thread -

GAUGE MATTERS

As I pin and pin AND PIN, I have to keep saying to myself “GAUGE MATTERS” even as my fingers cry out STOP!

Okay, okay, blocking is not really so bad. Once you have done this vital step, you will know a lot more about your personal tension to details.

Blocking thread projects is a good idea because it opens up the beauty of your crochet work, straightening lines into squares to reveal the finished project beautiful symmetry.

You’ve worked hard to get here, do your blocking like a good crocheter!

So, I say “JUST DO IT”, you will be glad you did.

 5/5

Ascending
Descending

Weight: Cotton Thread No. 30, 70

Fine delicate doilies and tatting

Weight: Cotton Thread No. 20, 30, 40 to 100

Trimming; towels, hankies, sheets, lingerie

Weight: Cotton Thread No. 5, 10, 20

Trimming; shelf ends, arm and chair backs, pillow cases

This article is not about choosing yarn over thread, which is easiest to work with, or fiber made from. It is more about my Mother’s suggestion to me to use thread for my “future projects” and what would become God’s Child, Hearts Dress, Priscilla and Aurora. Not so sure it was a challenge suggestion but more of an educated observation as she listened to the direction I wanted to go in.

Hesitant to give up my favorite worsted weight yarn and H-8 (5.00mm) crochet hook, baby blankets and granny squares, I had a lot to think about.

Crochet thread comes in sizes from 3 to 100, as fine as sewing thread for those delicate doily patterns, tatting and lace edgings with size 3 coming in as thick as some yarns. Cotton is an inelastic fiber with little “give-stretching” quality. Perfect for projects that need to maintain their shape and intricate pattern.

Crochet hooks for working with thread are also slightly different then those used for yarn. They will have shorter shanks, smaller hook heads and made from steel rather than aluminum, plastic and wood. Again, a bit more restrictive in the hand.

Working with my H-8 (5.00mm) hook and worsted weight yarn when I was learning to crochet, my hand had to learn the hold and tension needed to create even crochet stitches. I would be learning the same process migrating to thread.

My passion to learn everything crochet, my pure joy in finding vintage patterns leads me in a direction that few are brave enough to travel. Come join my journey – become a Subscriber today.

Crochet and Cooking

Crochet Designer cooking is the same as a head chef, I think. Truly, that is what I am a chef and hook winder! Creating a meal menu with all its components is intricate. From planning the Menu, Purchasing ingredients, Prepping and Timing, all of the components as intricate as laying out a new crochet design. A chef will anticipate your first bite. A crochet designer will anticipate your first glimpse! Both of us anxiously await your reaction!

As a crochet designer, I ask myself many questions like: what thread or yarn, color or colors, technique of stitches to achieve texture, what will the texture be?

Very slowly and sometimes painstakingly, the form I desire begins to take shape. The numbers work out. The vision becomes a reality. My joy builds and my heart beats faster, driving the hook in my hand to the finish line. The finished piece becomes a reality.

Your comments and social sharing goes a long way to boost the inner joy of the designer, me, and I thank you. Many of my followers have written such lovely things about their crochet experience making one or more of my designs. See more on my website Pamela Veller Crochet and Pamela’s Patterns Etsy Shop.