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Hints ,Tips and Tricks
These are all old tricks, from the old school of learning to Crochet. These methods haven't been taught in recent years. These are the ways I learned. I still prefer them to what is being taught now, and this the prefered methods I teach. I do teach the newer methods but don't recommend them personally. Not taking any new students at present.
HintsIndex
click on item to go there
Fastening new threads/yarns Vision Problems
Holding Crochet Hook Holding your work Problems
Single Row Attach Handi-capped Problems
Pattern tricks Hook, Caring for
Knots-for those of use who believe knots hold our threads/yarns together better than the current trend of changing threads/yarns, here are a few sites to make better, less bulky knots (animated pictures to help see how they are made). You can use knots and still come out with smooth crochet. It all depends on the type knots you use. These are some old well trusted knots. Ones great granny grew up with.
use these types knots to secure broken yarn/change color
when spacing not problem.
Sheet Bend(Flag Bend, Common Bend)
when need to change color at a certain point:
tie off the old color
then slip knot the new color at top of last stitch.
Note: you will crochet over the tails of these two colors
for a few stitches (or thread needle and weave ends in).
Ways to hold Crochet Hook-
I was taught back in the stone age, LOL. So, here is what I was taught.
Pencil hold is for thread crochet-for those projects that require percission control and tension.
Pencil hooks have a flat area for your thumb to rest.
Note: when doing thread crochet you want good tight tension unlike yarn where you want loose tension.
Knife hold is for yarn crochet-or for those projects that looser tension/control is needed.
Knife hooks usually are rounded without a flat area on the hook. These are commonly the larger hooks.
I know no one teaches this anymore and hasn't for over 20years. They say use what works best for you. This is true, but, for best results (for those tension problems you are having) try this rule of thumb I just taught you. From a crocheter of nearly 50years, and family crochet history that goes back to the early days of crochet. Its just my opinion.
Missed the final stitch at the end of the row? Missed the ch3 at the beginning. Here's a way to put these stitches back in-Note: not always worth the effort but when it is an option its well worth knowing.
Single Row Attach = Starting where you first made mistake. attach thread, do stitch , turn *ch how ever many for the next row, slst to finished piece, slst up finished piece to top area of what last st of that row should have been, turn repeat from* (example: if sc was the first made mistake on would attach thread and do sc, turn, if dc next st would ch3, then slst to top of last dc of row, slst up one st, turn, sc then repeat)
*For thread crochet- to keep threads from running away I have found a use for something from my cross-stitch(my floor scroll stand- also works with the lap scroll stands); place the balls of thread over the bottom dowl and bring from back over top dowl, this works even greater when you are working with two or more threads at a time like sewing thread cones. You can adjust the dowls to the width of the cones so that they don't have a lot of play.
*For yarns- place in 2 liter soda bottles thread thru top, pull off black band from bottom, cut bottom off so slide skein in place black band on to secure, use rubberband or ribbon to hold several bottles together.
Hook Care
*hook care-steel crochet hooks get dirty, clean off with q-tip dipped in rubbing alcohol,(make sure to get hook part real well) dry and coat with bee's wax and buff in (make sure no bee's wax residue is left in hook area). You will be surprised how much smoother your crocheting will go and how much longer your favorite crochet hook will last.
*wooden crochet hook care-clean as you would with any fine furniture, with a good wood cleaning product. Buff in some Murphy's wood oil every 3 to 6 months depending on your climate to keep them at their tiptip shape. Remember the older your wooden hooks get the better they work, if they are cared for properly.
*plastic crochet hook care-clean with mild dishsoap and buff with bee's wax.(make sure no bee's wax residue is left in hook area).
*all crochet hooks when not in use should be stored in a protective pouch. (I keep a case which is lined much like a fine jewelry box to store my favorite crochet hooks in. I have one for my smaller hooks and one for my yarn hooks. For my odd sized hooks I have converted a jewelry box to keep them stored in.)This not only keeps them where you can find them, but keeps others from borrowing them for other uses.
*Patterns- I like to photo copy my patterns I am working on making a note of which book, mag. etc it came from. This keeps my originals in good shape and allows me to make notes on the pattern I'm working on. This is a great way to keep your place when working. I also like to keep the pattern I'm working on clipped to a clipboard with a pencil attached so I don't have to hunt arnd when I need to make a notation. (When finished if there any special notes I've made to the pattern I can take those back to the original and when I go to do the pattern again I don't have to figure the problems thru a second time.)Note: we've all found patterns we like but they have typo's, etc. in them, this method keeps those from bugging you each time you use the pattern)
*For Handi-Capped Crocheters:
When you loose the ability to use one of your arms/hands it can become very flustrating. You can crochet, that is the good news. The bad news is it takes determination and patience. I know, I've been there.
If you really love crochet, and have lost the use, either partially or totally, you may not think of ways to get around it. The term "Been There, Done That" comes to mind. Here are some helps and hints that I use and have used in the past.
Hint: work with yarn when starting out, going for smaller threads, and complicated patterns will only flustrate and irritate you in the beginning. Work up to these things.
Herrschners sells aides that help make your hand into a functioning tension holder without worry of cutting into the skin due to the lack of feelings. They are:
SS010401Cro-knit (plastic pension ring)
SS010376 Yarn Guide
SS012900Crochet cushion (this for holding crochet hook makes for less tension in grip)
These items, all Herrschners, have saved my sanity and given me back my crocheting.
Herrschners1-800-441-0838 or check out their webpage http://www.herrschners.com
Note: others may have these same items or something of the sort, I don't know who since this is where I got mine. Some of these things you can make for yourself. for example: to build up your crochet hook try the wrap they have for tennis rackets. Works great just wrap small amount around your hook to build it up to where comfortable to work with.
Holding your project can be a further problem:
Two things I have found in the past ,when I couldn't use left arm at all, was a lap scroll frame for cross stitch. I draped my project over it to hold in place. When starting a project, and needing more gripping power, I just attached a big clip to one of the scroll bars and the piece I was working on. It was slow going but worked.
*This tip from another crocheter: (SquawGranny)-I have the use of my left leg but not my left arm. I hold my crocheting with my left foot propped up on the chair arm. Works as well as the hand once I got used to it.
(personal note: not all of us can get our feet up that high, for for those of you who can, go for it.)
A lighted magnifier between you and your crocheting could help, also there is a product called MagEyes. Remember good lighting eases eye strain. Your doctor may have other idea's which could help. Talk to your eye doctor.
Print out your patterns using larger fonts-some mags and books also have larger print.You'd have to check around for these or contact your local Library for the Blind (part of your local Public Library Services-check the phone book) for guidance here.
When going to Eye doctor its been suggested that you take along examples of crafts that you do. This way the doctor can test for the right distance for the things you do. For example if you use a lap stand take it with you so the distance can be measured. This takes flustration out for both you and your doctor. Some doctors don't like this idea, please check with yours first before doing.
Note: even the blind can and do learn to crochet. Vision doen't have to stop your crocheting if you are willing to adjust.
Warning: Just because for now you can't seem to be able to crochet. Don't rush to get rid of all your crochet equipment and patterns. You could find yourself wishing you hadn't when you make the comeback to crochet.
I hope this helps. I'm happy to say have gotten most use back in left arm now. Best of luck.
You can do it! Hint: work with yarn when starting out, going for smaller threads, and complicated patterns will only flustrate and irritate you in the beginning. Work up to these things.
This is something I hate to do. I frequently take shortcuts, such as :
*Dampen the piece and then stretching it (smoothing from center to outer edges around), sometimes using a steam iron to do this.
*On clean short carpet spreadout crochet piece and smooth to shape(slightly stretching).
* Block on Cardboard(cover with alm. foil or plastic wrap-this keeps from staining your project)
* Styrofoam pieces make nice to use as blocking boards.
*Large filet pieces I cheat--find window about size needed and tack piece in window frame ( while blocking you've got great window decoration)I use push pins to secure around window every few blocks around.
*If the piece doesn't look like it needs blocking, if it lays flat and is size you want for the use you planned, then it usually doesn't need to be blocked. For these pieces why bother? I don't. Remember blocking time takes away from crochet time, so you want to do it right, but now you know some shortcuts.
More to come, check back later.....................