Crochet is a great hobby that men and women alike have been doing for years. It’s relaxing and productive- you always end up with something that you can use; something to wear or something to clean with. This article endeavors to explain the virtues of crocheting- it will discuss the uses of crochet and a bit about how it’s done.
Crochet is a process of creating fabric to make shapes or clothing from yarn or thread. Crocheting is similar to knitting as it consists of pulling loops of yarn through other loops. It differs from knitting in that only one loop is active at one time, and that a crochet hook is used instead of two needles.
Here’s how crochet is done: crocheted fabric is begun by placing a slip-knot loop on the end of the hook, pulling another loop through the first loop, and repeating this process to create a chain of a suitable length. The chain is either turned and worked in rows, or joined to the beginning of the row with a slip stitch and worked in circles, or rounds. Rounds can also be created by working many stitches into a single loop. Stitches are made by pulling one or more loops through each loop of the chain. At any one time at the end of a stitch, there is only one loop left on the hook.
To start, you’ll need a crochet hook and some yarn. Since you might not be sure what kind of hook or yarn to buy, here are some suggestions.
There are many types of crochet hooks available. Crochet hooks range from 3.5 to 0.75 millimeters in the size of the hook, or from 00 to 14 in American sizing. These hooks are used for fine crochet work. Aluminum or plastic crochet hooks are available from 2.5 to 19 millimeters in hook size, or from B to S in American sizing. There are many artisan-made hooks, too, most hand-turned of wood, sometimes decorated with semi-precious stones or beads. These crochet hooks will all vary in prices, ranging from only a few dollars for aluminum or plastic hooks, to over twenty-five.
Next, you need to find some yarn. There are five classifications of crochet yarn. They are: super fine (sock, baby and fingering yarn); fine (baby and sport yarn); light (light worsted and DK yarn); medium (worsted, afghan and Aran yarn); bulky (chunky, craft and rug yarn); or super bulky (roving and bulky yarn). These types of yarn will also vary in prices, from only a few dollars a skein, to well over fifteen and even more. Luckily, you can often find great sales on yarn that will bring the cost significantly lower.
Well, now that you’re familiar with how to crochet, let’s talk about some of the uses of crochet. Basically, if you can imagine it, you can crochet it. This doesn’t mean that you’ll be able to find a pattern for it- you may have to be creative and make your own pattern. But the possibilities are endless with crochet. You can make any article of clothing, from sweaters and hats to gloves, jackets or even pants. You can make blankets. You can make pot holders and dish rags. You can even make bags and grocery totes. Many people crochet doll clothes or the dolls themselves. Others make pet accessories (such as hats or sweaters for their dog) or pet beds.
There are many uses of crochet. You’ll find that the more proficient you become at crochet, the more creative you are able to become. So sit back and get creative! It will be worth it!