Tip: Stitch Markers

An important addition to your crochet tool box is a box of stitch markers.  They are most useful when crocheting in the round, to mark the beginning of a round/end of previous round, but they are also really helpful in big projects, like a blanket (space out the markers every 20 stitches so you don't have to keep counting stitches, you can just keep track of the markers).

Stitch markers also are useful to keep your project from unraveling when you take a break. Just slip one onto your working loop after removing the crochet hook before setting the project aside.

Also, be sure to get stitch markers that are intended for crochet, not for knitting, because you have to be able to open them, like a safety pin.  A crochet stitch marker is placed directly into a loop or stitch once it has been made.  In a pinch, you can use a hoop earring or a wine glass marker, but avoid using a real safety pin because the yarn can get caught and snagged in the spring coil.  I like using "lobster claw" stitch markers with charms because they stay closed until you want to open them, they have smooth edges, and look pretty!

Tip: Skein v. Hank

The fiber world really does have a language of its own!  For example, it's easy to confuse specific terms for how yarn is packaged.  Large manufacturers usually produce their yarns in a "skein", which is cylindrical in shape, with the label wrapped around the middle.  You do not have to unwind a skein and roll or wind it into a ball; you can use it as is by either unraveling the yard from the outside yarn end or finding the beginning end inside the center of the skein and pulling it out.

Smaller manufacturers and hand spinners usually wrap their yarn into "hanks."  A hank is made up of long loops of yarn that are then folded and twisted together.  Do NOT try to use a hand of yarn as is, it will soon become a tangled mess.  It must be wound into a ball of yarn first, either by hand or with a "swift" and ball winder (more on those items later).  If you don't have access to a swift and ball winder (many local yarn shops will provide access for purchased yarns), you can untwist the hank and place the loops of yarn on the back of a chair, around someone else's arms, or around your own feet while sitting on the floor (makes for a great hamstring stretch!) and manually unwind the loops and wind into a ball.

Tip: Yarn Label Information

Please don't just rip that label off your new skein of yarn and get started on your project (as tempting as that is)!  There's valuable information on that label, and you're going to want it later.  So, instead, peel the label off carefully, trying to keep all the print information intact.  Then, you might want to clip 6 to 12 inches of the yarn itself and staple or attach it to the label.  This way, you will have all of the details about the yarn and its care instructions.  You might also want to attach the label to the finished crochet project, especially if it's a gift, so that the recipient will know all about the yarn too and how to properly care for it.

There are no standards for what information must be included on a yarn label, but labels can include some or all of this information (especially those from the large manufacturers):  the name of the yarn and the dye lot number; how many yards/meters of yarn is included in the hank or skein; how many ounces/grams are included; the designated weight of the yarn (for example, worsted weight, DK, etc.); the fiber content of the yarn and how best to care for the finished project (for example, hand or machine wash); recommended sizes of knitting needles and crochet hooks to use with the yarn; the number of stitches and rows that should work up using the recommended needles or hook (the "gauge swatch"); where the yarn was manufactured; and, sometimes, recommended patterns for the yarn.

Tip: "WIP"

What's "WPI"?  It stands for "wraps per inch."  Literally, you determine wpi by wrapping yarn around a ruler for one inch, with each strand of yarn being wrapped parallel and next to each other.  Be careful not to wrap too tightly, no twisting or crossing the yarn either.  Just try to wrap with a moderate tension and keep the yarn flat and smooth against the ruler.

Once you've finished wrapping, you count the number of parallel strands within the 1 inch.  Usually, there will be about 16wpi for fingering weight yarn, 8 wpi for bulky weight yarn, and somewhere in between for worsted and DK weight yarns.

This technique is one way of determining the density or weight of a yarn and often is used by hand spinners to help categorize their yarns.  It's also a way of determining if different yarns can be substituted for each other in a pattern.

Tip: Crochet Hook Anatomy

The crochet hook obviously is going to be the most important tool you are going to be using to crochet.  All crochet hooks are not created alike, so here are some basic features of a crochet hook that you need to know to decide the type of hook that you want to use.  The choice of type of crochet hook to use is personal, with no right or wrong answers, so please experiment with the different variations to decide which ones you like best.

A crochet hook has a head, a throat, a shaft, maybe a thumb rest, and a handle.  The head will be either round or flat (also called "in-line").  Some crocheters prefer the round head because it is a little pointier and makes entering stitches easier; some prefer the flat head because it can make catching and pulling through the yarn easier.  The throat of the hook starts from the indent of the head and tapers to the round, uniform part of the shaft.  Whether the hook has a round or flat head, it is the width/circumference of the shaft that determines the size (which is labeled with either a letter and/or number and/or millimeters) of the hook and thus the size of the stitches you make.  The shaft measures about 1 to 1 1/2 inches from the head to the thumb rest (if there is one).  Many hooks have thumb rests or an indentation at this location of the hook to make the hook easier to hold and to keep the hook from shifting in your hand while you are crocheting.

The remaining part of the hook is called the handle, and a regular crochet hook has one that is about 6 inches in length (compared to a Tunisian/Afghan crochet hook, which is usually much longer).

(Here's the Facebook video)

Tip: Do Your Stretches

If you're planning a marathon crocheting session, please remind yourself to stop every 30-45 minutes to stretch your wrists, arms, and shoulders to avoid getting stiff and aggravating any repetitive motion injuries.  It only takes a few moments, and it'll make a lot of difference in maintaining physical comfort while crocheting.

Here are a few stretches to try:

1)  Stretch your arms out, shoulder height and palms facing down, and flex your hands upward, like you're telling someone to stop.  Then, bend your hands down, with your fingers pointing to the floor.  Now, twist your arms so that your palms are facing up towards the ceiling.  Then, bend your hands toward you, so that you are looking at your palms, then bend your hands backwards so that our palms are facing away from you and your fingers are pointing downwards.  As you change positions, be sure to wiggle your fingers and relax them as well.

2)  Drape your right arm over your head, so that your right hand covers your left ear.  Gently bend your head towards your right shoulder and hold for at least 10 to 15 seconds.  Switch sides.

3)  Stand up and place your hands on your hips.  Gently twist to the right and then to the left, while trying to keep your hips facing forward.  Do that a few times to work out the kinks.  Take a few gentle squats as well to get the blood flowing again.

Now, you're ready to sit and crochet some more!

Happy NatCroMo 2020!!

Hey Crocheters, it's National Crochet Month, and I'm celebrating until Many Creative Gifts' 15th Anniversary on April 5th.  Keep reading for a great coupon code for my Ravelry Store.

It's so great to be a part of Crochetville's Designer Blog Tour in celebration of NatCroMo, and I've really been enjoying this year's theme of Crochet Memories.  I feel like I have quite a few of them at this point:  There are memories of learning how to crochet from my favorite 6th grade teacher and my aunt; there are memories of crocheting my first sweater with royal blue yarn and feeling like I could actually wear it in public; there are memories of making cute little baby clothes for dear friends' baby showers; and there are memories of creating Many Creative Gifts as an entrepreneurial endeavor to test out design ideas and new technologies! 

Speaking of technology, I've been going live on Facebook, with a quick crochet tip each time.  My goal is 30 days' worth of videos to give you a taste of my ebook 101 Crochet Tips.  I'll be posting the tips on this blog as well, and, as a result of this journey, I'm going to put together a new edition!  Stay tuned for launch details.


And, in celebration of NatCroMo 2020 and our 15th Anniversary, I'm offering my best discount yet -- a one-time use 50% off coupon code for your total purchase.  Just go to my Ravelry Store here and type in "50for15" in the coupon section at check out.  The offer is good until April 5th (11:59 PM EDT). 

I hope you've enjoyed visiting my blog and want to subscribe to future posts (see subscription box in left column).  I have a feeling that 2020 will be a great year in which to create some new Crochet Memories.  Thank you for celebrating NatCroMo2020 with me, and Happy Crocheting!!