How did I not know this? Please share your crochet tips

[aJumpedUpPantryBoy]

Today I have just discovered the magic ring

I've been making centres for a blanket and it is so much easier than trying to squeeeeze 11 trebles into a 4 chain ring.

It's very clever isn't it? :)

It's brilliant
I've just been making up a pattern for a square and although I tried to avoid it to get the look I wanted it needed to start with a ring of 12 trebles. I was dreading making them but now I shall wihiz through them

I also love Foundation Single Crochet for starting flat stuff, saves the hassle of working into the chain.

That's another one that's new to me - I shall be trying that next time I need to make something that shoudl start with a chain

I have that earmarked to try out at some point too.

I am trying crochet for the first time and forgot to breathe and everything.

When you first began, did you have 'How the Jeff' moments? Am tempted to give the wool to the cat.

Are there any books or tutorials with massive pictures you can recommend for the absolute inept beginner?

Oh, plenty of moments like that!

I taught myself last summer using a book called "crochet unravelled". Once I'd got to grips with the basics I used YouTube and blog tutorials for things I didn't know. Attic24 often has loads of photos explaining the stitches for a project.

The Attic 24 blog is indeed great!

Also I found the Knitwitch videos very helpful (they use the American terms though - I prefer them and can switch between US and UK terms but some people find it confusing and prefer to stick to UK ones)

Can anyone explain the art of trebles to me?

1. wrap wool round twice
2. push hook through stitch
3. wrap wool over hook and pull back through (4 stitches on hook)
4. wrap wool over and pull through next two stitches. THIS is where I fall down every time. I can pull though the first stitch but the second one (which is the one you made by wrapping twice) I can never get the hook through without physically picking it with my nails to make it large enough. What am I doing wrong???? It's so annoying!

Ooh and may I suggest these gorgeous little hearts as a great way to use up little bits of yarn scrumptious

Also, is there a cunning way of keeping wool neat and tidy when you aren't using it? I have storage but I find balls of wool constantly unravelling even when I've wound the loose end round the middle a few times.

choca - I think it just comes with practise. Try not to wrap the yarn round too tight. If you practice with a yarn that's not at all splitty you might find it easier.

I agree - it's practice. WIth those I often have to have another go at the yarn overs before I'm able to get the hook through.

Choca - when I do a treble, I don't wrap the wool round the hook twice, just once.

So, I start with one loop on the hook, wrap the yarn over once, push hook through the stitch, wrap the yarn over again, pull back through the stich (3 loops on hook). Wrap yarn over, pull through two loops (leaving two loops on hook). Wrap the yarn over and pull it through the two loops on the hook (one loops left ont he hook, stitch finished).
How do others do this stitch?

Shiner It depends if it's the US treble of UK treble. The UK one you only wrap it round once, the US one you wrap it round twice

Ahhh, thanks craftynclothy; it's true I stick to UK terminology, but I see I should broaden my horizons!!

Defiinitely going to have a go at that foundation thing, I HATE that first row where you're working into the chain!

this site has excellent instructions

That magic ring thing looks really great :)

Re trebles and wrapping wool around once or twice, in the UK a treble is once, but a double treble is wrapping it round twice. Confusing or what! I think the conversion between the two is confusing, the intructions for the little hearts in the link Choca put are US terms I think looking at what she does to make them.

Can someone please just confirm I've got it right.
UK double crochet (dc) = US single crochet (sc)
UK treble crochet (tr) = US double crochet (dc)
UK double treble (dtr) = US treble (tr)

Thanks in advance. :)

100years yes, that's right!

What has bugged me is what is a UK Single crochet?

Soup, I have my crochet bible here and there is NO reference to single crochet in it. So I'm assuming (maybe very wrongly) that there isn't a UK single crochet.

Thanks crafty

I assumed that was the case too. Which means that the US terms make more sense. How can you have a double crochet if you don't have a single one?!

soup....we don't have a single crochet, it's chain, slip stitch, double crochet, trebles.

and chocka, have you tried looping the wool the other way to keep it looser, one way it will wrap right around, and if you go the other it just sits over the hook which makes it easier to pull back through.

so if you are going under and round to loop, try over and round instead.

But but... how can you have a double if there is no single? Whoever made it up is a nutter! :o