2011 Crochet Corner

**Shelli_wnj** · 01-05-2011, 03:34 PM

Question: Anyone know what I can make with off-white crochet cotton besides washclothes? I had started to make a gardening apron for my mil, and then she became very ill, and we all know she won't be able to garden this year. I would still like to make something with the yarn, tho - maybe for her if I can figure out what.

**renmerc446** · 01-05-2011, 04:57 PM

Originally Posted by Shelli_wnj

THe term frogging, as explained to me, sounds like "rip it, rip it" you know, ribbit? LOL

Got it. lol

**Debbie-cat** · 01-05-2011, 05:02 PM

Finished three scrubbies last night. Hoping to finish another three tonight...I think I can squeeze that many out of the skein.

**frugalfranny** · 01-06-2011, 01:23 AM

Originally Posted by Debbie-cat

FF - STAY AWAY from those websites!!!!

. Post the link to the hat anyway FF. I would like to see which one it is as I have made some of theirs.

You are really cranking out the scrubbies dc.

I dug out my 'cones' of cotton so I can do some blocks of stitches. Forgot that I got TWO cones........a blue and a dark burgundy----at a thrift shop last year.......

woohoo!! Doing a project with 'almost' free yarn...........and cones too!! The blue one is huge.

I will see if I can dig up the link again dc.........it is just double crochet done in the round...........went fast with the bright super chunky yarn and I have tried it on. It seems like it will be really toasty......but still has 'breathing' holes. My fleece ones, like the one I sent you, get really hot when you are shoveling snow.

**Debbie-cat** · 01-06-2011, 10:58 AM

Finished the last three scrubbies last night now to get them in the mailti TSOO. Now I need to find yarn to match the monthly dishcloths for Christmas, then I will start those scrubbies as well.

**dcompton** · 01-06-2011, 07:46 PM

Shelli - I have no ideas for the thread, but there's a whole section on thread crochet over at Crochetville, and I think a thread section in the show-and-tell there. You could probably get a lot of ideas. I am in awe of people who do thread crochet. I tried it and, uh, not my cup of tea. I want to see some progress! Not to mention, it would nice to be able to see the thread. And the teeny tiny hook. As part of a challenge, I'm supposed to make three thread snowflakes. I have a very bad feeling about how that's going to go! But I have the thread and hook and have until the end of January to get it done.

FF - This is the first time I've used 2 strands. The first I did was with a K hook, the largest I had at the time, and a solid pattern. It was too tight. That snuggle is definitely a mat. I've started another with a more open pattern and an M hook, and it's much more successful. The afghan patterns I've seen for double strand often seem to call for an N.

This has to be the frugal crochet year. My self-challenge is to see how many weeks of the year I can avoid buying any yarn. I need No More Yarn. Of course, if I find another awesome clearance like last summer, well, some temptations are just beyond our strength. I'll try to just live vicariously through everyone else's luscious new yarn.

I've identified 24 projects with yarn on hand, though I can't guarantee I won't need more to finish them. That's the queue for the year. I can't possibly get through all of them. I have plenty of leftover balls and other unassigned yarn to make the snuggles.

**frugalfranny** · 01-07-2011, 01:04 AM

No pics yet dc.....but I will get there.

Started on my first 'stitch' block/thing......and not with the cone thread..........some variegated stuff I got off ebay ages ago.

I want to try the thread crochet.........saw a book of snowflakes at JA's..........they intrigued me.

**frugalfranny** · 01-07-2011, 01:08 AM

Originally Posted by frugalfranny

I have never done the 'two strand' thing.........is it hard? What would be the tricky part with it? Any thing different from one strand?

Has NO ONE ever used two strands???.........

Got a yarn today at HL.........that I am ready to pair up.........and just about ready to do it without a pattern!!! Can't find what I want...........

**renmerc446** · 01-07-2011, 10:43 AM

Originally Posted by frugalfranny

Has NO ONE ever used two strands???.........

Got a yarn today at HL.........that I am ready to pair up.........and just about ready to do it without a pattern!!! Can't find what I want...........

Do you mean use two strands as if they were one? I've done that but not using a pattern. But then I tend to make large afgans with double strands and use an "N" sized hooks. They're my twead/marble afgans - twead if the colors are similar in color, marble if there's more of a contrast.

Does that help?

**Shelli_wnj** · 01-07-2011, 01:04 PM

I have done a LOT of projects with two strands. Two strands of kitchen cotton, two strands of worsted weight, two strands of bulky weight. I will try to answer your question to the best of my ability.... what is your question? LOL If it is about color, it's really a matter of what you like. If it's about hook size, I need to know which yarn, etc.

**dcompton** · 01-07-2011, 01:22 PM

FF- It's no harder to work than one strand. Very occasionally my hook will just catch one, but with the big hook that's really easy to see.

Now, that said, I've been using two strands of worsted. I don't know how it would be to work the novelty yarns like the fun fur, because I've never used them at all.

It will be thick and the holes will be big because of the big hook, so you need to take that into account when choosing a pattern. I would think something somewhat open might work best - not a really solid pattern, but not really lacy either.

You might look at some "quick afghan" patterns if it's not to hard to find some and look at them. I wonder if that would turn up anything in google? I don't have time to check right now - I'm off soon to a doctor's appointment and then to work.

Your thread colors sounded dark. If you haven't done it before, you might want to pick up a ball of white or light colored thread to start with. There are lots of free snowflake patterns around you could experiment with. The light color will make it easier to see the itty-bitty stitches until you get the feel for it. I offer this with the reminder that I know little about it, having tried and failed at it miserably.

**frugalfranny** · 01-07-2011, 06:29 PM

Originally Posted by dcompton

FF- It's no harder to work than one strand. Very occasionally my hook will just catch one, but with the big hook that's really easy to see.

Originally Posted by Shelli_wnj

I have done a LOT of projects with two strands. Two strands of kitchen cotton, two strands of worsted weight, two strands of bulky weight. If it is about color, it's really a matter of what you like. If it's about hook size, I need to know which yarn, etc.

Originally Posted by renmerc446

Do you mean use two strands as if they were one? I've done that but not using a pattern.

Does that help?

Thanks........it all helps. Just wanted to know, since I haven't done it, if there is anything different that I should know before starting.

I thought about the 'pattern thing', dcomp...........and might come back in and check before I start.

THANKS TO ALL THAT ANSWERED...........may have more questions..........when I get the actual yarn and pattern lined out.

Deb-cat..........got the pics on the camera........now to just unload them.....maybe this evening--------if I don't have any computer problems when I come back in here.

I am loving doing the 'stitches thing'............think it will not only teach me a bit but help with the confidence on trying new things. I DID change the yarn though.........back to the orig. idea. Frogged the other.........it had these 'little nubs' on it and wasn't going to show the stitch very good..........and I want to be able to see them.....to see what I like. Doing the lattice stitch now......like it and super easy and fast!

Gees..........spent TWO HOURS at pattern central last night........found a BUNCH that I liked. Found a PERFECT scarf for my BF but it can't/won't be done with two strands as that would cover up the detail..........had hearts in it!!

**Debbie-cat** · 01-07-2011, 06:37 PM

I lose time when looking through pattern central FF.

so many things I want to make, it gets me all confused!

**frugalfranny** · 01-07-2011, 06:48 PM

Originally Posted by Debbie-cat

I lose time when looking through pattern central FF.

so many things I want to make, it gets me all confused!

I was working/looking my way through ALL the scarves....(wish they would post pics with the name).........had only gotten to the F's when I looked at the clock.......

So I skipped around a bit and quit.

Printed out about 4 of them.......and had to tell myself to quit that too!!!

**TheKeswickBlogger** · 01-08-2011, 12:02 PM

Hi and Happy New Year!

I have a stupid question but can't for the life of me find the answer anywhere (likely my search terms are not ideal!)

I bought a crochet starter package by Red Heart but have no idea what type of wool or yarn I need to start or which needle/hook I should start with. Having never done any kind of knitting or crocheting before, I'm at a complete loss.

If there is an ABC's of crochet post that I should read, I can't find it

but would read it if it exsists!. If there isn't one, can anyone help educate me a bit about yarn/wool etc. I was thinking to try a plain dishcloth first and move forward from there...

Thanks in advance for any help or direction you can provide