Tips 'n Tricks

Do 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!

Saturday, April 02, 2005Name: Louise

Subject: Unravelling work

Comment: When I have to put my work down for whatever reason I find that a good way to keep my work from unraveling is to leave the hook in the work and then in a figure eight motion I wrap the yarn around both ends of the hook. do that a couple of times and then stick the hook into the skein to help keep everything together.

Saturday, April 02, 2005Name: Louise

Subject: Locking loose ends

Comment: My mother recently showed me a secret way of darning in the loose ends that is really discreet and solid. with a darning needle weeve over and under through the little v's on your crochet work 3 times. after the third under work back over the stitch you just went under and then stab the yarn into the loose end you just weeved in. this creates a natural lock with the yarn and it holds great. try it. but don't tell my mom i told you. it's suppose to be a secret

Wednesday, March 30, 2005Name: June

Subject: crochet storage

Comment: I have found that the plastic zippered bags that blankets come in are great for storing yarn and the little zippered bags that curtain valances come in are the perfect size for storing crochet hooks, small scissors and darning needle in. When taking a project with me, I find the large oatmeal containers with a hole cut in the lid make a fine caddy and keep the yarn clean, with room to tuck your hook, and other tools in. I always take a small project with me when we go somewhere...."just in case", the car breaks down, I get bored...or....whatever. I never miss a chance to crochet!

Tuesday, March 29, 2005Name: Kahud48

Subject: Tip

Comment: Use baby powder, it works real good when you need to make the needle slide in your hand better.

Sunday, March 27, 2005Name: Doreen

Subject: Wool

Comment: When starting any work, always pull the thread from inside the ball of yarn, as it's much easier to work with.

Thursday, March 24, 2005Name: Donna

Subject: yarn container

Comment: I travel in my motor home during the winter, and I don't want to get my yarn dirty while on the road. So I put it in a tall canister with a hole drilled in the top with a rubber groment to keep it from snagging. You could use a coffee can with the plastic lid. IT WORKS GREAT!!!

Wednesday, March 23, 2005Name: Gwen

Subject: hooks

Comment: I take some cream type furniture polish and put it in a small, cleaned out make up bottle. If it is the pump kind it is helpful. Then whenever the hook feels like it is dragging, apply a small amount on the hook and polish off with a tissue.

Monday, March 21, 2005Name: Christine

Subject: reading patterns

Comment: When I'm doing a challenging pattern, I use a clear plastic ruler to place on the line I'm reading. You can see in an instant where you are.

Sunday, March 13, 2005Name: Catherine

Subject: Age

Comment: Last thing! I'm 14 and when I first was crocheting consistently (about a year and a half ago) I was rather embarressed to say to someone that I crocheted, because obviously you dont want to look lame infront of someone. Well not only do I not care about that anymore, but it's not true. Never be embarressed or shy about crocheting even tho your young, age is only a number, and if you love something dont hide it! Be proud of your skills!

Sunday, March 13, 2005Name: Catherine

Subject: Counting stitches

Comment: Hello, me yet again, sorry hehe. After an hour plus of crocheting, the little v's the stitches make start molding together in my eyes and so it's hard to distinguish how many stitches you have done. That is, if your like me and forget to look away from the work ;) . So, what I've found works pretty nice, is instead of counting the little v's, count the posts of the stitch. Much easier, and theres not aton of room for error aside from losing count ;) Cheers

Sunday, March 13, 2005Name: Catherine

Subject: Reading patterns

Comment: Heya, me again. One thing I've noticed is that you cant try and read the pattern to make sure it'll work. Do exactly what it says on a test run (so dont cut off yarns or in the case of crocheting beaded thread and string together, dont do the thread yet), and see if it works. If so, congrats, undo , and begin working the actual thing. If not, see if you can find a way to make the stitches meet up. Sometimes people who write the patterns add or dont add 1 or 2 stitches that throws the whole thing off. Make needed adjustments and try again. Also look at the picture if you have one of the finished project you are making, and , using the pattern as well, figure out a way to make your work do what the picture does. Take it with a grain of salt, no work will look exactly like the one in the pic, which is a good thing :) Cheers

Sunday, March 13, 2005Name: 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 :)

Friday, March 11, 2005Name: 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.

Tuesday, March 08, 2005Name: 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.

Thursday, March 03, 2005Name: 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!!

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