Not Knook but Knit With Crochet Hooks

Caveat: I am lazy, I sell Stuff, so when I need a picture for a visual reference, likely as not I will like to information in my on-line store. Whether you choose to buy from me or not, at least you will know what the #@$% thing looks like.

The question that often comes up regarding use of double ended crochet hooks – what I call “Straights” – is can they be used for Knitting With A Crochet Hook.

It is not really possible to “Knook” with a single straight hook, not impossible, but not worth the effort and since you would STILL have to attach a cord in order to have the “second needle” Really brings us back to how just about every modern beginner spinner tries to make yarn out of dryer lint, — well what’s the point

As an added resource, I have a YahooGroup – KNITTING with Crochet hook,
where you can see examples of the modified hooks commonly used for this technique. Lots of helpful stuff in our files and all skill levels are welcomed.

The Magic technique is a great way to come to understand knit stitches, although it would not be my first choice – In The Attic Flexible Looms are much better for that.

Tunisian is, in my opinion, the “best bridge” no matter which direction – Crochet to Knit, Knit to Crochet. Much about Tunisian is remarkably close to “Continental/German/PICKING” style of holding Knit Needles and Yarn – Tunisian’s best YahooGroup is aptly called TunisianCrochet

What I have been know to call “Crochet Continental” (okay I drip too much coffee) is what I have been doing this for years since finding double ended flexible and circular crochet hooks. The hand position and use of the non-dominant hand pointer finger to control and “place” the yarn in the Contentiental/Picker method.
Interweave’s Knitting Daily had an excellent article about Pickers vs Throwers

http://www.knittingdaily.com/blogs/daily/archive/2009/09/09/how-we-knit-throwing-or-picking.aspx” “target=”_blank

Once “discovered” has always made more sense to me – proving yet again, that what we learn first is going to be what we are most likely to be comfortable doing.

Certainly, had the first first (make that the first dozen or so) who attempted to teach me to knit, used continental I am fairly certain I would have “gotten it” several decades sooner.

Kim Guzman http:
recently “credited” me with doing research into this topic. If far too many hours of trial and error, with the most common result being turning the air blue with my ability to swear in multiple languages, then yes, I had have done some research.

It has been my experience that

80cm/32 inch length of the Pony Double ended

http:

works well for almost everything, however, when a larger than 6.50mm tip is needed, or when a longer or shorter cord is more appropriate, then the CrochetDenise system works quite well.

The bottom line is, just as we should select Materials and Tools apppropriate to the project – we also need to use the technique or combination of techniques that will give us a final product we will be happy about

After All, The Idea IS To

Enjoy The Making

Wheat

Wheat Carr
Shop: http://www.ItsAllJustString.com
Read: Wheat Wrote WHAT!?!: http://www.wheatcarr.com

From time to time there are “interesting discussion about various type of projects.

Recently an opinion about making Shrugs vs Sweaters sparked just such a conversation.

My reply – Well Whose Project Is It Anyway…

… And what is its intended purpose.

IMNHO

IF you think a Shrug is better for your purpose for ANY reason, then that is what you should make.

My Mom likes shrugs and wears them all the time – she just can’t stand a draft on her shoulders AND she like to pull it up “hood like” when she goes out in her idea of Cold Weather (pretty much anything below 75 degrees Fahrenheit (F) aka/ 23.8888889 degrees Celsius. (C)

On the other hand, I like deep cowl neck long body sweaters, sometimes with a down vest over it as a winter coat usually down to about +10 F aka/-12.22 C. My idea of deep cowl neck is not unlike a Shrug or better yet a mobius collar that can either be left down or in really ugly weather, pulled up over my hat for added protections. It also never falls off and lands on the StupidMarket floor or in an icy puddle in the parking lot.

MOST IMPORTANTLY…

NO ONE should EVER Feel Bad about the project they choose.

Other opinions may differ, but

– It is YOUR YARN –
use the best you can afford and be sure that it is appropriate to the project you have in mind

– It is YOUR PROJECT –
take the time to think about the intended use and then make your best decision

AND MOST IMPORTANT OF ALL

– It is YOUR CHOICE
So NEVER let ANYONE discourage you or diminish your enjoyment of your chosen craft or hobby.

Wheat

With thanks to TH who went thru various Knot Books, it would seem that the Grant’s Looper (aka/ K-Tel Knitter) base row is the same as The Chain Sinnet
can be seen in the Ashley Book of Knots, The Chain Sinnet #2868, on page 472

The Looper/Knitter is being used not unlike a fid is used in ply split braiding.

http://www.animatedknots.com/chainsinnet/index.php

Others have suggested it is not unlike NalBinding, and I think I would have to agree

So many names, all for the same techniques, no wonder I am “fused”

Ever since finding the Pony Double Ended Crochet hooks, about two years ago, I have been using experimenting with them for knitting – thinking this might be good for kids (and grown ups) to help in learning knit techniques. When I started tripping over reference to Portuguese Knitting and its use of crochet hooks, naturally I got curious but then and now, there just never are enough hours in the day to “research”.

Recently Abby wrote about Andean spinning and that reminded me of how often I wished I could ask her Dad, Ed Franquemont about this. He was such a fountain of historical information – usually with good data to back it up.

Well, the last few weeks, it seems I am on something of a tear attempting to find more info about “Portuguese Knitting” which seems to share some technique with the Andean poeples as well.

What I have been able to find “so far”, mostly surmised from YouTube Videos, vagure memories of watching Ed Franquemont showing some “Incan” knitting and pictures in a few books, is that some how yarn is tension either by wearing the skein like a necklace, or using a pin on one’s shoulder. (See the picture of Andrea Wong here

Thus the yarn is between you and the work “most of the time”. And the yarn is manipulated to form the stitches, using your thumb in a seemingly very efficient manner. BTW, if you are a “visual” learner, then you may just find that the YouTubes with the voice over being in Portuguese to be the most helpful/clear.

Although many have suggested Andean & Portuguese are the same, so far only “Portuguese” knitting seems to use crochet hooks and at least one of the more esoteric suppliers of fiber art tools, sells these needles – hook on one end, point on the other in a limited variety of sizes, in sets of four or five per size – suggesting use for in the round type project.

I have been told that

Andrea Wong’s Video is an excellent resource, but unhappily it will not play in any of our machines.

Several have suggested I might find more information in the out of print book, Andean Folk Knitting: Traditions and Techniques from Peru and Bolivia. by Cynthia Gravelle Lecount, ISBN: 0932394078, but so far I have not been able to find an affordable copy and/or library that has it.

I was able to find lots of sources for Marasha Lewandowski’s

Andean Folk Knits: Great Designs…

So Abby, (or anyone else) I’d love to hear from you – Or should I just resign myself, accept I can knit with crochet hooks and will never know the history

Did you know the USPS had noticed that “In recent years, knitting has become quite popular again, both in the United States and internationally.” So has created some Knit Stamps for the 2007 Holiday Season?

YARNandTHREAD folks just gotta love these, they may have been machine knit, but using the High Res images that can be downloaded will allow any Yarn minded Philatelicists to hand knit, tapestry crochet or use duplicate stitch to create make these for your holiday decorations

© 2007 USPS. All Rights Reserved.

Not a YARNandTHREAD person? Well think about cute little miniature ornaments for in Counted Thread, a graph is a graph – Peyote Stitch Earrings, thread, yarn, its all just string – some is just lumpier than others….

So many possiblities, so little time…. guess I will just have to go research the applicable fair use to avoid any copy right issues.

Almost enough to make me think about starting to address those Christmas greeting cards early or at least on time this year or quick gifts or…..