How knitters use crochet hooks. Discuss.
I'm puzzled by this question/answer between a reader of southern Oregon's Mail Tribune and the staff that answers reader questions. The reader asked why knitters should keep a crochet hook handy, and the answer is that the staff has no idea why.
I'm a knitter, too, though I'm certainly no expert. I've used a crochet hook in a knitting project to put a single crochet edging around the too-wide neck of a simple poncho. And many knitting books list crochet hooks among the tools to keep handy, along with stitch markers, tapestry needles, scissors, etc.
Crochet hooks can be used to pick up dropped stitches, and I'm pretty sure I've even knit using one needle and one hook (in a class with Lily Chin at a conference last fall. No, I don't exactly remember how, but I'm sure you could figure it out if you try).
I'm sure many of you, dear readers, also knit. Have you used a crochet hook to help you along, or have you heard of crochet hooks being put to good use in knitting?
Please discuss.
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I'm the founder and creative director of CrochetMe.com, the editor of Interweave Crochet, co-host of Knitting Daily TV and the author of Crochet Me. I love sushi, thunderstorms, good books, the smell of clean laundry, and I also blog at kimwerker.com.
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Certainly a crochet hook is helpful in pulling up the dreaded dropped stitches! I'm not sure why they asked the newspaper such a craft-specific question...
Crochet hooks are also used for some cast-ons and bind-offs, my favorite being a cast-on for ribbed fabrics that starts with a crochet chain in waste yarn that is later "unzipped", leaving behind a stretchy edge. My knit/crochet project bag includes a zippered pencil case with two sections; I use one for dpns and the other for crochet hooks. Really, a newspaper with reporters that can't figure out something that simple? Dear journalists, there's this tool called a search engine...
Speaking as Knitgrrl.com author-lady -- I recommend them in the book mostly for picking up stitches, although I also use them to steek sweaters (cardiganization of EVERYTHING is key in my world). Not so fond of the crochet edgings I've seen on some knits, but hey, that's me.Seems that article is referring to the TSA travel guidelines (ah, lovely Homeland Security). They're the crazies who suggest knitters bring along a crochet hook to save their work in case their knitting needles are confiscated.See: http://www.tsa.gov/public/interapp/editorial/editorial_1252.xmlYou could, I suppose, use the hook to thread some yarn through live stitches in order to save them for later...if you didn't have a yarn needle with you. Or you could make an improvised stitch holder. But in any event, to me it seems that TSA guideline was written by someone wholly clueless about both crafts.(Last I checked, a bamboo or plastic needle was just as stabby as a metal one, if you're the terrorist type...)
Queen Kahuna (Mary Ann Beattie, author a very good book describing how to knit two socks on two circular needles at the same time), gives a great example of a very stretchy crocheted bind-off for socks that begin life at the toe. Since in my very limited knowlege of both crafts, a knitted bind-off is usually the least stretchy part of a garment, the crocheted edge gives the ribbed or fluted sock top the flexibility that it needs to go over your heel and actually fit your leg! I also agree about the stabby nature of bamboo or plastic. My plastic-y bryspun and Denise needles are much more "stabby" than my metal Addi's! Not to mention the damage that the smaller steel crochet hooks can do....
Whoops, stuck my foot in my mouth there. Heh. Still think they could have checked in on a knitting forum or something, though.The TSA guidelines in general really don't make much sense to me. Humans are creative buggers and can make a deadly weapon out of just about anything common, like say...a ballpoint pen.
i use a crochet hook whenever some knitted stitch is too tight and being a pain. without thinking i reach for the familiar hooks to fix any problem that arises on my needles.
Recently I was making a knit diaper soaker for a friend and I had to use a crochet hook to pick up stitches, not stitches that were dropped, but stitches that were already bound off. You push the crochet hook under a stitch and grab the working yarn and then pull it up and put it on the needle you will be working off of. You can do this with a knitting needle, but the hook is easier.You can also use a crochet hook to add embelishments to the knit item you are working with. You can use a hook to add any type of crocheted cord to your item, such as a purse.Finally, you can add an assortment of various trims (picot, ruffled, etc.) using a crochet hook to your garment.Oh...and don't forget that you can use the hook to help assemble your knit piece.
[NOTE TO SELF: Never ask the people who write "Since You Asked" any real life-altering questions; they probably would just interview someone's next door neighbor for the answer."] Way to investigate a question people. Really. I have three words for them:Internet. Message Board.Enough said!
Hi there ,
I am from India , i got this beautiful yarn , but i am really confused to answer my customers query .
i got a yarn i dont know what number crochet hook i need to use for it .
Any experts out there , if u want a pic of my yarn plz do e-mail me zaarucrafts@gmail.com
Regards
ALI