A Very Vegan Circus
I designed a troupe of circus amigurumi, and, in honor of my friend Jane, proclaim it to be a cruelty-free circus! No, this one is fun for everybody, even the animals--especially the animals! More about their story later, but here's a quick peek:
Patterns for these little cuties will be available in my Ravelry store as soon as I finish writing it all up. You know you need these!
Hooked on hooks
Even though I have a good-sized collection of crochet hooks, most of the time I use the same hooks I learned to crochet with when I was 10 years old. My favorite hooks travel with me in a pencil case in my purse, along with a pad of paper and pencil to jot down my design ideas. You never know when genius will strike!
Old hooks can come in other materials like plastic (the top two with the brightly painted ends) and bone (center). The large hook on the bottom isn't made for crocheting at all--it's a souvenier from Florida, used for peeling oranges.
For more info about standard US and international crochet sizes, here's a link to the Craft Yarn Council of America's excellent resource.
Crochet hook sizes can be confusing. Unlike knitting needles that are the same diameter from end to end, hooks have so many variables in the shape of the hook and the throat, there's no guarantee that one manufacturer's hook is going to be the same size as another's. Think of the sizes stamped on your hooks as "guidelines" rather than rules...need I remind you that this is a good reason to always check your gauge, and to use the hook that will give you the proper gauge?
The main styles of aluminum hooks are usually referred to by two major brand names: Susan Bates (top) and Boye (bottom). Note the different shaped heads and throats of the hooks. Crocheters usually swear by one or the other. (Personally, I am a Boye girl, but I am not adverse to tucking a few Susan Bates in my bag.)
It's amazing how inexpensive crochet tools are, so it makes sense to buy hooks in lots of different sizes and types so you will always have an appropriate hook for your yarn or project. Aluminum hook sizes in the US start at B (why no size A?), and go up to about K, though crocheters most often use sizes G through J.
Steel hooks (center) are used for crocheting with thread. They are slightly shorter than the aluminum hooks (on right), and have their own sizing system: the larger the number, the smaller the hook. Size 6 is smaller than size 5, and size 14 is downright tiny. And just to make it more confusing, there are sizes 0 and 00, both larger than size 1. The two hooks on the left are Tulip brand--they are more expensive than those you'd find in the big box stores, but they are such a joy to use they are worth it.
Afghan hooks look like a hybrid of a knitting needle and a crochet hook, and it's what you use for tunisian stitches--it's a way of crocheting, but at times there are a number of stitches held on the needle. Some have a hook on each end (see the top two) and the Daisy brand in the center has a cable for holding the extra stitches.
I don't often use wood hooks--aluminum ones are sturdier for my frequent use--but I sometimes find lovely carved hooks that I can't pass up at craft shows. Crochet designer Nancy Nehring teaches how to carve your own crochet hook, and the bottom two hooks are the ones I made in her class.
Don't forget to look for old hooks at thrift shops and yard sales. You never know when you might find a Gem--literally. A US company made a hook with the brand name "Gem." And regularly clean your hooks in warm soapy water, then give them a good polish with a Puffs Plus tissue for smooth, lightning fast crocheting. Try it--you'll thank me!
For more info about standard US and international crochet sizes, here's a link to the Craft Yarn Council of America's excellent resource.
On the (crochet) road...
Welcome! I have a free pattern available in my new ravelry.com store, in honor of National Crochet Month and Crochetville's blog tour:
LINK to March Lion to Lamb Amigurumi pattern--an adorable lion who takes off his disguise to reveal he's a real lamb!
It's only the second pattern in my new store (Lola, the roadtrip-loving cat in pink pajamas, is the first), but I have more coming: Vegan Circus--a set of 5 cute animals in festive outfits, due by the end of March--and in April, Parisian kittens and a set of 5 Steampunk animals.
I've been enjoying seeing the blogs of my fellow crochet designers--great idea Crochetville!
LINK to March Lion to Lamb Amigurumi pattern--an adorable lion who takes off his disguise to reveal he's a real lamb!
It's only the second pattern in my new store (Lola, the roadtrip-loving cat in pink pajamas, is the first), but I have more coming: Vegan Circus--a set of 5 cute animals in festive outfits, due by the end of March--and in April, Parisian kittens and a set of 5 Steampunk animals.
I've been enjoying seeing the blogs of my fellow crochet designers--great idea Crochetville!
March is National Crochet Month! How to Celebrate--
Crocheters deserve to be honored the whole year, but we are willing to settle for one month.
Travel the crochet blogosphere this month! Here's a LINK to Crochetville's crochet trip, 1 or 2 different crochet blogs every single day of March.
Get your passports ready...
Oh, and yours truly is on the itinerary for 11 March.
Travel the crochet blogosphere this month! Here's a LINK to Crochetville's crochet trip, 1 or 2 different crochet blogs every single day of March.
Get your passports ready...
Oh, and yours truly is on the itinerary for 11 March.
Lola pattern is online!
If you'd like to make an adorable Lola doll--and really, who wouldn't?--I just added a pattern to my Ravelry.com page for a mere 3.75 US:
Gauge--get over it!
Whenever I teach a class and talk about gauge, everybody groans. I understand--you've got a brand new pattern and a pile of lovely yarn in your basket, and you cannot wait to get started on it.
But wait!
Think about this:
That yarn is probably expensive. And your time is even more expensive--you can't frog your time and take it back. By not making a gauge swatch, you could be wasting yarn, wasting your time, and probably getting frustrated when something doesn't come out right.
Gauge is most important for a precise fit in a garment, but it's also important for stuffed animals or accessories to come out properly.
Another reason:
I'll let you in on a dirty little secret...
For the past several years I've written crochet (and knit) patterns for most of the major magazines and book publishers. I think I'm doing something right, because I've seen lots of great comments about my patterns online (thank you, all!), and yarn companies and publishers personally ask me for more.
When I write a pattern and suggest a hook size--and I emphasize that word "suggest"--I am guessing what size hook you need to obtain the same gauge.
You see, I am a very loose crocheter. I once watched a woman using an "I" hook on a project for which I would choose a "G." Every time I see anybody crocheting, I check out what size hook they are using. It's usually at least one, sometimes two or three sizes larger than I would use for the same gauge. I must always guess your hook size--and I surmise my fellow designers are doing the same.
Only YOU can decide what hook to use!
Hooks are so inexpensive, there's no excuse not to have several different sizes on hand.
Plus, even if they are marked the same, different brands can be different shapes and sizes.
But that's another post for another time...
But wait!
Think about this:
That yarn is probably expensive. And your time is even more expensive--you can't frog your time and take it back. By not making a gauge swatch, you could be wasting yarn, wasting your time, and probably getting frustrated when something doesn't come out right.
Gauge is most important for a precise fit in a garment, but it's also important for stuffed animals or accessories to come out properly.
Another reason:
I'll let you in on a dirty little secret...
For the past several years I've written crochet (and knit) patterns for most of the major magazines and book publishers. I think I'm doing something right, because I've seen lots of great comments about my patterns online (thank you, all!), and yarn companies and publishers personally ask me for more.
When I write a pattern and suggest a hook size--and I emphasize that word "suggest"--I am guessing what size hook you need to obtain the same gauge.
You see, I am a very loose crocheter. I once watched a woman using an "I" hook on a project for which I would choose a "G." Every time I see anybody crocheting, I check out what size hook they are using. It's usually at least one, sometimes two or three sizes larger than I would use for the same gauge. I must always guess your hook size--and I surmise my fellow designers are doing the same.
Only YOU can decide what hook to use!
Hooks are so inexpensive, there's no excuse not to have several different sizes on hand.
Plus, even if they are marked the same, different brands can be different shapes and sizes.
But that's another post for another time...
Lola goes to the White Mountains
Lola decides to drive to the White Mountains. Road trip!
The view is spectacular!
Everything is labeled at the rental property so no one takes anything.
and yet...
...so a Starbucks sounds pretty good right now. Non-fat decaf, please.
Yes, a bonus pattern for her pajamas will be available, too!
The view is spectacular!
Everything is labeled at the rental property so no one takes anything.
and yet...
Lola thinks mountain climbing sounds like fun!
But, it turns out Lola is afraid of heights...
...so a Starbucks sounds pretty good right now. Non-fat decaf, please.
If you'd like to crochet your own adorable Lola doll, check back for updates for when a pattern is available on Ravelry.com. 'Cause you know, she's the cat's pajamas!
Yes, a bonus pattern for her pajamas will be available, too!
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