Mahanu🚧 Draft — not final. This page was auto-generated as day-one scaffolding for the project and still needs a human pass before it reads as finished. The blanks and placeholders below are intentional — someone who runs this project should fill them in and delete this notice.
Stitch ladder & projects
Two ladders that climb together: the stitches (each learned until even and automatic) and the projects (each a finished object that forces the next stitch into use). Learning stitches in the abstract is boring and doesn't stick — learning them because a dishcloth needs them does.
Stitch ladder
| Stitch | Abbrev (US) | Learned? | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Slip knot | — | ☐ | where everything starts |
| Chain | ch | ☐ | the foundation row; keep tension even |
| Single crochet | sc | ☐ | the workhorse; short and dense |
| Double crochet | dc | ☐ | taller, faster, drapier |
| Increase / decrease | inc / dec | ☐ | how flat becomes shaped |
Reading a pattern: the abbreviations above are the language — once sc, dc, ch, inc/dec are known, almost any written or video tutorial opens up. Learn to read a simple pattern early; it multiplies everything.
Gauge / tension (why nothing is the right size at first)
Same hook, same yarn — count the stitches over 10cm and write it down. Beginners crochet too tight; loosening comes with mileage. Gauge is why the scarf came out narrow.
Project ladder (one finished make at a time)
| # | Project | Teaches | Done? |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dishcloth | tension, a straight edge, sc | ☐ |
| 2 | Scarf | staying even over length, dc | ☐ |
| 3 | Granny square | working in rounds, colour changes | ☐ |
| 4 | A small gift | putting it all together | ☐ |
The rule: finish each object, however wonky, before starting the next. A finished wonky dishcloth teaches more than a perfect half-scarf abandoned.