First Crochet Class Project

Finished Crochet Chain Bracelet

Some of my friends and their very young daughters wanted me to start a knitting and crocheting group to help them learn. Thinking like Maria in the Sound of Music  it has to be fun, and the conversation Molly Gunn had with Ray in Uptown Girls, fundamentals are just so important! The first class project in crocheting is learning to chain stitch, but of course what are you going to do with a bunch of long chains made with chain stich! Make jewelry of course! This project uses a chain stich, secured by a bead, and made out of a chain stitch cord. Variations are possible...like making braided bracelets out of three chain stitch cords! Not only fun, but it works with pretty much every bit of scrap fiber and any crochet hook you have around! And it's fun for all ages, and the grannies who have trouble holding the hook...you can just pull the loops through with your fingers and not have to have a hook at all!First step is to crochet a long chain. I used Rowan Cotton Glace and a C/2-2.75 mm hook to make a chain that is about 30 in (75 cm) long. Then crochet it into bracelet lenght. My wrist usually likes 7 in but this is stretchy, so lots smaller, about 5, but you can work it out. Then leave one end the chain and one just a string, or you can do both strings, or both chains depending on your bead. Then just thread the ends through the bead and it can act as a cinch. If you don't have the right bead, a button actually works too, but doesn't look as nice. Then knot the ends so the button won't slip off. Very easy. I'm planning to make the red white and blues this year, I think it will be a big hit with the kids, even boy ones!