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Re: Tunisian gauge

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BetwixtTheStitch message #346
Re: Tunisian gauge
March 12, 2014 at 9:16:43 AM

Melanie,

Well Jo Ann had very little selection, again. Though there were more than the last time I was there.
No sets of SB whatsoever, and the selection of individual ones was limited. So I was able to get 4 of the most commonly used sizes, H-K. They probably cost more that way, but it was what they had.

Blah

The first thing I noticed is that it looks like they just cut a portion out of the cylinder to make the hook, and there are tool marks from it. My yarn did catch and snag on those tool marks.

They don't seem to have the same "heft" as Boye which leads me to believe that they scrimp on the anodization.
They have a rounded head, where Boye has a pointed one. That rounded head makes it more difficult to do the last stitch in the row.

I haven't done enough to measure and compare yet, but it just feels like the stitches are a tad looser even though I measured the shaft and it is the same.

Still need to make some more swatches, then wash them before I take measurements.

Sherry

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Stitchboard Admin message #347
Re: Tunisian gauge
March 12, 2014 at 9:25:30 PM (in response to BetwixtTheStitch message #1)

Sherry,

How disappointing about JoAnn's!

The selection at yours sounds even worse than ours, and ours is a dinky one without half of the things you find at most JoAnn's stores.

Are you going to return the H-K hooks? I'm amazed that our dinky JoAnn's had the 6-hook set of SB!

Mine don't catch, but that would be terribly frustrating.

It's a deterrent to crocheting to have your yarns catching on the hook!

You're right about the shape of the hooks and the way they're made. I probably got used to that years ago, since it was the only type of hook I knew. If memory serves, they call that design of the cut in the cylinder "inline," which "catches" less on the yarn for me as I'm working, but has a disadvantage with those smaller hooks, because I find it's harder to catch thin threads...it sort of "skips" over the hook. Now, with the regular Boye hooks and crocheting with yarns, the extra "overhang" of the hook messes me up, because it's always getting caught on the yarns when I don't want it to be caught up. In that manner, the "inline" design is less troublesome for me. Again, maybe that's because I started with those hooks, so I got used to them over the years? Literally, that's more than 30 years of crocheting, and even though I took a break for about 2-3 years or so, that's still a good portion of time using that particular hook design!

I'm curious to know how the two samples compare side by side for you.

I finished my new piece last night, but was so tired, I didn't get it all written down.

I can remember what I did, but am having trouble putting it into words with the changes it needs.

Not sure if I'll frog the whole thing and start again or just wing it.

Wish I had my iron working right...I need it for blocking/measuring this cotton!

Anxiously awaiting further developments with your experimenting!

Melanie (cat slave and Official Feline Can Opener) =^.^=
~~~~~
I'm a beading, knitting and crochet addict. If that means I'm admitting I have a problem, then I admit to nothing. Please refrain from helping me.

Member since:
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Posts: 575

BetwixtTheStitch message #348
Re: Tunisian gauge
March 13, 2014 at 9:33:57 AM (in response to Stitchboard Admin message #2)

Melanie,

I probably won't return the hooks, I still need to finish my experimenting with them and they may be fine for a sometime crocheter.

It may be that I'm just used to my Boye hooks, they've been with me for 50 some odd years, so I'm kind of attached.

I know what you mean about figuring out how to put it into words, I've been trying to figure out how to write instructions for a dch.

Blah

Sherry

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Stitchboard Admin message #349
Re: Tunisian gauge
March 13, 2014 at 6:33:45 PM (in response to BetwixtTheStitch message #3)

Sherry,

Oooh, that's a nice idea, to let a sometime crocheter use the hooks!

I think that's the answer, then, that we're both just used to whatever we started with. If Woolworth had carried Boye instead, I wouldn't have known of SB at all, and would probably be more comfortable with Boye, too. How do you like that...brand determined by some store buyer! Sigh.

Wow, a dch sounds interesting...please do tell, if it's okay!

Nothing of mine is that exotic...just trying to figure out how to write it up, sigh. Trying to remember if I did something in the previous row or that row...makes me crazy!

I did restart it and like the newer results better, anyway, but it's still hard to figure out which row is which.

Member since:
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BetwixtTheStitch message #350
Re: Tunisian gauge
March 14, 2014 at 9:17:07 AM (in response to Stitchboard Admin message #4)

Melanie,

Sure it's okay,

.

The dch is a very old stitch that creates a foundation row.
It's started by ch 2, insert hook in 2nd ch from hook and pull up a loop, yo, pull through both loops on hook. First dch made

This is where I'm having trouble figuring out how to write it out;
you insert the hook in the bottom loop of st, and pull up a loop, yo, pull through both loops on hook. Now that it's clear as mud, you keep going until you have the number of st desired.

Oh I hear you on that trying to remember,

I just have to stop and write it down on every row, most of the time.

Sherry

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Stitchboard Admin message #351
Re: Tunisian gauge
March 14, 2014 at 11:36:19 PM (in response to BetwixtTheStitch message #5)

Sherry,

Wow, what kind of an edge does that produce? It sounds so much better than the normal ch!

I have to try that! Just did. Okay, so when you say the bottom loop, are you talking about the first loop you pull up in that 2nd ch? If I got it right, it looks so nice!

I have to write down every row, as well.

And sometimes I get too confused when I'm doing somethng that uses either the beginning of the row or the end of the previous row.

Member since:
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Posts: 575

BetwixtTheStitch message #352
Re: Tunisian gauge
March 15, 2014 at 8:55:59 AM (in response to Stitchboard Admin message #6)

Melanie,

Once you've dch the desired number of st, you can either ch ? and turn, which leaves the bottom edge looking like a starting ch,

or what I prefer is;
Insert hook in bottom loop once more, yo and pull through both loops, ch ?. This one turns it so that you are working on the bottom loops now, so that the edge looks like the top of a crochet st.
Yes the bottom loop is the first loop you pulled up, doesn't it look nicer? It also gives a more stable foundation, and is easier to measure. Another plus, when you're edging the finished piece, the starting edge is the same as the finish edge.

I used the ? above for number of turning ch.

Sherry

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Member since:
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Stitchboard Admin message #353
Re: Tunisian gauge
March 15, 2014 at 6:52:55 PM (in response to BetwixtTheStitch message #7)

Sherry,

Oooh, thank you....this is so much nicer than the usual starting ch!

That's a wonderful way to create a nice edge...love how you worked it out so you're leaving a better-looking edge than a normal ch. I've always hated the way it looked. Bet it also has another advantage...when working items like slipper soles, you know how you have to work around the other side? I've never liked that, because the center always looks so flimsy. This should resolve that issue nicely!

I think you did write the instruction well, considering I was able to easily figure out what you meant by the "bottom loop" - though you could also have someone take a picture to illustrate and make it entirely clear which loop it is for anyone in doubt.

How did you find this? Such great detective work!

With all of the new instructions and techniques available, this proves previous generations knew a little something, too.

Member since:
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Posts: 575

BetwixtTheStitch message #354
Re: Tunisian gauge
March 16, 2014 at 8:30:28 AM (in response to Stitchboard Admin message #8)

Melanie,

Absolutely it works out much better if you"re going to crochet on both sides.

So now I need to go back and copy how I was explaining it to you.

I think I will try to get a picture of it.

I learned it many years ago, though I can't remember if it was my mother or granny, but I'm thinking it was mom. She liked working with crochet cotton to make doilies, table runners, etc.
It would be sad indeed if we lost some of the older knowledge, wouldn't it?

Sherry

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Stitchboard Admin message #355
Re: Tunisian gauge
March 16, 2014 at 8:05:14 PM (in response to BetwixtTheStitch message #9)

Sherry,

That's what it looked like from the little sample I did...love it!

It would have been great when I was making a mini teddy bear...the feet have to be worked as slippers do, around both sides of the ch.

A picture will really help, especially of that particular loop, which can be confusing in only words. And I think copying your earlier explanation and including it with the picture will be perfect!

Awww, it would be sad indeed, to lose the older knowledge!

I'm sure we've already lost a lot of it. And how neat that you had both your mother and granny who crocheted!

Did they teach you?

I need to experiment with that dch, now that I know about it.

Member since:
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Posts: 575

BetwixtTheStitch message #356
Re: Tunisian gauge
March 17, 2014 at 8:55:40 AM (in response to Stitchboard Admin message #10)

Melanie,

Yes I learned from my mother and granny.

Wow, that sent me on a trip down memory lane. When I was first learning, it fascinated me to watch how fast they could make their stitches, and they had such good tension.
Inspiring me to work hard to make my stitches just as evenly as they did.

Although, I'll admit that I've never accomplished the speed they had.

Sherry

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Member since:
Jul 1, 2009
Posts: 4584

Stitchboard Admin message #357
Re: Tunisian gauge
March 17, 2014 at 9:58:06 PM (in response to BetwixtTheStitch message #11)

Sherry,

Awww, that's so sweet how you learned from your mother and granny!

My Grandma crocheted...but she lived too far away and I saw her too infrequently for her to teach me, so I learned on my own. Wish I could have shared that with her!

Isn't what they did back then amazing?! When I had the doilies and runners that my Grandma had made, they were so finely stitched and very even. I don't know how fast she worked, since she likely made those things before I was born, but I was soooo impressed at how tiny and even the stitches were!

LOL, I'm definitely not the fastest crocheter, either!

Member since:
Jul 3, 2013
Posts: 575

BetwixtTheStitch message #358
Re: Tunisian gauge
March 19, 2014 at 9:48:11 AM (in response to Stitchboard Admin message #12)

Melanie,

Oh yes, it truly was amazing. I remember one set in particular that my mom made that was flat in the center (for a lamp or vase, etc.), and ruffled all around. She would starch and iron those in such a way that the ruffles stood up around the centerpiece.

I never did worry much about speed, it gets done when it gets done. But the even stitches were always my goal.

Sherry

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Member since:
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Posts: 4584

Stitchboard Admin message #359
Re: Tunisian gauge
March 19, 2014 at 7:56:55 PM (in response to BetwixtTheStitch message #13)

Sherry,

Wow, that doily sounds amazing!

I can't imagine doing all of that starching and ironing, but after all, that is what people did back then.

I agree with you...even stitches are far more important than speed. Speed is a convenience, not done for art's sake. Sloppy work done quickly will still be sloppy. Good work done not as quickly will still be good work!

Member since:
Jul 3, 2013
Posts: 575

BetwixtTheStitch message #360
Re: Tunisian gauge
March 20, 2014 at 9:29:22 AM (in response to Stitchboard Admin message #14)

Melanie,

Yeah, we ironed everything back then. I learned that at an early age too.

Might be the reason I like acrylic yarn.

There's nothing like a nicely pressed outfit though, for the way it makes you feel.

Sherry

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