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| Featured Pattern of the Week: Pretty Frilly Flower Bookmark |
        Interested in knitting? Visit our sister site: Knitting Pattern Central  | Tips 'n TricksDo you have a helpful hint or handy trick that will make any aspect of crocheting easier? Share it! Post ideas on scrap yarn usages, stitch markers, starching, hook organization, color changing, maintaining your sanity while following a difficult pattern, etc. There is most probably someone out there that will benefit from your help. Need ideas yourself? Read others' comments--we all live and learn! Name: Catherine Subject: Tension Comment: An add on to Gina and Lynns about hand tension. I've noticed that people , including myself, tend to hold onto the hook closer to the hook end vs middle or other end. But , when your hand starts cramping up or feeling tight , instead of just stopping crocheting or working through it, slide your hand back a bit and sorta balance the crochet hook in the palm of your hand. Your fingers are not even actually -gripping- the hook. Instead they are just sorta holding it in the air, and since the whole thing is balanced, you can crochet with minimal wrist movements and theres no tension of holding onto it. Really helps. It may feel a bit clumsy at first, and it might not work for all types of stitches depending on what is required, but for most of the stitches it works nicely :) If your needing to do stitches say like the bullion , where your hand may need to be up a bit, try resting your elbow on the arm of a chair or put a pillow underneath your elbow to support it, that way you can still have minimal tension in the hands and you can move your arm at the end of the day :) Mocheting uses really long hooks (also very thick) and your hands and arms practically never cramp up using that method. I personally am not huge on large hooks but the method works wonderfully. Cheers :) Name: Mary Subject: Crochet Storage Comment: I found that the clear plastic bags you get when you buy new sheets and or blankets are GREAT for crocheting. I use the small one for my yarn, they'll hold up to 3 skeins at a time, lays flat and I run the yarn thru the hole in the zipper tab. This helps keep the yarn in control and helpful hands, such as cats, can't take off with it as much. When I have to change colors my yarn is there and I just run it thru the zipper tab. You can still zip the bag almost closed.This really keeps the yarn from running away from you even in a balled state. I put the project in the larger bag. I can see what I've got going and keeps everything clean; as well keeping it well contained as the project get bigger I just keep it in the bag and turn it over as I start the next row. Hooks, tape measure and sissors are at the ready too inside the bag, where I can find them. Great for traveling too, security can see whats in the bag without having to maul thru it. Name: Laura Subject: Crochet Hooks Comment: I'm 17 and I love to crochet but hate losing my hooks so my aunt sewed me a little zipper bag to hold all my hooks. Now they all stay in one place and it makes things easier. Name: Kathy Subject: Make finishing easier Comment: I have learned to leave long ends when changing threads, 3-4 inches, and use a tapestry needle to weave them in when the projectis finished. This has come in handy with motif afgans. It may seem like a lot of work in the end, but if you find an error, it beats trying to find where you hid the loose ends when re-doing the piece. Using the needle is faster then using the crochet hook when weaving! It also gives you a second chance to look over and discover mistakes you may not have earlier noticed during your crochet frenzy!! Name: Summer Subject: Weaving In Ends Comment: When I change balls of yarn, instead of leaving the ends free to weave in with a needle, I hold them at the top of my row and crochet right over them for 8 or 10 stitches. Not only does it save a bit of time, but it holds the ends in more securely. Name: Elisa-Maria Subject: Holding Thread Comment: You can attach a paper towel holder to the wall, then put your ball of thread on. It unwinds easily and won't run away from you! Also long enough for double thread crochet. Name: Elisa-Maria Subject: Organizing Hooks Comment: I tend to crochet in the same chair, so I installed a magnetic knife rack to the wall next to the chair. Whether I'm getting up to chase the cat or going to bed, I just stick the hook (and leave the project attached) to the magnet. I also have a threaded needle and a small pair of scissors on there, as well as a couple other sized hooks for easy switching. Name: Krysten Subject: age Comment: You don't have to be old to crochet I am only 13 and I think it is fun so if you are young and thinking about starting go ahead Name: Hannah Subject: crochet needles Comment: if you have to go out of town or something like that and you want to bring your crochet needles. Put just a few in one of those plastic tooth brush travel cases. It works good. Name: Barbara Subject: storing Comment: i use a clear plastic makeup bag for needles tape measure and other small items. The bags are not expensive and hold a lot of your small items. Name: Tabatha T. Subject: Small Hooks Comment: When I am working with the smaller size hooks for thread the end of the hook will press into my palm, because these hooks are shorter then my other ones. I solved this by slipping a point protector for knitting needles over the end. It works well, is inexpensive, and one pack will cover the ends of just about every smaller hook you use. Name: Fifi Subject: row markers Comment: I use safety pins to mark my rows. Then when I have completed a panel, I can pin the panels together and whip stitch away. Name: brandi cline Subject: row markers Comment: I have found that the large metal paper clips work absolute wonders on the edge of my rows. I just mark off every twenty, and they come off extremely easy. No more dealing with yarn. Make sure to use the very large metal ones. Plastic ones can get hung on the fabric. Hope this helps :o) Name: Cheryl Subject: plastic bag crochet Comment: I think that using a rotary cutter and long quilting-type ruler would be a great thing to get the plastic bag "yarn" strips cut straight and be sure they are all the same width! Name: Melyssa Subject: lost hooks Comment: Hi! I love your website. iv'e just started crocheting not too long ago. One way to keep your hook in a safe place is to stick it in your ball of yarn. Thanks! 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