topic Re: Question for crocheters.. in Home

Question for crocheters..

qualitygal — Mon, 02 Jul 2018 10:15:52 GMT

In looking through the pattern/idea books I have now, I know I want to eventually do the afghans, baby blankets (for the hospital, or wherever they are needed). I also want to crochet the stuffed animals. I'll sew the nose and eyes, no buttons for little hands and for safety's sake. My question is for the granny squares and the afghans and I assume the stuffed animals, I'm just going to be working with certain stitches. Is this a true assumption on my part? What ones would you suggest for these items that for sure I know? Love the colors used for baby blankets.

Re: Question for crocheters..

BeccaLou — Mon, 02 Jul 2018 11:12:04 GMT

You will be working with a variety of stitches but it all depends on what the pattern states for stitches. And I don't kow what stitches you know. For a granny square it is usually one stitch combined with a slip stitch.

Re: Question for crocheters..

Pook — Mon, 02 Jul 2018 11:30:36 GMT

@qualitygalLike previous poster stated, it depends on the pattern. All crochet stitches are based on the basic single crochet. Most patterns explain how to do the stitches you will need and are not hard to learn.

Re: Question for crocheters..

I am still oxox — Mon, 02 Jul 2018 11:43:50 GMT

I have made granny squares since I have been 11 but these days I do it on instinct I can not give written instructions.

Best suggestion look up the pattern on YouTube

You will be using single crochets, double crochets, chain and slip stitches

Re: Question for crocheters..

Eileen in Virginia — Mon, 02 Jul 2018 12:02:23 GMT

@I am still oxox wrote:
I have made granny squares since I have been 11 but these days I do it on instinct I can not give written instructions.
Best suggestion look up the pattern on YouTube
You will be using single crochets, double crochets, chain and slip stitches

Pinterest has a ton of ideas/patterns for crocheting. Some are simple and others are more complicated. They also have tips for getting around common crochet problems. Just enter Crochet in the search bar.

Re: Question for crocheters..

Another new name Sue — Mon, 02 Jul 2018 12:45:08 GMT

@I am still oxox

I will second this comment. If you’re concerned about stitches, YouTube will be your best friend. Usually there are several different people posting videos about a stitches, and you can try them and find the one you like the best. I have used it for knitting and it has been terrific.

Your patterns will tell you which stitches to do. Read to the directions carefully before you start the project. Be sure to study the abbreviations like SC for a single crochet. If you are new to crocheting, practice your stitches and start with a small easy project. Have fun and thank you for doing charity crocheting.

Re: Question for crocheters..

Wahoogaz — Mon, 02 Jul 2018 16:43:56 GMT

To learn how to crochet animals, I highly recommend going to YouTube and searching for Sharon Ojala videos. She has very good tutorial videos that I think would be great for a beginner. I just finished one of her bears yesterday.

I'm sure YouTube also has great tutorials for crocheting afghans, baby blankets, etc., too. It's a wonderful tool to learn how to do lots of things.

Re: Question for crocheters..

qualitygal — Mon, 02 Jul 2018 18:09:40 GMT

Thanks ladies, I have been hitting up Utube and it is wonderful!!! Thanks for all the suggestions. I do practice and have my eye on a few things I want to work on once I get it all under my belt. Thanks again.

Re: Question for crocheters..

sfnative — Mon, 02 Jul 2018 19:20:51 GMT

@qualitygal

Though you're headed to YouTube for tutorials, per advice below, I wanted to leave you with a few things.

I'm in the process of opening up my online crochet business, so have been around the crochet block a few times. Am also an educator by education and experience. So, having said this, kindly allow me to suggest the following:

1. When you first begin, purchase a set of crochet hooks that are comfortable. I highly recommend "Athena's Elements" from the big "A." This is a set of 12 crochet hooks for $14.97!!! You cannot get a better deal anywhere; and, the handle part of the hook is covered in silicone to make it really comfortable for you.

2. As a beginner, I suggest you learn to crochet using "worsted weight" yarn. Acrylic (artificial fibers) will be best for you now and will be cheaper. Wool or wool blends are more expensive and will shrink, if not handled properly when washed.

Go to Michael's or Joann's and purchase something like "Lion Brand Vanna's Choice." (Vanna from Wheel of Fortune.)

Worsted: Look on the paper cuff around the yarn skein. Ther's lots of information on it. Look for "Worsted." It may even say "3" or "4." A worsted "4" would be better, as that yarn will be a bit larger in diameter. The paper cuff also indicated knitting needle and crochet hook size best suited for that yarn. Crochet hooks have various indicators. In the U.S., we use letters: A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M/N, P, Q. A is quite small and Q is huge. In Europe, hooks are qualified by their size in milllimeters. 3.0mm, 3.5mm, 4.0mm and so on. There are also numerical indicators: 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, etc., with sizes becoming larger as the number decreases in size.

3. What is easier to crochet, if I've never crocheted before:? Going back and forth in rows is easier. The stitch to crochet with would be "Single Crochet" or "sc," as it is abbreviated. I encouraged you not to depend too much on YouTube, as you might lose out on how to read a pattern.

4. But, what if I want to crochet something round right now? Crocheting in the round can be a challenge, even for an advanced beginner. Hold onto that desire, until you have some skills under your belt.

5. Yeh, but those granny squares...: Crocheting granny squares is halfway like crocheting in the round. There are many opportunities for errors. When done correctly, opportunities abound for some fantastic outcomes.

6. So, what do I make now:? Make a scarf for winter and crochet it all in single crochet. Boring? Well, you can easily change colors several times. Plus, do add fringe to each end. An adult scarf should be between 60" and 72," depending on the height of the adult person. The fringe should be 9" at each end, so when cutting yarn, cut each piece 21" long. Use 3 pieces of yarn together. You can find instructions online.

7. When learning to crochet, what do I need to pay attention to:? A. You need to determine the most comfortable way for you to hold a crochet hook. I recommend against the pencil hold, as it places your wrist in flexion, which for some can lead to carpal tunnel syndrome after repeated and long use. B. Learning to manage the yarn in your left hand to create tension. There are more ways to do this than there are types of apples on this earth. I would advise against any technique that instructs you to wrap the yarn twice around your left index finger. This not only compromises the circulation in that finger, but can be a source of dermatitis. On YouTube, you're going to see several different methods of managing yarn. Take note and try them all.

8. How do I manage a skein of yarn so that it doesn't end up in a rat's nest:? A skein (pronounced "skain") has 2 yarn ends. You'll find one on the outside, usually under the skein paper cuff or near it and one buried right down the middle of the hole, which runs the length of the skein. Crocheting from the end on the outside is a real pain in the neck, believe me. You end up constantly having to stop what you're doing to flip the skein over and over and over. Best not to do it this way. This leaves the yarn end, which is way inside. (If, on your skein you see one strand of yarn which looks like it's coming out of the inside, gently grab it and pull. This will be that outside end of the yarn. Take it and shove it under the cuff.) To access the yarn end on the inside, take the index and middle finger of your dominant hand and reach straight into the skein of yarn. When you're at or near the middle of the skein, grab onto the closest strand or strands (just 1-2 or 3) and gently pull out of the skein. There may be resistance at first, but continue to withdraw. You'll end up with a little pile, but within that pile is the yarn end that you want. Do a little bit of untangling, find that end, then start making yourself a yarn ball: wind the yarn 8-10 times around your non-dominant index and 3rd fingers, which are close together. Remove the yarn, then begin winding your yarn around this little bunch, rotating as you go, until the entire skein is now a ball of yarn.

I'll stop there, except to say that it would be fun for you to invest in a crochet book for beginners. Nowadays, this type of book has great photos and step-by-step instructions and charts, so there are great options as to which way will work best for you to learn, plus you will have it at your fingertip at all times. Note: Insure that your book is geared toward the American crochete. Those books geared for British and European crocheters will only serve to confuse, as they call a single crochet a double crochet, etc.

Want some ooh-ahhh inspiration? Visit the Scheepjes website. Just input that name into google and go to their home page. Then click on "blogs" or "bloggers." Can't recall which term they use, then click on various of their uber creative bloggers. OMG! Talk about wonderful crochet! I'm starting Lila Bjorn's MAL (Make-A-Long) on July 11th. Such fun!

Just have fun! Come back with questions.

~ Rebecca

Re: Question for crocheters..

qualitygal — Mon, 02 Jul 2018 20:47:13 GMT

@sfnative, Well thank you for taking the time to supply me all that info. I've copied it and will keep it, in case I forget something you've said. That was so nice of you and I really appreciate you taking the time to do all that.

I've got a set of the hooks. I'm now loaded with books so I can read and learn and some pattern books. I've also got 5 skeins of colored yarn in front of me. So far I just used the big skein of yarn, but now with your help I can make a ball. I'll go back and reread some more of your comments on some things I'm not responding to right now.

Thanks so much, that was very nice of you and I appreciate it.

Re: Question for crocheters..

Kachina624 — Tue, 03 Jul 2018 07:32:26 GMT

I find the crochet stitches very easy to learn. I taught myself from looking at pictures in a book during olden days before YouTube. It's the instruction that can be hard to read and comprehend at times, especially when you get into more complex projects.

I can't use any hook except the Susan Bates brand.

Re: Question for crocheters..

qualitygal — Tue, 03 Jul 2018 09:23:49 GMT

@Kachina624, I'll look that hook brand up. What I have now is for people with arthritis. Are you doing much crocheting now?

Re: Question for crocheters..

riley1 — Tue, 03 Jul 2018 12:25:07 GMT

@qualitygal - Have you given up the idea of quilting? I thought you had people helping with instructions. Crochet isn't really that hard to learn, but as @Kachina624 said, sometimes the instructions are a little confusing.

Re: Question for crocheters..

qualitygal — Tue, 03 Jul 2018 13:54:33 GMT

Oh no, quilting is on the back burner. I love quilts. I just felt a bit overwhelmed. So I'm doing one thing at a time. LOL. @riley1

Re: Question for crocheters..

alliswell — Fri, 06 Jul 2018 18:42:29 GMT

@sfnative:

Thank you, @sfnative for sharing your knowledge and excellent tips and advice!

Re: Question for crocheters..

sfnative — Fri, 06 Jul 2018 19:00:22 GMT

@alliswell wrote:

@sfnative:

Thank you, @sfnative for sharing your knowledge and excellent tips and advice!

@alliswell

You're very welcome!

And I could kick myself for not including amigurumi for @qualitygal, a crocheting animals and the like is another ball of wax requiring a number of skills. Foremost, one should take care to "work down" using crochet hooks in decreasing sizes until you can comfortably work with a 3.0mm; become at ease crocheting in the round; know how to increase & decrease without fretting about it; know how to join different colors properly; purchase and know how to install eyes (these cannot be pulled or yanked out by babies or kids); purchase a number of tapestry needles, including 1 or 2 with the crooked tip to facilitate sewing parts onto the body; when ready to add fill, would recommend "poly fill," which should be pulled apart into small "clouds," then pushed into the body part with a chopstick or something similar. Certain acrylics, acrylic/cotton blends and cotton yarns are best for amigurumi. Iff all cotton, it will shrink when washed, so keep this in mind. Thing about amigurui, or crocheting of animals and other creatures or inanimate objects, is that many will actually say "Beginner Level," which couldn't be farther from the truth. I'm wrapping up 12 Star Wars Amis for my granddaughter and the designer qualified them as "Beginner." Truly a joke! Am sure she did it to sell more kits.

Re: Question for crocheters..

Free2be — Fri, 06 Jul 2018 19:06:05 GMT

The best dish clothes I ever owned and wore out into shreds were crocheted. I recently ordered one through Etsy but what I received was more like a piece of blanket that would hold water rather than allow water and food particles to run through open spaces. I put it to use underneath the Aquasana to catch any drips.

The dishclothes I loved were more like heavy thread material or a very thin yarn than yarn used for throws or hats. Wish I could find more. I would not know what to buy to make my own, it's been decades since I've crotched anything.

Re: Question for crocheters..

qualitygal — Fri, 06 Jul 2018 19:54:55 GMT

@sfnative, Thank you, got it and read it on the animals. Good to know ahead of time, there may be some listed as "easy" that aren't, but I do value all your comments and your knowledge on this subject, that you've been so good about sharing. I appreciate you!

Re: Question for crocheters..

alliswell — Fri, 06 Jul 2018 22:57:18 GMT

@Free2be wrote:
The best dish clothes I ever owned and wore out into shreds were crocheted. I recently ordered one through Etsy but what I received was more like a piece of blanket that would hold water rather than allow water and food particles to run through open spaces. I put it to use underneath the Aquasana to catch any drips.

The dishclothes I loved were more like heavy thread material or a very thin yarn than yarn used for throws or hats. Wish I could find more. I would not know what to buy to make my own, it's been decades since I've crotched anything.

@Free2be I think I know the type of dishcloth you mean. Maybe @sfnative could give you an idea about the type of yarn to use.

Re: Question for crocheters..

Free2be — Fri, 06 Jul 2018 21:20:47 GMT

@alliswell What I received from Etsy is like the photo examples you posted. What I had before was more like doiley but a heavier material than one would make a doiley with. If you held it up there was an all over pattern of open spaces for sunshine, lol - yet it made good scrubbers and held just enough soapy water.

I sort of knew I was getting something "tighter" when I ordered through Etsy, thought I'd gamble.