Binary 'I Love You' Scarf

My boyfriend, Erik, programs mainframe computers. These are the ones that handle banking and credit card transactions, and they are huge. Programmers don't actually program in binary anymore; they have many many programming languages which the computer translates into binary. Still, I knew that binary would be relatively easy to convert into a pattern. I used this binary translator, but any binary translator you find on the internet should work, too.

There is lots of color changing going on in this scarf. Here is a video on How to Crochet Color Change Without Knots. I found it very helpful and useful. Alternatively, you can slipstitch up the side of the fabric. This means there are not tons of ends to weave in, but you do have some odd looking stitching going up the side. Adding an edging up both sides or all around will cover it up.


Here is "I Love You" in binary:
01101001-
00100000-
01101100-
01101111-
01110110-
01100101-
00100000-
01111001-
01101111-
01110101
Each 8 digits represents 1 letter/character. In this pattern, the space is coded for, partially because I liked the fact that it made for 10 lines of code. You'll have 160 rows when your done, and it's about 6 feet long if your double crochets are about 1/2" tall.

Abbreviations:
dc = double crochet
ch = chain

Color A = 0 (black in example)
Color B = 1 (red in example)
1 row = 3 ch + 40  dc
Turn work after each row.

In A, ch 40
*in A, dc 1 row
in B, dc 2 rows
in A, dc 1 row
in B, dc 1 row

in A, dc 2 rows
in B, dc 1 row
in A, dc 2 rows
in B, dc 1 row

in A, dc 6 rows
in B, dc 2 rows
in A, dc 1 row
in B, dc 2 rows

in A, dc 3 rows
in B, dc 2 rows
in A, dc 1 row
in B, dc 4 rows

in A, dc 1 row
in B, dc 3 rows
in A, dc 1 row
in B, dc 2 rows

in A, dc 2 rows
in B, dc 2 row
in A, dc 1 row
in B, dc 1 row

in A, dc 1 row
in B, dc 2 rows
in A, dc 1 row
in B, dc 6 rows

in A, dc 4 rows
in B, dc 2 rows
in A, dc 1 row
in B, dc 1 row

in A, dc 2 rows
in B, dc 1 row
in A, dc 4 rows
in B, dc 1 row

in A, dc 3 rows
in B, dc 1 row
in A, dc 1 row
in B, dc 1 row
in A, dc 1 row

Repeat from *star to make it long enough.
Fasten off final tail.

It will say "I Love You" twice.

16 lines: 10% Finished
"I L"

32 lines: 20% Finished
"I Lov"

80 lines: 50% Finished
"I Love You"

Finished. Showing half. Came out to 7 feet by 1 foot.

Finished, folded upto see better contrast.

If you have any questions, leave me a comment.


Binary 'I Love You' Scarf by Jessica A Prescott is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License.

The Basic Circle

I did not come up with this pattern, but I've noticed it's reappearance in many circular patterns I've used. Want to make a coaster or a trivet? This is the place to start. Also good for a circular dish towel, the base to a mug cozy, or even the bottom of a stuffed toy! I've included two variations.

Abbreviations:
sc = single crochet
ch = chain
slst = slip stitch

With slipstitch rounds and chains to go up: can leave a visable line (spiraling out from center) at row joinings, especially on the back of the work.
Do 1A or 1B.
1A. Start a magic ring with 6 sc, slst closed
  Photo tutorial available here.
  Video available here.
1B. ch 6, slst to form ring, ch 1, sc 6 into ring, slst closed
2. ch 1, 2 sc in each sc around (12 sc total), slst
3. ch 1, *2 sc in 1st sc, 1 sc in next sc* repeat around ring (18 sc), sl st
4. ch 1, *2 sc in 1st sc, 1 sc in next 2 sc* repeat around ring (24 sc), sl st
5. ch 1, *2 sc in 1st sc, 1 sc in next 3 sc* repeat around ring (30 sc), sl st
6. ch 1, *2 sc in 1st sc, 1 sc in next 4 sc* repeat around ring (36 sc), sl st
Continue adding 1 sc to each repeat until the circle is as large as you'd like.


Working in a spiral: eliminates spiral line, requires a bit more counting and paying attention.

Do 1A or 1B.
1A. Start a magic ring with 6 sc
  Photo tutorial available here.
  Video available here.
1B. ch 6, slst to form ring, ch 1, sc 6 into ring
2. 2 sc in each sc around (12 sc total)
3. *2 sc in 1st sc, 1 sc in next sc* repeat 5 more times (18 sc)
4. *2 sc in 1st sc, 1 sc in next 2 sc* repeat 5 more times (24 sc)
5. *2 sc in 1st sc, 1 sc in next 3 sc* repeat 5 more times (30 sc)
6. *2 sc in 1st sc, 1 sc in next 4 sc* repeat 5 more times (36 sc)
Continue adding 1 sc to each repeat until the circle is as large as you'd like.


Here is a sampling of things I've made recently which incorporated the Basic Circle. The captions are links to the patterns, all free!

Lop Bunny

Froggie Coaster

Tribble Coasters

Kokopelli Applique

Kokopelli Applique

                        Before Application        

                                                                                                           After Application

Yarn: Fingering weight
Hook: 3.5mm

Abbreviations:
ch – chain
hdc – half double crochet
slst – slip stich

Magic circle video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WLuSVyKvoUg

Body:
Start with a magic circle. This will be the head.*
ch 1hdc 10 into the magic circle.
slst last hdc to ch
ch 25 (chest, stomach, 1st leg)
slst into 2nd ch from hook, slst 9 (1st leg)
ch 13 (crotch, 2nd leg)
slst into 2nd ch from hook, slst 9 (2nd leg)
ch 16 (back)
slst into beginning of ch stitches, forming the neck
slst 3 (chest)
ch 6 (1st arm)
slst into 2nd ch from hook, slst 4 (1st arm)
slst 2 (chest)
ch 8 (2nd arm)
slst into 2nd ch from hook, slst 6 (2nd arm)
slst 9 (stomach)
slst ch which starts leg 1
slst 2 (crotch)
slst ch which starts leg 2
slst 16 (back)
Fasten and weave in tail to back of head.

Flute:
Pull loop through 2nd hdc clockwise from neck.
Fasten starting tail and weave through back of head.
ch 5
slst to 1st arm
ch 1
slst to 2nd arm
ch 4
Tie tightly and cut tail.

Hair:
(similar to flute, four strands)
Pull loop through hdc on top of head (suggest 3rd, 4th, 5th, & 6th clockwise from flute)
Fasten starting tail and weave through back of head. Tails of hair can also be tied to one another before weaving through back of head for further security.
Four lengths of hair:
  ch 7 for longest
  ch 6 for next
  ch 5 for next
  ch 4 for last
Tie tightly and cut the end tail.



*Using a magic circle helps keep the head the right proportions and without a hole in the middle. If you'd rather there be only an outline of the head instead of a solid one try this:
ch 10, slst to form circle for head
after slst back to neck, slst around head to maintain outline thickness




Kokopelli Applique by Jessica A Prescott is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License.