help you.)

Materials :
Reflective Yarn -  Red Heart - Grey (4) Any Worsted Weight yarn can be used
Regular Crochet Hook - J (This is such a small project you can use a regular crochet hook.)
1 decorative button  ( I made this one with polymer clay )
How to make Polymer Clay buttons
Yarn needle to sew on button
Measuring tape to measure your dog's neck.

Stitches :
 Slip Stitch  (sl st)
Tunisian Simple Stitch (TSS)

Note: I learned that you need to crochet looser then  normal.
 (My first project wasn't pretty.) If you crochet too tight it will curl up on you.

Okay,  lets get started: 
Step 1- Ch 8, skip the 1st ch,

Step 2 -  Pull up one loop through each ch , do not turn.

Step 3 - Yarn over hook, pull loop through the last loop,
*yarn over hook, pull thorough the next 2 loops,*
Repeat from *to* till there is only 1 loop left on the hook

Step 4 -  Skip the first "bar", *push hook through next bar, yarn over and pull loop through the bar,
 keeping loop on hook,* Repeat *to* across.

Note: I kept dropping stitches, so I learned to count my loops after each pass. 

 Repeat Steps 3 and 4 till desired length,

 add an extra inch for sewing the collar together.

Once the collar is at the desired length, put the ends together and slip stitch closed.

Add a button, bow or what ever you like.

This Collar could easily be stitched in the

 Tunisian Knit Stitch, as well.

This is a great project to do if you want to

 learn Tunisian crochet, 

and don't want to commit to a large project.

Its perfect for slipping on for evening walk at dusk.

Learning Tunisian Crochet

I love learning new crochet techniques.

I had really wanted to learn 
Tunisian Crochet for a while.

My daughter was learning it, 
so I decided to dive right in.

 I picked up a Book at the Wal-mart

Learn Tunisian Crochet

By Kim Guzman

published by  Leisure Arts

I Love it.

 The pics are great and 

it has 4 really easy projects to make.

I them Went on line a Googled for 

Kim Guzman's videos

The truth is I am not usually a fan of "how to videos"

Because they are usually too long and 

I don t have the patience or time to sit and watch them.

But, I watched quite a few of Kim's.

Then I found this pattern for a Washcloth.
It is perfect for practicing the stitches I just learned.

Wash cloth by Kara Gunza

I like how it turned out but, I think I stitched it too tight.

Then my Daughter wrote a really fun 

Runners headband pattern

And she let me test the pattern.

Runners headband By Elisabeth Spivey

She has both adult and child sizes in the pattern pattern.

Both are made with reflective yarn.

The Grey is made using the 

Tunisian Simple Stitch

and the Orange is made using the 

Tunisian Knit Stitch.

I have much more to learn but have so 

enjoyed learning these new techniques.