Archives for November 2011

How to Hold a Crochet Hook

How to Hold a Crochet Hook

I’m starting to become a little insecure about how to hold a crochet hook. It seems as though everyone around me holds it one way and I the other. Can you relate or am I the lone wolf here.

In fact, I recently watched a youtube video where the gal was demonstrating both techniques and she made some sort of comment about my chosen grip being awkward. Awkward? It doesn’t feel awkward to me. If anything, her grip is awkward. But apparently not to most of my friends and family!

20+ years ago my grandmother taught my twin sister, my mother and I how to crochet. And it’s engraved on my brain that the way I hold my hook is “the right way”. Really, I remember her saying there was a right and wrong way. As a new hooker, I wanted to do it right, so I chose my grip.

Now, I wonder, “Have I been wrong all these years?” Most crocheters these days say that either way is right. But do they really believe that or are they just appeasing people like me?

Case in point, I went to a knitters and crocheters group the other day and one of the gals was staring at me while I crocheted. Then, she and my sister started talking about how I hold the crochet hook…as if I was some sort of alien. “Hello,” I thought, “I’m right here in the room.”

So, based on their conversation, it should come as no surprise that Yarnovator (my twin sister) and I each hold the crochet hook differently. It was shocking to me when I recently found out that one of us holds it from beneath like a pencil and the other holds it overhand like a knife. It seems strange to me that we are similar in so many ways yet different here, on a matter of technique.

how to hold a crochet hook

And what about my mother? After all, she was there when my grandmother taught us “right from wrong”. She’s apparently not picking sides because she holds the crochet hook both ways. Literally…for every stitch she holds it both ways. She starts out her stitch holding the crochet hook like a pencil, then ends the stitch holding it like a knife! I have to admit, I’ve never seen anyone crochet quite like that. She definitely has both bases covered.

How to Hold a Crochet Hook – The Conclusion

So, what will I do about how to hold a crochet hook? Will I change my technique to blend in with the crowd or band together with others who crochet like me and start a crusade? I think I’ll just turn on the tv and work on my next project and crochet the way I know to be the right way.

How do you hold your crochet hook? Take the poll below letting us know.

How do you hold your crochet hook?

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Hookalicious Award for Holiday Hooking Goodness

Christmas Gift BagsYarnovations received the Hookalicious Award for Holiday Hooking Goodness from Crochet Liberation Front. Thank you so much. It’s an honor to receive this award. Not only did we receive the award, but they wrote up  an awesome review, too! Gee…thanks!

We received the Hookalicious Award for Holiday Hooking Goodness for our Holiday Gift  Bag Set. I personally love this set because it works for sooo many holidays. Christmas, of course. But any winter holiday gift can be dressed up in one of these bags.

Holiday Gift Bag Set pattern on Etsy.

Crochet Liberation Front is a fun sight. You’ll find book reviews (crochet, of course) and various awards. They have Flamie Awards. Since 2009 they’ve been awarding people for phenomenal work. And there are a ton of categories. So if you want to see some really awesome crochet stuff, the Flamie Awards are a must see. You have got to check out the 2011 Flamie 3D Object. Ummm AMAZING! I’m just sayin’.

Holiday Gift Bags

Holiday Gift Bags – Perfect for Religious and Non-Religious Celebrations

holiday gift bagsNo doubt you’ll need a few holiday gift bags this holiday season. Add a personal touch and a bit of whimsy with some hand crocheted bags! These are perfect for gift giving, to decorate for the holidays or for use as totes and purses.

These bags are great for both religious and secular holiday celebrations. The turkey bag will help you gobble up some fun this Thanksgiving. The Bethlehem and reindeer bag will help you ring in a little Christmas cheer.

Holiday Gift Bags – Ornaments

turkey and reindeer ornamentAs a bonus, this holiday gift bags pattern includes instructions on making the turkey and reindeer appliques or as Christmas ornaments! The ornaments will look cute hanging on a Christmas tree or as decorations on gifts.

The turkey measures measures 6.5″ (width and height). The Reindeer measures 4.5″ (width and height) when crocheted with an H hook and medium worsted weight yarn (4). We used Red Heart Super Saver.

Holiday Gift Bags – The Details

all holiday gift bags and ornamentsThese holiday gift bags are easy to crochet and fun to make. The body of the bag is made with a half double crochet which makes it whip up quickly. The edging is beautiful with a reverse double crochet. Of course, the turkey and reindeer applique make the gift bags simply adorable.

The gift bags measure 6.5″ x 4″ x 9″ (not including the handles). The pattern includes:

  • Turkey bag instructions
  • Bethlehem bag instructions
  • Reindeer bag instructions
  • Applique and Ornament instructions
  • Bonus Bag: The Bethlehem bag using bulky yarn (5)
  • Photos, detailed instructions, gauge info, materials list and more…

Spread a little holiday cheer with homemade holiday gift bags now. They are now available in the store.

Holiday Gift Bags pattern on Etsy.

Crochet Snowflake Free Patterns

Crochet Snowflake Free Patterns

crochet snowflake free patternsIf you’re looking for “crochet snowflake free patterns”, we’ve got a fun one for you! Make snowflakes that are cute, quick and adorable this holiday season! This is perfect for decorating Christmas trees, a window in your house or office and perfect for sprucing up gift wrapped presents.

This pattern is great for beginners because it calls for medium worsted weight yarn (4). Something like Red Heart Super Saver White would be perfect. The pattern calls for knowledge of chains, single crochet and slip stitch.

Crochet Snowflake Free Patterns – Stiffening Instructions and more…

Included in this crochet snowflake free pattern is complete instructions on making appliques and ornaments! We provide pictures and step by step instructions on how to turn your homemade snowflake into a beautiful Christmas decoration!

The snowflake measures 3 1/2 inches with a C hook and 5 inches with an H hook. And if you want to add a little more sparkle to your project, we’ve even included instructions on how to add glitter! Oh, la, la!

Here’s what’s included in this Crochet Snowflake Free Patterns instructions:

  • 3 1/2 inch snowflake pattern
  • 5 inch snowflake pattern
  • 3 stiffening instructions
  • 1 glitter instructions
  • Ornament instructions
  • Information about snowflakes, appliques and ornaments
  • Photos, supply list, gauge info and more…

FREE Crochet Patterns

Free Patterns Page: Download the pattern from the FREE Crochet Patterns page.
Store: Add the Snowflake Free to your cart in the Store.

Want More Crochet Snowflake Patterns and Christmas Gifts Bags?

Gift Bags and Snowflake Ornaments

For the snowflake enthusiast, we’ve created a Christmas Gift Bag set that includes 4 sizes of gift bags with a different snowflake for each bag. With decorative paper gift bags costing between $2 and $4 at the store, it’s cheaper to make your own gift bags!

Christmas Gift Bag Set on Etsy.

The Christmas Gift Bag Set is available in the store. Buy it for the bag instructions or just for the snowflakes!

Christmas Gift Bags

Christmas Gift Bags – Fun Gift Wrap and more!

Christmas Gift BagsThese fun and whimsical Christmas gift bags are cute, practical and economical! Decorative gift bags at the store run between $2 and $4 each. At that price, it’s cheaper to make your own! These Christmas bags can be used time and time again – no need to worry about wrinkles like you do when reusing cheap paper gift bags.

This Christmas Gift Bag Pattern includes 4 sizes each with a unique snowflake making them the perfect gift wrapping for any winter occassion! Use them not only for gift wrapping, but for decorating at parties, at the office and at home! Stuff the small bag with candy canes and you’re ready for the holidays! The medium and large bags make fun seasonal totes or purses. The wine bag is great for gifting a little bubbly, but they’re also the perfect size for Secret Santa gifts!

Christmas Gift Bags – Snowflake Ornaments

snowflake ornaments

The snowflakes in the Christmas Gift Bags pattern are fun appliques that can be sewn to any project. And this pattern includes directions for making ornaments out of them! Crocheted snowflakes instantly make life more festive. They can be hung on Christmas trees or in windows. And they make great accents to wrapped gifts.

Christmas Gift Bags – The Details

Here’s what’s included in the Christmas Gift Bag pattern:

  • Small Gift Bag – 3 3/4 x 3 x 5 inches
  • Medium Gift Bag – 6 1/2 x 4 1/2 x 9 inches
  • Large Gift Bag – 10 x 5 1/2 x 11 1/2 inches
  • Wine Bag – 3 3/4 x 3 x 10 inches
  • 4 snowflake patterns (depending on hook size, they measure 3 inches to 9 inches).
  • Directions for stiffening snowflakes
  • Lots of photos, gauge info, materials list, detailed instructions and more…

Bags and Ornaments

This pattern calls for use of medium worsted weight yarn (4) for both the bags and ornaments. Crocheted with a C hook, the ornaments range in size from 3 1/4 inches to 6 1/4 inches. With an H hook, the ornaments range in size from 4 inches to 9 inches.

Christmas Gift Bags – Available in the Store

The pattern for the Christmas Gift Bags and Snowflakes is now available in the store. Order today and you can start making some Christmas cheer right away.

Christmas Gift Bags and Snowflakes on Etsy.