Yarngistics: The logistics of the Craft

Written by Sequoia Abbott-Saulteaux

Cuddly Chenille in Cornstalk by Loops and Threads

Welcome back to my weekly #LearningProject blog where I teach myself all of the tricks for crocheting! I’ve had a busier week than usually, as me and my partner just moved in together in a new town house. Moving is never great in a Saskatchewan winter, especially during a global pandemic but since no one else was moving it made the situation a little easier! Now that we are more unpacked, I realised that I didn’t get enough crocheting done as I had planned. Nevertheless, I thought that I could make an information post about what I’ve learned so far, and it doesn’t hurt that I can come back to this blog when I need a organized reminder of whatever yarn related issues I’ve forgotten! This week I thought that I would get back into the basics, and give up all of my information that I found while searching online, in stores, and everywhere else!

All About Yarn

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  Bernat Blanket in Olive Sea by Bernat

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  Cuddly Chenille in Cornstalk by Loops and Threads

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  Bernat Blanket in Purple Plum

Yarn Gauge	Common Names	Recommend Hook
0- Lace	Thread, Cobweb, Lace, Light Fingering	1.40 mm- 2.25 mm
1- Super Fine	Fingering	2.25 mm- 3.5 mm
2- Fine	Sport	3 – 4 mm
3- Light	DK	3.5 mm- 5 mm
4- Medium	Worsted, Aran	4 – 6 mm
5- Bulky	Bulky	5.5 mm – 9 mm
6- Super Bulky	Super Bulky	9 mm – 15 mm
7- Jumbo	Chunky, Jumbo	15 mm +

Information taken from https://www.dontbesuchasquare.com/yarn-weight-conversion-chart/

I would recommend for beginners (speaking from personal experience) that you start off with a larger gauge yarn. The ultra thick Jumbo can be hard to work with because it gets so thick and fluffy that it can be hard to see through, but in the 5-6 mark the yarn is big enough that it is easy to see without being too big that it hides itself. With the thin yarn, it takes more patience and delicance. The yarn makes beautiful patterns that are perfect for displaying crocheting craftsmanship but it is also very unforgiving to mistakes, as they are easy to see and harder to retrace. I also like the thicker yarn because it builds up fast and leaves you with a nice fluffy base, perfect for blankets, pillows, and warm hats. When it comes to yarn, since I am still a beginner I’ve really only tried a couple of brands; Bernat, Loops and Threads, Red Heart. So far, I’ve liked all of them with an preference to Berant granted though I don’t know enough about yarn to be able to criticize them, I just like the feel and colour selection mostly.

Hooked with Crochet

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  L- Clover Armor R- Loops and Threads

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  Loops and Threads Crochet Hooks

I got my first pair of crochet hooks from Michaels, a 6 pack of Loops and Threads Anodized Crochet hooks in E-J for $10.99. I quickly realised after that the yarn I brought was thicker and needed a larger gage hook then the ones I had. After a second trip to Michaels, I got the Plastic Crochet Hook Set in L-P for $17.99. The crochet hooks I would give a solid 5 out of 10: they get the job done, look pretty nice, are fairly cheap, but they are bring hand cramps if you use them too long, you can’t use them with any kind of lotions, and they feel a little awkward in the hands. After a lot of debate, I decided to purchase the Armour Clove Crochet Hook in 8mm for $12.99, since the majority of yarn that I use is bulky. When I first bought the hook, I didn’t understand the difference between a cheap hook and a more expensive one but now I can shout it from the rooftops. It is almost unbelievable how light and easy the Armour Clove hook is to use, it makes projects go by a lot faster and is a lot easier on my hands. After this semester is over, I might even have to treat myself with the Clover Armour Crochet Hook Set for $99.99. Let’s hope for success with this #LearningProject and my last semester in University!

Yarn Resources

I have found so many helpful resources for crocheting online that it is unbelievable! When I first started, I thought that I would mainly be teaching myself through YouTube, and while I have found some amazing videos on there I had no idea that blog posts and social media would become so important to my process! For YouTube, I really like following a couple of different channels are seeing what there is out there, I really like Crochet with Yarnhild, Bella CoCo, and The Crochet Crowd.

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Other social media includes Reddit’s R/Crochet and Yarnspirations Crochet Patterns Page. When I first started learning I had no idea how much I would love both of these websites, and I can’t understate their importance since I have gotten 100% of my crochet patterns from both of these websites. I really like R/Crochet because it is such an active community with over 215K members and thus never lacking in the inspiration department. There is always someone posting completed projects, works in progress, yarn tips, and other great resources. Yarnspirations crochet pattern page is also very useful because you can filter the patterns to your liking including; skill level, project type, brand, pattern category and more! I honestly visit both of these sites multiple times a week because there is always something new, and it makes me want to never stop crocheting.

Keep updated for more #LearningProject blogs and hopefully I will have more updated progress to show you!

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