I've recently begun a crocheting a sock for my husband. I'm using a yarn called MadelineTosh that we purchased at Gotham Fine Yarn. I love the way it feels and the way it works up. However, the hook size recommended for my project must be too small for my tight stitching. I've been finding it very difficult to get the hook through both plies of the yarn. So, in performing this back-loop-only slip stitch (blo sl st), I find myself only going through half the yarn with the hook.
Not to mention that this is my first time using slip stitch for something other than finishing a round. Not only that, I must also use the fingernail of my index finger to drag that loop onto the hook. And because of the variation in the yarn's color the stitches appear to blend together. The best part, however, is the point when I'm just about to get that hook through the loop (front to back) and suddenly the train rocks and my tracking for a viable stitch in which to insert the hook begins again.
So, just this morning a started using a larger hook. Now, everything looks great, I'm not increasing and decreasing by accident, I'm not catching just one ply of the yarn, the ribbing produced by the blo sl st is finally uniform and this cuff that begins the sock is a much more substantial height than the narrow strip I was making.
Now, it's quite possible that many of my problems could have been taken care of by a simple pair of reading glasses from the drugstore. However, my only search for a pair of glasses was before I got onto the train this morning. I priced them at the Duane Reade and $20.00 was way more than I was willing to spend. I'm sure that I could find cheaper reading glasses if I continued my search. I'm not interested though. You see, if I add a pair of reading glasses to the contact lenses I'm currently wearing, I will truly have to admit the onset of aging.
Besides, do you know how many crochet hooks I can get with twenty bucks?
Monday, March 8, 2010
Monday, January 4, 2010
Crochet as a Subway Sport? Sunday afternoon on the Uptown "1"
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
As a part of our New Year Weekend, my husband and I took our niece to the Lion Brand Studio, to choose the yarn for her "Carrie's Cap" from the Just Hats book. She chose "Medium Sky Blue" and "Deepest Brown." A beautiful color combination. Once we got on the uptown 1, I decided why not start now. As I finished the first round, I heard my husband telling our niece, "yes, people watch your uncle on the train every time he crochets." I looked up to see half the car watching me. I smiled, then I continued to work, but on finishing the second round I realized that I had made some errors. This is never a big deal to me, since I know I'm going to make mistakes, especially the first time I work a new a pattern.
However, my new friends were not nearly as accustomed to such disappointment. I inserted my hook into the point of crucial error and ripped all of the offending stitches to a chorus of disappointment from at least five voices (none of which belonged to my husband or our niece). The group sentiment was followed by one rider saying, "What a waste of stitches." I found myself tickled by the way I had become a one-man spectator sport on the train. One fellow rider said "Good luck," upon exiting the train. I love the way that a crochet project in my hands encourages others to say hello, ask what I'm doing, or even just to smile. Maybe in the coming months I'll challenge someone to a crochet-duel or a crochet-off. On your mark, slip knot, CROCHET!
As a part of our New Year Weekend, my husband and I took our niece to the Lion Brand Studio, to choose the yarn for her "Carrie's Cap" from the Just Hats book. She chose "Medium Sky Blue" and "Deepest Brown." A beautiful color combination. Once we got on the uptown 1, I decided why not start now. As I finished the first round, I heard my husband telling our niece, "yes, people watch your uncle on the train every time he crochets." I looked up to see half the car watching me. I smiled, then I continued to work, but on finishing the second round I realized that I had made some errors. This is never a big deal to me, since I know I'm going to make mistakes, especially the first time I work a new a pattern.
However, my new friends were not nearly as accustomed to such disappointment. I inserted my hook into the point of crucial error and ripped all of the offending stitches to a chorus of disappointment from at least five voices (none of which belonged to my husband or our niece). The group sentiment was followed by one rider saying, "What a waste of stitches." I found myself tickled by the way I had become a one-man spectator sport on the train. One fellow rider said "Good luck," upon exiting the train. I love the way that a crochet project in my hands encourages others to say hello, ask what I'm doing, or even just to smile. Maybe in the coming months I'll challenge someone to a crochet-duel or a crochet-off. On your mark, slip knot, CROCHET!
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
What Are You Looking At?
Recently, I've been getting better at my technique. So much so, that once I've memorized a pattern, I can look away from my dcs (double-crochets) long enough to get a glimpse of who's been looking at me.
I work and work and work and pretend not to notice others staring. First of all I'd say that it's quite mesmerizing once you find a rhythm. The crochet hook almost seems to dance through the loops and the hand is simply a following dance partner. I get so lost in this that sometimes I "over-crochet," (I'll put too many stitches in one loop or ring). So, I can't fault anyone else for staring. And they do stare. Once I know someone is staring, I glimpse up just to see the face of the person looking turn bashful. If I see a friendly face, I smile back. If not, I just return to my work.
I work and work and work and pretend not to notice others staring. First of all I'd say that it's quite mesmerizing once you find a rhythm. The crochet hook almost seems to dance through the loops and the hand is simply a following dance partner. I get so lost in this that sometimes I "over-crochet," (I'll put too many stitches in one loop or ring). So, I can't fault anyone else for staring. And they do stare. Once I know someone is staring, I glimpse up just to see the face of the person looking turn bashful. If I see a friendly face, I smile back. If not, I just return to my work.
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Really? You do it on the subway?
People are not often surprised by the fact that I know how to knit and crochet (and hopefully I will soon know how to spin). However, they are often surprised to find out that I crochet on the train. I guess it is in fact unusual to see a man crocheting on a subway train. As a matter of fact I rarely see people crocheting or knitting on the train at all, men or women. So after all, I guess that I should not be surprised by the reactions others have to me.
One night in particular, as I was knitting on the train (a rare occasion; I usually crochet), I noticed that I had attracted the attention of a man across the train. He eventually sat next to me and inquired about my knitting. He asked what I was knitting. I explained that I was knitting a washcloth. He reached out and felt the fabric I had knitted so far. He told me that he wished he had a camera because his friends would never believe that he saw a man knitting.
In no uncertain terms, I let him know that I wasn't the only one.
But he persisted and because of his bizarre line of questions, a woman across the way began to laugh at him. He pointed and said "She's laughing at you, that doesn't bother you?" My initial thought was "No, why should it? She's not laughing at me." But I recovered my control and said "No, why should it? Why should I care what other people think?" He then affirmed that I shouldn't care what others think. Then I laughed at him.
I regularly encounter people who are inquisitive and I enjoy talking about what I'm working on. Most of my experiences are pleasant or comical. I hope to bring you more of both.
One night in particular, as I was knitting on the train (a rare occasion; I usually crochet), I noticed that I had attracted the attention of a man across the train. He eventually sat next to me and inquired about my knitting. He asked what I was knitting. I explained that I was knitting a washcloth. He reached out and felt the fabric I had knitted so far. He told me that he wished he had a camera because his friends would never believe that he saw a man knitting.
In no uncertain terms, I let him know that I wasn't the only one.
But he persisted and because of his bizarre line of questions, a woman across the way began to laugh at him. He pointed and said "She's laughing at you, that doesn't bother you?" My initial thought was "No, why should it? She's not laughing at me." But I recovered my control and said "No, why should it? Why should I care what other people think?" He then affirmed that I shouldn't care what others think. Then I laughed at him.
I regularly encounter people who are inquisitive and I enjoy talking about what I'm working on. Most of my experiences are pleasant or comical. I hope to bring you more of both.
Monday, December 7, 2009
Home Ergonomics
Looking for a way to make those crochet hooks a little more comfortable?
There are many options out there for those of you who find some discomfort in holding a crochet hook. Through my search I have found the following options.
Foam Sleeves
You can purchase foam sleeves from medical supply stores. These sleeves are designed to make using forks and knives more comfortable. Your best bet is to search for "closed-cell foam tubing."
Stress Ball/Foam Toy
Take a stress ball or some foam ball or toy. Drive a knitting needle or a nail through the center (be sure to use a nail that is smaller than the hook you are planning to use). Then insert your crochet hook.
Polymer Clay
This was sent to me by Tom on menwhoknit.com. There is a video on this page that explains how to make a comfort grip for your own hand.
Good luck to everyone out there who might need a little bit of crochet comfort. Please, post your replies and any ideas you have or ideas you have tried, good or bad.
David.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
