Latest Forum Posts by: dievomdeich

Years ago, I wrote down a saying my aunt used to try to make the right- and left-leaning increases from the strand between stitches easier for me.

I left the front door open, because I’m back in time.

It didn’t help me, though.

Happy wedding anniversary, Andrea! 🥧
Keep enjoying your vacation and have lots of fun.

Sitting on top of the dike and watching ships

Dear Pinky,
I’m quickly sending you my warm belated birthday wishes too.

Best wishes, Marlies

Basically, half double crochet, double crochet, treble crochet, and post double crochet are probably familiar.
Double crochets are actually suitable for almost everything. I think they're ideal for all kinds of filet crochet. I like crossed double crochets for shawls/sweaters.

Especially for thick yarn, I've discovered the boho double crochet for myself. With it, you have three loops on the hook (as with a regular double crochet). Then you pull the yarn through the first loop and then through all three loops. Of course, you can also crochet this with any other yarn.

For a color change in crocheted pieces worked in the round, the standing beginning double crochet is an alternative to the chain foundation, which unfortunately always remains quite visible. For the standing beginning double crochet, you put the slip knot and a yarn over on the hook. Then you insert the hook through both loops of a double crochet and pull the yarn through. You work these three loops -as usual- in two sets of two loops. The standing beginning double crochet is finished.

For straight pieces too (and grannies), the standing beginning double crochets (also called false double crochets) are an alternative to the three turning chains, which don't make the edge look very nice. Here you pull the loop up to about the height of a double crochet, hold it in place with your thumb, then go behind the loop with the hook and bring the yarn to the front. That gives you two loops, which are then worked together. The edge looks much more even.

I hope I've explained this clearly. You can find good explanatory videos on the well-known platforms.

I’ve also given away a larger butterfly in a frame and decorated greeting cards with little butterflies. For a golden wedding anniversary, I wrote a poem, glued it onto gold photo cardstock, and attached butterflies to the outside.

Recently, I saw a photo of a crocheted curtain made entirely of flower chains. Butterflies would work great in that, too.
For a birthday coffee party, I crocheted little butterflies. I scattered them across the table as decorations, and the guests were allowed to take them home.

Hi Angela,

that’s a nice idea, but I don’t think it’s worth the effort. Not everyone appreciates that kind of handiwork—I agree with the previous commenters.
You’ve already gotten some great suggestions.
How about a homemade game? There are some nice patterns here, like the turtle memory game or the fish game.
I’ve often covered cans of cocoa, iced tea, or similar items with colorful paper. They’re great for storing things or simply for playing can toss (with crocheted balls).
Of course, all of this assumes that the preschool approves.

Best regards, Marlies

Thanks, Monika!
There isn’t much pampering going on here, because he still doesn’t have his new teeth. It’s been like this for half a year now. It’s really annoying with all the endless waiting, because the health insurance has to approve everything over and over again. I’m slowly running out of soup ideas...

Best regards,
Marlies

Congratulations and all the best—but above all, get well soon so you’ll be back on your feet in no time.

Warm regards
Marlies

Great idea, Inge! I’ve already painted a few and put them to good use.
My husband also keeps them on his workshop shelf for odds and ends that would otherwise just be lying around.

Best regards, Marlies

Thank you, dear Inge—I wish the same for you and your loved ones.
I also wish all users and readers a merry and cozy Christmas.
I hope you all have a wonderful time.

Season’s greetings
Marlies

I realize that everyone has to calculate their prices and cover their costs.

I just don’t understand why you often get free patterns that are absolutely top-notch in terms of layout, illustrations, and page count, and then you come across a pattern that costs €5–6 and is just terribly done.
You don’t have to take a new photo for every stitch. Spelling mistakes don’t make a good impression either.
If you write to an author because it just says “M” there, and she replies and then later corrects her answer again, I find that concerning as well.
I also think it’s terrible when a pattern has obviously been run through a translation program. Often, you’re left guessing what you’re supposed to do.

For the most part, I’ve bought very good patterns here at CP, but you can also end up with a total dud.

Dear Gabi,

Happy birthday and all the best for your new year. Enjoy being celebrated and have a wonderful day.

Warm regards
Marlies

Oh Andrea, what a special gift you received from your kids! I can imagine you were absolutely thrilled.
Your Advent calendar book sounds interesting. You’ll be surprised, and you can surprise someone else, too.
Hugs, Marlies

Dear Inge,
belated but very heartfelt congratulations on your birthday. Above all, I wish you good health so that you can continue to create many wonderful things.
Warm regards
Marlies

Dear Inge,
your post really touched me. The sister pillows were a wonderful idea. How lovely that your sister was so happy with them and that this has brought you even closer together.
I wish your sister in particular—but also you—lots of strength for the difficult time ahead.

At the same time, I’d also like to give you a big compliment here for all the beautiful things you’ve made again. I really admire your dedication.

Best regards
Marlies

As a “reader only” of the newsletter, I use it as a starting point when searching for a specific pattern.
If I like one, I then look to see who offers something similar that I might like even better, or where the price suits me more. Sometimes that has also led me to discover something completely different in the seller’s shop that I ended up liking even better.  That has worked well for me so far.
Along the way, I’ve often found offers in the broad-ranging newsletter that I wasn’t even looking for. Even if it was just to put them on my favorites list for later use.

Personally, I don’t necessarily see the newsletter as advertising. Designers can advertise with free patterns.
Before I buy a pattern, I first check whether something free is offered. That lets me see how the patterns are structured and whether I can get along with the style. If something appeals to me, it can easily turn into an “ongoing relationship.” But it can also be that I chose a pattern because I was totally enthusiastic about it, and then I couldn’t get along with the free “sample item” at all. Then I skip the purchase, even if I thought the product was great.

On this occasion, my thanks go to all designers who offer free patterns and thereby bring buyers a lot of joy, or at least provide help in making a decision. I appreciate your work!

Whether such a specialized newsletter, as requested here, is feasible is something I personally dare to doubt. To me, that sounds like so much effort that CP probably cannot manage it.

Best, Marlies

CP is a great resource! You can almost always find what you’re looking for—and even things you weren’t even looking for.
The community here on the forum is one of a kind. Chatting with like-minded people isn’t just a lot of fun—you’re constantly learning new things, too. For almost every question, someone has an answer or some tips ready.

The only thing missing is the ability to edit posts, because sometimes you make typos or think of something else later.

Best regards, Marlies

In addition to lots of curtains, blankets, and table runners, I’ve crocheted christening gowns using the filet technique.

Years ago, I used artificial grass in the kitchen. It had special drainage nubs on the bottom and lasted forever.

You just have to love this one—I want to give it a big hug right away, Inge. You’re a true artist!

Belated happy birthday and all the best.

Warm regards
Marlies

Congratulations and all the best in your new year of life.

Warm regards
Marlies

Thank you. I wish you all a wonderful Mother’s Day weekend, especially all the doll and teddy bear moms.
Take good care of yourselves.

Best wishes
Marlies

Wow, Inge, that dirndl turned out great. I can just imagine how thrilled your daughter must have been. You did a great job!

That’s such a cute little chocolate bear, Inge. I’m always amazed by your great ideas.

Dear Inge,
I hope you feel better soon and make the most of your weekend.
Best regards, Marlies

I used to wear a lot of turtlenecks, but I don’t really like them that much anymore. The V-neck suits me best—it creates a lovely elongating effect.
In the summer, I try to switch between different necklines so I don’t end up with a “tanned V” to go with a crew neck again... smile.
I also like cowl necklines.

A stylist once told me that if you have a larger bust, you should also wear larger necklines. Then your overall look appears slimmer.

Today I’m crocheting a sweater, jacket, and pants for Rieke.

Hi Julia,
no, unfortunately that’s not it. The “Bombi” I’m looking for is (if I remember correctly) the little brother in a brother-and-sister pair. They also had a dog.
The book’s title is probably more like the sister’s name, but I just can’t think of it.
Best regards, Marlies

The bags look really classy, Inge. They're really great!
Your girls are going to love them.

I have a blouse and a dress where there’s a small piece of fabric between the back of the fabric and the backing button. I guess it’s there to protect the fabric.

Those look really comfortable, Inge. I'm sure you'll get a lot of use out of them. It's great when you can make something like that.

Thank you so much. It’s 25° in the sun. It’s only really cold where the sun doesn’t reach.

Petra: Yes, there were some brief problems again, but now everything’s okay and all the tests have come back normal. My vaccine reactions are also subsiding. I got my second shingles shot on Thursday and had some real trouble. Everything hurt. I even thought I’d been run over by a tank. I couldn’t hold a crochet hook for a few days because I had cramps all the way to my fingertips. I’ve never had such a severe reaction to a vaccine before.
Next week or the week after, we’ll get our second booster shot.

Veronika: Everyone comes to see the cherry blossoms, but I think the pale pink apple blossoms are much prettier. The Alte Land is always worth a visit.

Monika: Let’s see how spring progresses. The flowers are popping up everywhere. But it’s still freezing pretty hard at night.

I’ve always been a self-confessed Schlager fan!

Music show or talk show?

An acquaintance of mine used them a lot, especially for children’s sweaters. I guess that keeps them from stretching out so quickly.

Personally, I’m not a big fan of post double crochet stitches, even though I think the pattern looks nice.

It’s just like in real life: sometimes you lose weight, and then you gain it back again… lol.

You picked a great color combination, dear Inge. I really like your scarf, and the idea with the lace is really great. I’ll definitely do that for my next project, too.

A big thank you also to you both, Steffi and Petra.

After 16 days in Altes Land, I’m back home and back to my daily routine. Today I was in Cuxhaven under bright sunshine to exchange my driver’s license and enjoy some delicious fish.

Warm regards,
Marlies

Belated happy birthday!

Best regards, Marlies

The two of us made ourselves comfortable, played Yahtzee, and watched TV. On Christmas Eve, we had red potato salad and sausages; on Christmas Day, we had duck legs with red cabbage, potatoes, and gravy, along with coconut pudding.
On the second day, I was alone. He went to visit our children and granddaughter. He had a fun day; I had a quiet, cozy one.
Today and tomorrow, we’ll be eating leftovers.

That looks great, Inge.

Best regards, Marlies

My kids think they don’t have a mom anymore.

Congratulations and all the best.

Best regards, Marlies

All the best, warmest wishes, and happy birthday!

Best regards, Marlies

Nice socks, Inge.

Petra, guess who else... haha.

Best regards, Marlies

Dear Sandra,

belated but heartfelt birthday wishes to you.
May all your wishes come true.

Warm regards,
Marlies

Cyclamen

If only they had been fleece blazers, Ina. They were those simple fleece jackets with elastic at the bottom that bulge out everywhere and always remind me of bomber jackets. And then there are men’s sizes for women—nothing fits right anymore.

Best regards, Marlies

Moose