HOW TO MOVE FROM YARN TO THREAD, A BEGINNER’S GUIDE

I THINK THIS WAS MY FIRST DOILY

For most beginners to crochet, yarn is far easier to work with than thread.  Thread is teeny, slippery, and seems to have a limited number of applications (not always true.  More on this later.)  Yarn, especially worsted weight acrylic  worked with a good ‘G’ hook is a great way for a beginner to learn the basics.  Thread, the stuff of doilies and filet, is often seen as a challenge one will face in the distant future, a worthy goal, but one that can seem awfully far away.

My dear friend DJ Mollerus is the person who got me to transition from yarn to crochet.  I may have written a bit about this before, but I wanted to share how she did this.  It was such a smooth transition, I hesitate to say ‘seamless’ because you’ll think I’m making a pun.  Not so.

Want more filet patterns? Check these out on Etsy and  these Filet Crochet Patterns books 

First, she showed me a baby sweater pattern she had that called for size 10 (bedspread weight) thread and a ‘G’ hook.  That’s an unusual combination.  But, with DJ’s gentle encouragement, I dutifully moved forward with the sweater.  Piece of cake!  The sweater was a success and I felt like I had conquered Mt. Everest.  Humble, aren’t I?

Still a bit leery of starting something like a doily, I took another suggestion from DJ.  In doilies, gauge is not of the essence.  So, take a larger thread, say size 3 or 5 instead of 10, use the appropriate hook, and crochet away.  I did so.  Another success!  A large doily is just another name for a table runner or place mat, right?

Fearless now, I tackled my next thread project, a doily with size 10 thread and a size 6 metal hook.  Not tiny, but small enough to be intimidating to the uninitiated.  That turned out fine too.

MY FAVORITE DOILY – FROM SHEILA’S SCHNAUZIES WEBSITE

What I learned through this process was how adaptive crochet can be.  Because my eyes aren’t what they used to be – see all that white hair in my picture (yes, I’m prematurely white, but till not a Spring Chicken) – I stopped trying to make doilies with size 10 or 20 thread and a teeny metal hook.  I now will use the smaller thread but typically use a ‘C’ hook.  The doilies turn out nicely and I don’t suffer from eye strain.

So, if you’ve been afraid to jump into the deep end of the crochet pool (the filet end), give this technique a try.  I’ll bet you’ll have the same success I’ve had.  And, while you’re crocheting your first ever thread piece, think of my good and wise friend DJ.  It was all her fault!