Kinda Sorta a pattern?

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So I failed once again to do this last week. I know, I suck. Eventually, I will get this mommy/blogger/crocheter/knitter/business owner/homemaker/home educator thing down. If I'm wrong, don't tell me!
Anyway! One of the many, many, many, many (MANYMANYMANYMANY) things I've been working on lately has been a stitch sampler blanket. Different crochet stitches all worked into one afghan that will eventually be a plethura of beautiful weavings for a lucky someone's Christmas present. Now, I say this is a pattern, but what I'm really doing is a brief overview of each stitch I've done so far. So you can replicate the blanket if you like, but mainly I would love to hear about your favorite stitches, how you use them, if you've used THESE stitches, if so for what? You see where I'm going with this? Good, let's do this:



Each stitch is a link to a video on how to do the stitch, and you can also sign up for the New Stitch A Day Newsletter, which I HIGHLY recommend!
The Grit Stitch: DISHRAGS. Oh my God, I need so many dishrags made with this stitch, and I will have them. This is such a quick stitch, it has minimal yarn usage, and the texture would cut through anything I just know it. I have a 100% cotton yarn made from recycled denim - can you say Christmas presents? Say it with me, "Grit stitch, dishrags, Christmas presents." (Anyone else having Dora The Explorer flash backs??)
The Wattle Stitch: When I think waddle I think duck, rubber duck, BATH TIME! Washcloths - different than dishrags - are a must for this stitch. Why the differentation? This stitch is softer. The grit stitch is well, gritty! The wattle stitch has more of an "Ahh..." sinking into a big bubble bath feel to it. It's beautful, simple, and kind of a yarn eater, but I wouldn't call it "stash buster" necessarily.
Picot Trellis Stitch: My boyfriend loved this stitch. My best use for it would be a table runner or cloth? He suggested curtains, but... Nah, I'm not loving that idea. It's a simple, quick stitch, and very conservative with yarn. I would recommend using bright or pastel colors. I used a dark brown, and I felt like my picot got lost.
Wide Double Crochet Stitch: This stitch is great, quick, simple, and not too hard on the stash. The best way I've seen it used was as a border on my son's baby afghan. It really made the c2c pattern go BAM! Good eye, Nana ;)
The Crunch Stitch: This is another fun texture stitch. I got a little irritated with it for no particular reason. I just got bored, I think. It's another good dishrag stitch.
The Ridged String Network Stitch: I loved this one. It was fun and simple, and it has a great look to it. I would love to do a shawl or a classy verrigated scarf with it.
The Side Saddle Cluster Stitch: This one is very pretty, but it's a yarn buster. I'd recommend going with a a scarf or even a hooded cowl.
Crochet Ribbing: This stitch is great fun! It takes a little time and uses about as much yarn as the crunch stitch. I would think this would be an adorable doggie sweater.
The Track Stitch: Holy Moses YARN DEVOURER and time consuming but a gorgeous stitch. It's totally scarf material.
The Bars and Loops Stitch: Love, love, loved this stitch. Definitely going to use it for a cute beach bag for some loved ones. It creates a really sleek looking mesh fabric that I think would lend itself very well to a speckled yarn.
Front and Back Loop Single Crochet Stitch: I'm going to be frank here, this stitch irritated the pee water out of me! It's exactly what it says. I didn't give it much time or credit. Maybe I was executing the stitch wrong, but it doubled my stitches every row, made my afghab start to wave, used up way too much yarn for a sc stitch and way too little pay out in my humble opinion. I didn't like it at all, and as a result, only did one row on my blanket therefore not giving it much of an opportunity to manifest. Maybe someone else can pull this stitch out of the toilet for me, but for now, I'll call it a bust.
The Double Crochet V Stitch: This one's a bit of a yarn pig, but I dig the way it looks. I think it would work up a fast lap blanket or baby afghan, and it lends itself well to a verrigated yarn. I feel like it's a stitch that needs to be finished with a really nice, but basic border, though.
There ya have it! Now, let us have it: favorite stitches, ways to use them, and your own reviews of these.
Location: Berea, KY, USA

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