crochet pumpkin gone mad - HELP!

[Red Rock]

Since it is that time of the year again for "seasonal" items, I thought it would be fun to make a crochet pumpkin. So I found the picture/pattern and thought I would give it a try. I will post my "oyster looking" pumpkin and what it should really look like.

Is this what should be happening when you increase in a circle? Or will it take shape once it becomes stuffed in the end? Should I post some of the pattern icase I am not reading correctly?

Thankyou for your help.

Red Rock

[Blueberry]

It looks like you've crocheted multiple rounds, instead of crocheting "in the round." How many "edges" do you have?? If copyright allows, go ahead and post, and I'll try to help:)

CA

PS - it's cute!!

PPS - I knitted a felted pumpkin basket last year:)

[Biciclista]

It looks like a crochet Lichen! how did you do that? it's kinda cool :p

[Red Rock]

CA_in_NC-I have done 5 circles from the center. It started doing this before and I tore the whole thing out and started again. Now I am having the same problem.

So as not to infringe on copyright laws this is where I found the pattern: Crochet World October 2008 pages 12 and 77 by Jocelyn Sass.

Rnd 1: Starting at the bottom with fall, ch 2,6 sc in 2nd ch from hook, join in first sc, turn. (6 sc)

Rnd 2: Ch 1, 2sc in each sc across, turn (12 sc)

Rnd 3: Ch 1, [sc in next sc, 2 sc in next sc] around, join in first sc, turn (18 sc)

From 3 until 14 the instructions are the same. I think oince I get this going in the right direction I should be able to figure this out.

Red Rock

[Blueberry]

OK - I think I might see the problem. When you start round 2, where are you putting the single crochets? They should be in the "tops" of the single crochets you've already done. It sort of looks like they're all starting from the middle. You should be going around in a circle in the stitches you've just made one round before.

If that's not the problem, I'll get out a hook and see if I can figure out what it is:)

CA

[Blueberry]

I just read that again. Ignore the "turn" instruction. I think that's what's screwing it up. If I'm reading it correctly, you should be crocheting a circle flat, and then working up the sides (with the 1 in 1 and then 2 in 1). That will get you to the fat part of the pumpkin. You do a round, join, chain, and then do the next round.

ETA - The only way I can think you should get that if you increase in a circle is if you're doing about 10 stitches in one - it really looks like there are multiple edges.

It is a cute pattern!

CA

[Red Rock]

Yes that is what I have been doing. To your first reply the second time.

I also have been turning this thing around once I finish a circle. So I will be going one direction and finish the loops in the last single crochet, then do another chain stich, rotate/turn and go back the same way that I just finished putting two single crochets in the tops.

[Red Rock]

Ok, I have gone back and restarted. This time I am doing a chain then double stich twice in each upper loop as you mentioned CA_in_NC. As you can see it is taking on the lichen/oyster look again. Perhaps this is how it is to happen.

Red Rock

[Blueberry]

Ok, I have gone back and restarted. This time I am doing a chain then double stich twice in each upper loop as you mentioned CA_in_NC. As you can see it is taking on the lichen/oyster look again. Perhaps this is how it is to happen.

Red Rock

Very strange. I just tried a few round, and mine isn't doing that at all. At the risk of asking a dumb question, you aren't chaining but once, right? That could definitely make it ruffle. Also, what do you mean by doing a double stitch twice?? Otherwise, I'm stumped:confused::confused:

[Red Rock]

Perhaps I am not reading the directions correctly?? I am doing a chain then going into the next single chain and doing two single crochets into the back loop of the last round. Does this help?

Can you post a pic of what it should be like please?

[Blueberry]

I'll try to dig out my camera this evening:)

I'm a little confused by what you say you're doing. The only place you should have chains (other than the beginning) is the beginning of each round. So, you do your 6 sc into one chain, join with a slip stitch, and then chain one and do 2 sc into each sc from the previous round. Does that make sense? Then the next round, you join again, chain one, and alternate doing 1 sc into the sc of the round before or 2 sc into each sc of the round before.

CA

[Red Rock]

Thankyou CA_in_NC. I am continuing to problem solve this. Wish me luck??

[Duck on Wheels]

Sometimes needlework patterns aren't all that intelligible. You might want to drop by your friendly local yarn store and ask them to show you what you're doing wrong. As I understand it, the chain stitch is just the one loop to bring you up one round's breadth from the round you've just finished. And the ruffling might come from adding in too many stitches on a given round. Although ... You don't want this thing to be entirely flat either. It's supposed to be flat for a few rounds, then turn upwards and look bowl-shaped, then turn inwards again to close off the top. You want to add enough stitches to keep it growing flat at the bottom, then add fewer stitches for a couple rounds so it turns upwards, then reduce stitches to turn it inwards. Maybe you can even just work without the pattern, watch it grow and just make it grow in the shape you want row by row.

[Blueberry]

OK - this is what I have after 4 rounds. Not the best picture, but you get the idea:) And, of course, best of luck:)

CA

[Red Rock]

CA_in_NC- thankyou for your help!:) I really appreciate it very much. Something I noticed was I was not single crocheting in the first X number of single crochets before doing the double crochet through the rest of the circle.

Also, I have done many searches on the internet and ask.com to get help. I came across a video of someone actually doing this in video form. That was where i picked up the error of the single crochet when starting the next round. It is those single crochets that make the item become circular. It also helped actually watching someone do this.

Give me some time and I might have figured this out. I hope.

Once again, thankyoiu for your help.

Red Rock

[Tuckervill]

Can't wait to see the finished project! :)

Karen

[invsblwmn]

You ladies are a trip! I barely can sew a button back on much less make a pumpkin or anything else recognizeable with yarn. Very nice work!

[salsabike]

Hey, Red Rock, what you just said has me wondering--where in the instructions does it say to do double crochets? You don't mean the stitch "double crochet", right (which is different, and is longer, than a single)? You mean doing two singles as it says in the directions?

[mudmucker]

I don't crochet but I'm enjoying this thread. Pumpkins or lichens - they are both very lovely in their own way.

[Red Rock]

Hello All:

I am glad I am making your TE reading enjoyable:):D.

I have continued with what I was doing and it has become a lichen WAY out of control. I am hoping that when I do just a single crochet in each "loop" it might mellow out. I will see...progress...half a skein forward only to tear it out and to start again 3-4 times later.

salsabike: To answer your question, I am only doing two (2) single srochets in one loop, not the double crochets.

I think part of the problem might be the size of the needle/hook that I am using. Again, I'll see when I am finished or have torn it out a few more times only to start again. I could see doing this with a larger hook. For me I think it would make it much easier. The directions say to use a G 6/4 hook.

Happy reading and cycling!

Red Rock

PS: my husband now calls it the flower.

[salsabike]

Once you get to Row 3--and you may already be doing this--they want you to do ONE single into a single, then TWO singles into the next single, then ONE again into the next single, then TWO..etc. So you don't do two singles into the single below every single time, but every other time.

If you are already doing that part right, sorry! Hard to tell via posts...

[Red Rock]

Salsa:

That was the mistake I figured out from the video. I have been reading the instructions pretty carefully as well. I am using row markers so I know where "start" begins otherwise I would never remember especially the way it looks now.:o That is why I am waiting this one out a bit.

Red Rock

[salsabike]

Let it percolate for a bit and do a different one. And if it's any comfort, I've done the "whee, I've got it right---damn, I have to rip it out and start all over" thing more than once. More than twice, even. :rolleyes:

[Tokie]

Oh my goodness - this is exactly why I never have wanted to crochet or knit. Carol!

[channlluv]

I thought the first one was a really pretty flower, but I'm just so impressed by CA's sample of it (and you had orange yarn handy, too!). How lovely.

My last attempt at crocheting was a hat for my daughter. I measured her head carefully, but it still turned out too small. It looked pretty, but man, it was one loooooooooong chain stitch. That's the only one I know how to do. Ha!

I look forward to seeing the finished pumpki-lichen.

Roxy

[salsabike]

Artists would say that RedRock has committed a happy accident and that she should remember this when she wants to make oysters, or flowers..

Check this out: http://www.theiff.org/reef/index.html

[Blueberry]

I'd love to know what she was doing too - I do some free-form crochet, and that would be lovely to add in (on) a piece:) It is lovely:)

I actually had a little bit of yarn left from the (knitted) felted pumpkin basket I made last year.

CA

[Pax]

You ladies are a trip! I barely can sew a button back on much less make a pumpkin or anything else recognizeable with yarn. Very nice work!
Right there with ya! I look closely at my sweaters sometimes and try to figure out how on earth they do that. :p

[Red Rock]

I love all of your assorted comments. They make my reading here entertaining too.

Yes, this might be a happy accident, but I still think it has potential. My pattern is looking like what it should be. They only problem is, it is not stuffable until further down the road so to speak. They do not tell you as you make an item that it might take on strage and bizzare shapes before reaching the final product.

Red Rock

[Brandi]

I hope we get to see a picture when you are done! This saga has me wanting to make one too. But I have never crocheted before! There are some great video's on utube for it though. There is one where a boy who is maybe 13 shows you how to make a hat! i couldn't believe it! He seemed like your every day average kid too. Like as soon as he was done showing you he would be out skate boarding with his buddies! Go figure!

[Pax]

I love all of your assorted comments. They make my reading here entertaining too.

Yes, this might be a happy accident, but I still think it has potential. My pattern is looking like what it should be. They only problem is, it is not stuffable until further down the road so to speak. They do not tell you as you make an item that it might take on strage and bizzare shapes before reaching the final product.
Red Rock

It could be a Halloween coaster?

[Red Rock]

This might be the halloween brain coral brought up from the sea.

I took another picture so all could see what it looks like. My hunch is once I get closer to the end point and stuffable it will all fill out. I have put my hand inside this thing and it will expand out and look like it should.

Persistance counts..

Enjoy!

Red Rock

[Red Rock]

Ok here is the update.....

I am almost finished with this. I took the advice of many people here and visited the craft shop and got some needed help. I was doing a lot wrong to answer all of your questions. I guess Ican make great lichens, brain corals as needed:). I'll I have to do is stuff this and it will be an instant pumpkin.

Here it is:

[Blueberry]

Yay!!! It looks great!

I'd actually like to know what you were doing wrong, though. The brain coral was pretty cool!

CA

[invsblwmn]

Preeetty! :D

[Red Rock]

Thankyou for all of your kind words. I am just glad I was able to get this figured out.

CA: what was doing that was wrong?
1. Not turning the piece
2. Not doing what was in the brackets around the whole row.

I think that was it. Now I have done enough circles, you would think I would remember how to do this.

My next item is to somehow use up, give away, or something, all of my red heart yarn. When I went to the shop they were all talking about how "bad" it was and I felt awful sitting there using the stuff. I might become the expert in pumpkins and other "crafty" items to get them all used. I could use them to make hats on those lofty loombs that come in a variety of colors and donate/give them away to a shelter here in town. My neighbor does that. I could help add to the collection.

Red Rock

[Blueberry]

If you like knitting/crocheting with it - don't feel bad! It does have a place - especially for folks who can't/won't hand wash (kids, etc). Some places will take yarn donations (unknitted) if you really want to get rid of it!

CA

[Biciclista]

what's so bad about redheart yarn?
because it's acrylic? Donate it to a senior center. If my grandmother was still alive, she'd want it!

[malkin]

Senior centers or Boys' and Girls' clubs, after school programs--someone will take it and use it happily.

Using fancy silk, or soft cotton, or wool with a little lanolin can spoil a hand worker in a hurry. There's nothing really wrong with Red Heart, it's just a preference.

[malkin]

And Red, I think you should write down what you did at first, and make several of them in different sizes and colors and submit them to a crochet magazine as a series of lichen and coral patterns!

[Red Rock]

Thanks for your collective input here. I will think on these things.

Are you serious about submitting this to a mag? Would they even take it seriously? If something was submitted, I think I would be beyond myself in amazment.

Red Rock

[Biciclista]

I think you could do it. Pick the right colors and make a display, take some nice photos, why not?

[malkin]

I've seen much stranger patterns published! So if you've got the inclination you could certainly prepare a submission.

Another possibility would be to make up the lichen/coral in some hemp and call it an environmentally friendly dish scrubby.

[nancielle]

what's so bad about redheart yarn?
because it's acrylic? Donate it to a senior center. If my grandmother was still alive, she'd want it!


I second this suggestion. The senior center here is always looking for donations. Many of their members knit hats/mittens/gloves to give to the local shelters.

A few years ago a friend of mine solicited donations of leftover yarn to use with her program (women on probation). They had to attend classes at a corrections center daily. They each worked on a square (knit or crochet) that they donated to "Warm Up America" http://www.warmupamerica.com/home.html She commented that while working on the squares the women opened up and discussed issues going on in their lives far more than when they simply sat in a group. They also felt a sense of satisfaction that they were helping to make a difference to somebody.

[salsabike]

The pumpkin looks perfect! Nice job, especially in the "how humiliating that I can't figure this out, but I INSIST that I will!" category.

[Red Rock]

Salsa- yes, I thought I had it all figured out but alas, I didn't. I had to go for help. I guess I am to hard headded sometimes. Not that often though.

I still have my yarn. However, I am thinking what I will do with it. There are other "crafty" type things that I still want to make so it might find a good use for itself after all. I guess if I ever get around to making a sweater or something to wear, I would think to use a different yarn from that store.

Thankyou,
Red Rock

[carpaltunnel]

Actually you've made a lot of progress on one project in one month. Don't you know you're supposed to start one, see another cute idea and get started on it, see another cute idea...etc?

I have a halloween pumpkin project that I spend about 45 minutes on every year for the last five years. And a quilt project I started about 10 years ago, I actually saw the same kit (completed, on display ) at the state fair this year. So it took her 10 years to finish, big showoff, I've got one block done and another started.;)

[malkin]

Carpal is right! That's a big advantage of crochet over knitting--the crochet hook is free while knitting needles are held hostage by the work.

Chief among the reasons I ever finish a knitting project is to liberate the needles so I can start something new.

[carpaltunnel]

Chief among the reasons I ever finish a knitting project is to liberate the needles so I can start something new. Or you can buy another pair of needles! :D

[Blueberry]

Or you can buy another pair of needles! :D

Or just put the stitches on some scrap yarn - just don't put it aside long enough that you forget what the needles were supposed to be:)

CA

[Red Rock]

Or you can buy another pair of needles!

I've done that already. Completely stocked. Now just have to buy lots of yarn:D

just don't put it aside long enough that you forget what the needles were supposed to be

Did this too. Recently had to take something apart because I removed the hook to put it back with all of my other hooks. Can't loose those.

Don't you know you're supposed to start one, see another cute idea and get started on it, see another cute idea...etc?

Well now I have started on some fish bean bags for the nephews. These along with some quilts my neighbor and I made will be their gifts. I hate and really love going to look at yarn. There are so many different colors and combonations of colors that when I look at all of them, I see all of these projects I would like to be doing. I just have to concentrate on the one project that I think I want to do now. I will work on the rest of those ideas later. Once I have my yarn chosen, I have to sigh, and say to myself I will come back later to look. It kind of reminds me of looking at bikes. The only exception is that yarn is a little cheaper.

Red Rock