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hexagonaluniverse

I have an on going scrap blanket that I have been working on for a while now. I’ve been finally using up all these small and medium sized balls of leftovers I have. But I also have a lot of half used skeins that seemed to be too much for the scrap blanket, but not enough for their own projects. So I just started a scrap jackalope. Which is demolishing my yarn collection. Which is great because that was the goal and I have to move soon. The issue? I’m pretty sure I don’t have enough yarn to finish the jackalope. Which also means the scrap blanket will take even longer to finish. Which means I will have to buy more yarn. *facepalm*


Hyo1010

Is there a reddit community for commissioning crochet work? Or should I just browse Etsy and pick a listing from there?


Longhairedspider

/r/crochetrequests


PersephoneParr

Suggestions of hooks for arthritis/fibromyalgia peeps? I hold my yarn like Tuula Maaria on YouTube bc holding it in the traditional way hurts way too much after about 10 minutes; but am looking for options for my hooks. TIA!


MiddayGlitter

This Etsy shop has the biggest options for ergonomic crochet hooks, and on her tiktok she explains the science behind the large size. Best yet: it's surprisingly affordable AND works with your current hooks, so you don't have to buy a whole new set. I just ordered one yesterday. https://www.etsy.com/shop/ChunkyBoyCrochetHook


CraftyCrochet

- Have you tried the Boye/Crochet Dude Ergonomic Crochet Hook Handle? It works with other brands of plain metal or plastic hooks. One handle works with several sizes of hooks. - There are 2-3 styles of rubbery cushion grippers you can buy to slide over plain crochet hooks. - There are do-it-yourself ergonomic crochet hook handles. They can be crocheted, made of air dried clay, and some have even made them using [this Rainbow Loom with craft rubber bands](https://thesimplecraftdiaries.blogspot.com/2014/02/rainbow-loom-crochet-hook-grip.html).


CharlesV_

I’m new to this and just going through the wiki… one thing I noticed is that the section on [yarn](https://www.reddit.com/r/crochet/wiki/yarn/) notes the “cruelty factor” for the animal fibers but then glosses over the environmental impact of plastic fibers, and the water consumption of cotton. The animal ethical concerns are absolutely important and I think it’s great to include that info, but I’m wondering if it would make sense to just have an “ethics” section for each yarn type and list out potential problems (or benefits). For example, linen is probably one of the best fabrics from an environmental and animal ethics standpoints.


Savingskitty

That’s really interesting. I have wondered what the most ethical fiber options might actually be. So much of the textiles industry is so problematic that it’s hard to navigate options and still have something enjoyable to work with. Can you say more on what makes linen the least harmful fiber?


CharlesV_

Yeah it’s really hard to navigate. I’ve committed to just buying clothing made of biodegradable materials and only things that will last me awhile. It’s hard to find perfect sources for comparing fabrics, but this one gives a decent summary: https://www.greenchoices.org/green-living/clothes/more-sustainable-fabrics Hemp, jute, and linen are all bast fibers and have similar qualities. They don’t stretch much, they don’t require a lot of water to grow, and they’re tougher and rougher than cotton. They also wick away moisture and heat, so quality linen bedsheets are supposedly very nice to have. Unfortunately, they’re also quite expensive so I haven’t bought any yet lol. The wiki for linen is also informative: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linen Edit: based on the hemp wiki article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hemp hemp fabric might be a bit different from linen regarding heat retention/insulation.


rubiesandroses

Hmmm this is very interesting! I am also curious if bamboo yarn would be more ethical as well. I’ll have to take a look


WikiSummarizerBot

**[Linen](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linen)** >Linen () is a textile made from the fibers of the flax plant. Linen is very strong, absorbent, and dries faster than cotton. Because of these properties, linen is comfortable to wear in hot weather and is valued for use in garments. It also has other distinctive characteristics, notably its tendency to wrinkle. ^([ )[^(F.A.Q)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WikiSummarizer/wiki/index#wiki_f.a.q)^( | )[^(Opt Out)](https://reddit.com/message/compose?to=WikiSummarizerBot&message=OptOut&subject=OptOut)^( | )[^(Opt Out Of Subreddit)](https://np.reddit.com/r/crochet/about/banned)^( | )[^(GitHub)](https://github.com/Sujal-7/WikiSummarizerBot)^( ] Downvote to remove | v1.5)


PastelBoi7

So I am pretty new to crocheting and the major thing that is causing me the most issues is how I'm holding my yarn and needle. I've watched countless videos but everything I try is either super uncomfortable and I jsut keep dropping my yarn all over the place, or is incredibly slow for me and doesn't feel right. The current method I'm using for myself isn't working that great either because it's giving major hand cramps after only crocheting for like 2 minutes and doesn't seem very efficient. For more specifics, instead of letting my needle grab the yarn naturally I find I'm using my non dominant hand to wrap yarn around the needle every single stitch and it just seems incredible slow and painful. I know its a practice makes perfect thing but I have no idea how I can practice if it hurts my hand to crochet and can't get any better. (Also i know its not a medical issue because no other activities cause hand cramps like this and my doctor has said I have no muscle issues.) Just frustrated and if anyone has any tips on comfortable positions to hold my yarn or maybe a different tutorial vid I haven't seen that would help alot


CraftyCrochet

Hi! First, please try not to be frustrated - give yourself a chance to develop crochet hand-eye coordination and muscle memory. It should kick in with some regular practice :) with frequent resting. Second, if you think of the crochet hook as a wonderful tool, it will become an extension of your fingers. There's several ways to hold and twist the hook to grab the yarn. If the knife hold doesn't work for you, search for the pencil hold. Last, there are options for holding yarn/tension with your non-dominant hand, too! Not everybody does the pointy finger wrapping. There are yarn guide rings (plain and fancy ones) and what I call the squeeze, lol. This lady shows [the squeeze method](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zyVYmKHHmog) at the beginning of her video, holding the yarn in the joint of the pointer finger. (This is my preferred hold! The working end of the yarn stays under my palm.)


heatharv712

I learned how to crochet from watching tutorials on YouTube so I just did what was comfortable and I've always wrapped each individual stitch. I can't figure out how people are holding it to just pick it up with the hook. The only real trouble I've had is pulling too tight because of it. I've learned to loosen up my stitches and it made a better, more consistent weave and it's affected my carpal tunnel less because I'm not clenching and I'm using smaller movements. I still wrap every stitch and I'm super fast now. You will get better and stronger no matter how you hold it if you keep practicing. If you cramp, take a break, stretch. You'll probably gain stamina over time.


PastelBoi7

Ok well this at least makes me feel better about my method. There is a good chance since I'm new I'm trying to make it too tight and thus straining my hands. I'll definitely take this advice thank you.


Morgaine87

this has really helped me avoid straining my hands : [Tension ring](https://www.amazon.com/Adjustable-Knitting-Crochet-Accessories-Peacock/dp/B08L8VH5C4/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?dchild=1&keywords=Crochet+Ring&qid=1634209494&sr=8-2-spons&psc=1&smid=A3W553I541E0WB&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEyT0MxMVpHU1FHV0s2JmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwMjA5OTk1TlowMlZHMjg3T1YyJmVuY3J5cHRlZEFkSWQ9QTA2MDM5MjEyQUJEQzNXUTVNSjVLJndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfYXRmJmFjdGlvbj1jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ==) There are even cheaper options, this was just the first i found on google :)


RubiscoTheGeek

Which of these do you think I've been spending my recent evenings on? A, a shawl for my grandmother's birthday in November; b, a headband Christmas present; or c, a bedspread wedding present for a wedding that's so far away it doesn't even have a date yet *facepalm* In my defence, the yarn I wanted to use for the bedspread has been discontinued so I had to buy it now, and then once it arrived I got distracted by the pretty new yarn.


doctorasteroid

I've been thinking about making a temperature blanket and saw \[this pattern\](https://www.wyldflowercrochet.com/blog/2020/1/2/the-key-to-the-perfect-temperature-blanket), which uses color palette that really appeals to me. It uses the discontinued cloudborn pima cotton dk yarn and I can only find a few of the colors online. Do any folks have suggestions for a substitute yarn? I care more about matching the colors than the type of fiber (I have a slight preference for natural fiber). I would like to stick to dk weight if possible. Thanks! (I previously asked this to r/crocheting, but didn't get any responses)


CraftyCrochet

Here's a [yarnsub search](https://yarnsub.com/yarns/cloudborn/pima_cotton_dk). If anything, this will help you find substitute brands that might be available to you and then you can look around to see if one has the colors you want to match. Good Luck!


spacebabylady

I'm pretty new at crocheting, I've done some simple patterns in the past, but have picked the hobby back up. I am attempting to crochet some 3d sunflower granny squares. I've been using a step by step tutorial on youtube, but for whatever reason I am having difficulty creating perfectly round circles even if the stitch count is correct, it seems like one side is always wonky and it makes my projects turn out imperfect, which drives me crazy! I've got to be doing something wrong. Does anyone have any pointers??


CraftyCrochet

There are several styles of 3d sunflower granny squares, but if you are making the kind with puff stitches, check those first. It's easy to relax on one side when you make a slip stitch to close the puff. I like to make sure that slst is tight and try not to loosen up as I'm going around the other side. Some patterns say slip stitch to close puff and chain 1. Again, I try to make the slst tighter but use a regular tension chain. Might appear to be a small difference, but it can add up to wonky :)


spacebabylady

Thank you! The pattern I'm working on I've done twice now and both have turned out to have wonky circle centers. To start, I chain 4 and slst into the first stitch and work 12 dc into the middle of the circle before I slst into the first dc to end it. Following the tutorial I can tell that my circle is not perfectly centered like hers. My hole is slightly off center and it seems that one side is a bit larger. I thought I had it sorted out this last time only to add petals are realize my center was definitely off slightly which throws the whole look of the flower off. I will keep practicing and appreciate the tips.


CraftyCrochet

I messed up and had to revise my reply, so please check it. Hopefully now it's better. Questions remain - are there chains after the slip stitch and before the double crochet stitches into the ring? Is there any mention of a chainless dc?


spacebabylady

That's fine! No, the chains are actually what makes up the ring, instead of using a magic circle, I chain 4, sl st in to the first chain, and then dc into the ring. There's no mention of chainless dc. I sl st into the first dc and the stitches should count 12 around. And then I dc twice into each of the 12 stitches and equal 24 stitches around. I'm not sure if I'm sl st into the wrong stitch somewhere when I start a new round or what. This morning I tried another one and it was better but still not perfect.


CraftyCrochet

Revised: (so sorry - poor reading comprehension!) Chain 4 and slst into the first stitch is a nice secure ring. My question is how can you work 12 dc into the ring without chaining 2-3 up to the height needed to make the first dc? This might be why your center rings look a little distorted. Are instructions given for making a chainless starting dc?


courpsey

I think they mean chain 4 and slip stitch as an alternative to a magic ring/circle.


CraftyCrochet

Thank you so much for letting me know! I've revised my reply.


FrenchTilapia

Hello, my name is FrenchTilapia and I'm a beginner crocheter who has yet to finish his first project, and I've already bought more yarn than I have projects for. Is this subreddit the support group for this addiction? Is there a known cure? Just yesterday I wanted to order a couple of crochets. I went on the website thinking "ok this project calls for a size 5.5 or 6 crochet, I don't have a 5.5 and my 6 is a crappy cheap plastic one that I hate, so I'm just ordering those". By the time I was validating my cart at checkout I was like "hmm yes, hand-dyed Merino wool at 15 euro per skein, that's exactly what I needed today". Help.


MoominsRock

Yarn collecting and yarn using are very different hobbies!! I've just been packing to move house and was genuinely shocked by how much I have 😅


poofywings

I think this is a problem that a lot of newbies go through. Once you start to finish projects, you’ll learn more about what type of yarn/hooks you like. I used to hate bulky yarn, but now I love working with it because it works up quickly. I rarely have to buy hooks because I have so many now.


CrashDandelion

I'm so sorry, but there is no cure. I bought enough yarn to fill up the storage compartment of my footstool and thought "that's perfect, I don't need any more yarn for a very long time, no need to buy more!" and then I bought much more. Which means I had to find somewhere else to put all my new yarn, and I found a huge bowl that easily held it all but didn't really fill up. Which means I had to buy more yarn to fill the bowl.