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Posts Tagged ‘crochet’

Tutorial News

March 10th, 2012

mio

Some of you have already noticed that I have a new Page here on the blog. If you look at the top of any page you will see a “Tutorials” tab. Click on it and you will find an organized list of the tutorials I’ve posted on this blog over the years.

Or just click here: Tutorials

What I need from you now is: what tutorials haven’t I done yet that you’d like to see? Please leave your answers as a reply below!

In the mean time… I still can’t stop making spiral hex blankets:

Both are made using Loops & Threads Necessities and working until each ball ran out (the variegated yarn runs out before the solid does). The blankets measure between 33″ and 40″ depending on how you measure.

Posted in Tutorial

Tags: crochet, hexagon, spiral, swirl

1 Comment »

Tunisian Crochet

March 9th, 2012

mio

This tutorial focuses on the Tunisian Simple stitch, but it also serves as an introduction to Tunisian crochet. If you’ve never done Tunisian crochet before, this is a good place to start.

For the best results when doing Tunisian crochet, you need a special hook called an “afghan hook”. You can also use a double ended hook (and ignore one of the ends), or a cabled hook. The important thing is that the hook be the same size and shape after the head – so, no thumb rest, and no fancy handles. It’s also important, if you’re making something large, to have some kind of stopper on the end to keep the loops from sliding off. Afghan hooks and most cabled hooks come with a stopper. When I use a double ended hook for this I usually wrap an elastic band around the unused head.

Also, you need to use a bigger hook than you normally would for the yarn you’re using. I suggest going up two sizes. For this yarn, I normally use a 5mm hook. When using it for Tunisian crochet, I use a 6mm hook. You’ll want to experiment – using an even larger hook can take care of curling problems, but can also result in a lacier fabric.

Let’s get started!

As with a lot of crochet techniques, start with a base chain:
(more…)

Posted in Tutorial

Tags: crochet, natcromo2012, Tunisian, Tutorial

1 Comment »

Measuring Up

March 9th, 2012

mio

Hooks come in various sizes, and while the size of the hook is usually noted on the hook somewhere, this isn’t always the case. It behooves us to have our own way of measuring.

Enter the gauge:

Now, this is a knitting needle gauge. It’s designed so that you insert the knitting needle into the holes to see while one is the best fit. This doesn’t work so well for some crochet hooks:

Here, the problem is that the head of the hook is bigger than the shaft (which is the part we’re tring to measure). There is such a thing as a crochet hook gauge, but I can’t seem to find one to buy. A hook gauge typically has a tear-drop shaped hole in it, where you put the hook into the hole and then slide it towards the small end until it fits snugly. You then look at the measurement marking next to that spot in the hole.

This seems to me like it could be somewhat inaccurate. Also, you’re limited to hook sizes that fit in the hole – it may not work for extra large or extra small hooks.

Now, my workaround for this has been to simply insert the butt end of the hook into the gauge, like so: