Andy Palmer asked:


There is some conjecture over the origins of Crochet. Some believe that is was started in the Far East, The Middle East or countries in South America. The reason for this belief is only down to historians believing this to be the case.

After all there doesn’t seem to be any physical evidence of Crochet for example in the form of a Crochet hook. The historians try to explain this away by saying that early forms of Crochet were fashioned using just a bent finger! I’m not sure you could keep that up for any length of time.

Crochet became more popular in 1800 in countries like America and Britain. This was due to the fact that cotton prices were dropping and it was easier to produce crochet products as opposed to their lace counterparts.

Obviously with prices dropping, factory owners looked at other ways to make money and this would result in the crochet workers earning very little. This in turn led some of the workers to a life of prostitution.

In Ireland and France the crochet industry was thriving. Families made and sold products for money, mainly to the more affluent middle class. Unfortunately a crochet product became synonymous with common folk as it was viewed as a cheap cousin compared to lace. However some members of the higher classes bucked this idea. Even Queen Victoria learnt how to crochet.

Now we fast forward to the 1900s where the hooks were now being made of more durable materials and arts and crafts were becoming more main stream. Mothers and daughters would spend their free time designing and making a whole array of crochet items. From blankets to place mats.

Nowadays there exists a whole range of different coloured threads, cottons and hooks to help any would-be crochet expert learn how to do it.
It is generally agreed that the first technique anyone should learn is how to make a pattern row and to be able to perform single stitch crocheting.

1) The equipment you need to start with may consist of:

a. Size G Crochet Hook

b. Small scissors

c. Worsted-weight yarn in what colour you choose

d. Large eyed yarn needle

2) Create a slipped knot on the hook.

3) Now slide the hooked yarn to the slipknot of the hook. This will create a chain of stitches. Now bring back the yarn to the top of the hook and make the thread go into the hook and then grab the slip knot of the hook.

4) By passing on the first chain stitch allows the knot to be hooked securely on the knot of the thread. By doing this will hold the thread in place and it will not become loose. The tighter the knot the easier it is to create a chain stitch.

5) Insert the hook in the hole of the next chain stitch and pass the yarn through the centre of the 2nd chain stitch going to the upper part of the hook. You should have created 2 loops on the hook now.

6) Bring the yarn from back to front and slide the knot between the loops.

7) From the second loop create another chain stitch to make an anti clockwise loop. This keeps the hook in the chain stitches and allows you to create rows using the loops from previous rows.

You have to create a single crochet stitch in the first loop. Make sure it is tight before moving to the following loop and it is imperative to create the hook on the last stitch or the stitches won’t hold their places.

Your job is nearly finished. Now cut off the excess but make sure you have 6 inches of thread on the last chain stitch. This allows you to slide the hook up to the upper parts of the loops to bring it down to the last loops.

This may seem really hard when you first try, but as they say; practice makes perfect!



DEVIN

Linda asked:


All of the directions I’ve ever read keep saying “single crochet on the single crochet” which just confuses me to no end.

SALVATORE

SIXella asked:


Is it just the type of needles and stitches?

Which one do you like better? Is one easier then the other?

LINWOOD

Missy Beckett asked:


Crochet is a craft that has really taken off in recent years and has become more ‘hip’ these days. Perhaps it is because of people like Martha Stewart and some of the other celebrities who have talked about their passion for various craft activities such as knitting and crochet.

Something that many people may not know with regard to crochet is that there are a lot more things you can make than just blankets and sweaters. There is an amazing variety of items that you can create with just a crochet hook and a supply of yarn. For example, would you have guessed that there are crochet patterns for things like teddy bears, pillows, home decor items and jewelry?

Beyond the style of crochet that most people are familiar with, there are also other styles as well, For example, filet crochet uses thread to create much more delicate and intricate items than other methods. Filet crochet is often used to create items like place mats, doilies or table runners.

Tunisian or afghan crochet is quite different since it uses a much larger hook than traditional crochet, and is a good method for creating large items like afghans and rugs.

Bead crochet can really add some eye-grabbing bling to a project by incorporating beads into the project. This can be done with items like purses, jewelry and clothing.

Someone looking for a relaxing passtime which also has the benefit of creating useful items may find that crochet is the perfect choice for them. It is very inexpensive to get started and many find in quite addicting after they have been doing it for a while.

 

For me, the perfect relaxing evening is sitting on my couch working on a crochet project with a good movie on the television and a glass of wine. It really helps melt away the stress of a hard day at work.



GRAHAM

expertvillage asked:

Crocheting a hat consists of several rows that are simple to do but a bit tricky. Watch this free video clip with a crochet expert to show you how to finish the fifth row of a hat. Expert: Axis Knox Bio: Axis is a young artist artist who has been braiding hair for many years. She has no professional training, but has been taught various techniques by family and friends. Filmmaker: MAKE | MEDIA

TERENCE

expertvillage asked:

Crocheting a hat consists of several rows that are simple to do but a bit tricky. Watch this free video clip with a crochet expert to show you how to start the eighth row of a hat. Expert: Axis Knox Bio: Axis is a young artist artist who has been braiding hair for many years. She has no professional training, but has been taught various techniques by family and friends. Filmmaker: MAKE | MEDIA

PABLO

Lorie Grant DeWorken asked:


I decided to learn to crochet in college. Crazy way for a college student to spend free time? Definitely. I assure you that I was not as big a loser as it might make me sound though. One night, for some strange reason, I found myself on a creative kick. My mom had taught me to cross-stitch as a child but that wouldn’t do anymore. I was ready for something new and exciting.

I ended up at Wal-mart late at night (best time to go for a college student!) browsing through the craft aisles and inevitably drawn to all the cool yarns. Ok, so what to do with them? Knitting or crocheting? At the time, knitting seemed over my head and maybe even a bit “granny-ish”. Crocheting was so much… cooler. Yeah, that’s it.

So for whatever reason, I picked crocheting. I envisioned super trendy afghans and throws adorning my dorm room and great gifts to impress my fiancé’s parents. It was something that I could learn to do that could be useful in the future. I could decorate an apartment or house, clothe the children I’d one day have, and even give great cheap gifts to all my friends.

Good in theory, but I never finished my first project — an afghan. What can I say? I was an easily distracted college student. And my reason for not having finished it since college? Let’s just say I’m an equally distracted adult. But despite my early failure, I did learn to crochet and, later, I even learned to knit.

Overall, there are two big things that I’ve taken away from my experiences in learning to crochet and knit:

First – you CAN be “self-taught” with the help of a good how-to book. There are quite a few out there. Just take a trip to any store that carries craft materials and patterns. Browse through the books to find one that is most user-friendly for you. One note — don’t be alarmed if some of the books with great instructions have patterns and pictures that take you back to the 70s or 80s. (My first how-to book had some real winners — cheesy vests and sweaters with terrible color schemes — but then again, 80s fashions are back aren’t they?)

Also keep an eye out for how-to kits. I started with a kit that included several crochet hooks and tools plus additional patterns — which were much needed! Except for yarn, these kits should provide you with the basics but don’t walk away from the store yet. It’s a good idea to go ahead and buy some additional crochet hooks or knitting needles since not all sizes are included in your kit. Other tools that could come in handy are: counters, markers, stitch holders, point protectors (knitting only).

Second — it’s good to have someone who can help you. This person does not have to be a full-fledged teacher, just a “consultant” — someone you can turn to when you have questions — because, let’s face it, even the best how to knit or how to crochet book can confuse you at one time or another. In my early attempts to learn to crochet I got stuck on a particular type of stitch. No matter how many times I read the explanation I just could not make it work. It just didn’t look right.

Lucky for me, I happened to be home from college on my winter break. I also happened to have what I was working on with me at a friend’s house (not sure why — again, I promise you I wasn’t a loser!). Her mother had been crocheting for years and I took the opportunity to ask for her help. She was able to show me exactly what I needed to do. That set me straight and I’ve been crocheting just fine on my own ever since.

My knitting “consultant” was (and is) my mother. After I got my first knitting how-to book, I knew I’d have some questions. I found out that some friends wanted to learn to knit too. So we set up a “knitting night” and all learned from my mom. A good social hour and quite educational! If you’re able to find some people to do this with, I highly recommend it.

Knitting and crocheting are great pastimes. I’m no expert, but I have learned how to do both. There are some great resources out there for anyone else to do the same. Find yourself a good how-to book, and that “consultant” you can turn to when you get stuck, and you’ll be well on your way. I never did finish that college afghan but since then I have crocheted several dish clothes, a baby blanket, a girl’s sweater, and now I’m knitting another girl’s sweater. If I could pull off these projects, anyone can! So go get started! Learn to crochet, learn to knit today!



DEWEY

carinamicc asked:


I always have difficulty beginning a crochet project, I was wondering if it’s possible to cast on, knit a couple of rows, then transition into crocheting? Thank you!
a website or maybe a couple tips would be helpful also, thank you

JOSUE