Learn about crochet tools and materials. Many crochet instructors will say that all you need to get started are your hook and ball of yarn, but you really need more than these. We gave you the parts of a hook and the different sizes, but we’ll get into more detail here, as it is the “star” tool of any crocheting project. If there were no hooks, there would be no crochet.
We’ve already mentioned that sizes of hooks vary from thin to thick. The thin steel hooks are used with fine cotton yarn, but the bigger ones are used for heavy wools and synthetic fibers. Hooks are made of steel, aluminum, bone or plastic.
When doing a project from a pattern, the one who wrote the pattern will suggest a hook size, but you should be a better judge of what hook to use. Use the one you’re most comfortable with and the one that will help you achieve the correct gauge for a pattern.
As you go along with your work, you may have to change hooks more than once. The essential thing when choosing a hook brand is to go with the one you work well with and that feels good on your hand. Crocheting enthusiasts buy their hooks based on the following factors: hand size, finger length, weight of the hook, and preference for aluminum or plastic.
There is no fixed formula for choosing the ideal size hook. Remember that crocheters are different. Some like to crochet tightly, some loosely, so that this makes it difficult to determine a formula. Use gauge as the key consideration – how many stitches you need to do to make an inch.
As the experts say, practice makes perfect. Experimenting is even better. If you’re using a plastic hook for a particular project and you’re having problems, switch over to an aluminum hook and see how that feels. In time, you’ll pick your favorites and know which sizes or types give you the best results with the best feel.
You may have heard of the Afghan hook which is used for specialized crochet projects. The Afghan hook was devised so that you can hold many stitches on the hook simultaneously. If the average length of a hook is six inches, this does not give you much space. The Afghan hook was invented to make your life easier. It is much longer than your regular crochet hook and come in three lengths: 9-inch, 14-inch and 20-inch. It also has knobs at the ends to keep stitches from falling off. And thanks to clever inventors, you can find some Afghan hooks that have long, flexible cords on one end. These cords are to hold additional stitches so you can rest your work on your lap without the need to worry.
Regarding yarns, they are produced by spinning different types of fibers together. Some are natural fibers taken from plants and animals like cotton or wool; others are synthetic, such as nylon or acrylic. The yarn industry has mixed and matched fibers together to come up with a variety of sizes and textures to satisfy the demands of sophisticated crocheters. Generally, for a beginner, the easiest yarn to work with is one with a smooth surface and a medium or tight twist. Yarns are sold by weight rather than by length. They are usually packaged into balls. The most common ball size is 1-3/4 oz (50 g) and the length of each yarn will vary depending on the thickness and fiber composition.
Wool is a good yarn to crochet with because it is stretchable, making it easy to push the point of the hook into each stitch. Silk yarn is another that is good for crocheting, but has less resilience than wool and is much more expensive. Synthetic fiber yarns on the other hand like acrylic, nylon, and polyester are manufactured from coal and petroleum products, often made to resemble fibers. Yarns made entirely of synthetic fibers are less expensive and their benefits include stability, washing machine-safety and non-shrinkage. The only disadvantage is they tend to lose their shape when exposed to heat. A better alternative would be to buy yarn which is part synthetic, part natural fiber.
While there are common types of yarns based on weight, numerous manufacturers in numerous countries will produce yarns that don’t fall within the common weight parameters of yarn. Here are the most familiar ones that are sold:
While we said hook and yarn are all you need to begin crochet, there are other tools that will help you considerably in making your work easier and more efficient. Here are the “extras” you’ll want to keep handy.
Split rings or shaped loops made of colorful plastic would mark those places in your work if you’re working with a pattern; they indicate the beginning of a row and help in counting the stitches on the foundation chain;
These are instruments with blunt points and long eyes, and are typically used in embroidery. They vary in size and used to weave yarn ends and for sewing crochet pieces together. You may also want to have a selection of needles with sharp points for applying crochet braid, edging or borders.
For blocking tasks, the best pins are those that have a glass head and are rustproof. Plastic or pearl headed pins are good for pinning crochet. Quilters’ long pins are also ideal for pinning pieces of crochet together as the heads are clearly visible and won’t slip through the crochet fabric.
Choose a tape measure that has both inches and centimeters on the same side. Over time, tape measures tend to stretch so they need to be replaced to achieve measurement accuracy. A plastic or metal ruler (12 inches/30 cm) is also a good idea to measure gauge swatches.
This will help you keep track of the number of rows you have crocheted so far; others prefer a notebook and pencil.
Sharp scissors – small, pointed ones are good for trimming yarn and yarn ends.
These serve as foundations for making buttons. Metals rings for button foundations are not recommended because they could rust when the garment is washed.
This is the only tool that will tell you the size of your hook. Don’t rely on the size stamped on the hook and always check the size of your hook with a metal gauge.
These can hold small quantities of yarns. They’re a great help when doing multi-colored work. Store your yarns in a safe place where they won’t get stained. A large, clean pillowcase might serve this purpose. When not in use, bundle your hooks together with a string or rubber band and keep them in case like a cosmetic bag or a sturdy box.
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