Book Review: Simply Crochet Magazine; Issue 5

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In today’s post I will be reviewing; Simply Crochet; Magazine Issue 5

Simply Crochet Hooked on Handmade. Magazine

• Title: Simply Crochet; Hooked on Handmade. Magazine Issue 5
• Publisher: Future Publishing.
• Issue 5

My Reason for Buying

I bought issue 4 as there was a free shawl pin on the cover (which I needed and liked) and liked the look of the projects. Enjoyed it so much I bought this issue without seeing much about it.

My challenge for this year was to try crochet, I bought a couple of issues of Knit n Stitch early on, but they were weekly and expensive, I bought a book but wasn’t over inspired. I like to see projects that inspire me to learn how to make them to encourage me to learn the techniques needed. I also fancied having a magazine to flick through with a cup of tea   I tell you this as often a review is based on how well the book lived up to the expectations of its reader, for their purpose

Contents

Patterns: Granny Square Ideas, Flower broach, Beret, Floral cushion, Cardigan, Lacy Mug hug, Amigurmi doll, Little mermaid, Mandala, Motif, Hexagons, tea pot cover, Tie, Earrings, Scarf, Dog scarf,

Good Reads: Hooked = ideas, websites. Notebook Jane Crowfoot tips and ideas. Broomstick lace. Profile. Crochet Then and Now. Yarn reviews. Coming Next Month. Vintage Treasure. How too. The Workshop, The Guide Diagrams and charts

Pros/Cons

Pros

• Wide range of projects for all ages, stuff for beginners, as well as more adventurous crochet artists
• Little projects as well as garments. LOVE the motif section, LOVE the mandala section
• The Workshop and The Guide, get you started with basic stitches and techniques
• Love the quality feel of the magazine
• A great way to find artists and books to inspire you
• A great way to find retailers if you are needing supplies

Cons

Bearing in mind I am a total newbie to crochet.

• It would be handy if they had some information about how to read patterns, in their guides at the back. Its the one thing I haven’t found in there and have got a bit lost.

Value for Money

Excellent

Would I buy it Again?

Yes, haven’t subscribed as funds are tight BUT will keep a close eye on the magazines blog and as soon as new issues come out if there are projects in there I like I would buy again without hesitation.

Summing up

This is the first magazine (on any topic) that I have really enjoyed for ages. It feels loved, it has thought about what people like and has even had questionnaire’s in the first few issues so people could feed back on what they did and didn’t like about it.

This magazine reminds me of Stampington publications. There is inspiration, a classy, classic feel rather than cheap and nasty look of some magazines which are very actually expensive. I like that the editions are un-sealed so you can see what you are getting for your fiver. Too many other publications are a blind date, you can’t see if there are things in there you would like to make as they are covered by free gifts or sealed so you have no idea what you are getting.

The projects are like the magazine classy, classic and if you are a ‘new age vintage chic’ kinda person you are going to love this. I’d highly recommend getting a how too book to get you started but if like me you are in the early stages of the hobby, there are lots here to get you inspired and want to create. I particularly enjoy the fact that the little projects, like the smaller motifs and mandals and so on are things you would like to make, to have in your home. Other magazines ‘smaller’ projects can seem cheesy or just for the kiddies or the other extreme very large and complex projects.

This looks like a keeper, some things I’ll be able to do now, and come back to the more involved things when my skills improve. Great job Future Publishing and thanks too for the blog which gives a heads up on the projects for the current and upcoming issue.

Links

• Simply Crochet Magazine Blog
• Facebook
• Twitter
• Pintrest
• Ravelry
• My Favorite magazine for back issues, single issues and subscriptions

The Blog also has a preview of the magazine to see if its your kind of thing

Best wishes and thanks for reading, see you soon

Billie

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My First crochet flower

Welcome Back

Early this year I promised myself I’d give crochet a try. Recently I have been buying Simply crochet magazine, it has some lovely projects for all levels and I adore the mandala’s and granny squares, this month they had flowers.

Sadly though, my poor little brain couldn’t work out the meaning of the patterns, even the ones they said were simple, but I am VERY new to it all. So I headed off to You Tube as I’m a visual learner so I tried there instead. YEY

Here are the flowers I made

Crochet flowers

Now you see the one in the middle, it wasn’t meant to be like that it was meant to be the start of a circle but I kept getting those big chains over the top. They were trebles into the center of the ring, {sob} its driving me nuts but I can’t stop the big loops. I think its my tension that is off, but can’t sort it yet. I did so well with double crochet so can’t see why I’m having such problems with these.

I was trying for the pattern by Wink on page 58 of issue 5 of Simply Crochet Hooked on Handmade.

If anyone can shed any light on what I’m doing wrong shout up, I’d love to sort this out.

Links

Here is the video tutorial that I followed to make this flower, thanks to The Making Spot for such a clear easy to understand tutorial

Best wishes and thanks for reading, see you soon

Billie

 

***Update***

 

After watching this flower tutorial and another one and having a practice, I realised what I was doing wrong, the chain 3 was only meant to be at the start of the round, not for every repeat. DOH!!! Simple once you know eh!!! I’m now much further into the pattern and have definitely had a light bulb moment with the crochet. Hunting out more flower,motif tutorials on You Tube. Gimme a shout if you know of any

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Knitting Project; Spring/ Summer Shawl

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Today I’d like to share some pictures of a shawl that I recently finished.

Spring Summer Shawl

I fell in love with this yarn, which is Wendy Luxury Cotton, when I first saw it. It looked a bit too slippery/shiny for slippers and at the time that was the only project I’d got in mind. Then I found this fab shawl pattern on Ravelry, its called Splendid Triangle shawl and is available free from Lion Brand in America. You need to join their mailing list to have access to the instructions but they have so many beautiful patterns on there, its well worth while doing so.

This is the largest knitting project I’ve tackled and wasn’t sure how I’d get on with it. Other than knit and purl, the only other techniques you need are yarn over (which I hadn’t tried before this project) and also knit two together. By the end of the project I’d got the hang of yarn overs and they now don’t scare me half as much as they did. There are great tutorials on You Tube to hand hold you through yarn overs if you’ve never done them before either.

Spring Summer Shawl

The yarn is beautiful, the slight sheen really catches the light and makes the blue look like it has some white running through it. The cotton felt lovely but was harder work than acrylic as it didn’t slip quite so easily across my needles. It was worth all the effort though and I’m thrilled with the results. So far I haven’t blocked it, just spread it out a bit on the bed, which has opened the pattern out a bit.I have bought Tesco play mats to eventually block the shawl, when I’ve saved enough for blocking wires and pins, which will make a neater result still.

The hardest part of this project was the crochet edging, Id had a look round Ravelry and seen others had gone with different options for finishing the shawl. I bought a Surina Silky crochet hook, which is a beautiful wood and by getting the 10″/25cm long hook, it didn’t dig into my palm like other crochet hooks do. It still took me three days to cast off, but that’s only because of my poor dexterity and that I could only do a few loops a day. Since then I’ve seen the project finished with a ruffle edging, this looked really nice too, so if you can’t/don’t want to crochet its another option.

Spring/ Summer Shawl, crochet edging

Having managed this shawl and thanks to a knitting friend tipping me off where to get the yarn, I’ve since got a few balls of Sirdar Connemara yarn in Wayfarer, a lovely heather like colour and have started another one of these shawls. This time I’m hoping to go for the ruffle edging as this yarn has a tweed like effect and I think that edging will suit it better. The crochet edging on the blue shawl works for spring and summer and on the nice cotton yarn.

Do check out Ravelry if you love knitting, its a fantastic place to find patterns, learn new techniques and ask for help. Their search functions make finding alternative yarns for patterns so much easier, you can also search for patterns by yarn type or needle size, so if you have small amount of yarn kicking round, you can find the perfect project. LOVE Ravelry, its good for eating days if you let it, but there’s so much to see and do on there its wonderful.

Hopefully now the days are getting longer and fingers crossed the warmer weather will join it, then I can knit more and also have enough light see to paint again. Have missed my paints this winter! More mixed media play coming as soon as I can get back to my stash.

Links

• Ravelry Here is a walk round the main features of Ravelry So if you aren’t yet a member, here’s what its all about.
• Lion Brand
• Wendy Yarn
• Splendid Triangle shawl To have access to the pattern istructions you need to join Lion Brand mailing list. Its worth it, they have some fantastic patterns.
• Deramores, if you can’t find the Wendy Luxury cotton yarn on the high street, check out Deramores. They are a great knitting store with very fast delivery and excellent range of yarn and colours.

Best wishes and thanks for reading ,see you soon

Billie

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Product Review: Tulip; Etimo Crochet Hook

Welcome Back

In today’s post I will be reviewing; Tulip Etimo Crochet hook

Tulip; Etimo Crochet Hook

Product Details

• Manufacturer/Brand; Tulip; Etimo
• Item number:
• RRP at time of writing: Price varies depending where you get them I paid £7.95 on Ebay

Reason For Buying

I have dexterity problems caused by RSI, wanted to try crochet and needed something with a thicker handle as my grip isn’t very good.

Pros/Cons

Tulip; Etimo Crochet Hook

Pros

• Soft Handle
• Thicker handle which is great for smaller diameter hooks
• Warm in the hand
• The rubberised surface gives you better control of the hook
• Metal hook means it glides effortlessly through yarns
• Handle dimensions seem to be the same across the size ranges, although the very fine lace hooks have blue handles and look a little different in size.

Cons

• The handles are a little on the short side for me, as I use the knife style grip. Shouldn’t be a problem if you use the pencil grip.

Tulip; Etimo Crochet Hook, showing the flatter section of the handle

Build Quality

Excellent, the material used on the hook are and handle are fantastic. Both are comfortable to use and work well with a variety of yarns.

Value for Money

My hook came from a seller on Ebay, at just under £8 it was expensive but the build quality makes them very good. I also saw these on Amazon at just under £13, even if they had been perfect for me, unless I only wanted one or two hooks that would have been more than I’d have wanted to spend. That said the quality is fantastic and if this is your main hobby its worth the investment in top quality.

Would I buy it Again?

At this stage no. But that is only because it didn’t solve the dexterity issue I had. If this had been the right shape for me then I would have gone for these in a heartbeat.

Side view of Tulip; Etimo Crochet Hook. Close up

Summing up

These hooks are fantastic and well worth all the positive hype they get. If my hands had worked or managed crochet then these would have been the hooks for me. The are available singly or in sets, the sets I have seen even include storage bags for the hooks and if you have a loved one who is into crochet they would make a wonderful gift.

If you are a fan of very fine crochet but find the hooks hard to hold there are also some blue handled hooks in the range that go down to much smaller sizes.

The reason I’m not buying more of these is because my RSI kicked off and complained loudly when I tried crochet, so I think it will be something I may not be able to do. Also the length of this hook, when I was holding it with the knife style grip I use hit just between the knuckles on the inside of my palm between my little and next finger. This caused me a problem as last year I managed to almost dislocate these bones so they are quite tender to pressure. I have Hyper-flexion, which means my tendons flex further than they should, this leaves me prone to RSI type injuries like this, so for me this hook was a bit short.

If gripping itself doesn’t cause you pain and your issue is more about having enough handle to get hold of then give these a try. The grippy material on the handle makes a big difference to this and makes them easy to hold. The material is also warm in the hand, so if you find metal makes your hands lock up because it’s so cold, but bamboo or plastic hooks create too much drag on yarn, then again give these a try. These are the best of both worlds with the warm handles but metal hook for better glide through a variety of yarns.

Links

Here is a link to the maker’s website, so you can find out more about these hooks, their size ranges and other options in the range.

• Tulip Etimo

Best wishes and thanks for reading, see you soon

Billie

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Adventures in Crochet

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One of the things I promised myself I’d like to try this year, has been crochet. I kept seeing such nice projects made with it, that I wanted to try it. I’d seen Wendy Poole on C&C recently, with a DVD on how to crochet, then just after Christmas there was a series of collectable magazines; Knit & stitch, which included knitting & crochet, so I gave the first couple of issues a try.

The DVD that came with issue one of Knit & Stitch magazine was excellent and covered (albeit a little too quickly) the key stitches and about increases and decreases. Issue 2 came with a crochet hook so I gave bought that too and decided to give crochet a go.

My First attempt at crochet

As you can see, I managed the first square but due to RSI issues, I had a lot of trouble with using the metal hook. Now on the knitting front, the right needle made all the difference, so the search began for hooks suitable for people with dexterity issues. My short list of hooks to try was as follows;

• Clover Soft Touch
• Tulip Etimo
• Cushion grips to use with normal hooks

In the past, I learned with knitting that plastic needles gave too much drag on yarn, so other than the one Tunisian hook that was in my late mother’s collection, I didn’t try any more plastic ones. Metal needles and hooks made my hands lock up because they are so cold. Because of the poor dexterity, I really needed something with a thicker handle, which led me to the options above. On to Ravelry, the font of knowledge on all such things and I had a good read of what others were saying about their experiences of those brands of hooks. A quick trawl through You Tube, for possible demos and the flat nature of the Clover soft touch, finally put me off. After trying a totally unsuitable pencil gripper (NOT suitable as it’s designed to put your fingers in a writing position, which was wrong angle for crochet). I ordered a Tulip Etimo hook from a seller on Ebay, who beat even Amazon prices!

The Tulip Etimo hook has a metal area where the hook is, but the handle is made of a special cushion grip, which is smooth and rubbery so not cold and not slippery. I’m posting a full review of it on a later date.

Tulip; Etimo Crochet Hook

Results

To try to limit the amount of twisting I needed to do, I used the knife style of grip on my hook. Also to reduce the twisting and bending on the wrist, I tried rotating the hook just in my fingers, instead of using my whole hand. This worked on not having to twist my hand around but sadly it seems crochet is not for me. I feared it would come under the heading of self harm with the dexterity issues I have, and at least in the winter this turns out to be the case, it was always going to be a long-shot. Even with the soft and lovely handle of the Tulip Etimo, the way I was spinning the hook, made not just my hand lock up, there was a lot of pain across the back of my hand and up my forearm to my elbow, I learned the hard way in the past NOT to ignore this kind of pain and it took over a week to settle back down, so sadly it looks like crochet isn’t for me.

Learning Curve

I’m quite sad that I couldn’t crack this, as I’d love to have made some snowflakes and some granny squares but its not worth the pain it caused and after over ten years of recovery after two operations on my wrists, to get even some of my dexterity back, I’m certainly not going to risk further tendon damage, again.

What all this has taught me, is to be wary of people who say; ‘This is suitable for people with dexterity problems’. I am guilty of making that remark myself too. Everyone’s dexterity problems are unique to them, it could be that your hands don’t function well but that fact doesn’t cause you pain, so you just need a tool that you can get hold of easily. In my case my dexterity issues not only make gripping and fine motor skills difficult, but also very painful so different tools can help but not every time.

At the end of the day, I am glad I tried crochet. It might not have worked but I am still very lucky that, at least for short periods, with long breaks between sessions and with the right materials, at least I can still knit occasionally. In future, I will try to make sure I use comments like; ‘If you have dexterity issues, these are worth looking into’. Rather than, ‘Are great for people with dexterity issues’. I’ve still got a bundle of Knitting magazines that gave details for making a blanket. So maybe over a lot of time, we still will get our hand-made blanket. Ten years DH & I have been married and only recently when we were talking about crochet, did he say he’d always liked the idea of a blanket like that Who knew?

Links

For those who would like to find out more about the hooks from my shortlist, here are links to the manufacturers.

• Clover (USA)
• Clover; Soft-touch
• Tulip Etimo

For those wanting more information on getting started with Crochet, check out these sites.

• Ravelry. An online community for those who love to; Knit, Crochet, & Spin with yarns and wools.
• Coats Crafts UK Have some great tutorials for Getting started with Crochet
• Nerdigurumi Has great tutorials, this one is all about choosing hooks
• Wendy Poole, as seen on Create and Craft has a tutorial DVD out on crochet too.
• Knit & Stitch My review of the recent knit & crochet magazine, includes links to the makers.

Amazon is a good place to look for feedback others have left about these brands and joining Ravelry is not only a great way to meet fellow yarn-a-hollics but also find out more about knitting & crochet, share patterns and discuss your questions too.

For others who find this article for research, have you found any hooks that work great for you? If so do leave a comment so others can find them too.

Best wishes and thanks for reading, see you soon

Billie

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Product Review: Knit & Stitch by Bergere de France. Issue 1

Welcome Back

In today’s post I will be reviewing;

Issue 1 of Knit & Sitch magazine by Bergere De France.

Bergere De France: Knit & Stich, Issue 1

Product Details

• Manufacturer/Brand; Bergere De France
• Item number; ISBN: 2049-8004
• RRP at time of writing: 99p

Reason For Buying

Having seen lots of crochet projects online and on TV I really wanted to learn to crochet. I spent so long looking into hooks that might help with my limited dexterity that the Wendy Poole DVD that I was going to buy from C&C sold out. When I saw this magazine on TV with a DVD I jumped at the chance to learn and have some patterns too.

Bergere De France: Knit & Stich, Issue 1

Contents

This first issue is an amazing price and if you want to get started in knitting & crochet GET it quick as it was out last week.

• Issue 1 of Knit & Stitch magazine
• 1 pr 3.5mm metal knitting needles 25cm long
• 2 25g balls of Bergere De France yarn
• Leaflet telling you yarn that will be used in the series
• Details of freebies offered to subscribers
• DVD

DVD run time 26 minutes, this covers the following

• Knitting:

The slip loop, cast on, knit and purl stitches, Basic stitches: Garter Stitch, Stocking Stitch, Reverse Stocking stitch, Moss stitch, Casting off. Tips section covers; Changing ball of yarn/change colour, Pick up dropped stitch, Unravel to correct a mistake.

• Crochet:

Slip knot, chain stitch, Basic Stitches; Single Crochet, Double Crochet, Half Treble, Treble, Double Treble. Increases and Decreases, Finishing.

Pros/Cons

Pros

• The needles are metal so they feel a better quality than usual cheap plastic ones often offered in such kits
• The magazine lists a website that gives lots of information about the series such as number of issues and a preview of the first issue.
• Knit & stitch guide gives details of yarns that will be used across the series and a preview of some of the patterns too
• Different sections for all levels including; Patchwork collection (knitted & crocheted squares to create the throw), Fashion makes, Easy Does it, For the Family, Home Comforts and Know How

DVD

• Run time 26 minutes
• Excellent DVD, showing lots of stitches and get you started techniques
• Clearly explained and filmed from over the shoulder of the demonstrator so easier to learn
• Narrator has a reassuring but not annoying patronising voice as on some DVDs
• No background music to distract you
• Good contrast between demo yarn and surroundings so easy to see how stitches are formed

Cons

• On the DVD  everything is very well explained but from a total novice point of view, had the stitches been shown for the entire row rather than just a couple of times, it would have helped the new skill sink in better. That said, being a DVD I can just replay a particular section over and over again till I get it.

Build Quality

Excellent. The metal needles make for a more quality thought about product than the usual cheap n sometimes nasty plastic ones often found on such magazines. The yarns are sealed in boxes, which keeps them clean and protected.

Value for Money

Excellent

Would I buy it Again?

Yes

Summing up

If you have promised yourself this is the year you want to learn to knit or crochet, get to the shops QUICK, this issue was out last week and issue two is already in store. You don’t want to miss this one as it has the instructional DVD in it. I like these kind of things for the fact that you get practice yarn, some patterns for all levels which inspires you to keep learning so you can make the harder stuff.

This particular magazine covers a range of crafts; Knitting, Crochet, Tapestry, Crewelwork, felting. Over the series it will give you the chance to try out a selection of yarn types and also collect a number of tools for your new hobby.

Will I buy them all, in real honesty, no. This is a weekly publication and although it offers a lot, the regular price will be £4.50 which I just don’t have spare on a weekly basis. Had it been fortnightly, I would have bought more of them. That said it is a wonderful quality product and if you want to try these hobbies grab it while you can, its superb.

Links

Check out the dedicated website to the Knit & Stitch magazine, it has a lot of useful info and a preview of this weeks issue.

• Knit & Stitch Collection website.
• Preview of the magazine
• Frequently asked Questions

I’m very impressed by this publication, they seem to have given a lot of thought to the presentation and the things people want to know upfront. Check out the links for more information from their website.

Best wishes and thanks for reading, see you soon

Billie

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