# I finally bought a crochet hook! yaaay **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [October 29, 2011, 3:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-finally-bought-a-crochet-hook-yaaay/601149 "2011-10-29T03:15:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2011, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-finally-bought-a-crochet-hook-yaaay/601149/81 "2011-11-03T16:45:35Z")
As long as you have a tool as long as the blanket is wide (or reasonably close), sure, you can do a Tunisian crochet blanket that way. ---
**Author:** ![Sudden\_Kestrel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecd19e/32.png) [@Sudden\_Kestrel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sudden_Kestrel)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2011, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-finally-bought-a-crochet-hook-yaaay/601149/82 "2011-11-03T18:57:51Z")
> [@Hello\_Again](#): > > I have my eye on this pattern: > [http://www.crochetme.com/media/p/123950.aspx](http://www.crochetme.com/media/p/123950.aspx) > > But I have an awful lot of projects to complete before I can focus on that one. Oh, that is _gorgeous_! I’m working on a very similar basketweave stitch pattern right now (in acrylic, since it’s a practice piece) and I love the clean look of it. I think the pattern you linked is in my future. I can see my niece (vegetarian and size -4) wearing that top. > [@rachelellogram](#): > > Very cool. I’m really excited about Tunisian because it builds up fast, and no need to turn the work. If I used the long cable you’re talking about, would it be possible to make a whole blanket one row at a time, without having to connect separate squares later? Sure, you could do that. You can also crochet it in strips as wide as will fit on a standard Tunisian hook and as long as you want the blanket. That way you only have 4 pieces to join and you could play around with color and pattern, too. **rachelellogram** , keep in mind when you buy Tunisian hooks that you usually use a hook 2 sizes larger than what you would use to achieve similar gauge with a standard hook, so buy at least a size I/9 for your first one. ---
**Author:** ![Rachellelogram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rachellelogram/32/8689_2.png) [@Rachellelogram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rachellelogram)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2011, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-finally-bought-a-crochet-hook-yaaay/601149/83 "2011-11-03T20:00:40Z")
> [@Sudden\_Kestrel](#): > > **rachelellogram** , keep in mind when you buy Tunisian hooks that you usually use a hook 2 sizes larger than what you would use to achieve similar gauge with a standard hook, so buy at least a size I/9 for your first one. How does gauging work anyway? And what’s the point? I have just been buying random yarn and random hook sizes so far (whatever looks nice and feels the most comfortable), because I’m not using specific patterns. I figured gauge only mattered if I was trying to follow a pattern or using special self-striping yarn or something. ---
**Author:** ![Hello\_Again](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/85e7bf/32.png) [@Hello\_Again](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hello_Again)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2011, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-finally-bought-a-crochet-hook-yaaay/601149/84 "2011-11-03T20:29:28Z")
> [@rachelellogram](#): > > How does gauging work anyway? And what’s the point? I have just been buying random yarn and random hook sizes so far (whatever looks nice and feels the most comfortable), because I’m not using specific patterns. I figured gauge only mattered if I was trying to follow a pattern or using special self-striping yarn or something. Yes, gauge refers to the dimension of your stitches and matching gauge only really matters if you are trying to follow a pattern or closely copy another work. Even in many patterns, like for toys or blankets, gauge doesn’t matter as long as you don’t mind if the pattern comes out a bit smaller or bigger than the picture. Most likely if you use a yarn similar to the recommended yarn, and a hook similar to the recommended hook, you’ll be close enough for government work. However Gauge is SUPER important for following wearable patterns, since your body is one specific shape and we have this kooky notion that clothes should “fit.” 😃 The other time gauge is a bit important is if you are choosing a fairly different yarn than the one recommended (such as a pattern written for worsted yarn, and you want to use sock yarn). Then you’ll need a gauge swatch – a large square that you measure and figure out how many stitches to the inch with your desired yarn and stitch pattern – and some math skillz to convert the pattern to your new yarn. In \*\* kestrel\*\*'s post she’s referring more to drape than gauge per se - the density and stiffness of what you’re making. If you usually use a G hook, in crochet, to get a similar effect in density/drape, you’re going to go up a hook or 2 in tunisian hooks, to a H or I tunisian. ---
**Author:** ![Sudden\_Kestrel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecd19e/32.png) [@Sudden\_Kestrel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sudden_Kestrel)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2011, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-finally-bought-a-crochet-hook-yaaay/601149/85 "2011-11-03T21:15:56Z")
> [@rachelellogram](#): > > How does gauging work anyway? And what’s the point? I have just been buying random yarn and random hook sizes so far (whatever looks nice and feels the most comfortable), because I’m not using specific patterns. I figured gauge only mattered if I was trying to follow a pattern or using special self-striping yarn or something. **Hello Again** explained it beautifully. Gauge can also be an issue if you tend to hold your hook and yarn very tightly (as many people do when they first start crocheting). If you’re following a pattern and find that your pieces are smaller or more stiffly woven than they “should” be, or even that you’re having trouble working into the stitches, you might want to increase your hook size to compensate. I don’t think you need to worry about gauge much at this point. I just wanted to be sure you didn’t end up with a size G Tunisian hook that was too small for a good result with a worsted weight yarn. Not that that has happened to me, mind you! ---
**Author:** ![Saltire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saltire/32/553_2.png) [@Saltire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saltire)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2011, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-finally-bought-a-crochet-hook-yaaay/601149/86 "2011-11-03T22:46:51Z")
> [@rachelellogram](#): > > Do you have pictures of any of the toys you’ve made? I’m curious to see! I don’t imagine kids would like to chew on acrylic. Just thinking about it gives me the cringing willies. :eek: The thing is, pure acrylic is pretty scratchy. My mom made me a couple crocheted scarves when I was a kid, and I really REALLY hated the feeling. The soft wool/acrylic blend I’m knitting with now is a lot softer, though, and it’s adequately stretchy. I might just stay away from pure acrylic forever. I really don’t like it ☹ I don’t have too many pictures online of my crochet. I think the only project I posted a picture of on Ravelry was a set of turtles. Look for it in the completed projects thread in the SDMB Yarnies group. I agree about the feel of acrylic. For scarves and hats and such, I like washable wool, which is a blend of a little wool with acrylic. Lion Brand calls it Wool-Ease. Almost as cheap as 100% acrylic, but feels a lot better. But I do more crochet in cotton that anything else. Just because I tend toward toys and other objects rather than wearables. ---
**Author:** ![Rachellelogram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rachellelogram/32/8689_2.png) [@Rachellelogram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rachellelogram)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2011, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-finally-bought-a-crochet-hook-yaaay/601149/87 "2011-11-03T22:47:15Z")
Thanks for the understandable explanation. I appreciate the hook size recommendation, too. As a rule, I’ve been getting knitting and crochet implements on the larger size of the spectrum anyway. I’m not aiming to crochet lace or anything with tiny details yet. The bigger tools make for bigger projects more quickly, and I’m all about observable results 🙂 I really need to learn how to crochet some small bells by Christmas (for ornaments for my mom), because her grandmother made a bunch that my mom still has. I think replicas from a younger generation would make for a nice nostalgia piece. I saw a couple videos on youtube that were sort of helpful. It doesn’t look too hard, but it does use some more advanced stitches. I’m working up to it! ---
**Author:** ![Becky2844](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/91b2a8/32.png) [@Becky2844](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Becky2844)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2011, 5:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-finally-bought-a-crochet-hook-yaaay/601149/88 "2011-11-04T05:41:16Z")
Just realized this is a crochet “thread.” lol ---
**Author:** ![Rachellelogram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rachellelogram/32/8689_2.png) [@Rachellelogram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rachellelogram)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2011, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-finally-bought-a-crochet-hook-yaaay/601149/89 "2011-11-04T17:13:49Z")
Well Joann’s didn’t have a size I or 9 hook, but they had a size H and J. So I bought both! I’m able to do a couple rows of Tunisian with no problem. After that the edges start to curl up a lot, and I have trouble getting the right loops at the end of the forward pass. Practice makes perfect, though. I think I’ll try to learn Tunisian purling, because one of the videos I watched said early purling prevents curling. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-finally-bought-a-crochet-hook-yaaay/601149.md?page=4)