In the World of Crochet
We crocheters LOVE our hooks and yarn. We’ve got stashes of yarn that overrun our living space and rival the stock of yarn stores. We need no excuse to buy multiple hooks of the same size because the handle is ergonomic, the head is inline or rounded, it’s a handmade rare wood hook, or it’s my favorite color and I’m treating myself for my birthday. So there!
But the fun doesn’t end with hooks and yarn, right? There’s a lot more stuff that we must have to enhance the crochet experience! Save this article for when you want a gift and purposely leave it where family members will find it. Make sure to highlight with bright colors those items you want now!
Let’s dispense with the obvious: patterns. Clearly, you know how to acquire patterns because you’ve got this magazine in your hands. There are a bazillion patterns available in books, magazines and online for free or purchase. Take care not to buy from suspicious sources as these patterns may be stolen and your payment will not be going to the designer (see In the World of Crochet, October 2019). Now to the “must haves.” I would eliminate yarn since it’s as apparent as patterns, but look at your stash … is it 99% smooth, worsted-weight yarns from big box stores? There’s nothing wrong with this, but GET OUT OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE! Bypass the everyday acrylics and blends and buy a brand you’ve never used before, preferably in a luxury mix, or with a finish you’ve never tried. Novelty yarns such as raffia, eyelash, faux fur, ribbon or those with slubs and fluffs are so much fun! The results are worth the extra few minutes you’ll need to acclimate to these unusual yarns. (Photo 1)
I’m a big fan of organization so treat yourself to (or hint strongly for) a crochet hook case. I’m a sewer as well as a crocheter, and I made my rollup case from
1/4 yard of fabric. (Photos 2–4) Don’t be put off if you can’t sew; there are dozens of beautiful cases available on Etsy, other online sources and at your local yarn store. A good project bag is essential. Designer Jenniver Olivarez loves her bags from KnowKnits, LLC (www.knowknits.com). Durable GoKnit Bags are made in medium- and heavy-weight ripstop nylon in classic and jewel colors (and a camo
fabric!) in 3 sizes. Jennifer, who recently opened an Etsy shop, owns 5 bags in different colors and filled each with a different project for her store. She can crochet standing or sitting, wherever she is, and not worry about anything falling out, thanks to the secure cord lock. Buy an assortment of yarn needles. My favorite is a size 16 tapestry needle. I buy in multiples because they disappear or I give them away. If you prefer bulky and larger yarns, get a large-eye plastic or metal needle. A sewing needle is a necessity for sewing buttons or labels onto your work. (Photo 5) Speaking of labels … they’re a well-deserved indulgence that proclaims your craftiness! A label is the perfect finish to your work, especially when given as a gift. Clothing Labels by Sterling (www.clothinglabelsbysterling.com) makes custom, professional labels in a variety of fabrics and colors. Home Sew’s catalog
(www.homesew.com) offers inexpensive, colorful, woven labels for different crafts on which your name can be stamped in a limited choice of colors. And don’t forget care labels!! These are so important—you don’t want your lovely work ruined by the wrong method of care! (Photo 6) Want a label that’s really distinctive and durable? Look at “personalized labels for crochet” on Etsy and you’ll find wooden, leather and cork labels made by various vendors. We must have stitch markers, mustn’t we? There are dozens from which to chose, from handmade to springy Clover Quick Locking Stitch Markers, but my favorite is mini clothespins! They make great onehanded stitch markers and they don’t snag the yarn. Find tiny pink and blue ones in the baby shower section of a party store for your thread or finer work or order a bag of 11/4-inch or 13/4-inch pieces from eBay stores. Of course, standard sizes for bulky yarns can be found where laundry products are sold. (Photo 7) If you’re on a strict budget, get what crocheter Emily Carter uses: bobby pins as stitch markers! Another handy-dandy favorite is the Susan Bates Silvalume ® Handi Tool. It’s a combination piece with a size C crochet hook at one end and a knitting needle point at the other. When you need a small hook to pull yarn through a tight stitch or want to create a larger opening, one end or the other of this tool will do the job well. And if you’re “bistitchual” (a knitter
and a crocheter), you’ll appreciate this tool for picking up dropped stitches or as a cable substitution when none is available. It’s helpful as a sewing tool too! Row counters are usually perceived as a knitter’s tool, probably because the barrel-shaped device slides onto a knitting needle. Crocheters count rows too, but those little wheel counters don’t work on openended hooks. A digital row or tally counter is the ideal solution and an absolute necessity in your tool case. The counter is mounted on a rubbery, adjustable band that is worn on one’s finger like a big ring. With the press of a button, you can count hundreds of rows. The count remains in memory until the device is reset. Look for this clever
“must have” in a variety of fun colors from Susan Bates and other manufacturers, available on Etsy and in craft stores. (Photo 8)
You must measure gauge and size as you work, so why use a boring tape measure or ruler? Reach for a fun tape measure in a cute shape or color such as the Jumpy Frog
Tape Measure offered at Annie’s Craft Store (AnniesCraftStore.com/notions). Check the length—novelties are often only 40 inches long, not the standard 60 inches. If measuring a wide or long length is common in your work, treat yourself to a 120-inch tape measure from Annie’s notions.
Combine form and function with a Swatch Ruler Needle Gauge, also from Annie’s Craft Store. It measures crochet hooks or knitting needles in metric, U.S. and Japanese standard sizes. The swatch ruler allows you to isolate a section of your work to easily count both stitches and rows in a precut 4-inch window. Don’t hesitate to buy smaller gauge and hook checking products for your crochet travel bag. The Susan Bates Knit-Chek® is a staple of every crochet tool kit. Don’t miss the whimsical, clever pieces made by Katrinkles (www.katrinkles.com). The mostly wooden product line offers hook and needle gauges that double as rulers, keychains, earrings, necklaces and wrap-per-inch tools. The entire product line is fun to peruse!
One last “must have” to protect your most important tool—your hands—is Happy Hands hand cream (www.happyhandsstore.com). Handmade by Margaret Briggs in New Mexico, she touts her “non-greasy moisturizing cream that will not transfer to your handiwork,” and she’s absolutely right! Her fragrances are an eclectic assortment of fruit, herbal, floral, woods and spices. Try some of her interesting sample packs, then treat yourself to the fragrances you love. Your hands and your fibers will thank you!
Have fun looking for those products that will make your crochet kit complete and don’t forget to gift your favorites to the crocheters in your life!
(Photos courtesy of Randy Cavaliere from her personal collection of products.)