Loving My Tunisian Hooks!

Hello dear readers! Recently I ordered a set of Tunisian hooks from Crochet Creations and I’ve been learning how to do Tunisian crochet. (Be sure to check out my tutorials on Tunisian Simple Stitch and Tunisian Purl Stitch.) 

I also found out my son and his wife are going to have a baby in January and my daughter and her fiancé are expecting in March. So, you know I’ve been crocheting all things!

How pretty are they?

I came up with a simple pattern for a baby bag using Tunisian purl and simple stitches. I’m not done with the project, but I had to share what I’ve gotten done so far and share the pattern with you. 

I really like Tunisian crochet and I love my new hooks! They are so easy to use because they are nice and smooth, well balanced, and the knobby thing at the end lets me pile up a bunch of stitches on the hook as I work.

Just getting started on the front

Here is the pattern so far. I used Red Heart With Love yarn in white and a size 7mm Tunisian hook.

Back:

Chain 40

Row 1: Tunisian simple stitch

Rows 3 & 4: Tunisian purl stitch

Pattern repeat: 6 Tun purl sts, Tun simple sts to the last 6 sts, 6 Tun purl sts. Repeat the pattern until the bag is the length desired.

Hood: 

Tun purl stitch to desired length. I crocheted 11 rows for the hood. Bind off and sew the ends of the hood section together to form the hood.

Front:

Make like the front, but leave off the hood section. If you want to add button holes space them out evenly along the sides. I found this great video about vertical button holes in Tunisian crochet. Work across the row in pattern working the ending edge as same as the first.

Finishing: 

Holding the two pieces with right sides together, slip stitch the bottom edges together. Sew on buttons onto the back so you can button and unbutton the from the front and you’re done.

This pattern is still in progress so I make tweak it as I go. If you have any suggestions or comments, please be sure to let me know!

If you’d like to get in on the great deals at Crochet Creations, use coupon code Kind_Words and get 20% off your purchases excluding shipping. There are some great deals and really cool things on the site, so be sure to pop over and take a look. 

Also, give their Facebook page a like, too to keep up on the sales and fun contests their run.

Until next time, stay safe and keep on hooking!

  

9 Piece White Plastic Handled Crochet Hook Set Review

Hello again! Once again I've been shopping for crochet hooks at Crochet Creations. I really think I may have a bit of a problem...:-). My new set is a 9 piece white plastic crochet hook set. These hooks are lightweight, but strong, and come in sizes ranging from 3mm to 12mm. That is plenty of variety to crochet up lots of projects.

These hooks surprised me with how durable they are. Some plastic hooks are brittle and break easily. These have stood the test of double yarn and lots of use. They are smooth and well balanced, so for under $8 they are a great deal.

I think these hooks would be perfect for teaching crochet, especially for kids. Also they would be good for travelling since you can sometimes run into issues trying to take metal hooks onto a plane.

If you're looking for a good value, check out this 9 piece white plastic crochet hook set. Use the coupon code katscrochet and receive 15% off your entire order excluding shipping. 

If you purchase this set, let me know what you think in the comments. Until next time, take care and keep on hooking!

10 Piece Soft Handled Crochet Hooks with Case Review

Hello again dear readers! I've been on a crochet hook buying spree! The other day I received my brand new Bag Set of 10 Aluminum Multi-Color Plastic Handle Hook Set with Case from Crochet Creation. What caught my eye was the pretty case and the pastel handles. You all know how I am about color, well I couldn't resist. I ordered them and got them in about three weeks.

The case is well made and has a nice sturdy snap to keep it closed and keep everything corralled. Inside the hooks sit in a sectioned mesh insert and there is a convenient plastic flap which prevents the hooks from slipping out of the case. Everything rolls up and snaps so your hooks stay safe and secure. 

The hooks themselves are very well made with soft plastic handles. The hooks heads are tapered, my favorite type, and seated securely into the handles. Sizes range from 2mm to 6mm, about a C to a J. I was impressed with how balanced the hooks feel in my hand. The hooks would be suitable for pencil or knife holds, and since they are soft they may help with people who have trouble holding traditional hooks.

Once again I am very happy with what I have received from Crochet Creation. For under $10 you get 10 hooks and an attractive case. What a steal! Crochet Creations ships to all 50 states of the US, the UK, and Australia. 

Use the coupon code katscrochet and get 15% off your entire order excluding shipping. 

Until next time, take care and keep on hooking!

Colorful Bending Spoon Handle Crochet Hook Set Review

Hello dear readers! I apologize for being absent lately. I did a stint in the hospital and then had to go to rehab for physical therapy. Then I came home and I've been trying to get my strength back. I do believe I'm on the mend, so you'll be seeing more of me in the near future.

The other day I received my Colorful Bending Spoon Handle Crochet Set of hooks. What makes these crochet hooks so special? Not only are they pretty (I'm a sucker for pretty), but they have bending spoon handles. The handles are nice and thick and have soft rubber handles which conform to your hand as you crochet.

I tried both the pencil and knife hold and found them comfortable for both types of holds. The sizes range from 2.5mm to 6mm which comes out to just a bit smaller than a C size hook to a J size hook. The tips are tapered like Boye hooks, which are my favorite types of tips, and the hook is seated securely into the handle. At under $10 they are a steal. I looked up the Addi Swing hooks and just one hook costs more than the entire set sold by Crochet Creation.

So another winner for Crochet Creation! I can't wait to use these hooks to crochet up some things for my grandbabies who are due in January and March. Hop on over to Crochet Creation and use coupon code katscrochet to receive 15% off your entire order excluding shipping.

Until next time, take care and keep on hooking!

How to Crochet the Tunisian Purl Stitch

Hello dear readers! I have been having a lot of fun learning Tunisian crochet stitches using my new set of aluminum Tunisian crochet hooks from Crochet Creations. 

Earlier I posted a tutorial on the Tunisian simple stitch. Check it out to learn the basics of Tunisian stitches. I really like the look of the purl stitch. By pulling the yarn forward on the stitches you create a loop which gives the fabric lots of texture and interest. 

Begin by chaining the number of stitches you need for your project. Work the first row in Tunisian simple stitches. (Crochet the forward and return row.)

To begin the next forward row pull the yarn forward. Insert the hook from the front to the back around the entire post of the stitch.

Yarn over the hook and pull the yarn around the stitch and leave the loop on the hook. Repeat this across the row.

When you reach the end yarn over and pull through one loops. Yarn over and pull through two loops. Continue to yarn over and pull through two loops until you have one loop left on the hook. 

Repeat the forward row working with the yarn in the front around each post, and then the return row until you reach the desired length. Work the last row in simple stitch.

The stitches are cast off on a forward row. Work a purl stitch like normal but yarn over and pull through both loops on the hook. Don't leave the loops on the hook like you do for a normal forward row since you are casting off the stitches. Continue across until you have one loop on the hook, pull the yarn up and fasten off. Weave in the tails. You can then work a decorative border, or leave it as is.

I hope you enjoy learning these stitches with me. I find Tunisian crochet very relaxing. The repetitive motion and working my way back and forth the rows is very soothing. 

If you have any questions, please ask me in the comments, and be sure to post your pics on my Facebook page, I'd love to see your work! 

Grab your set of aluminum Tunisian crochet hooks here!

How to Crochet the Tunisian Simple Stitch

Hello dear readers! I just received my aluminum Tunisian crochet hook set from Crochet Creations. I'm so excited! I've been wanting to learn how to do Tunisian crochet for quite a while. The hooks are nice and balanced and easy to handle. The sizes range from 2mm to 8mm, plenty of sizes for lots of projects. 

Tunisian Hook Set

I really like Tunisian crochet, it's sort of meditative. The repetition relaxes me, and I find it fun to do. I wanted to share a sort tutorial on how to crochet the Tunisian simple stitch.

First crochet a chain stitch. Any number of stitches is okay, it just depends on the width of the project you want to crochet.

Now turn your chain on its side. Do you see the little bumps that create a spine down the chain? These bumps are where you'll insert the hook, not into the front of the stitches like in regular crochet. 

Insert the hook into the first bump and leave it on the hook. Insert the hook under each bump and leave them on the hook. 

This is the forward pass row. Each row consists of two passes, the first one is to pick up the stitches onto the hook, and the return pass is where you actually work the stitches.

Yarn over and pull the yarn through the first loop. Yarn over and pull the yarn through the next two loops. Continue to yarn over and pull the yarn through two loops across the row.

When you complete the return row the fabric will look kind of strange. This is because the row is half completed. For the next row insert the hook into the first vertical loop and leave it on the hook. Don't use the vertical loop directly under the hook, but the next one. 

Continue to work the rows until you reach the length you want. Your work will look like the next image.

Notice the vertical lines in the fabric. These are the hallmark of Tunisian crochet. The fabric is nice and dense. It does have a tendency to roll up, but once you work a border it does straighten out. 

To finish you will need to bind the last row off. On a return row (the row where you go back across the forward row and the hook is at the right hand side of the fabric) yarn over and pull the yarn through two loops. 

Continue to yarn over and pull through two loops until you come to the end of the row, pull the yarn up and then you can fasten off the yarn. 

So there you go! The Tunisian simple stitch. I hope you enjoyed this tutorial and it has helped you learn this fun technique. Post some pics on my Facebook page of your work, I'd love to see your projects.

Until next time, take care!

Crochet Hook and Knitting Needle Conversion Guides

Hello dear readers! I've been ordering crochet hooks and knitting needles from Crochet Creations  lately (they've got some really great deals and free stuff). 

Multi Color Handle Crochet Hook Set

Carbonized Bamboo Circular Knitting Needle Set

Most of the hooks and needles come with millimeter sizing. That can be a bit confusing when you're used to US sizing which uses a letter and a number. For example a J/9 hook is 6mm and a size 8 knitting needle 5mm. So, to make it easier for you to figure out what size your hooks and needles are I've made up a couple of handy tables for you to use. 

US Hook Sizes
US Size	Millimeter Size		US Size	Millimeter Size
B/1	2.25mm		J/10	6mm
C/2	2.75mm		K/10 ½	6.5mm
D/3	3.25mm		L/11	8mm
E/4	3.5mm		M-N/13	9mm
F/5	3.75mm		N-P/15	10mm
G/6	4mm		P/Q	15mm
7	4.5mm		Q	16mm
H/8	5mm		S	19mm
I/9	5.5mm

STEEL CROCHET HOOK CONVERSION
Metric (mm)	US	UK
3.5	00	-
3.25	0	0
2.75	1	1
2.25	2	1 1/2
2.1	3	2
2.0	4	2 1/2
1.9	5	3
1.8	6	3 1/2
1.65	7	4
1.5	8	4 1/2
1.4	9	5
1.3	10	5 1/2
1.1	11	6
1.0	12	6 1/2
.85	13	7
.75	14	-

US Sizes	Metric Sizes	UK/Canadian
0	2.0	14
1	2.25	13
2	2.75	12
-	3.0	11
3	3.25	10
4	3.50	-
5	3.75	9
6	4.0	8
7	4.5	7
8	5.0	6
9	5.5	5
10	6.0	4
10 ½	6.5	3
-	7.0	2
-	7.5	1
11	8.0	0
13	9.0	00
15	10.0	000
17	12.0	-
19	16.0	-
35	19.0	-

I hope these tables help you when choosing hooks and needles. Don't forget you can get 15% off your entire order by entering the coupon code katscrochet at checkout. Crochet Creations is always adding new products so be sure to check the website and see what new products they've added. 

Thanks for stopping by and until next time, take care!