Today having looked at more of Melanies work I thought I would dust of the crochet hooks and have another go. Here is my version of a Granny Square (looks a little odd if you ask me but I think it is on the right lines).
Here they are both together (I dont know why blogger has rotated my pictures)
Ok so here are my questions for those of you who crochet.- Is the tension on my square too tight ? It doesnt look as neat and fluffy (technical terms here) as the other.
- As the wool was free with a magazine I am sure it would be really cheap wool, would it be better to get a better quality wool ? (although I am sure that my Mum used wool from the same pack so would it be down to tension and lack of experience?)
- How do I know what hook to use ? Again as this was free wool I dont really know what type it is and have not been knitting long enough to be able to tell the type from 100 yds.
If you are still there and havent fallen off to sleep with the lack of excitement please pop over to Melanie and see what she made herself for christmas, tell her to keep posting (more often,ahem) and you never know I may be inspired to make another granny square within the next 6 months, you never know.
4 comments:
Is the tension on my square too tight ?
I don't think so...
It doesnt look as neat and fluffy (technical terms here) as the other.
They never do at the beginning. Your tension will improve with time and practice. Making a square back and forth as opposed to a granny square, which is worked in round (with the right side always showing unless you turn your work at the end of each round) lets you make double crochets that are always the same height.
As the wool was free with a magazine I am sure it would be really cheap wool, would it be better to get a better quality wool ? (although I am sure that my Mum used wool from the same pack so would it be down to tension and lack of experience?)
Yes, to both. Cheap yarn or wool, as you call it, tends to split easily, but your work again, will improve with practice.
How do I know what hook to use ?
The yarn label should tell you this. Other than that, if it's dk, then use a size E or F hook. There are places on the internet that can give you that information, but I am unfamiliar with your terminology. If you can crochet comfortably with it, then continue the hook you're using. Otherwise, you a larger one if you find you are strangling your stitches.
Again as this was free wool I dont really know what type it is and have not been knitting long enough to be able to tell the type from 100 yds.
Take a sample and go outside or to the kitchen and light it. If it melts, it's acrylic. If it burns and smells like hair, it's wool. It might be a blend, though, of both. My guess is that it's acrylic.
Your square looks pretty good. It is possible to control the size of each stitch by sort of holding it while you make the top part of the stitch (double crochet or single crochet, depending on what part of the world you're from). Just make sure you are following the instructions and count your stitches, making sure not to add any at the end of your round. You can tie a little piece of a different color yarn to your first stitch always to make sure you end on top of the beginning stitch if that's what the instructions say.
Me, with a granny square, I prefer to end a round with a single crochet (don't know the English or Aussie term) so that it "lands" in the middle of the corner space and then you can't tell where the round begins or ends.
:)
Ambar in Puerto Rico
Hiya Sarah :)
Thank you so much for all the mentions and the lovely compliments about my crochet, you are so kind and lovely :)
Your sqaure is excellent for a first attempt, well done you!!!
As for the questions you asked...
it does look a little tight, try to hold the wool slacker while crocheting, I will help you with this when you pop round some time :)
There is really no need to get better quality wool, the wool from the magazine will be fine for learning with, when I was learning I got most of my wool from the bargain bin in the wool shop, lol :)
The wool looks like dk (double knitting) to me, from the pic, for double knitting I usually use a 4mm or a 4.5mm hook, you could get away with using a 5mm or 5.5mm hook too, especially if your a tight crocheter, then this will give you a looser piece of work :)
I really hope this helps, keep on with the crochet, your doing really well :)
See you soon hopefully :) xxx
Thank you for you comments and help. I have made another square (this one is a little bigger) and it looks a little better, although I ranout of wool just before it was finished. I will post a picture as soon as I can.
S x
Hi Sarah!
I think you work looks pretty good for the first time. Mine was really awful and funny. I had to be shown all the different stitches before I could use written instructions.
Looks like you may have extra chains between your cluster of double crochets too which would explain why your mother's square looks fuller. Try counting the chains all around your mothers square and then count yours to see if this is so. That way you will know if you have the pattern down right.
Just practice your square a few more times and you will get the feel for the best way to hold your thread and go girl.
I have trouble with my hands so my work is loose but that doesn't keep me from making neat gifts for others and myself! My work is not the best but I will be taking pictures and posting them to my blog soon.
I'm sharing my favorite link to wonderful crochet patterns with you too, enjoy and happy crocheting Sarah! :-)
http://www.crochetpatterncentral.com/index.php
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