By Bonnie Barker, guest designer/blogger I have a confession: I love the look of knitted stitches, but I don't enjoy the process of knitting. I guess I'm a crocheter”heart, body & soul”for better or worse! This is why I am so very excited about designing crochet patterns that mimic knitted stitches. The stitches I incorporate into my patterns are based upon the most fundamental crochet stitches: single, double, and treble crochet; slip stitch and chain. If you already know these basic stitches, you will be able to learn these new stitches, and I dare say learn them quickly and easily. I have personally taught these stitches to children as young as eight years old. One of my students who has significant learning disabilities recently won a blue ribbon at our county fair for a scarf she created using one of these Aran stitches. That said, I understand that written patterns can sometimes be a bit confusing. We all learn in different ways. That's why I have posted videos of the stitches used in many of my patterns online at BonnieBayCrochet.com, at no charge. Through the miracle of technology (using a mirror or flipped-image button) they are available for both right and left-handers. Right-handers Left-handers (That's the only time you'll see me doing anything left-handed!) So, if you're one of those crocheters who have been hesitant to try this Holiday Cables Throw, thinking it's too difficult or complicated, I would like to encourage you to pick up some leftover yarn, watch a video or two and give it a try! Jeanne, who is currently crocheting this throw said, The pattern is just challenging enough that my brain is engaged, yet I can relax at the same time. Happy crocheting!
