|
.
CROCHET TIPS 2000
If you want to see if there's a tip on this page concerning a certain subject, just click the "find" option in your edit menu to search for a key word. Example: If you want to find information on "yarn" and you are using Internet Explorer you can click Edit, then click Find, now type "yarn" in the "Find What" field and click "Find Next". Continue clicking Find Next until you have found all of the terms on the page or have located the information you needed.
TIPS
Contains tips prior to 2000
Crochet TIPS 2000
TIPS 2001
Crochet TIPS 2002
When making items for children that call for buttons or other small adornments...
crochet similar items to use instead.
This may save a child!
VIEWER TIP:
I have recently discovered a way to get rid of the chain 3 to start a new row. You can see that all the way up your project. Yarn over twice then go through the intended space and work it like a double crochet. It works great and no one can tell where you began. Colleen Williams
.
When working with a pattern where size changes are given in parentheses, circle or highlight all of the changes for the size you are making before you start the article.
.
VIEWER TIP:
Good Day Lisa,
I believe the INDIAN PRINCESS AIR FRESHENER DOLL could also be used as a toilet paper roll cover.
Thanks for your great newsletter.
Denise Rogers
No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.
.
.
VIEWER TIP
(includes pattern correction which I have made to the Bible Cover Pattern page):
I had a great time crocheting your Bible cover.
I used Dk. Purple as my main color and used white when doing the rev. sc. around the edge.
Our school colors are purple and white and I'm sure my niece will love it.
There is just one thing I wanted to bring to your attention. Starting at row 3 on the main cover, where you continue w/ the cross dc....you didn't put the last dc in.. the one that is not crossed....like in row 2. I added it into mine to keep the edge smooth. If you don't put it in the edge will be like a V shaped or rippled. I want to get some variegated yarn and do a bigger one for my Bible. This one I did will only fit the gift size Bibles. Thanks for a great pattern! xoxox Faith
Lisa, Another thing...I am making one for my Bible, which is a little bigger....all I had to do is add 6 more to my chain at the beginning and add a few more rows to the main cover. Also, I'm doing it in (red, blue, green, yellow, white, black and green) many colors and a row at a time. These are the colors that represent different things in the Christian walk. I am doing the rev.sc. in the yellow. The inner lining and the book mark will be in yellow. And the handles and latch will be yellow/black....I think. I haven't got that far yet. But I thought you might want to post how easy it is to make this fit other Bibles or Books. xox Faith
.
.
When giving a crocheted item as a gift always include the laundering instructions for the yarn used.
.
The Reverse Half Double works up similar to the Reverse Single Crochet stitch but it makes for a thicker edge.
I recommend only using this stitch for an edging.
VIEWER TIP:
.
I recently helped a new crocheter to realize that when an error is made when
making a project do not get frustrated because everyone who crochets at one
time or another has made an error. My teacher, who has been gone for several
years, taught me that the project is "just a piece of string" till complete.
This thought has helped me many times when having to "rip out" because of a
mistake or the pattern is written wrong. None of us are perfect so we need to
learn to "forgive ourselves" even when crocheting. God Bless all the fingers
that craft.
Submitted by
Brenda Trainer-Huber
.
VIEWER TIP:
When I am crocheting I take the ends and crochet right over the ends at the time I am doing it. Even on afghans when there are strands of yarn on the ends also, I put the ends of the strands along the top of the last row and work right over it. No muss, no fuss, no ends sticking out. I've done this for about 40 years and works fantastic. If anyone wants to reach me for anything, I prefer my e-mail address of kinsey_sue@hotmail.com in case there are any questions.
Submitted by
Sue
This is a very good time saver!
I use this method also to keep from having to weave in tons of strands at the end of a project.
Lisa
-
.
Keep in mind that when you're designing a project the foundation chain will stretch once you begin crocheting onto it. I can speak from experience... for my first afghan I made the chain the length of the couch and when I finished the afghan was twice that long ;o)
.
-
.
I've had several viewers ask about converting knit to crochet and vice versa. I have never done this but the following online page discusses this type of conversion:
.
http://www.planetshoup.com/easy/tips/convert.shtml
.
VIEWER TIP:
When making preemie outfits, especially for the still in the hospital, leave the back open and use ribbon for ties as in a hospital gown. Easier to work with and allows for growth and also for hospital tubes and wires.
This tip courtesy of NikandMary
.
VIEWER TIP:
My mother in law gave me a good tip:
Use an old oatmeal carton with a hole punched in the top for all your small balls of yarn.
Just pull the ends through the hole, and you don't have to go chasing balls all over the place.
I have a fairly small carton, and I can usually fit two or three small balls in at once..
it works great for granny squares!!
This tip courtesy of Kristin from NH
-
.
.
VIEWER TIP:
Hi Lisa
I started crocheting in September and have some tips. When counting stitches,or marking the end of the round I use small safety pins. When stopping crocheting I put a safety pin there and I don't pull out a stitch. I found the safety pins cheaper than the split rings.
This tip courtesy of Norma Hauser from Washington state.
.
.
FOR THE DESIGNER:
When designing your own patterns write them in a notebook that's only used for that purpose.
That way you can always locate your handwritten copy.
.
VIEWER TIP:
I just made a simple, beautiful afghan out of all my old scraps of yarn. Used 3 strands of yarn, a BIG hook, and made a simple granny square. Every time I ran out of a ball of yarn, I just tied on a new one and kept going.
The colors were eccentric and the afghan was marvelous! (And I got $100 for it!)
Tiffany
.
VIEWER TIP:
.
Hi Lisa,
Just wanted to say thanks for the great newsletter - I enjoy each issue!
Also, I had another idea for how to use Sashas' Picot edging. I think it
would look great on an afghan - like a plain sc or dc afghan then add
Sashas' edging to dress it up :-)
Tell Sasha I said "Thanks"!!!
--
Deep Peace and Many Blessings
Susan in Ohio
.
.
Pass along the art of crochet... teach a friend, a son, a daughter, or a grandchild.
Call the local nursing home or county extension office to inquire about teaching a
crochet class.... you will make lots of friends and keep the art of crochet alive.
.
VIEWER TIP:
Courtesy of
Michelle Morrison from Alabama
When you are making clothing for Barbie use a ponytail holder (rubber band).
You just crochet over the
rubber band. It makes it easier
.
.
-
When you begin a project and then decide to lay it to the side for a while, either keep your hook with the project or attach a note to the project specifying the size hook used. This will clear up confusion later on.
.
VIEWER TIP:
Courtesy of Susan in Ohio
What To Do With Scraps?????
I am making "Hugs For Homeless Humans". Whenever I have a leftover scrap
that is about the size of a golf ball I put it in a large tin sitting
next to my computer chair. Since I do alot of surfing and have a very
slow modem I have a lot of time waiting for pages to load. Thats when I
pick up my "H" hook and a scrap ball from my tin, and make a square!
I ch 26, then sc in 25 chains, ch 1, turn. When I come to the end of a
scrap ball, I tie on another one using a square knot (won't slip out)
and make sure to leave a 3" tail that I work over as I go along (no ends
to weave in later :-). I sc 25 rows and then end off and add the new sq
to my stack. When I have 49 sqs made I choose a edging color (usually a
large skein so I know I'll have enough) and edge all the sqs in sc and
then whip st them tog in a 7 sq by 7 row afghan. And then add a border.
This is a special project for me because I came very close to being
homeless myself several years ago, but God sent me a "special gift" in
the form of my DSO. Making these "Hugs For Homeless Humans" is my way of
thanking God for his gift to me - and sharing that gift with others.
If any of you have scraps you don't want or if you have one of those big
yarn tangles that you don't really have the time to "attack", I accept
all donations greatfully. Just send me a note at mooncat@fuse.net and
I'll send you my addy!
.
.
VIEWER TIP:
Courtesy of Jackie Wilson
To All Lovers of Crochet:
I have recently been experimenting with edgings and have developed the following edging pattern.
Working from left to right, attach yarn with a sl st to upper left corner of afghan.
Chain 3.
YO and insert hook in 2nd stitch to right
*YO and pull up a loop
YO and pull through 2 loops on hook
(YO and pull through 1 loop on hook) twice
YO and pull through 2 loops on hook
YO insert hook in 3rd stitch to left
Repeat from * around making 2 stitches at corners
Hint If you like using a larger hook to make your afghans,
I suggest a hook 1 or 2 sizes smaller than the one used for the afghan
This makes a pretty eyelet type edging
Hope everyone enjoys
Jackie Wilson
.
.
-
VIEWER TIP:
Courtesy of Shelley Lein from Illinois
I crochet alot of preemie items for charity and have found that it just can't be put in a laundry basket because it falls out of the holes. So one night at work I decided to use the buckets that frostings and fillings come in. (you can get these from your local grocery store bakery) It just hit me that these would be perfect for placing the finished items in. I can toss them into the buckets and carry the buckets when I'm ready to wash the preemie stuff without leaving a trail behind me due to the items falling out of the holes in the laundry basket. It's working perfectly! I finish a hat toss it in the bucket. The buckets turned into a lot of fun as well. I bought some puff paint and decorated them.
.
-
VIEWER TIP:
Courtesy of Shelley Lein
if you are someone who crochets a lot for charities. Those little socks and mittens occasionally get under the spin part of the washer. I found to stop this all you need is one of those lingerie bags you wash your delicates in. Toss them in and when you take them out they are all still there. I normally also safety pin the pairs of things together so I still have pairs when they come out of the washer.
Shelley
.
.
-
Never count the loop on the hook.
VIEWER TIP:
Courtesy of Ruth Brown of Tennessee
.
I like to crochet, but never have much time to set and work on large projects such as afghans & blankets. I have found that using 2 and 3 strands at a time (double or triple strands) speeds the process up. This works for most patterns that do not have a set gauge. I use it on granny squares & have even used it on thread crochet projects. For those folks who are "impatient" and want to see the results quickly, this might be an idea to try.
.
.
VIEWER TIP:
Courtesy of Kathy Weese of New York
I learned a trick from my grandmother many years ago. it is that when
doing an afghan that is a pattern stitch, buy some safety pins in two sizes,
i use the small silver colored ones and the tiny gold ones. mark your first
row of the pattern with the silver one, and each row there after in the
pattern with the gold ones. i repeat this until the whole afghan is done. it
is eaisier to count the pins instead of the rows. and if i have to stop in
the middle of a pattern, i know which row i stopped at.
hope this helps,
Kathy Weese
My 3 year old daughter always wants to "crochet with Mommy". I keep an extra ball of yarn and an extra hook with my current crochet project so I do not have to stop working on my project to search for her a hook and yarn.
.
I also use the extra small balls of left over yarn to crochet very small motifs, leaving each with a long strand of yarn hanging at the end. I keep the motifs in a ziplock bag along with a yarn needle and when my daughter wants to help me I give her one of the motifs with the yarn needle threaded and she sews for me. This makes her happy and she thinks she's helping Mommy at the same time.
Lisa Hamblin
.
.
-
When a pattern calls for sewing a button on a child's toy or garment... use dental floss.
It's stronger is nearly unbreakable. Keep in mind that most facial features of toys and
buttons for garments can be crocheted.
-
.
.
-
Make good use of the free standing toilet paper stands!
Instead of placing a roll of toilet paper on the holder... put your crochet thread on it.
This allows the thread to flow freely while you work.
.
.
Gather together everything you need for several crochet projects at once. Put the instructions for each project along with the yarn, hook and any other materials needed to complete each project in separate tote bags. This way when you finish one project you simply pick up another tote and you're ready to begin your next project.
.
Be careful when winding yarn into a ball...
pulling the yarn will stretch it making the strand thinner than that in a new skein.
.
-
When designing your own crochet patterns, write the pattern as you go.
Trying to remember what stitches you used in a row or round after
you did that row or round may cause you to omit valuable information.
-
.
VIEWER TIP:
Hi Lisa - God Bless:
I have a tip that my Grandma told me years ago. Your hint about winding yarn into a ball reminded me.
My Grandma told me when winding yarn into a ball, to always wrap the yarn around two of your fingers, this way when you remove your fingers, the yarn tension is loose. Plus, when the ball drops off the chair, it doesn't roll away, because it is soft.
Blessings to you.
Victoria
.
VIEWER TIP:
Hello I am doing an afghan with multi colors and to keep the colors from getting tangled I tried using yarn holders to keep them straight but the store ran out of them so I bought some perm rods and they work better than the yarn holders. Michelle Alabama
.
Place a stitch marker every 10 stitches as you crochet. This will take some time but you will be able to count your stitches alot easier, hence keeping the correct stitch count.
VIEWER TIP:
When teaching a left handed person to Crochet I find sitting in front of them to be a big help
Annonymous
.
VIEWER TIP:
When I have a small amount of thread left over after a project, I wrap it around the outside of an empty film canister (or sometimes an empty prescription bottle), tuck the end inside, and snap on the lid. This keeps everything neat and tidy (no loose ends) and saves lots of space in my drawer. I usually fold up the paper label from the crochet ball and tuck it inside the canister, too. This gives the thread's manufacturer, size and color shade for future reference.
I toss a couple into my purse when I'm on the go. When I have to wait somewhere (doctor's office, for example), I pull out the mini-spool of thread and start making a bookmark. Time goes much faster that way, and I feel that I haven't wasted good chunks of time.
Bonnie
.
For more crochet tips click on the following links.
TIPS
Contains tips prior to 2000
Crochet Basics
Crochet TIPS 2000 || TIPS 2001 || Crochet TIPS 2002
.
|
