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Miss Roulette
I Really should be Working
Miss Roulette


Number of posts : 250
Location : Blighty
Registration date : 2008-02-21

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PostSubject: Crochet   Crochet Icon_minitimeSat Feb 23, 2008 6:11 pm

Does anyone here crochet? I have been trying to teach myself but my tension is terrible, it gets looser and looser as I add more stitches. Does anyone have any hints?

I remember when I first started knitting I had awful tension, would end up with the wool so tight I could barely put the needle though. It wasn't until a friends gran helped me that I got the hang of it.
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VintageJunki
Hiding in the Shadows
VintageJunki


Number of posts : 4
Age : 41
Location : Sunny California
Title : junk it up, baby.
Registration date : 2008-01-07

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PostSubject: crocheter   Crochet Icon_minitimeSat Mar 15, 2008 9:52 pm

yes, i crochet, and very happily! i started out knitting first because of how intimidating the instructions to crochet were (so many stitches to learn!), but once i did learned-- i prefered it! all the different sitiches weren't so different after all-- they just build on the one before it! it did take awhile to get into my own groove and develop the muscle memory for holding my yarn (i do the pinky wrap, sometimes twice depending on the yarn) and such.

knitting and crocheting both have their pros and cons, distinguishing qualities, and identities. my advice is to just stick to the basics first: try a 6x6 dish cloth in single crochet, or alternate rows with single and double for a ribbed effect. and guess what? they also double as a swatch! i made 3 single crochet "dish swatches" and could see my stitches becoming more and more uniform with each square. i did two more double crochet "swatches" and one "sampler" swatch where i used a different stitch for every row, just for funsies :-)

i've found that once you're really comfortable at it, then things will begin to "take shape."
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Mimi
Admin
Mimi


Number of posts : 525
Location : Charm City, USA
Registration date : 2008-01-02

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PostSubject: Re: Crochet   Crochet Icon_minitimeSun Mar 16, 2008 7:48 am

I started crocheting when I was 5 and I find it SO much easier than knitting. Though I admit that is probably just because it's what I learned to do first.

The most important thing is how you hold your wool. My daughter is learning and she is really inconsistent with this, thus her stitches are all different sizes.

If you're right-handed, hold it in your left, and sort of thread it thru some of your fingers to keep it at an even tension. Like how the sewing machine thread requires so many places to go before it hits the needle? Same principle.

I am a visual learner and really needed someone sitting me and my knitting to get the hang of it. If you go to YouTube and search on "Crocheting help" there are a whole bunch of videos available. That may be good for you, too!

Good luck!
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Miss Roulette
I Really should be Working
Miss Roulette


Number of posts : 250
Location : Blighty
Registration date : 2008-02-21

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PostSubject: Re: Crochet   Crochet Icon_minitimeSun Mar 16, 2008 11:23 am

Thanks for the tips. I think one of my problems is that I am so used to knitting I feel that I need to hold on to everything, the tail, the wool, the needle but then it feels so uncomfortable.

I shall have another go!
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http://www.sophistikitten.net
VintageJunki
Hiding in the Shadows
VintageJunki


Number of posts : 4
Age : 41
Location : Sunny California
Title : junk it up, baby.
Registration date : 2008-01-07

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PostSubject: Re: Crochet   Crochet Icon_minitimeFri Mar 21, 2008 7:58 pm

i know how the transition can feel really awkward.. i learned to knit english/right handed (also referred to as the "throw" method), but recently took it upon myself to learn the continental/left handed way. my Man is a lefty, a math whiz, and has expressed interest in knitting, so i am really trying to learn it-- at least enough to teach him how. i figure that once he gets the hang of it then he can take it from there. i can tell right away though that even though i'm new and awkward at lefty, it goes so much quicker! sometimes i really feel like i'm just grasping at straws though, but i figure if i just learn it and pull through, i'll be getting projects done in no time.
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lindydiva
I get my mail here.
lindydiva


Number of posts : 875
Location : Not New York
Registration date : 2008-01-02

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PostSubject: Re: Crochet   Crochet Icon_minitimeFri Mar 28, 2008 1:04 pm

I just signed up for a 3 session crochet class; it begins this coming Sunday.

I'm making a simple shawl, mostly stockinette, and decided that it will look good with a crocheted border. Right now my "skills" are limited to enough crochet to help me finish a sweater...slip-stitch and such.
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http://artdecodivaknits.blogspot.com/
lindydiva
I get my mail here.
lindydiva


Number of posts : 875
Location : Not New York
Registration date : 2008-01-02

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PostSubject: Re: Crochet   Crochet Icon_minitimeMon Mar 31, 2008 4:49 pm

The class went rather well. Two more weeks to go...I think I'll have a decent start on things after that!
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Mimi
Admin
Mimi


Number of posts : 525
Location : Charm City, USA
Registration date : 2008-01-02

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PostSubject: Re: Crochet   Crochet Icon_minitimeTue Apr 01, 2008 8:02 am

I think it's really helpful to have someone sit with you while learning these needle crafts. To see how it's done well, and then to have your errors pointed out, is the best way to learn. At least, for me.

Once I had a really solid knitter sitting with me, in just a few days I was flying along!
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Miss Roulette
I Really should be Working
Miss Roulette


Number of posts : 250
Location : Blighty
Registration date : 2008-02-21

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PostSubject: Re: Crochet   Crochet Icon_minitimeTue Apr 01, 2008 8:16 am

I really need to go to a class. It always helps me to have someone else point out what I'm doing wrong!

There is a class near me but it's on a weekday afternoon, so not good for me.
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http://www.sophistikitten.net
lindydiva
I get my mail here.
lindydiva


Number of posts : 875
Location : Not New York
Registration date : 2008-01-02

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PostSubject: Re: Crochet   Crochet Icon_minitimeTue Apr 01, 2008 9:41 am

I practiced this morning. Tension was better this time. It's hard for me to regulate it with my left hand. Who knows, if I do get comfortable maybe I can try knitting Continental, too. That'll help with colorwork!

I certainly need the mistake police with crochet. Knitting wasn't as bad, for some reason. The learning curve in crochet is shorter, though; it really is.

Also this morning I figured out a simple picot edging...it wasn't pretty, but the basic construction was correct. Smile

Once I get a feel for crochet I'll be able to make some wonderful 30s hats and those crocheted bags from the 40s!
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