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HOLDING YOUR HOOKS – IN STYLE

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We all need a way to corral our crochet hooks.  I have several hook holders at home.  Most fall into the broken handled mug category.  That is, the container was originally intended for some other use – coffee, tea, plants, pencils – but has been repurposed to hold my ever increasing collection of hooks.  This can get messy.  As I’m not an innately organized human being, I try to keep the hooks together when not in use – but that’s as far as I get.  They’re not organized by size, type, or anything else.  I just throw them all together in a container.

For travel, my favorite ‘container’ is a small zippered leather purse that efficiently holds a nice selection of hooks, small scissors, a Bates metal gauge tool, a small tape measure, and some safety pins or other stitch markers.  I have to dig thru this little thing to find the right hook, but it works for me.

What works for you?  Here are some ideas:

This one is for the ‘seriously organized’ crocheter who doesn’t overindulge his/her hook acquisition syndrome to the extent that we would need several of these to hold our collection:

http://www.execulink.com/~jhewitt/cw/CrochetHookHolder.htm

This one is just inspired!  It’s not only practical, it’s also decorative.  Gives a whole new meaning to ‘crochet wall art’.  I want it!!

http://www.futuregirl.com/craft_blog/2007/10/ive-got-fever-and-only-prescription-is.html

Then, there are the more traditional, if attractive, pouches.  Here’s one you can buy the pattern for at annies attic.  It’s really cute….

http://anniesattic.com

If you search for ‘crochet hook holders’, you’ll find nearly as many different styles as there are crocheters.  They can be crocheted, felted, machine or hand sewn, carpented (is that a word??), woven, molded (as in pottery), or scavenged – my preferred method.

I’ve got my favorite hook holders.  What’s yours?

 

Comments

Have you read?

Shock Wave Free Crochet Lap Blanket Pattern

This Free Shock Wave Crochet Lap Blanket Pattern from Mary Maxim looks like one of those wonderfully satisfying projects that gives big cozy payoff without fiddly detail. Mary Maxim lists it as a free download, designed as a crochet afghan/lap blanket, with a finished size of 45 x 50 inches.

What immediately stands out is the yarn choice. The pattern is made with Bernat Blanket Extra Thick, using 5 skeins, and calls for a U.S. U/50 (25 mm) crochet hook. That is gloriously chunky territory, which usually means fast progress and lots of squishy texture. If you are in the mood for a project that feels substantial in your hands and grows quickly row by row, this one definitely has that appeal.

Mary Maxim describes the blanket as having a beautifully textured, plush, soft finish and suggests it as a project for home décor or gifting. Based on the materials and oversized hook alone, that sounds about right. This feels like the sort of blanket you make for curling up on the couch, draping over a chair, or giving as a practical handmade gift that will actually get used instead of folded away “for best.”

The pattern is marked Easy, and the listed stitch requirements are straightforward: chain, repeat, double crochet, single crochet, and slip stitch. That makes it sound approachable for confident beginners and very appealing for anyone who wants a relaxing crochet project without too much counting drama.

I also think the lap blanket size is a smart one. Not every crochet blanket needs to become a giant commitment that takes over the lounge room and your will to live. A 45 x 50 inch blanket is a useful, manageable size for gifting, for wheelchairs or reading nooks, or just for keeping on hand for chilly evenings. That practicality gives this pattern extra appeal. The usability point is my own take based on the finished dimensions Mary Maxim provides.

At the moment, the pattern page shows no reviews, so there is not much customer feedback to go on yet. Still, if you enjoy easy crochet blanket patterns, super chunky crochet throws, or quick lap blanket projects, this one looks like a solid freebie to save.

My overall take? This looks like a fast, cozy, beginner-friendly crochet blanket pattern with plenty of texture and instant-gratification energy. Very much the sort of project you start because it looks easy, then keep going because the yarn feels ridiculously soft.