Learn to crochet?

[movan]

View attachment 218912 The next instalment. . .

Well, I (eventually) managed to crochet a granny square, and posted a picture of it. . .but I couldn’t manage to make a second one. I spent a few days trying and my hands were aching, balls of yarn were being thrown, grumbles were heard. . .

Some members of the FCC had mentioned, in their posts, working with cotton. I enjoy knitting with cotton so decided to give it a go. I then purchased the magazine, pictured in a previous post, with two balls of cotton yarn included. I used that yarn and the number 4 hook, also included with the magazine. Again, I followed the Bella Coco video for absolute beginners.

I have found working with cotton, and a smaller hook, much easier. I find the tension easier to control. My hands no longer ache and feel more relaxed. I made the squares in the picture yesterday. I will now puchase some suitable matching thread, make some more and crochet them together to make my first crochet project.

Also obtaining thread to make poppies, I hope cotton will be okay for those too.
My huge tin of buttons was recently donated to a school, do you think it will be okay if I go and ask for them back??!!

I am loving reading this thread and seeing everyone's work and progress.

Lorraine x

Wow. Think a square will be my next project. Love those colours.

 

[whingyraindrop]

Wow. Think a square will be my next project. Love those colours.

The thread and hook came with the 99p magazine big and little crochet.

Lorraine x

 

[movan]

The thread and hook came with the 99p magazine big and little crochet.

Lorraine x

Huh. Mine had dark grey and insipid pink.

At least @Puddleduck wants grey poppies and so am going to do those with it.

 

[whingyraindrop]

Huh. Mine had dark grey and insipid pink.

At least @Puddleduck wants grey poppies and so am going to do those with it.

Yep! Mine too!

 

[snailtrailer]

@Aly1 Love those poppies - can you share the instructions please? I think I have ball of poppy coloured cotton thread in my workroom and dying to have a go.

However, I must finish this throw before I start any other project. I am very good at starting things not so good at finishing them.

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[Ven]

I have tried a few different patterns and I think I will go with this one as the flowers are nice and big. Still haven't found any red wool so going with pomegranate and white for now.View attachment 218908

I love that design! Do you have a link for it? It’s nice to do a few different designs

 

[buttons]

Thanks Helen ... a few people have promised to sort me out with some as I think I will try and keep doing this all year round now ready for you ladies that need them again next year for the worthy causes. If they fall through I will give you a shout .. and hope our @buttons realise I mean little plastic things.

@buttons does your wife crochet? We need LOTS of poppies before November please.

Hi joy keep up the good work we are in Spain as we speak but will pay more attention when we get back..
You ask if my wife can crochet would you believe she used to be a professional concert pianist but still has problems with hand coordination when knitting...

 

[movan]

Hi joy keep up the good work we are in Spain as we speak but will pay more attention when we get back..
You ask if my wife can crochet would you believe she used to be a professional concert pianist but still has problems with hand coordination when knitting...

Thanks for replying Buttons.. we are just desperate to reach my target for puddleduck and Janine .... 50,000 poppies.

Enjoy your holiday son. X

 

[movan]

Ladies, I have now done six (minus buttons) ... assorted shapes and sizes and assorted peculiar stitches dependent upon which and wool come through should be good to continue through each year. mistakes I made each time .... but as long as they aren't prominently placed they should be ok.

If the funsters who have promised buttons

Aaaaaagh phone doing cryptic messages again!!!!!

 

[davanne]

I have tried a few different patterns and I think I will go with this one as the flowers are nice and big. Still haven't found any red wool so going with pomegranate and white for now.View attachment 218908

They are beautiful well done which pattern did you use??

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[Aly1]

I had to drop down to a 3.5mm hook instead of 4mm.
If like me you find it difficult to identify stitches in black wool you could just do the whole poppy in red then just add the crochet bobble button in black at the end

 

[Carol]

I had a walk down to our local Pound Land and they had a good selection of wool for a £1 well worth checking it out.

 

[davanne]

I had a walk down to our local Pound Land and they had a good selection of wool for a £1 well worth checking it out.

I also got some in Poundland the other day it seems quite good for the price

 

[snailtrailer]

My crochet is no longer as portable!!!

I am having to make lots of fill-in squares so I am trialling double threads of machine knitting yarn. Just for interest I have added a fine metallic thread for sparkle.

 

[movan]

I had a walk down to our local Pound Land and they had a good selection of wool for a £1 well worth checking it out.

They have closed ours down. Whole town becoming like a ghost town. Will check when in another place. x

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[movan]

View attachment 218995 My crochet is no longer as portable!!!

I am having to make lots of fill-in squares so I am trialling double threads of machine knitting yarn. Just for interest I have added a fine metallic thread for sparkle.

Wow Pam.

I bought two of those in a charity shop yesterday ... I didn't realise how thin it was .. didn't know it was for machines. I bought it as Puddleduck ssid grey and purple but when I got it into the light it was more maroon... not my day..

 

[davanne]

View attachment 218995 My crochet is no longer as portable!!!

I am having to make lots of fill-in squares so I am trialling double threads of machine knitting yarn. Just for interest I have added a fine metallic thread for sparkle.

I saw some yarn like that yesterday in a charity shop but thought it too fine I hadn’t thought of using two at once if it’s there next week I’ll get it.
(By the way Pamela we have the same lounge carpet)

 

[movan]

Just heard the sad news on the forum .

My next poppy is dedicated to everyone who is so sad they feel life not worth living .. Rest in peace lovely lady. X

 

[davanne]

Just heard the sad news on the forum .

My next poppy is dedicated to everyone who is so sad they feel life not worth living .. Rest in peace lovely lady. X

You brought a tear to my eye Joy maybe I’ll do a poppy as well.

I’ve made 6 red poppies so far and no two are the same

 

[davanne]

I have found working with cotton, and a smaller hook, much easier. I find the tension easier to control. My hands no longer ache and feel more relaxed.

Strangely I have found the opposite I have just done a square with the thread and smaller crochet hook from the book and my hand and wrist are in agony. I have got bad arthritis in that hand.......I think I will see if I can get a smaller hook with the soft grip handle and try that.

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[Janine]

These are the hooks I keep with me in the 'van.

There are 2 comfortable handles and hook sizes from 3.75mm to 6.5mm.

I think I got them off Amazon?

 

[Puddleduck]

I bought it as Puddleduck ssid grey and purple but when I got it into the light it was more maroon... not my day..

View attachment 218996

Maroon is fine as well Joy! Why not double up the yarn, maroon and cream and crochet the two threads as one?

 

[davanne]

These are the hooks I keep with me in the 'van.

There are 2 comfortable handles and hook sizes from 3.75mm to 6.5mm.

I think I got them off Amazon?

View attachment 219018 View attachment 219019

Janine I’ve just spent a while on line looking for these sort of hooks but can’t find any even on amazon

 

[Puddleduck]

These look like fun!

 

[davanne]

These look like fun!

They do Helen I just wonder how long the plastic hooks would last had they been metal ones I may have been tempted.

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[Liver birds]

I am going to buy wool but what size hook thing do I need.
I am also left handed so I will need some (a lot ) of help, but looking forward to learning something new xx

 

[Puddleduck]

I am going to buy wool but what size hook thing do I need.
I am also left handed so I will need some (a lot ) of help, but looking forward to learning something new xx

The size of the hook depends on the thickness of the yarn and how tight or loose you make your stitches.

I generally use a 4mm hook for DK yarn and a 5mm hook for Aran yarn BUT this can alter up or down by a half mm as yarn does vary between brands.

I just finished my latest pair of socks (knitting) so will get onto the poppies again. That is my "keeping hands busy in the evening" work as I am supposed to be quilting during the day - but my excuse is that the new sewing machine foot still hasn't arrived I know they have been on back order so just hoping it will arrive soon

 

[snailtrailer]

@Janine @davanne I too went straight to Amazon e-bay etc. to find these crochet hook sets. No joy. The best they could offer was hooks that light up what's that all about? Would drive Derek mad.

 

[Chrysalis]

@snailtrailer Pamela, Pamela, Pamela, I fear you have created a monster

I’ve made a dozen poppies so far and today decided to try Tunisian crochet. I suppose it stops me from eating chocolate

 

[Ven]

@snailtrailer Pamela, Pamela, Pamela, I fear you have created a monster

I’ve made a dozen poppies so far and today decided to try Tunisian crochet. I suppose it stops me from eating chocolate

I think I need to go to crochet rehab, the last 3 nights I’ve finally gone to bed past midnight simply because my arms were aching from too much crocheting I’m dreaming about it too which is worrying

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