Crocheting tip #2 - Multiyarning

Problem: Crocheting might seem like the cheapest hobby ever. You can get a skein on polyester yarn for about one dollar. Okay, maybe two dollars... Still, seems like an extremely economic way to waste some time. However, if you want to get yarn in some unusual colour or greater thickness, prices have a weird tendency to skyrocket. Suddelny, a simple scarf can cost around 20 dollars! Oh, humanity!

Solution: Multiyarning
I know that there probably is a better name for it, but "multiyarning" just sounds really hip. And how does it work? Basicly, you take two skeins of yarn of your chosen colour and work them simultaneously. You hold and work with two threads of yarn. Here's an example with purple and blue polyester yarn:

 

It's really very easy. You just work with two threads instead of one. Apart from that tiny detail, you just crochet normally. For example, you start with a chain.

As a result, you get a nice random colour combination and the thickness also increases. But why stop there? Let's add another colour and work with three skeins of yarn:

This time blue, green and purple were used to start a magic circle and work in a spiral. The final result is a bit psychodelic, but you can always use less contrastive colours. And one more thing, you can also combine yarn of different thickness and type, e.g. here I combined green fluffy polyester yarn with neon green sleek cotton yarn:

Multiyarning is definitely not a new nor groundbreaking discovery but it certainly is a cheap and easy way to introduce something new to your crocheting projects. You can also multiknit two or three skeins of yarn of the same colour to get greater thickness. Just remember to choose a hook of appropriate size.

So, go crazy and combine all the disgusting colours you can find! Give your friends psychodelic knitwork gifts that they'll be ashamed to show in public places!


Read, enjoy, obey!
Luke Crochet

Choosing the right crochet hook

Let the Mighty Tripod shine some knowledge onto you!

Yes, it's tutorial time again!

Holding a crochet hook can be a bit difficult for a cat with no opposable thumbs. Being a tripod doesn't help much either. That's why I use my human to do all the crocheting work. And here are some things I've learned from his constant complaining about crochet hooks.

Rule #1 

Crochet hooks are not like Pokemon, you don't have to catch them all!

If you're reading this tutorial, I guess you're probably a beginner. In that case, this point is probably the most important one. Crochet hooks are not expensive, but they're not free either. So, if you've never crocheted before, do not buy an entire set of hooks – begin with a single hook of reasonable size, e.g. 3,5 mm. This size is big enough to hold comfortably, and all the loops, crochets and chains will be quite big and easy to see. Once you learn the basics and decide that crocheting is the thing for you, splash out and get as many hooks as you want!

Rule #2 

Crocheting is not like going to the gym, the “no pain, no gain” rule does not apply.

Sometimes crocheting sessions can be quite long and, after a few hours, one really does appreciate a hook that is comfortable to hold. So, don't be a cheapskate! A hook with a handle is only a tiny bit more expensive than a handle-less one. Choose a hook with a wide handle, preferably one that feels “soft” not “slippery”. And again, don't but an entire set. Buy one, check if it feels okay in your hand and then consider buying other sizes.

From the top: The first one has a wide and soft handle - you can crochet till you drop with this one. The green one in the middle has a nice handle, but the plastic feels a bit cheap and slippery. The bottom one has NO handle and, therefore, is a big NO NO. Really, just say "No" to handle-less crochet hooks.

Rule #3

A crochet hook is not like a sofa, one size does not fit all.

Yup, that is a really lazy comparison, but I have no better ideas:P Anyways, you have to remember to choose the right size of your crochet hook. Whenever you buy a skein of yarn, you'll find information with the suggested hook size. However, you should remember that it is only a suggestion. Choosing the size affects not only the size of your finished work, but also other features, including softness.

So, if you're making an amigurumi plushie, remember that the hook should be 0,5mm or 1mm smaller than the suggested size. This way the stuffing won't stick out. If you're making something that has to be stretchy like a pair of gloves, it might be a good idea to use a slightly larger hook, e.g. 0,5mm bigger. And if you're making something that has to be soft and light, like a scarf, the hook can be totally off limits.

Just one more tip, petting your cat should always take priority over crocheting.

Read, enjoy and obey,

Tripod

Crocheting Tip #1 - taking a break

Tripod is really tired today and she's fast asleep, so I'll help her with this blog and write a short tutorial post. Hopefully, this advice will start a series of tips on crocheting and needle felting. Some people might even find it helpful:) So, here comes:

Taking a Break

Problem: Crocheting is usually accompanied by other activities and there are countless reasons and interruptions (frequently caused by interaction with other humans) which result in putting whatever you're working on away and taking a short break. And this is a perfect opportunity for a disaster to strike! It's quite easy to unravel or unstitch a part of your work while picking it up and nobody likes making repairs, especially if you're working on something really detailed. Oh the humanity!

Solution: Always chain 1 before putting your work away. It only takes a second and pretty much guarantees that you'll never unravel even a single stitch. So remember: chain 1, pull the yarn with the hook to make the "yarn ear" bigger and then remove the hook.

Now you can take as many breaks as you want to!

Cheers,
Luke Crochet
(and sleeping Tripod)

Dr. Tripod or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love Counting

Welcome, my human minions! Counting sure is a lot of fun! When you're five and you only have to count to ten... But, when crocheting in a spiral, it can be a source of endless fury and frustration!

It's round 7, single crochet number 23, someone asks you a question like „Where's the litter box?” and suddenly:

-->Catastrophe indeed! You have no idea how many single crochets you've made and you're totally lost. Life is a misery and unless you've got a stitch marker, you can abandon all hope and start again.

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What's the solution? Stitch counters, special apps to keep track etc. However, there is only one way of making crochet counting easier – don't count at all! Counting is for pussies and kittens! Here are a few tips to help you become a real pro. And my human slave has prepared a few photos to help.

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1. The round pointer

When crocheting in a round, there is a natural “round pointer” which shows you exactly where the beginning of every round is. All you have to do is follow it.

 

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2. Learn to see the increases

The easiest way of avoiding counting the whole round is to only count the number of stitches between INCs. This way, you'll rarely have to count higher that 6 and that's something that even mere humans can do. However, you do have to practise “seeing” the INCs:

3. How many single crochets between the increases?

When gradually increasing, you don't really have to follow a pattern to know how many crochets there should be between the increases. Just count the number of finished rounds and detract one. This simple equation tells exactly how many SC you need. Here's an example of how to use this advice when someone distracts you and you need to figure out what to do next.

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There are five finished rounds here. Just detract one and you know that the next round is 4SC and INC all around. So here, you have one more SC to make, then INCrease and repeat 4SC, INC until the end of this round.

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That's all for now. If you have any other counting related problems, leave a comment, maybe sacrifice a small animal and your new cat overlord, Tripod, might just give you the answer;)

Read, enjoy and obey,

Tripod