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Dear ELK Studio – A Crochet Column #3

March 11, 2014 by Kathy Lashley 1 Comment

It’s time for another edition of Dear ELK Studio. You asked the questions and our team of contributors have your answers. Be sure to leave your question at the bottom of the page in the area provided. If you’ve asked a question and don’t see it today, hang on because there is always next week. Enjoy today’s article!

Dear ELK Studio,
There are so many crochet hooks out there. How do I choose?

Dear Hookless,
I love my hooks and you are certainly right by saying there are so many out there! Recently there was an article written by Beatrice Ryan Designs for The Yarn Box addressing crochet hooks and everything you should know! Hope this helps.

Dear ELK Studio,
I hate the way my project looks when I finish them off. Is there a way to make the seam look smoother besides just making a knot?

Dear Knot Happy with Seams,
There are so many ways to finish your projects smoothly, so I think knots are rarely the answer. Here is the technique I recommend via You-Tube and another tutorial by Cre8tion Crochet.

Dear ELK Studio,
I am going to attempt a wedding ring crochet cover for our king size bed. I have six colors, besides white… Light and dark blues, purples and greens. And I found a beautiful variegated yarn for the connecting octagons. I am really struggling with a sequence or pattern for the colors. Is there a resource that could help me? Thanks so much!

Dear Multiple colors,
When it comes to choosing color patterns I think Whitney Otto, How to Make an American Quilt, said it best, “There are no rules you can follow. You have to go by instinct and you have to be brave.” But if you aren’t feeling brave, here is a post from Fresh Stitches and Granny Square Colors.

Dear ELK Studio,
I cannot get a beanie cap to turn out the way it should. I follow directions but it seems the hat gets smaller instead of larger after completing a few rounds. What am I doing wrong?

Dear Shrinking Beanie,
Hats that start from the crown generally work flat until the end of the increase rows, then as you build the sides they start to form into the traditional beanie shape. If you are having trouble with it starting to change shape while still in the increase phase, it may be that you are tightening your tension as you work and the hat starts to pull in. Also check that the pattern has the proper amount of increases, as an example if the first round in the hat has 10 stitches, generally you should have an increase of 10 stitches in each increase round.

Dear ELK Studio,
Why does my crochet hat always “stretch” after washing and drying?

Dear Stretcher,
You may try hand washing your handmade items or wash them in a lingerie bag on delicate cycle and lay the item flat to dry. This insures the item is not stretched out of shape by the harsh action of the washing machine or shrunk by the extreme heat of the dryer. If it seems ALL of your projects are looser than ideal still… You may need to tighten up your tension.
Do you have a question for Dear ELK Studio Crochet Column? If so, ask in the contact form provided below. We would love to help you!
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Dear ELK Studio – A Crochet Column #2

March 4, 2014 by Kathy Lashley 3 Comments

It’s time for another great week of Dear ELK Studio – A Crochet Column! It’s filled with lots of yummy details you (the crocheter) can tuck away for future reference! There are a few links from other great designers who have already been where you are and want to keep you crocheting great projects!

Dear ELK Studio,
Can you give me some tips on selling my crochet?

Dear Tipster,
Whether you are planning on selling consignment, online, or craft fairs, it’s important to know your target market. A professional appearance on your website or in your booth will help get you noticed. Good branding helps people remember you and being active in social media can get your products to a large audience . Here is the first of a series of blog posts by KT and the Squid, and a Pinterest board by Stew-Art Creations that you may find helpful.

Dear ELK Studio,
I get confused when I read crochet in the front loop, back loop, or around the post. What does all that really mean anyway?

Dear Confused,
I think this is a question we all have when we are learning to crochet – I know I did! Here is a handy visual by Oombawaka Design for you that I think will really help!

Dear ELK Studio,
I’m working on a pattern that tells me to crochet button holes. I’ve never done this before and would love some instructions.

Dear Buttonless,
Crocheting buttonholes can seem daunting but it’s really very easy! Don’t over think it! You can create either vertical or horizontal button holes by using simple chains and the single crochet stitch! Be sure you measure the spacing and your button size. You can use stitch markers or yarn to help mark your placement so you know where your starting. I have a You-Tube video by New Stitch a Day and a blog post by Petals to Picots that can really help you.

Dear ELK Studio,
I need some help. Are there any standard measurements out there for a crochet hat?

DEAR Seeking Standards,
Yes, while nothing can take the place of a custom hat measurement, there are several excellent resources for standard hat sizes. The first that comes to mind is a tutorial on how to design or modify a hat pattern by Cre8tion Crochet. This is an excellent resource and guides you through the entire process. Another great option is the tutorial from My Merry Messy Life.

Dear ELK Studio,
In some patterns the instructions say chain 1 while others say chain 2 or 3. How do I know which one is really right?

Dear Bound by Chains,
Time to use the chains, they are your friend. When beginning a row, or round,you will chain as the first step. The purpose is to elevate your yarn and hook a prescribed distance from the previous stitches. The number of chains will vary dependent on the height of stitch used in this next grouping. A fall back on guide is: ch 1 for single crochet (sc), ch 2 for half double crochet (hdc). ch 3 for double crochet (dc), ch 4 for the treble crochet (tc).

The chains used inside a piece of crochet fabric is entirely different. Each chain normally is the width of a stitch. For example, by chaining 3, you have allowed a space of 3 stitches that are vacant (except for the chain).

Do you have a question for Dear ELK Studio? If so, ask in the contact form provided below.

[contact-form][contact-field label=’Name’ type=’name’/][contact-field label=’Email’ type=’email’/][contact-field label=’Comment’ type=’textarea’ required=’1’/][/contact-form]

Dear ELK Studio – A Crochet Column #1

February 25, 2014 by Kathy Lashley 10 Comments

Here is our first Dear ELK Studio crochet column! I’m so excited to have such a wonderful team of contributors to help me with this column. If you would like to learn more about them, read the Contributor’s page. Be sure to fill out the form at the end of the page to submit any crochet/business related question you may have too! Enjoy!

Dear ELK STUDIO,
I have lost my faith in the “gauge”. After making swatch after swatch to get the desired gauge, changing out yarn and hooks, (as well as pulling out a few hairs), and then making the item only for it to be the wrong size. By the way, this happened while making hats and slippers. Can you lead me back to the swatch path?

Dear FAITHLESS,
I am so in tune with the gauge issue, it truly hurts. A fitted garment will not, if the person following the pattern is not able to make the right number of stitches fit in the prescribed space.
Some basic guidelines would include:

1) Start with the same yarn, and hook as the pattern writer.
2) Create your swatch at least 5 stitches wider than the gauge given.
3) Work 3 rows more than the gauge given
4) Measure the center of the swatch, NEVER check from the edges.

A beginning row, or turning chain will always be a more controlled stitch, almost certain to be different from the stitches you create when you are comfortably hooking along. When the measurements are obtained from the center of your work, it is true to how this hook, and this yarn are going to perform for you.

If you have even a half stitch variance, your fitted garment will be off. too many stitches, try a larger hook, or a yarn just a bit thicker, not enough stitches, a smaller hook, or maybe the yarn is too coarse.

It is also possible that your level of freshness can affect the way you work your project. Quality work requires that all the components be the best suited to the goal. If you are stressed or tired, your work will suffer.

Dear ELK STUDIO,
When I spend more than an hour on a project at a time my hands and arms get tired and sore. What are some of your favorite stretches or exercises for hookers?

Dear TIRED AND SORE,
The exercises I do regularly for wrist fatigue and pain are the wrist extensor stretch and the wrist flexor stretch. I also do an overhead stretch – it seems to help release some the tension in my shoulders and ease my arm and wrist fatigue as well. Here is a blog post written by Kara from Petals to Picots that may help you too.

Dear ELK STUDIO,
What’s the best yarn to use in the summer?

Dear CURIOUS,
For garments, I like light weight, plant-based fibers, like DK-weight cotton and cotton blends. Cotton breathes and absorbs moisture. You might even be able to get away with a worsted weight cotton if you use a lacy stitch pattern. Other plant-based fibers include hemp (blends are softer than straight hemp), bamboo, and linen.

Dear ELK STUDIO,
What’s the best/easiest way to join granny squares?

Dear GRANNY SQUARE,
There are several ways to join Granny Squares. Below are 4 of the most popular and links to tutorials… Each method offers a different look and which ever method you choose… Your afghan will look great! Here are some links that may help you better understand the different methods. Join as you go, Fancy joins such as Flat Braid Method, Whip Stitch squares together, (My favorite method to join quickly and efficiently)~ Single Crochet Join.

Do you have a question for Dear ELK Studio Crochet Column? If so, ask in the contact form provided below. We would love to help you!

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