everything you need to know about knitting & crocheting tools/extras

Two weeks ago I posted “everything you need to know about crochet hooks” and last week we learned “everything you need to know about knitting needles.” This info is also from 2011 and is permanently available in the menu bar but I thought it worth revisiting!

extras for knitting and crocheting

stitch markers

Stitch markers have been unnecessary in every crochet pattern I’ve ever attempted — a scrap piece of yarn marks your spot just as well and doesn’t cost you extra.  They’re much more useful in knitting, at least for me.  They do make markers that look like jewelry if you just want to look pretty, like the glass beaded ones in the tin above.

needles

OK so you do need sewing needles to sew the ends of your yarn into your project.  Just make sure you find some with big enough eyes for your yarn.  The big ones are called tapestry needles.  If you want to get organized you can get a metal magnetic tin for your needles and stitch markers, as seen above.

scissors

Duh.

measuring tape

A cute one is always fun, like the Cath Kidston retractable one above.

needle/hook sizer

Useful if all of your needles or hooks aren’t clearly marked with their size.  The Susan Bates one above is also good for checking knitting gauge!

thread cutter pendants

These thread cutters hang from a necklace so can be kept with you at all times, and they’re very handy.  I totally had to get one because it’s more convenient than digging around for my scissors, and it’s just awesome!  Even works on thicker yarns.  I got the Clover brand.

row counter ring

These are so handy!  Mine is handmade by a woman on Etsy (click here for more info).

wire yarn stranding guide

This ring is specifically for when you are knitting with more than 1 color/ball of yarn at once.  It helps keep the tangles at bay and can be found cheap.

beads (not pictured)

It can be fun to add beads to your crocheted work, but unless the pattern calls for it, I’d stay away from beading!  When you’re crocheting you have to put all your beads for the project on the yarn before you start, because there’s no way to add them as you go along (unless you tie them on with sewing thread or something, but who wants to do that?).  That means you have to count EXACTLY how many beads you will need and TRIPLE check that you’ve put that number of beads on the yarn before starting.

help a study learn more about knitters and crocheters!

help researchers learn more about knitters and crocheters!

Hey everyone! There’s a facebook group that has some interesting research going on about knitters and crocheters. I really want to participate and thought maybe you would, too! Here’s what was sent to me:

“Would you like to participate in the Woolly Wellbeing Research project?
This would contribute to a PhD study into the ways women share their knit and crochet online. Do you post to ask for advice or to show images of what you have made? Does it help you manage feeling lonely or to connect with other crafter-friends? Lots of these questions will be the topic of posts as we share together.
To take part, you’ll need to read the Participant Information document in ‘Files’ and then complete a consent form on the pinned post at the top of the page, just so I know you are informed about the project and how your posts could be used. This is a closed group and all posts are confidential between group members. All material will be made anonymous in writing up research.
Just search for ‘Woolly Wellbeing Research Group’ [on Facebook] or click to connect.
Feel free to share!”

Fibi the Fox – ta-da!

Hello everyone!  Today Fibi the Fox was completed, and it’s time to share her with you!

Fibi the Fox - crocheted amigurumi fox

If you ignore the quantities of dog hair that grace the cushion (that stuff NEVER comes all the way off!!!), Fibi turned out well.  The pattern is available for sale over on Ravelry for about $6.39, if you want to check it out!

Fibi the Fox - crocheted by NotYourAverageCrochet

I used KnitPicks Palette yarn for the body, and a scrap of Cascade Heritage Paints for the scarf.  The arms are a bit long, but that’s because the gauge is looser than the gauge of the body (that’s what happens when you lay a project aside for a while, I guess).

Fibi the Fox - crocheted amigurumi darling fox!This actually took a while to do — amigurumi in general does, I find, because of how tight you have to crochet and all of the nooks and crannies and sewing together of parts.  It’s worth it though!

That’s all for today.  Thanks for stopping by!  I hope you’re enjoying the “everything you need to know about _______” posts (knitting needles & crochet hooks)– there’s one more coming up soon!

 

giveaway!

***GIVEAWAY NOW CLOSED***

It’s February, and what better way is there to share the spirit of Valentine’s Day than having a giveaway?  I couldn’t think of one.  I love you guys!

giveaway on NotYourAverageCrochet.com!

WHAT THE WINNER WILL RECEIVE:

  • 1 pack of 6 Susan Bates aluminum crochet hooks in the following sizes: F-5 (3.75mm), G-6 (4.0mm), H-8 (5.0mm), I-9 (5.5mm), J-10 (6.0mm), and K-10.5 (6.55mm)
  • 1 100g skein of sport weight yarn (100% Merino Wool) in the shade Burnt Terracotta, hand-dyed by the lovely ladies at DyeForYarn

The hooks are my favorite brand of the aluminum variety, hands down.  The yarn retails at $22.67 USD and is VERY soft.  Click here for my previous review of one of DyeForWool’s other yarns.

giveaway prize on notyouraveragecrochet

GIVEAWAY RULES:

The giveaway starts today and runs through the end of March 9, 2015 EST and the winner will be drawn randomly on March 10, 2015.  The winner will receive an email alerting them to their win, and they must respond with their full name and shipping address within 24 hours of the email being sent or else another winner will be drawn.  The giveaway is open to all countries.

To enter, you must do ALL of the following:

  1. Follow this blog (via WordPress, Bloglovin’, or email).
  2. Re-blog this post (or share on another social media platform if you don’t have a blog).  Multiple entries can be earned if you share on multiple platforms.
  3. Leave a comment on this post including the following information: a) how you follow this blog  b) the links to your re-blogged post and any of your shares on other social media platforms.

If all three of these have not been met, you will not be entered.

Please keep in mind that if you are a new commenter I will have to verify your comment before it will appear, but you are entered so please do not comment twice.

GOOD LUCK EVERYONE!

-Hannah

***GIVEAWAY NOW CLOSED***

everything you need to know about crochet hooks

This is a re-post of a page I published back in June of 2011.  It’s still available in the menu bar but I thought it worth revisiting!

intro to crochet hooks
brands

My favorite metal hooks are Susan Bates, hands down. I find them more ergonomic than Boye hooks due to the shape of the actual hook and its alignment with the handle.

sizes

There’s quite a range! Most yarns say on the label what hook sizes are most appropriate, as do most patterns. However, I personally don’t follow these guides all the time, because I find that they tend to make looser stitches than I like. There are also different methods of sizing: metric sizing and US sizing being the most predominant. It’s good to be familiar with both, so if I see a pattern that calls for a 5.00mm hook I can automatically say “OK, that’s an H-8, I think I have a couple in my collection” or vice versa.  Click here for a comparison chart.

material

Another tip: the material your hooks are made of actually do make a difference in how you crochet. Plastic hooks are more flexible and so tend to make looser stitches than metal hooks do, for instance. Not a huge deal, of course, but a matter of personal preference, and there’s lots to choose from! Bamboo or wood has more of a grip, and therefore is perfect for slippery yarns like silk, whereas aluminum/metal hooks are more slippery and might fare better with wool blends. Bone or horn hooks are usually antiques and can be really fancy/expensive, although the one above was not.

extras

One thing you can do to make your hooks more comfortable to hold is to get little grippies — like those things you put on your pencils in 3rd grade. They sell packs of different sizes at places like Michael’s, so you don’t have to search far, and they’re cheap.