Crochet

Patterns, projects and techniques

Six Must-Haves For Crocheters

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tulip etimo crochet hook

 

Good hooks – What’s your favorite hook – and why?  I have fallen in love with the newish Etimo Tulip Hooks.  They have really diminshed the amount of carpel tunnel pain I suffer.

Yarn/thread – I have rid myself of most of what I call mediocre yarn.  With thread, I use size 10 cotton almost exclusively.  Worsted weight cotton yarn has too much drag on it – does not slip smoothly enough on my hook – and taxes my wrist.  With yarn, I need there to be no drag across my wrist – no pulling or separating that requires extra effort.  That has ruled out a huge amount of my stash, some of which goes back to my beginning days as a crocheter about 15 years ago.  My newer requirements are that the yarn slide smoothly, effortlessly across my hook.  This is not necessarily a factor of price!  There are some really inexpensive yarns like Caron Simply Soft which fill the bill as well as many higher end yarns.

Tapestry needle – I prefer a blunt tipped, metal needle for weaving in all those dratted ends.

fiskars school scissors

Fiskars school scissors Best Value at $1

 

Scissors – Most any will do, but I have them all over the house!  The smallest ones, the folding variety, are the ones that earn their place in my crochet hook holder which goes everywhere my crochet goes.  Sharper is better.  One really good pair of scissors are Fiskars blunt point school scissors, the 5 inch long ones that usually sell for $1 during Back To School Sales in August.  Stock up!  They cut paper really well too.

ott light with magnifier

Ott Light With Magnifer, Floor Model, My Fave!

Light source – Lacking natural light, I have invested in Ott Lites that have the ‘true color’ bulbs.  These are essential for me.  But, I still won’t crochet a project in all black or navy.

Reference book/patterns – What’s your favorite reference book and pattern source?  I find myself going back again and again to the Crochet Stitch Bible, mostly for its ease in use (spiral binding), size (maybe 6X8 inches), and clarity of instructions.  Patterns come from a huge variety of sources – books, magazines, free tear offs at the yarn shop, and, of course, all those wonderful free online pattern sources.  Lately, Ravelry.com has been my go-to source.

Have I forgotten any essential?  Oh, a comfortable chair to sit in while crocheting.

 

Comments

  1. I think you forgot the trusty canine companion with accompanying fur embellishments for each project;-D

Have you read?

Crocheting Christmas Gifts? Make This Supply Checklist Before You Buy More Yarn

I have never met a crocheter who needed much encouragement to buy yarn. The trouble starts when the yarn arrives and the project also needs a smaller hook, stuffing, buttons, a tapestry needle and a shade of green that looks nothing like the one on the screen.

If you are crocheting Christmas gifts this year, a little planning before you shop can save several stops and starts. Pick your projects, check the patterns properly and make one supply list for the whole gift pile. You can still enjoy choosing beautiful yarn. You will simply know what it is for.

This checklist is especially useful if you are making several small gifts, such as ornaments, mug cozies or stocking fillers. If you order supplies online, Amazon Prime may be convenient for eligible items. Check the price, contents and delivery estimate for your address before ordering, rather than assuming every item in your cart will arrive together.

1. Choose projects that fit the time you have

Start by writing down the recipients and a realistic project for each one. A pair of elaborate amigurumi toys may be a joy in September and a rather different proposition in December.

Small pieces are easier to fit around everything else Christmas brings. Our free crochet Santa spiral ornament can be used as a tree decoration or gift topper. If you want more tiny festive projects, CraftBits has a crochet peppermint candy pattern to consider.

Read the entire pattern before adding supplies to your cart. Check the stated skill level, finished size and any assembly or finishing steps. A project that looks quick in the photo may have several pieces to sew together.

2. List the yarn by weight, fibre and amount

For each pattern, note the yarn weight, suggested fibre, colour and required yardage or metres. If you substitute yarn, compare more than the colour. A bulky chenille will produce a very different result from smooth cotton, even if both are labelled “cream.”

When buying crochet yarn on Amazon, check the amount in each skein and calculate how many you need. Leave a little allowance for gauge differences and joining pieces. If the finished size matters, make a gauge swatch with the yarn and hook you intend to use.

If pattern abbreviations or supply details are confusing, our guide to reading crochet patterns explains what to look for before starting.

3. Check every hook size before buying another set

Write the hook size beside each project on your list. Look through the hooks you already own before buying a new set just for one missing size. If you crochet often, a comfortable hook in your most-used sizes can be a better purchase than a large assortment you rarely touch.

For amigurumi, the hook listed in the pattern helps produce a firm fabric that holds the stuffing inside. Changing yarn or hook size can change the finished dimensions and the amount of yarn you use.

4. Add the finishing supplies people forget

This is the part of the list that saves me the most frustration. Depending on your projects, you may need:

  • Tapestry needles for weaving in ends and sewing pieces together
  • Stitch markers
  • Stuffing
  • Buttons or embroidery floss for details
  • Ornament hanging loops
  • Labels, tissue paper or small gift boxes

Check whether a kit includes these items before buying them twice. If you are making toys for a baby or very young child, avoid detachable small parts and follow appropriate toy-safety guidance; embroidered features are often a better choice than plastic eyes.

5. Work out the cost per finished gift

If you are making the same ornament for several people, buying the main yarn colours and ornament hanging supplies in suitable quantities may simplify the job. First calculate how many complete gifts the supplies will make. A big multipack only helps your budget if you will use it.

Include stuffing, finishing pieces and packaging in the total. Scraps from your existing stash may cover some colour changes, so shop your yarn basket before adding another six-pack of red.

6. Give yourself a finishing deadline

Aim to finish crocheting a few days before the gifts need to be wrapped. That leaves time to sew on the last detail, weave in the ends, wash or block pieces where appropriate and package them nicely. I know weaving in ends feels like a task for Future Me, but Future Me is usually busy wrapping presents.

If you decide to use Prime for your crochet supply shopping, check the current membership terms and the delivery date shown for each eligible item at checkout. Then put the parcel aside, make a cup of tea and enjoy the reason you bought it all: giving someone a gift made by your own hands.