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Jan 12, 2023 3 years ago
MusicEmo
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Do you guys have any favorites when it comes to crochet? Any favorite patterns? Favorite hook styles (Tapered vs Inline)? Hook material? Yarn? Etc?

My favorite pattern is the puff quilt square. I've been able to modify the pattern to not only make bags, but recently I made a huge (55"x45") dog bed with it. My favorite style of hook is inline; I like how sharp it is, and how it holds into the yarn. I've only used aluminum hooks, so I'd love to hear about others! I don't have any favorite yarns or yarn brands, but I do know if I can, I'll never use jumbo chenille again .-. So much breakage. So many tiny puff balls everywhere.

My name is Kira/Erik. I'm Nonbinary, and my pronouns are They/Ze. [flower=MusicEmo]

Jan 12, 2023 3 years ago
QueenSpazzy
is bright-eyed and bushy-tailed
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Ohhh, a crochet topic, you have my attention! For hooks, I tend towards Boye tapered throat. They were my first hooks when an aunt taught me my first stitches, and I've just never been able to use anything else. I know TONS of people sing the praises of inline hooks like the Susan Bates brand and say they make their yarn split less, but I hate them, they're hard for me to use and not comfortable in my hands. (Which is a crying shame, I've had a hell of a time finding tapered throat hooks in physical stores since I moved.) For hook material, most of my hooks are aluminum, but I wish I could get every hook in steel like my lace weight set. I crochet VERY tightly, which means I have a lot of tension on my yarn and hook while I work, which leads to some... interestingly shaped aluminum hooks. (My US size D, 3.25mm, hook has a permanent curve in it from an amigurumi ewok. I'm hoping to replace it with a steel hook eventually, hopefully BEFORE I break it, because I've bent it out of shape and had to reset it so many times it's bound to happen eventually.) I've not tried plastic hooks because I'm pretty sure I'd snap them, making them not worth the investment, but if I can ever find some tapered throat wooden hooks for a decent price, I'd be willing to give them a shot. I think my overall favorite yarns to use are Caron Simply Soft (it is SERIOUSLY soft, but a lot of people hate it for having a bad tendency to split; this isn't much of a problem for me, and the texture is worth the complication in my opinion, it makes wonderful hats and scarves and plush toys) and Bernat Premium (I've not used this in AGES, I'm not even sure if any physical stores near me carry it anymore, but it was so soft and cuddly, my beau still has a scarf that I made from this yarn something like ten years ago). Lion Brand Homespun yarns can make some nice projects, too; they can be a little hard to work with (so splitty, my hooks would get caught in the middle of stitches sometimes), but if you can get past that, they can work up into a good, thick fabric that is FANTASTIC for bags, and also pretty good for mittens (I've a pair of flip top mittens made from Homespun, and they are so warm). I wouldn't say they're well suited to amigurumi (in fact, I'd honestly say they're a headache if you're having to match Homespun up with a worsted weight yarn because tiny hook plus thick yarn equals a lot of trouble), but I DO swear by a certain colorway for ewok plushies (it looks just like fur when worked up, which just about makes up for the trouble). I don't think I really have a favorite pattern. Mostly I do a lot of amigurumi, with whatever patterns I find interesting and have a yarn to suit them sprinkled in. I DID have a motif in a shawl a while back I really loved, though. The pattern called it a "pineapple motif," though after a quick internet search I think the more accurate description is "pineapple square motif." I want to try it as a blanket design someday, I think it would be lovely.

[font=times new roman]"There's no better vengeance than learning to enjoy again." [/font]

xe/they/she

Jan 14, 2023 3 years ago
Bendy_Demon
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Stolas

Hmm..I never used inline hooks so I will have to try and find one to see/feel the difference. Personally I go for basic stitches but I really should try different stitch patterns however as far as yarn goes I don't have much experience save for the Red Heart brand or the Peaches and Cream or the Sugar and Cream cotton yarn.

Some yarns seem to shred so easily though so hopefully when I move I will be able to find an inline hook to experiment with.

Cigarettes are just like squirrels; perfectly harmlesss...until you put one in your mouth and light it on fire!

Jan 18, 2023 3 years ago
MusicEmo
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Oh, I love making Amigurumi! I'm just so bad at it, lol. Hence the trio of Mr. Lumpy, Sir Lumpy, and Lumpy Dude. I'm bad at any pattern that requires counting because I get lost so easily.

And thanks for the suggestion of Caron Simply Soft! I'm hoping to start making wearables soon, so that'll be nice to keep in mind!

I got my first inline hook, a Susan Bates with an ergonomic handle, from a big chain craft store for $2 after a coupon. They are typically about $3.46 where I live but can be as cheap as $2 (without a coupon) if you get a standard hook without the soft handle.

My name is Kira/Erik. I'm Nonbinary, and my pronouns are They/Ze. [flower=MusicEmo]

Jan 18, 2023 3 years ago
Bendy_Demon
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Stolas

I do have a few hooks with the big soft handle and they are ok but it kinda gets in the way for me when I crochet. I mean it isn't bad but the soft part is too big and takes up too much of a potentially usable handle too. Now that i think of it, I think some of my bamboo hooks are in-line but I'm not entirely certain now.

Cigarettes are just like squirrels; perfectly harmlesss...until you put one in your mouth and light it on fire!

Jan 18, 2023 3 years ago
QueenSpazzy
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I like to think I'm pretty good at amigurumi; I've enough experience to make my own patterns now, at least. I totally get you on the counting, though. I bought a whole bunch of bobby pins to use as stitch markers to help with that, I place them at specific intervals to help keep count so I'm not having to keep track of large numbers (this also makes it easier to track down mistakes when I wind up with the wrong number at the end of a round). And then I use scrap yarn for row markers in bigger projects, usually about every ten rows/rounds, which makes counting those up so much easier. I also have a stitch counting app on my phone, and that's a HUGE help! (So much easier than paper and pencil that I always seem to lose, or a file on my computer that necessitates crafting at my computer and nowhere else.) And you're welcome~ Caron Simply Soft is so much nicer in texture than most other acrylic yarns, but still has simple care instructions, which makes it an absolute must for most of my gift projects. I want people to actually USE what I make, which means "machine washable" is pretty much a necessity.

[font=times new roman]"There's no better vengeance than learning to enjoy again." [/font]

xe/they/she

Jan 19, 2023 3 years ago
Bendy_Demon
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Stolas

Ok..I just bought a set of those In-Line hooks from Susan Bates brand and I already like them. Making a foundation chain was so nice because the stitches were even and it did seem easier to control the tension too! I mean my other hooks are great too but these in-line hooks are nice to work with.

Cigarettes are just like squirrels; perfectly harmlesss...until you put one in your mouth and light it on fire!

Feb 16, 2023 3 years ago
deanspika
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I really like making blankets. I'm currently working on the Daphne blanket from TLYC, which is a granny stitch blanket with an interesting construction. I made a baby size for a friend who is expecting and now I'm making bigger triangles to make a bigger blanket for an adult friend who is visiting on Saturday. Hopefully I will be done by then!

I tend to use the hooks I got from Michaels with the different colored padded handles or cheaper handmade wooden hooks.

Feb 18, 2023 3 years ago
The Plushie Collector
Mutt
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Bloodclaw

I'm a knitter but I agree that lion band yarn is splitty but the end result is nice, especially for the price. I also love the colors. I'm new to fiber art and most of the yarn I've gotten has been from thrift stores so far. I have crochet hooks but im intimidated tying to learn a new skill so i haven't tried yet. I've been told it's easier than knitting though and I love the look of granny squares!

Feb 18, 2023 3 years ago
Eclair_Morrowind
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At the moment, I am obsessed with making crochet lace. I've done a few sets of vintage-style lace wedding gloves and I cannot wait to make more.

Feb 19, 2023 3 years ago
deanspika
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Quote by Mutt
I&;m a knitter but I agree that lion band yarn is splitty but the end result is nice, especially for the price. I also love the colors. I&;m new to fiber art and most of the yarn I&;ve gotten has been from thrift stores so far.
I have crochet hooks but im intimidated tying to learn a new skill so i haven&;t tried yet. I&;ve been told it&;s easier than knitting though and I love the look of granny squares!

I find knitting easier than crochet but I have more experience with knitting.

Feb 27, 2023 3 years ago
Bendy_Demon
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Stolas

I'm kinda the opposite, I find crochet easier than knitting; with knitting the chances of stitches slipping off theneedle are far greater and you often don't notice until you have knitted a few rows then you see the 'boo-boo' then you go "Well Fiddle-dee-dee..looks like I have a mess to deal with.'.

Now in crochet I find it easier as if you miss a stitch you notice it right away then can undo the stitch then go on PLUS once you have crocheted a row it is done and you can make a row as long as you want.

Now counting the stitches can be tricky which is why I have to make sure to mark the end of each row so I don't skip the last one or make the final stitch in the wrong place.

Once I move I am gonna try to work on both knitting and crochet again as well as maybe try needlepoint or embroider.

Cigarettes are just like squirrels; perfectly harmlesss...until you put one in your mouth and light it on fire!

Feb 27, 2023 3 years ago
deanspika
is sweet
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Yeah! I think you make some very valid points and my only counterargument is I have been knitting for 20+ years and crocheting for just over 2 years. So I think the experience with each craft changes how I view them. I also am teaching some preteens both and I think crochet is harder to learn but easier once you know what you're doing whereas knitting starts off easier and gets harder the longer you do it. I don't know if that makes sense or not so let me know if you think differently.

Feb 27, 2023 3 years ago
Bendy_Demon
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Stolas

It is strange but when I first started knitting it didn't seem too bad but one thing I REALLY struggle with at times is the tension. With crochet it is easier but in knitting if you knit too close to the tips then the stitches get REALLY tight but too far down on the needle then they get all loosey-goosey and on top of that it seems like the initial cast on can be a bit loose too..

I dunno..knitting can be a bit tricky but I suppose once you have a method you like then it is best to stick with that.

Cigarettes are just like squirrels; perfectly harmlesss...until you put one in your mouth and light it on fire!

Feb 27, 2023 3 years ago
deanspika
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Oh! That's fascinating because I don't struggle with tension in knitting but my tension in crochet is always wonky.

Feb 28, 2023 3 years ago
Selkie
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Personally I really love crocheting beanies and plushies. I recently learned to knit as well and I've mostly been knitting gloves, but yeah, I also have a big tension difference between knit and crochet with my crochet looking much better. I guess I'll get better the more experience I have knitting.

My favorite kind of crochet hook is wood handle, aluminum hook. It warms up nicely in my hand but doesn't move around annoyingly like softer handles sometimes do if just glued onto the hook.

And as for patterns, currently I'm just really into making hexagons for a big blanket.

Feb 28, 2023 3 years ago
QueenSpazzy
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I can knit and crochet, but have no tension problems between either. (Though Tunisian crochet gives me a little trouble, but I think that may be because the Tunisian hook I have is too small in circumference for most patterns.) My stitches are really tight in both, though, so meeting gauge can be a challenge, especially in crochet when I regularly have to go up two or three hook sizes. And if a large hook size is already asked by the pattern, well, I'm just sunk on that pattern. I DID have a problem when I first started knitting, though. And after reading through the how-to book I got to learn, it turned out the problem was because I was holding my working yarn in the American/English way (the way shown first in the book, because I live in the US and it's the more popular knitting style here); when I switched to continental it was SO much easier to work stitches. So I definitely recommend figuring out which style you use and trying the other knitting style if you're having trouble with the one you're using, sometimes it can make a big difference!

Also, just going to drop another favorite crochet thing here; Crochet Spot is one of my favorite crochet sites. There are lots of tutorials and how-tos, patterns (plenty of free patterns available, but there are also some paid patterns), and lots of other fun little ramblings and blurbs. Their tutorials are some of the best, at least for my learning style; there are pictures (which will flip on mouse over if you want leftie visual examples!), but the steps are also clearly described in text (I have friends that swear by videos for learning, but I'd rather have some good plain text and a diagram or three any day). I come to this site first anytime I come across a stitch I don't know or need a refresher on a stitch I haven't used in a while. I learned how to do a chainless turning stitch on that site, and it was a game changer for my crochet, I use it for all of my flat work now.

[font=times new roman]"There's no better vengeance than learning to enjoy again." [/font]

xe/they/she

Mar 1, 2023 3 years ago
The Plushie Collector
Mutt
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Bloodclaw

I started crocheting a fabric strip rug and it has been super fun! I also tried crocheting a pokeball and that has been a lot more challenging. I think i will get the hang of it but i have gotten confused and frustrated a few times haha I think its how small the yarn/hook is. I'm having a hard time figuring out how to hold my project and maintain tension.

One of my favorites is the LePetitSaint Crochet channel on youtube. I haven't actually followed any of her tutorials but she's so wholesome i have been binge watching her videos.

Here's my rug so far:

SPOILER (click to toggle)

I would love to see everybody's projects!

Mar 1, 2023 3 years ago
Blythe
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Iluvatar

I love crochet! I pretty much exclusively use Clover Amour hooks, which I believe are tapered. My favorite thing to make is shawls for myself, which I wear every day. My favorite pattern is this one - https://youtu.be/TEsI_KjTBXE">YouTube link - because it’s an easy to remember 2-row repeat with beautiful results. I’ve made two shawls with it, about to start a third and adapted the pattern to make arm warmers to match one of the shawls. I prefer fingering weight yarn, but as long as it’s soft and beautiful, I’m equal opportunity.

I love your rug! You’re inspiring me to start one, but I’ve got too many WIPs.

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Mar 3, 2023 3 years ago
The Plushie Collector
Mutt
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Bloodclaw

you should! It's really fast and rewarding. The first 10 layers are old clothes and the last few layers are thrifted sheets. It has been fun going to find old sheets to use and I've been getting them for $3 each. And that flower pattern is so pretty 🤩

this is the tutorial i watched to make the rug: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_avbYh0T2m0

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