Aztec Scarf

This is my newest crochet pattern, first of 2015, the Aztec Scarf. I am so in love with fair isle, I should even say I am addicted to it. Most of the patterns I have been working behind the scenes are fair isle. I had a real hard time sending this scarf to the photographer, I really wanted to keep it!

Fair Isle (usually a knitting term) is a tapestry crochet technique, where you have work with two strands of yarn at the same time to create color work. You have what we call "working yarn" and you carry another strand and you switch back and forth to create shapes. It's fun and it's rewarding, it takes crochet to another level, in my humble opinion.

Don't be afraid to try, it is really not hard at all. 

You can find the pattern on etsy, ravelry and craftsy.

Fringe How-to

Adding fringe to a crochet project is pretty simple and it adds a lot of character, so today I am showing you the way I do it!

I use a DVD case to wrap my yarn around it, so they are all the same length (11 inches) and it is much easier than measuring one by one.

After wrapping around several times, grab a pair of sharp scissors and cut the yarn once.

 Fold the yarn in half. In this case I am using 3 strands of yarn for my fringe.

 With the right side of your work facing you, put your crochet hook through the place where you want attach your fringe to draw a loop.

 Pull your loop through.

 Grab the loose tails and put them through the loop and gently, give it a tug.

Voilà!

You might also be interested in this technique or this tip.

Surface Crochet Technique

Surface Crochet, also known as Surface Slip Stitch Technique:

I made a sample half double crochet (my fave!) earflap hat for my neighbor's little boy, but thought it needed a little something to spruce it up. First I thought about single crocheting around the hat, then I thought I'd embroider a blanket stitch, but nah... I ended up deciding I'd go with surface crochet around the border of the hat, so here is how you do it.

1. With the right side of the hat facing you, poke your hook through and put a slip knot using the contrasting yarn you want to use for your surface crocheting. You'll keep contrasting yarn ball feeding your work from the back.

2. Pull the slip knot through.

3. Poke your hook through the next stitch, yarn over.

4. Pull up a loop and you have your first slip stitch! My advice for you is not to crochet your slip stitches tight or you will lose the stretch of your hat. 

Repeat steps 3 and 4 and this is what the right side of your work looks like after 5 slip stitches.

And this what the back of your work should look like.

Continue all the way around until you get to the first slip stitch made. Fasten off, weave in your loose ends.

Cheers!

You might also like this tip and this one.