The Ripple Stitch (Chevrons)

Posted on February 22, 2012 by moogly

Ripples have been popular in crochet for at least 60 years, and there are dozens of ways to make them. But basically it’s just a series of alternating increases and decreases, creating a zigzagging fabric. Here’s a video for one kind of Ripple Stitch!

This pattern would be written as such:
Ch3 and dc in the same stitch. Dc in the next 8 sts. Work dc2tog over the next three sts, by skipping over the center st. *Dc in the next 8 sts. 3dc in the next st. Dc in the next 8 sts. Work dc2tog over the next three sts, by skipping over the center st.* Repeat from * to * until there is one stitch remaining. 2dc in the last st.

I hope this gives you a good idea of how ripples come together in crochet! You can look forward to ripple-filled patterns from moogly soon!

On another note: I’ve gotten so many lovely comments, and heard about so many wonderful items made with moogly patterns, and I’d love to see them. If you have made something using one (or more!) of the free moogly knit or crochet patterns, and you’ll like to show off, please email me your photos at mooglystore@gmail.com – I’ll share them in a future post here on the blog!

Be sure to like moogly on facebook for fun links, sneak peeks, and to get all the latest moogly updates! Send us a private message through the facebook page or email us at mooglystore@gmail.com to order your very own handmade knit and crochet items today!

The Chain Stitch

Posted on February 13, 2012 by moogly

There’s a new video tutorial up from moogly! We’ve got dozens more planned, but sometimes it’s good to start at the very beginning. For those who are thinking about taking up crocheting, here’s the very first thing you need to learn – how to crochet a chain!

Now you can make necklaces, bracelets… try chaining using a chain as your yarn! It’s only step one and you’re already crafting. Stay tuned for more, we’re making them as fast as we can.

Switching Colors for Striped Patterns

Posted on February 1, 2012 by moogly

Today’s video is a quick tip / tutorial that shows you how to switch colors for striped crochet patterns, and avoid the odd little jog or color “bleed” that you can get if you finish the last stitch with the same color.

An easy change that makes a big difference in the finished product! Hopefully we’ll be filming more very soon.

Also, please note the new pattern and video menus on the right side of the page!
These menus should make it a lot easier to find the free moogly crochet patterns, knit patterns, and video tutorials available on our site. As the lists get longer, these may change to drop down menus, we’ll see. There have been a few other tweeks to the blog this week, and we hope to continue to improve in both looks and usability. If there are any suggestions you have for the site, or comments on the video, please let us know in the comments! And come back for another free pattern on Friday!

The Bobble Stitch – dc5tog

Posted on January 24, 2012 by moogly

Finally! Remember last year, when someone in the comments asked for a video? And then this year, when I said I wanted to start making video tutorials? Well! It’s taken much longer than expected, but what started with this…

…and included a whole lot of swearing, sweating, nervous laughter, and general crochet shenanigans, has born crochet video goodness!

There was much trial and error, a week of dithering on the music selection (what is “moogly music”? Anyone?), and suffice to say, I am so lucky I decided to marry a video production guy! We hope to make more instructional videos in the future… and now that we’ve got the basics hammered out, it should go a lot quicker!

Now, may I present, the first official moogly instructional video! How to crochet the Bobble Stitch, or dc5tog, as seen in the Blackberry Salad Striped Baby Blanket and Afghan!

Someday I hope to stop feeling like a doofus whenever I hear my own voice. And boy do I have a heck of a midwestern accent there, eh? But it was SO much fun, I think it shows how to make this type of bobble very well, and I can’t wait to do more! Any requests? What stitches have you perplexed?

Don’t forget to like moogly on facebook for sneak peeks, early releases, insider info and photos, fun links and more! And of course, to order your very own one of a kind moogly handcrafts!

Seamless finishing when working in the round

Posted on August 2, 2011 by moogly

Today, I am lucky enough to be part of an amazing, hilarious, raunchy, outrageous group of women who get together and craft every Wednesday night. The Oak Street Hookers take turns bringing a treat, some of us bring a drink (or two), and we teach each other everything we know. It’s the highlight of my week, and keeps me sane!

But for the ten years before that, I did all my crocheting and knitting alone – barring the five minute crash course that started it all. I am self taught, and I struggled through books and “how to knit for kids” videos from the library for years.

btw, this was the scratchiest washcloth ever

The first thing I ever knit!

Then youtube and Ravelry came along and taught me a few more tricks.So to add to the wealth of knowledge out there, one of my fellow hookers and I made a video and uploaded it to youtube. It was very spur of the moment, and completely unrehearsed, but I think it makes it pretty clear.

Feel free to make fun of my Midwestern accent (I clearly learned to say “yarn” while living near Chicago!), and tell me what other videos you’d like to see! What do you want to learn about crochet?