As a side note, we are now able to declare ourselves both hookers and needle junkies!
EATING CROW: A CROCHETER EXPLORES KNITTING
“Never say never, never say always…” Growing up my father used to spout this tidbit of advice to me repeatedly and it used to abrade my sensibilities like a metal hasp on silk. It was right up there with “If you don’t know look it up!” Of course now I can see the wisdom of his old adages, but that doesn’t mean that I have avoided the pitfalls that come from ignoring his sage advice.
Case in point- after learning the joys of being a crochet addict I forever denounced knitting- it was just not something I would EVER do! Sure, it was just fine for those who delighted in the clickity-clack of the needles, the fine fabric it produced and it’s versatility in making garments, but I was a champion of the underdog- I was a proud hooker joining the ranks of the faithful in a much maligned craft.
Was there anything crochet COULDN’T do? Sure, but there were always ways around it. I stubbornly refused to learn knitting because I could still figure out crochet cables and a passable ribbing that while not stretchy sure looked pretty close to the real thing. Crochet too bulky? Just use smaller yarn and a bigger hook! Basically I was doing everything I could possibly think of to avoid the inevitable.
Somehow I thought that by learning to knit I’d be renouncing my faith in crochet. If I was ever to consider learning to knit I’d have to find some long abandoned cold-war bunker and teach myself in absolute secrecy, never allowing my dabbling in the forbidden craft to reach the light of day. Okay- I wax a bit melodramatic, but after publicly proclaiming my adoration for crochet and my scorn for learning how to knit it did seem a bit hypocritical to be learning something that I’d disavowed forever.
Unfortunately, as with most things, my dad was right. Never say never.
I’ve been watching Art Fiend make the most amazing knit goodies for over a year now and as hard as I tried I just couldn’t make a passable fair isle design in crochet- or a solid fabric that wasn’t so thick it could practically serve as a Kevlar vest. So, biting back my desire to engage in a bout of prepubescent-type whining (and a lot of my pride) I went out and purchased a set of size 10 needles and a silly booklet on knitting for beginners.
At this point I must give my thanks to the silicon gods roaming the digital plane of the internet. That damn book was like trying to read hieroglyphics in braille with my feet. Thankfully I found many a helpful site on knitting for dummies, complete with videos to help me on my way. Of course that doesn’t mean I became an instant expert and that I’m flying through a new intarsia design my second week into the craft. Far from it. I’m struggling to keep the loops on the needles and trying like mad to not drop any stitches.
It’s not easy to stick with a craft that takes so much longer for a newbie, but I just keep thinking of all those gorgeous sweaters I was never able to make in crochet. Of course for the present I’m just trying to finish the long-sleeved shrug (really just a rectangle sewn together for the sleeves and open along the back) in a ribbed stitch. It may take me a full month of knitting but I WILL finish!
So, what was the point of this blog entry? Well, first of all it pays to remember that we all have to eat a little crow in our lives, and secondly… Well… Dad, you were right.
-Lyzard
A NEW ADDICTION TO THE FAMILY: A KNITTER EXPLORES CROCHET
Crochet has been on my list of things to learn for a while now, and recently I finally decided to pick up that hook and give it a go.
Not long after I began knitting it became clear that, at the very least, learning how to create crochet edgings was essential. The edges of knits tend to be, well, boring, or curled, or uneven. Crochet would fix that and add a beautiful finishing touch. Also, I’ve really wanted to create little stuffed critters and crochet is great for that type of thing.
So I rummaged through my needle holder to find a hook hiding in there somewhere, grabbed a leftover skein of yarn, Debbie Stoller’s The Happy Hooker, and began twisting away. I managed to create something… All I know was that it was very thick, very tight, and looked nothing like the pictures of single crochet that were at hand. Unfortunately at this point all written instructions had become gibberish (a phenomenon that happened all too often with knitting). Lucky for me I know Lyzard, who's a wonder at crochet. The next time I saw her she kindly showed me the correct way. Finally, understanding! A while and successful practice swatch later: elation!
In my excitement I decided to forgo the next logical step of making a scarf or a simple bag as practice and do something I’d been aching to do: make a little amigurumi stuffie. I found on Craftster a simple, free pattern for a little octopus and went for it.
The result was success - and complete surprise! I was expecting toil and trouble (something familiar), not something that came almost instinctively. Crochet must be a natural progression from knitting. Or maybe the doppelganger that’s taken over was a crocheter in a past life. No matter! I’ve got a new addiction and am looking forward to the challenges future crochet projects hold and learning the craft more in depth. Or to rephrase that as a groan-inducing pun: needle-less to say, I’m completely hooked on crochet!
Meet Seasick Sinclair: Cephalopod Debonair.It takes a rare talent to remain slick and sophisticated while green with nausea! He also has a secret obsession with Slash.
The top hat is my own creation, while the octopus pattern can be found here.
-Art Fiend
