Handicrafter Cotton - Bath Mat

[Shichemell]

Well now you got me thinking, and I may be asking you for help!. One of my foster dogs most likely will be going to his new home in two weeks. That will give me plenty of time to try this pattern edging, around a small log cabin pattern mat for him to have at his new house. Not so much for physical comfort, but something that is his and that new owner can teach him to go to his mat (she does not crate). So I get to try two new patterns, use up some yarn, and send him off with a little gift. He is only 30 pounds so I shouldn't have to spend days and days working on it.
Will let you know when I get to those pesky corners!

You bet!

What a great thing you’re doing! My cousin fosters animals as well. I have allergies, so I can’t even adopt an animal.

[dogfoster]

There are so many ways you can help out animals shelters or rescues and not even see an animal, or have to donate money. Sometimes even offering to write thank you notes for donations is a huge help! Or helping to manage their websites, or posting photos for them. I could go on and on, but if you are interested, just think of something you enjoy doing anyway, and I am sure you could apply your talents.

Dog mat coming along. I thought this log cabin look would be easy. Hmmm...Have a way to go until I get to the corners but have experimented holding my hook differently and that was good for a laugh.

[zhanie]

I am looking forward to seeing a picture

[dogfoster]

OK, I am already having problem with the edging and I haven't even gotten to pulling through the chains! On round 5 pattern says to 1 dcfp in each st to last hdc before ch8 sp. (1hdc,1dcfp)in next hdc. ch 8. (1 hdc,dcfp) in next hdc.

Should it be (dcfp,hdc,) in next hdc, ch8,(hdc,dcfp) in next hdc to make it symmetrical?

Thanks...
Well I have started adding the rows of DCFP and chs of eight and gotten three rounds done. It looks like terrible loopy mess! I see how to pull the loops through, but now I think I have been doing pattern wrong after thinking about the mitre square in the other CAL. So now my next question is, Pattern says to do the hdc and dcfp in the stitch before the chain. The ch comes out of the top of a hdc. Do they mean the stitch before that hdc which is dcfp. Though that gets back to my round 5 question, but anyway the stitch before the stitch that the chains come out of? In other words, the rows should be getting smaller over all instead of bigger like I am making them?
I know it is just a dog bed but still messy looking is messy looking. That is going to be a LOT of DCFP to take out.

[Shichemell]

I actually ended up doing dcfp then hdc before and after the chain 8s. I thought the same as you (I like symmetry) but I couldn’t get it to work. It worked out easier when I did dcfp first, and then hdc.

[dogfoster]

This whole edging thing was a big fail for me. I could get the video with the dishcloth, but some kind of way I didn't get the corners for this mat. I took out all those rows and figured one problem probably was that the yarn was thinner than theirs so I didn't use as many chains and experimented several times but gave up. I just put a few rows of HDC around the log cabin pattern of the mat, and reversed sc around for edge.
I did learn,
I love my clover hook so much, I found it, and will not lose it again!
How to hold crochet hook like pencil to alleviate tedium of rows of boring stitches and to add some clumsy amusement
How to wind yarn into ball with center pull end myself
How easy it would be to mess up log cabin pattern if you are not careful in counting your rows, I was very careful!
Tried that new way of making stitch instead of chaining at ends of rows which was probably not necessary but since I had to row through some row ends, it make symmetrical pattern of bumps for me to more easily work in.
But I did not learn how to master the jacob's ladder mat edge. Oh well, Lucas will like his dog mat just the same after I finish weaving in the ends.
Thanks for your help though.

[Shichemell]

If I was to make the mat again, there are several things I would change, including the number of chains in the corner. I think 6, or possibly even 5 would have been better.

What is the log cabin pattern. I keep meaning to ask that. Haha! And yes, I’m sure Lucas will be pleased either way. He’ll still feel the love.

I have GOT to find a place that sells those soft touch hooks. I’d love to try one, but I’m afraid of buying the whole set (you can find them for a pretty good price online) in case I don’t like them at all. Sometimes I wish I lived in the states where there seems to be a BUNCH of yarn stores.

[Shandeh]

What is the log cabin pattern. I keep meaning to ask that.

Here's Bernat's Log Cabin pattern, using Denimstyle yarn.

[dogfoster]

Those hooks really are nice. Now I have lost my tape measurer but I'd guess the metal shank on it is about 1 1/4" so if you are doing pattern that leaves a lot of loops on hook at one time, like Catherine Wheel, it is hard to use, but otherwise handle part very comfortable. Can you just order one and try that?

[dogfoster]

Here is picture of the dog mat based on log cabin design. It will go with my foster dog to his new home this weekend, but Bonnie, my dog, the photo op ham, is on it. Interestingly, my foster got on it and sat several times on it as it has been difficult to teach him sit, he has injury.
Anyway about the pattern, I thought the mitered corners of bath mat would make nice edging for all these 90* angles. It is BC rescue so used variegated b/w. Gave up on mitered corners, couldn't figure it out. This pattern used six different colors. To get the full effect I should have made one more round of all the colors. I read one post where someone only uses five, so it would be interesting to see how that works out. From what I have heard, my foster's new home is impeccably decorated but I am not fearing a problem with probable color clash, his new owner is so anxious to have her new companion, and I am sure she will appreciate it.
This is very tedious pattern, rows and rows of hdc, if you zone out you could easily turn and add color on wrong row end throwing off pattern, lots of working into ends of rows, lots of ends to weave in. But it does use up lots of stash yarn, tight pattern ideal for dog mat, and would make very nice warm afghan.