Dear CitiUSA Customer,
Thank
you so much for your order and for your interest in my crochet
afghan graph patterns. They are all done in single crochet following
a graph and Yes, the back side looks just like the front. That's
the beauty of doing it in single crochet!
HELPFUL HINTS... Please go to my website at http://www.citiusa.com/custom.html to download a simple free Preemie Heart pattern to practice on. Be sure to bookmark the page for later reference.
There are quite a few color changes
with this type of crochet, but it is very simple to do. When
ready to change to a different color, pull up the first loop
for a single crochet in the old color, then, pull the new color
through the last two loops to complete that single crochet. DO
NOT cut the old color, just drop it and continue in the new color,
following the chart. Change colors in this manner, whenever indicated
on the chart. (You can cut the old color when you are finished
with that color in that area.) Use your own judgement deciding
whether to carry a color under your work for a short distance.
This is usually done on the eyes and in areas where you only
need one or two stitches.
The balls of yarn tangle quite a bit while you are working. I keep them in a box next to me so they do not roll all over the floor. To keep the yarn from tangling too much, try turning your work clockwise one time and counterclockwise the next. Or use a yarn bobbin or ziplock baggie for each color and keep it close to your work.
To keep your place on the chart use a post-it note and move it after each row. Be sure to place your chart and instructions in a plastic sheet protector if you plan to use it again later.
You will have to weave in the tails
(cut yarn) either as you go or after you're finished. 
Leave about a
4-6" tail and then use a darning needle to weave the yarn
back in. Do a couple of whip stitches forward along the row (trying
to hide the stitches) and then at least one or two stitches going
backward, before cutting it off real close. When you are working
on small areas like eyes, mouth, etc., just carry the yarn along
under the crocheting so that there aren't so many ends to weave
in and thick lumpy areas where it has been woven in.
There are several ways to Enlarge a Pattern (see pics below). The center portion (with character) is done first, then you crochet rows around the edge.
(1) Basically, all you have to do is just
add more rows around the outside 
(see picture of Karate Bear where an add'l 40 rows
has been added all around the outside edge.
(2) It doubles the size if you do 4 sc for every square
of the graph (2 sc for each square then repeat the row) (See
picture of Dump Truck)
(3) It also doubles the size if you do 2 hdc for every square
of the graph.
I hope you will love your completed afghan
and be very proud of yourself when finished. I know your friends
and family will be pleased with your gift. Enjoy! Janet@CitiUSA
(http://www.citiusa.com) |
CitiUSA, 14711 Grandview Dr., Moreno Valley, CA 92555 |
Any
Suggestions? Custom Orders Welcome... 