Irish Bear Dancing

I generally try very hard NOT express an opinion about the best hook(s), still, every week people keep asking. With this in mind, please let me share what works for Wheat and Why.

I like hooks ends that are tapered or what I call a Flat Taper style mostly produced in India, Japan, Germany & a few other countries. I prefer metal but understand the production issues once you get above 7.00mm as well as the issues for wood in hooks smaller than about 3.75mm

Added: 2013-Mar-17:
In answer to a few emails, The flat taper or rounded point is easier on my hands. It gives one the “point” needed to more easily enter the stitches but is less likely to split the yarn plies. Also, this rounded point/taper is not sharp enough to hurt/puncture your fingers – really a pain to get blood out of the fibers.

Hooks and the type you choose to use is a VERY personal decision Everyone wants a good value for their dollar so that is a given. After that, some look for the least expensive, some look for utility, some look for beauty and last but least some look to economic impact. You will need to decide which combination works for your circumstances.

Hooks are tools, they will be used OVER and OVER. With the exception of a set of the Pony Rosewood, I do not collect them to look pretty on my desk – Others get great enjoyment from such collections and while I often admire the artistry it is just not my thing. Last but not least I choose impact.

Beginning with 2000 New Year resolution (I only make one a year) my decision was that with very rare exceptions, there was no need in my home or business for products that did not create US Jobs. It would have been unrealistic to say only made in the USA but I do try to find those products and it is amazing how much you really don’t need if you choose that path and take care of what you have so it “lasts”.

Yes, many of the hooks, books, and yarns and other products currently available at ItsAllJustString are not made in the USA – BUT they do come to me thru US Distributors and that means US Jobs for US Citizens From Seaman/Sailors, to dock workers, to distributors, to delivery services and oh yeah, independent retailers – brick or click – who, like my family need to pay everyday bills.

It would be my hope that you would choose to support independent retailers and especially those both locally or on line who choose to support your creative passion not only with products they sell, but who share your passion with me for a particular craft and offer their assistance and expertise in your favorite discussion groups. Many, like me, are willing to help you find what you want or need even if we don’t sell it.

So,…. Personal Preference,

I have most of the “old/Made in the USA” Boye hooks, I have all sizes ever offered (including two that have been discontinued so their sizes would match the CYC standard Clover Soft Touch.

All Pony Double Ended in Both Straight and Circular and a set of standard hooks, a mix of metal and plastic to which I added one or two sizes. There is also a box with “onsies” of pretty much every other style and brand offered in the USA –

There are some sizes for the 14″ doubled end straights that we sometimes have from Boye – notably their N hook (depending on when you bought it is either a 9 or 10 mm barrel) There are brands we choose not to offer for a variety of reasons.

And yes, I did give in once to vanity – I have a set of the Pony Rosewood – don’t use them much, they are pretty to look at.

On a day to day basis, among the “stuff” in my purse is one of the Pony Sets – it pretty much covers what I need in case of a Crochet emergency, like swatch yarn at a shop or in case the proper hooks is not with the project I carried along

Repeating, because it is important, Hooks are a very personal decision. Before committing to a big investment, try different styles. Both Denise & Knitters Pride bits can be purchased to create a single unit – make a few things and see if it fits your needs.

I recommend that for standard, fixed length hooks, you get one in a size you often use and for flexible/interchangeable, same thing on size, but with a cable length not included in the standard set if possible. That way if you decide to go with the set later, you will not duplicate the cable lengths and will have an extra hook end in your favorite size.

Enjoy The Making

Wheat
Added: 2013-Mar-17:
In answer to a few emails, The flat taper or rounded point is easier on my hands. It gives one the “point” needed to more easily enter the stitches but is less likely to split the yarn plies. Also, this rounded point/taper is not sharp enough to hurt/puncture your fingers – really a pain to get blood out of the fibers.

For Ideas & Inspiration I have been posting almost daily on FaceBook, Please visit and you like what you see, let me know by liking the page.
FaceBook: http://www.facebook.com/ItsAllJustString

According to House of Scotland.org “Fulling, milling, or waulking of home-made cloth for household use was carried out in Gaelic Scotland by pounding the material against a board or trampling it with the feet. The techniques are of great antiquity and were also used elsewhere, but they happened to survive in the Hebrides into the twentieth century. The process of waulking is called luadh (“loo-ugh”) in Gaelic, and the songs of waulking are known as orain luaidh (“or-ine loo-ie”).” (see more about waulking at House Of Scotland )

Apparently there are many songs, but the “beat” remains nearly identical for the best result, a fabric fulled, allowing for the drape needed in a Tartan, so not felted but with a fabric provide warmth by keeping out the wind and provide protection from wet weather.

Below is a clip of the wonderful teacher of weaving and weaving traditions
Norman Kennedy leading a Waulking at the John C Campbell Folk School several years ago. I was lucky enough to observe when he led a group at Maryland Sheep & Wool Festival in the past.

You may also be interested in
Norman Kennedy: From Wool to Waulking: Spinning Wool and Creating Cloth

Enjoy The Making

Wheat

There are questions that I get asked fairly often. Or, something I have seen has caused me to think, that ain’t quite right.So, trying to address a combination of questions I often get asked and some other stuff I have seen that has caused me to think, that ain’t quite right. The following is written “mostly” for the Indie PA/T (Independent Yarn Pattern Author/Teacher ) and represents not just my opinion but that of others in the industry I have consulted.

If able to meet the TNNA membership requirements, an Independent YARN Pattern Author and Teacher (YA/T), will benefit most by attending the TNNA Summer Conventio Center Show for their first introduction, and if they can, the TNNA Winter show as well.

A Trade Show is where those who Manufacture or Distribute Display and Sell “Wholesale to the Trade” For Yarn, these would be TNNA – The National NeedleArts Association – Winter (Left Coast) and Summer (Mid West usually Columbus Ohio) or CHA – Craft & Hobby Association. CHA is not where I think any Indie PA/T (Pattern Author or Teacher) will be the best exposure for their dollars spent.

Some companies do both, and for accounting purposes, these expenses are considered “Trade Show”. It does not mean that a “CONSUMER/Retail” Event is a “trade show” . Retail events are NOT Trade shows by any professional definition.

Examples of fiber related consumer events would be XRX-Stitches For example all the shows where Crochetville has been participating are “Consumer/Retail” events like the KNIT & CROCHET show or the wonderful Quilt FESTIVALs sponsored by the Mancuso’s and others as well as the international and regional events sponsored by HGA (Handweaver’s Guild of America) and their regional affiliates. Or, Britain’s Braid Society a very very international group.

For the new PA/T Retail Events can be a great way to see what is new, fading and start to meet some of the smaller yarn company folks, especially the hand dyers –

TNNA & CHA are trade shows, sometimes described as “Convention Center” shows as compare with “Suite Shows” like TNNA”s Nashville and other satellite shows. The key is who can attend. The answer is only members and qualified buyers.

TNNA’s can be found at:
http://www.tnna.org/?page=MemberInfo
If you want to attend the June show in Columbus, and are not yet an affiliate member, you may want to get started – it takes time to gather the necessary endorsements from regular members.

Wheat

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If you feel this article will help someone else, please feel free to provide this link:
https://wheatcarr.com/biz/what-is-a-trade-show.php

Series topics
– What Is A Trade Show
– Which shows should the Yarn Indie PA/T attend
– What is expected – Dress & Etiquette
–
Started 2003-01-10
Recent Update: 2012-01-20
© 2003-2013 Wheat M Carr

Caveat Auctor: This advise has exactly the value you paid for it. Use your best judgement & Hope for the best

Mostly in the context of thoughts to ponder for someone not yet firmly established and even as one who is to some degree – a more general answer.

No, I don’t think a Yarn PA/T should waste your time or money because there is neither compelling reasons -or- room. It is FAR MORE IMPORTANT for you to find a way to be at TNNA – and to be explained later on Sunday & Monday for the show floor.

First, each exhibitor is in a usually overcrowded with product displays. Add the avid Shop Owners (Needlepoint and Counted Thread with only the tiniest sprinkling of cross over shops)

It would almost be intrusive for a Yarn PA/T to “take up space” Many of the HP(Hand Paint) NP and CT designers do not “also” attend the Winter (Left Coast) and Summer (Columbus Oh most years) so this is one of their only chances to reach the shops. I am NOT saying they will be rude, but by taking up buyer space and time – you are going to be the one who is rude.

And that means EVEN if the LYS shopper “says no I’m fine – you two chat” you need to melt away politedly and leave the exhibitor to devote their time to the buyer. Perion, END OF SENTENCE, Applies EVERY TYPE OF SHOW.

It is NOT a time/place for you to meet with Craft Publishers UNLESS you have contacted them and requested and been given appointment time. Oftern the buyer from Leisure, Annie’s, etc is only there for one day and has to cram enough into their schedule. They don’t, as they do in Columbus, have a booth – they are there as buyers.

Although one or two reps sometimes set up – they are not who you need to meet. Often lovely nice people, but they are independent contractors to the companies they represent, they work on commission, are usually not in a position to give away yarn – and often even those doing a bit of cash and carry are not anxious to wholesale to a designer – in fact some companies discourage their reps from getting involved with designers until they have survived the 3 yr rule. and so are unlikely to be really helpful at this stage in your career

Your time will be much better spent prowling the LYS in your area to see the yarns, new designs and get a feel for what is selling in your area, particularly if you are a teacher.

Looking forward to hearing your questions, comments, opposing opinions?

Wheat

———————————————————————–

If you feel this article will help someone else, please feel free to provide this link:
https://wheatcarr.com/biz/should-a-yarn-pattern-author-or-teacher-attend-suite-shows.php

Series topics
– What Is A Trade Show
– Which shows should the Yarn Indie PA/T attend
– What is expected – Dress & Etiquette
–
Started 2003-01-10
Recent Update: 2012-01-20
© 2003-2013 Wheat M Carr

Caveat Auctor: This advise has exactly the value you paid for it. Use your best judgement & Hope for the best