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Felting…

13 Oct 2009 by Peach
Felt Balls

Felt Balls

…the fabulous art of removing air and wonderfully clean hands!

What is Felt?

Very simply, felt is matted wool. Wool becomes felt when it is subjected to moisture, heat, and pressure. (In fact, if domestic sheep were not shorn, over time their wool would felt or “cot”.) Hot soapy water makes the wool slippery, and causes tiny scales on the fiber to “open up”. The scales prevent the fibers from backing up again after they slide across each other; with agitation, the fibers get hopelessly tangled together. When cooled and dried, the scales close and lock the wool into the tough, durable material we call felt.

For this first project you will need a nine-inch cake pan, some liquid detergent (Joy, Dawn,etc.), a kitchen sink, hot and cold water, and about 30 minutes.

Laying Out the WoolLay out a half-ounce of washed and carded wool. Divide into three equal portions. Spread out the first portion so that the wool evenly covers the bottom of the cake pan, with all of the fibers running in the same direction. Place the second layer on top of the first with the layers at right angles to the layer beneath. Repeat with the third layer, arranging the fibers cross-ways to the layer below.
Wetting the WoolSquirt a small amount of liquid detergent over the top layer of wool. Then gently pour about a half cup of HOT water over the wool.
Pressing Down the WoolPress straight onto the wool pile so that the wool compresses into a mass on the bottom of the pan. Add more hot water until all of the wool is wet. Work around the edges, pressing down until all of the wool is matted down.
Working the WoolHold the pan in one hand, while you gently massage the edge of the wool with the fingertips of the other hand. Use your palm to gently agitate the center. Slowly rotate the pan as you work. Keep rolling the edge of the wool slightly inwards to give it a smooth, finished shape. The soap will squish up between your fingers and the wool will matt togther. After about 5 minutes the wool will begin to firm up, and you can begin to work with a more vigorous circular motion.
Turning the FeltAfter about 10 minutes, the felt will hold together well enough to turn it over. Tip the pan and gently flop the wool out into your hand and place it upside down in the pan. Add more soap or hot water if necessary, and continue working the wool as before.
RinsingRun warm water into the pan and pour off the soapy water. Then run cold water over the wool and press the water out of it. It should be round, about an eighth of an inch thick, and a little smaller than the pan. It should be felt! If you continue working it, it will grow thicker and smaller. Its not that you are losing wool, its that you are losing air spaces.
Fulling the Felt(You don’t have to do this part) If you want the felt to be strong, continue working the felt by running more hot water over it, and rolling and squeezing it in your hands. The more you do this, the “fuller” (thicker and stronger) it becomes.

Pressing and Drying

When you’re finished felting you may want to use an iron (set at “wool”) to speed up the drying and flatten it out nicely. Congradulations! You’re done!

Category: crochet guide, crochet techniques, felt, knowledge, let's talk crochet  2 Comments

Infectious Disease

10 Oct 2009 by Peach

HOOKINOSIS
by Ima Nutt

This disease affects women of all ages, races and religions. However, it has now started to afflict men as well. The most distressing part of having one of your loved ones catch Hookinosis, is that there is no know cure. Recently a group of men have formed the S.P.C.W. (Society of Prevention of Crocheting by Women) and have started a fund drive in hopes that, with more research, a cure may be found within the next few years.
Hookinosis has just recently come to the attention of the medical profession, since it has always been considered a hobby, but after some extensive testing, it has been found that women who crochet go through actual withdrawal symptoms, when their yarn supply has been cut off.
Some of these symptoms are:
1. Irritability.
. Nervousness.
3. Extreme craving for yarn and crochet hooks.
4. Inability to concentrate.

Since I am listing some of the withdrawal symptoms, I may as well make a list of symptoms to watch for if you feel your loved one may be catching Hookinosis:
1. Yarn and crochet hooks lying all over.
2. Sleeps with yarn under her pillow.
3. Crochets matching booties for your cat and dog.
4. Gets extremely agitated if her yarn supply runs low.

If you feel your loved one fits any of these symptoms listed above, try to get her to join Yarnaholics Anonymous. Even tho there is no cure as yet, the organization may be able to help your family cope better with this affliction. Those of you who have not yet been stricken with this disease, please keep your family safe. Crocheting is very contagious, and the best way to prevent it’s ravages is to keep your females completely away from yarn, thread and crochet hooks or anyone who already has Hookinosis.

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How to Turn a Crochet Chain

10 Oct 2009 by Peach

DSC00404The trick in reaching the end of a row of crochet, then turning the work to begin the next row, is in starting the new row in the correct stitch. With the wrong stitch, the piece becomes too wide or too narrow.

Instructions:

1. Turn the work right to left.

DSC004052. Chain once if you’re working in single crochet; twice if you’re working in half-double crochet; three times if you’re working in double crochet; and four times if you’re working in triple crochet.

DSC004973. Insert the hook in the first stitch for single or half-double crochet.

DSC004984. Insert the hook in the second stitch for double or triple crochet.

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International Basic Symbols pt2

08 Oct 2009 by Peach
Basic Symbol pt2

Basic Symbol pt2

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International Basic Symbols

08 Oct 2009 by Peach

These are considered International symbols.

1: 2 different versions of the slip stitch.
2: Chain stitch
3: 2 different versions of the single crochet
4: Half double
5: Double
6: Treble
7: Double treble

Symbols Chart

Symbols Chart

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Hat Sizes

08 Oct 2009 by Peach

If you’re working on hats for your baby (like me!) but don’t know your child’s head size, this might be something that can help you…

Hat Sizes Guide

Hat Sizes Guide

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Tips to Help You with Your Crochet Project

08 Oct 2009 by Peach
When you’re working on a large project mark your stitches every 25 stitches – you can use pins, etc. 

If you’re attaching two pieces of work together, use a smaller hook, to prevent a bulky seam. 

Weaving in your ends as you work on your crochet will help your finished project look far neater.

When you’ve got yarn left at the end of a project it’s easier to store if you put it in balls.

Keep your crochet hooks clean by wiping them down with alcohol (if you have metal hooks) and cotton balls. 

If you’re working on a piece that is very dark yarn (such as black) you might want to consider putting a piece of white material on your lap.

If you’re working with a variety of yarns and you’re concerned about different weights, here’s a simple conversion chart so you can double up the yarn!

* 2 strands of fingering weight yarn = 1 strand sport weight Yarn
* 2 strands of sport weight yarn     = 1 strand of worsted weight
* 2 strands of worsted weight        = 1 strand of bulky
* 3 strands of worsted weight        = 1 strand of super bulky or chunky weight yarn

 
Picture of clothes model click and see what your pattern will look like
the numbers; for instance 8 x 12 = your gauge so you have to knit a tension swatch first and then choose your pattern with the right gauge.
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Crochet: Basic Techniques

08 Oct 2009 by Peach

Proper techniques begin with how to hold hook and yarn correctly so that you’re comfortable with them when working on a project.  Let’s begin with holding the hook.  There are two ways to hold your hook:

ð  Hold it as though you were holding a pencil – position and apply a light grip on the hook, or

ð  Hold it the same way as you would grip a spoon when mixing something thick.

ð  And now the yarn:  a basic technique is to make a slip knot, attaching the yarn to your hook.  Three simple steps to tie the slip knot:

ð  Loop the yarn around your left index finger

ð  Let the yarn slip from your finger, holding the loop between your thumb and index finger,

ð  With the hook held by your right hand, draw the loop up and around the hook.

ð  Then pull each of the ends gently in opposite directions.  This will tighten the knot and make it smaller.
Practice, Practice, Practice!

The technique of feeding yarn into your work takes a bit of practice.  With your left hand, pick up the yarn, and with the palm of your left hand facing up, thread the yarn through the fingers.  Practice holding the yarn so that it “flows” naturally through your fingers.  Move your index finger up and down to increase or decrease the tightness of the yarn.  As you progress, you will feel a rhythm that works best for you, making the movement more natural and effortless.

Catching the Yarn Technique

This is known as a yarn over (abbreviation:  yo).  Your index finger plays a crucial role in yarn over movements.  Each time you catch the hook, you guide the yarn by moving your index finger up and down.  To do a yarn over:

ð  Pass the hook under and over the yarn from back to front,

ð  If you’re having problems wrapping the yarn around all your fingers:  instead of wrapping the yarn, just let it flow behind your index finger, in front of your middle and ring fingers and back behind your little finger.

Next time we’ll be discussing alittle about “Some Great Crocheting Tips“.

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Crochet Symbols

08 Oct 2009 by Peach
Below are all the crochet stitches and their symbols. ;)
Crochet Stitches & Symbols

Crochet Stitches & Symbols

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Crochet Abbreviations

08 Oct 2009 by Peach

Crochet patterns use a large variety of abbreviations. Here are the most common and what they mean:

YO or yo (Yarn Over)- To yarn over means to bring the yarn over the hook of your crochet hook so that the hook can catch the yarn and draw it through the loop. Literally, bring the yarn over the hook.
ch-chain stitch
sc- single crochet
hdc- half double crochet
dc- double crochet
tc_ treble crochet
st(s)- stitch(es)
sl st- slip stitch
sk- skip
dec- decrease
inc- increase
sc2tog- single crochet two stitches togehter

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