Clock Hotpad - part 1

a circular dc hotpad

For this hotpad, I'm going to break a rule of thumb -- the one on how to substitute for a dc. Usually one substitutes a ch3 for the first dc of a round. I find it nicer in cases like this to substitute "sc1, ch2" instead -- for the simple reason that it looks more like a dc.

This hotpad begins just like the last dc hotpad -- with a ch-4 loop. The increase scheme is exactly the same as before. The "magic" number is still 12. The big difference is that this one is knit circularly instead of in a spiral.

Materials:
size 7 hook (4.5 mm)
2 skeins worsted-weight yarn (I used leftover Peaches & Creme white for the main color and burnt orange for the contrasting color.)

Finished size: 6 1/2" in diameter

Directions:
Using main color, make a ch-4 loop.

(Make a slip knot. ch 4. Slip stitch into 1st chain -- the slip knot -- to complete the loop.)

Rnd 1: sc1, ch2, dc11 into loop. Slip stitch into second ch st of rnd.

In other words, sc1 in the loop. Then ch2. Then dc11 in the loop. As before, when coming to the end of the round, hold the tail next to the chain sts and dc around both the tail and the chain sts to hide the tail.

Finally, since this is circular, make a slip stitch -- to end the round. The first picture show a completed first round.

Round 2: sc1, ch2, dc1 into same st, dc2 into next st 11 times. Slip st into 2nd ch st to end round. (24 sts)

For Round 2, sc1 into the next st. Then ch 2. Then dc into the same st as for the sc. (The second picture shows this.) Then, dc2 into each of the next 11 sts. The round ends as before with a slip stitch.

Round 3: sc1, ch2, dc1 into same st, dc1, * dc2 into next st, dc 1 * 11 times. Slip st into 2nd ch st to end round. (36 sts)

"sc1, ch2, dc1 into same st" is a substitute for dc2 into the same st.

Round 4: sc1, ch2, dc2 into next st, dc 1, * dc 1, dc2 into next st, dc 1 * 11 times. Slip st into 2nd ch st to end round. (48 sts)

"sc1, ch2, dc2 into next st" is a substitute for dc1, then dc2 into next st.

Cut yarn. Weave in loose end.

Next time, we'll start crocheting with a contrasting color, burnt orange. In crocheting, it's often easier to cut the yarn and weave in the end than try to try to hide the yarn when starting a contrasting color.