Crochet, Anyone?

Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share
21

I don’t crochet, but lately I have been doing stained glass. Well, it’s actually not stained glass, it’s called gallery glass (you can find more information at plaidonline.com - they make the product). You can decorate your windows easily and it looks just like stained glass. You can also to tiffany lampshades, bottles, boxes, etc. They make wonderful gifts, are very inexpensive, and I really really like how nice they make my house look. It makes it seem like I actually know how to decorate (which isn’t always the case).

What I like best is if you aren’t too creative, you can still do it easily.

trisha

22

Wow! Didn’t know so many people here crocheted! Cool! I’ll let you know how I progress!

My great-grandmother was telling me recently that her mother used to tat. She said that her mother’s fingers just flew, and she made the prettiest things. That might be kind of neat, too. But I think I’d better just try one thing at a time.

Oh, and Shirley? Just let me know when you want to offload some of those potholders…:slight_smile:

23

Ah Persephone, in no time you will be making your own potholders.

I went through a year where my crocheting was at a peak and my budget was at a low, guess what everyone got for Christmas that year? Potholders and cross stitch stuff.

There are some cool patterns that you can find. I have found, though, that for pot holders cotton is far better since acrylic yarn can “melt” and scorch pretty easy. My step-mom had my potholders around for several years though even though they were acrylic.

BTW, don’t laugh at me but Vanna White (I’d like an “S” please Pat) has some awesome pattern books. Most of her stuff is more modern looking and not as antique (1800 - 1930s stuff).

I got the bunny blanket pattern from one of her books. She also has several “kid” themes – now I am inspired again!

So look around and you might find some cool patterns.

24

Okay, a question from the Clueless Newbie Crocheter–what is good? Is it a particular brand, cotton vs. something else, or what?

And if I ever get a potholder done, maybe me 'n Shirley can swap! :smiley:

25

Hi Cristi-

Well, I am crafty. Boy, am I crafty! I have gotten into almost every craft you can imagine, over the years.

I’ve done macrame, decoupage, shadowboxes, crochet, embroidery, quilting, silk flower arrangements, grapevine stuff with silk and dry flowers, sewing (not really a craft, I used to make ALL of my clothes,) memory books, and most recently stamping/card making. When I get into a craft I buy everything I need to do what I want to, and madly make stuff for everyone I know. When there is no one left to give stuff to, as I have made one of each for everyone I know and no one wants another, I get into my NEXT craft enthusiasm. It is nice, however, that I still know how to do these things, so if I ever get any new victims in my life, I can make one of each for them.

The only things I haven’t done that I would like to do are stained glass, calligriaphy (sp) and origami. I think origami is my next stop.

My gram taught me to knit when I was about 5 years old, and although both she and my mom were awesome knitters, I just couldn’t get into it. I got the skill okay, but it doesn’t move fast enough for me. Crochet was much more my speed, and you can make some beautiful things with crochet.

The thing is, you should only “push” this on yourself if YOU enjoy it. Everyone is creative in their own way, and if this is not yours, relax and seek whatever mode you enjoy. Or none, if you prefer.

FWIW, I think stamping/card making is something that you can do even if you aren’t especially crafty. I think that you can make really personal, beautiful and meaningful cards that your friends and loved ones will treasure just by “borrowing” ideas from books and card crafty friends. If you make them yourself, and add your own small touches, you will be giving your family and friends a piece of yourself.

You need to enjoy it, or there is no point.

Scotti

26

“good yarn” = name brand. No buying it at the Dollar City.
Red Heart is one, there are others. Anything you can get a giant skein of for $1.98 is NOT good yarn. Go to a yarn or craft store and see what they carry. Then buy it cheaper at Walmart. Actually, I don’t think Walmart has any “cheapie yarn” so try there, or the equivilent (sp?)

27

Scotti, you and my mom have got to get together one of these days. Yep. She’s like that. She did all the stuff you did, except shadowboxes & silk flowers. I still have a little decoupage treasure box she made for me for my birthday. I think I was seven or eight then. I love it.

She makes jewelry now. Her earrings are absolutely the best. So good, in fact, that I almost never wear any other earrings except for ones she’s made. So good that my husband, after seeing her stuff, got his ear pierced just so she could make earrings for him. One of the neatest things she does with the earrings, though, is if she can, she will try to make each individual earring just a bit different from the other. Like, she’ll reverse the order of the beads or something like that. It’s really cool!

My mom also does stamping and card making. They’re great, too. She’s also environmentally conscious, so at holidays & birthdays, she wraps our gifts either in the Sunday comics or paper grocery bags. If it’s the grocery bags, they’re stamped. I don’t think I’ve gotten a store-bought card or a gift in store-bought wrapping paper from her in over ten years. Okay by me, though!

Oh yeah–I just crocheted a chain! It’s not quite even, though. I think yarn and the hooks are not right for each other. The hooks are afghan hooks, but I don’t think the yarn is. The problem I seem to having is getting my left hand and my right hand to work together. They just don’t want to. I’ll keep practicing! :smiley:

The neat thing about my mom’s craftiness, though, is that she’s always aware of who the gift is for.

28

Whoops, forgot to finish that last paragraph. What I meant to say was that my mom tries to add a little something of the person she’s making the gift for to the gift. Like their initials, or their sign, or a favorite something. It’s always neat to see how she’ll work that in.

dragonlady-Red Heart, not Dollar Store. Got it. :slight_smile:

29

I do mostly cross stitch, but have a slowly progressing crochet afghan in the works also. I am looking for someone who can do an old timey stich, kind of a weave on large square aida cloth.

With all of you crafty people around here, I might stand a chance of finding someone finally who can help me with this. :smiley:

30

Persephone what letter size is your hook? I suggested earlier to get 4 ply yarn and a G-H size hook. They work well together. No one does and even first row of chains. You may have the right hook for the yarn but just haven’t gotten the skill down quite yet. Keep at it and you will get better. I chained something like 1 million chains (at least that is what it seemed like) before I felt comfortable with the technique. Oh, also mohair yarn is better than nylon yarn. There are also a couple different styles of afghan yarn that are still 4 ply but the brand escapes me at the moment.

HUGS!
Sqrl

PS.I have seen DrMatrix’s crochet. He is really good. :slight_smile:

31

A G hook is best for beginners, IMHO . It’s a nice size and easy to handle. Persephone, look on the back side of the yarn wrapper for patterns, they may be too complicated for you right now but you can save them for later. Once you get the chain down get Mom to show you how to join the ends. After that you are only a few steps away from a granny square.

Sqrl, will you marry me ?

32

I can crochet a straight line as long as you want. Well, as long as the yarn holds out, anyway. Then I can take that straight line and re-crochet it, making it a shorter straight line with a twist. Is there a market for either of those?

33

Silly Ayesha, of course I will marry you. First I will have to convert my sexuality and we could both dump or respective significant others. :wink: Bye DC, I am moving to Houston to live with Ayesha. LionSOB, don’t try to push yourself into our relationship. :wink:
Does anyone else here do “broomstick crochet?” I have in the past usually using a 6 inch ruler for the broomstick. It does wonders in a fabric making a nice loose stitch. I have never tried an entire afghan like that. I think I may soon. I wonder if it would hold together well.

HUGS!
Sqrl

34

If you are doing lace work where the chain is an integral part of the pattern, then the chain must be even. But, if a chain is used as as foundation for a row of stiches, it doesn’t have to be perfectly even. As you improve your technique with single and double crochet, you will find your chain stich will get better. So, if you are using yarn and making a mostly solid piece, don’t sweat the chain too much.

What is an afgan hook? I had something called an afgan hook that was long like a knitting needle. If that’s what you mean, you should get a normal short needle for regular stiches; the longer handle is needed only for afgan stich. Afgan stich is a nice stich (actually a family of stiches), but it will take a lot of yarn to see any progress.

Oh, yeah. I just remembered this: while you are learning, stay away from black or dark colored yarn. You can see the stiches much easier with a light colored yarn. Feel free to switch to darker colors later.

SqrlCub

Thanks for the compliment. I’ve seen broomstick crochet and read how to do it, but I’ve never tried it myself. You recomended mohair. I’ve never tried working with mohair so I don’t know what it’s like, but do you think it is good for a beginner?

35

Mohair isn’t too great for a beginner becuase it is so messy looking; however, it has a wonderful texture and feel. I started working with some mohair a few weeks after I started. There is also a nylon thread that has the feel of mohair but not the messiness associated with it. That could be a good trade out.

On the same lines of staying away from dark coloured yarn initially, stay away from multicoloured yarn too. I found that to be even more confusing as to where to put the stitches.

HUGS!
Sqrl

36

Sqrl said:

then Ayesha said:

I started with a J hook, but that felt too huge for my little fingers. I worked my way down to a G, and that felt just right! Thanks, guys!

I don’t know what kind of yarn this is–it’s not marked. The wrapper that it originally came in was gone when my mom gave it to me. I’m going to go shopping tomorrow & get some of the 4-ply stuff and try again.

Even thought the chain I made looks a bit strange, I must say, I did get a feeling of acomplishment from actually making it. I tried crochet once before, but I was about 10 years old, and got bored with it ver quickly. It was different this time. I enjoyed it. Even though I had to start over several times, once I actually got it sort of right, it was like, “hey, I’m doing it! Yeah!”

Of course, whatever thing I finish first will go to my mom, no matter what it ends up looking like. She’s a sentimental mushball, and she’ll love it no matter how butt-ugly it is, because I made it. I’m 33 years old, and she’s still like that. :smiley:

37

I bought some 4-ply yarn yesterday, picked up the G hook, and tried again. That was much easier! I just made one chain, about a foot long or so, but it looks much neater than the first one I made the other day. My mom is coming up today (we’ve got a bridal shower to attend) so I’m going to see if I can rope her in to coming over for a little while and show me how to do a few things. The book I’ve got is helpful, but I learn better by having someone actually show me what to do.

Potholders for everyone! Woohoo!

38

New crochet-learnr here, too! Just starting with the basics (sweaters are a long way off), but I do need some help.

Where can I get patterns for snoods? I love to wear these (the full sized-ones) but I can’t find these in stores anywhere, so I’ve decided to make my own. I asked the clerks in my local craft stores for snood patterns and got blank stares in return. And how do I best re-thread the elastic in my worn-out ones without it looking like a big mess?

I would be most appreciative of any help.

39

I didn’t even know what a snood is until I looked it up. I did a search for “crochet snood patterns” using http://www.metacrawler.com and came up with:
Crocheted Snoods-Bun Cover Links

I have not tried any of these, so you are on your own.

40

Well, my mom showed me how to do a single crochet, I think it’s called. I traded her a crochet lesson for some of the Love Potion #9 I made yesterday. :smiley:

What was interesting was watching my mom do it. The chain I made last night was too tight to really work with, so she whipped off another one to show me how to make them looser, and how to do the single crochet. She had a decent chain in oh, about two seconds. Hopefully someday I’ll be able to work like that. I kinda like this. :slight_smile: