Hi Knitters,I have been surprised about the number of knitters I have talked to or read about on ravelry who don't want to crochet at all, not even a simple edging or an ear, in elefante's case. A lot of people are substituting the crochet ears for knitted ears. I really didn't know that people felt this way about simple crochet that is added on a knitted item. Then I was reading Wendy's blog about adding a crochet edge on a baby blanket. She stated the same thing I had been reading and hearing about. People groan about a crochet edging. Wendy knew people would complain but she went with the crochet edging anyway. It is a really cute, beautiful blanket she designed for the preemie project.
Let me know what you think of this topic. I would love to hear about it and it would help me when designing projects.
Anyway, with this in mind and a few requests from elefante knitters, I decided to make a video tutorial of how to crochet a circle. The ear for the elephant is a crochet circle folded in half and then slip stitched together with a contrasting color. I also used crochet circles in itty-bitty hats and itty bitty nursery. I used crochet circles for the tops and bottoms of the cupcakes and ears for the elephant pacifier clip. The cherries for the hat and scarf on the cupcake set are crocheted in a similar way.
I encourage you to try this simple crochet technique. It really is easy and you can whip up these circles in no time at all.
Hope you all had a good and peaceful weekend.
best, susie
41 comments:
I'm not a big fan of crochet edges and stuff because I don't have any crochet hooks...just a little one to pick up dropped stitches. I know they're not that expensive, but I've still not justified spending money on them. I'm a new knitter though...I just learned about 6 months ago. So I'm still spending money on knitting tools.
Susan, Thanks so much for the tutorial. I have been knitting for @2years,and I have crocheted before. This was a good reminder especially with the increase, which I have never done in crochet. Just getting ready to start your Elephante. I'll let you know how he turns out. Thanks again for sharing.
Suzanne
I wouldn't call myself a crocheter, but I don't mind using it for blanket edgings and decorative touches if clear how-to instructions are included. I think it's fun to try new techniques. Thanks for the video!
I love to see a crochet border or edge, I love the difference in texture that it adds.
Well count me in the camp that has absolutely no desire to learn to crochet. In fact when I see a knitting project that has some kind of crocheting involved. I'm completely turned off. But that's just me.
Very nice! I just knit your Elephante this past weekend! I crocheted the ears and now just have to attach them. This is one of the instances where knit and crochet go together beautifully!
I love to crochet. I learned to crochet when I was 5 years old. So, obviously it can't be that difficult. I taught myself to knit because I love the look. Still, I am more comfortable crocheting. It's MUCH easier to rip out and correct mistakes:) I pride myself on being able to knit or crochet anything I please!!! Just depends on my mood!
To me Crochet and Knitting go hand and hand. Crochet can add a nice new textured to something that was say all stocking knit. Knowing how to do just the basics of crochet stitches can add so much to your knitting. Whether you want to embellish your knits or add an edging or say some cute elephant ears!
Plus, knitting is much harder to learn than crochet. - don't you think?
I say don't be afraid of crochet - embrace it! :)
I learned to crochet before I learned to knit, so maybe I'm biased, but I think a crocheted edge can be a beautiful addition to a knit piece. And because a crocheted ear is less floppy than a knit one, it's perfect for elefante!
(In keeping with reviving the handiworks of old, I'm all for learning how to knit AND crochet! Crocheting and knitting are be like fraternal sisters--a little bit different, but in the same family :)
I love them both. I can see the argument for not wanting to though. I haven't crocheted in quite awhile though I know it is like riding a bike. I think I don't have the desire to try to reteach myself is the only reason I'd avoid it.
I had never crocheted before I made your elephante last summer. The hard part for me was finding someone who could help me learn. I ended up on all kinds of websites teaching myself and probably made about 20 little circle ears before I got it right. It was frustrating, but I embraced the challenge.
Now that I have learned a few basics, I love the look and texture it brings. I have done several of your other designs that have crocheted embellishments and enjoyed every one. It really is quite simple once you learn a few basic stitches.
Well, since you asked...
I've done some crochet pieces but for me it is just not so fun. I was pretty disappointed when I got your book to learn the teaset required so much crochet work. Largely because of this, I haven't made anything from the teaset (or the book for that matter).
It just seems that crochet has been abused by people who make hideous afghans. I think that is why I am afraid of it. It is as if every great aunt in America went to wal-mart and stood in front of the ugliest variegated yarn known in creation (think cream/burnt orange/mustard yellow and lime green) and then decided to crochet it. I think it can be beautiful, and I know that knitting can be ugly too, just not as often.
Thanks so much for the video, that helps a lot. I have to agree with Jessica's comment....I don't like the crochet thing either usually, since I'm a knit-only kind of girl. I've never successfully learned how to crochet and always feel weird if I don't have at least one needle in each hand. :)
I so need to meet my inner crocheter - I can do some basics but habe to "re-learn" every time I pick it up - I so want to learn some circles - thank you!
I love to crochet. I agree that there have been WAY too many hideous afghans made by great-aunts ~ that has definitely given crocheting a bad reputation. But I can crochet just about anything, and do it in about half the time it would take to knit that same project.
I'm not sure why some people are so resistant to crochet ~ probably because of the great-aunt afghans. But truly, crochet edging can add such beauty and detail to knitted projects.
You know, knitting used to be the thing everyone's grandma did ~ no one wanted to learn to knit. Knitting has only come back into fashion over the past few years. Now everyone either knits or wants to learn to knit. I say keep using crocheted edges and accents in your projects ~ maybe crocheting will have a big come-back like knitting has! :) I've been knitting, crocheting, and cross stitching since I was 9 years old ~ for 31 years now!~ and when I was a teenager those things were totally taboo. So hang in there with the crocheting ~ I've crocheted some absolutely beautiful afghans ~ trust me, they're nothing like what your great-aunt made from ugly Wal*Mart varigated yarn! LOL
Blessings,
Trish
Back in the 70s I made some really cool crocheted jackets and shawls. At least, we thought they were cool then! Although I really like to knit better than I like to crochet, I like the texture the elephante ears add. In fact, I think there are times when a crocheted edge is just the right thing for a knitted piece. If I want to make an item I just learn whatever new technique I need to be able to do it. Keep on giving us variety!
There's always "Cro-Kay" -- Kay of Mason-Dixon knitting figured out she could pick up and immediately cast off stitches to get the same effect on edgings. I'm pro-some-crochet and find it fun, but balk at the amount of yarn it uses for garments.
I have never heard of such a thing... Most of my patterns come from garnstudio.com and a lot of patterns there have crocheted elements in them, so I took that for granted. After I learned to knit I'm now busy with my first crochet project and I must say: I love the possibilities of crocheting. I plan on doing one of the patterns from garnstudio which is a jacket with a crocheted body and knitted sleeves. I think both techniques are beautiful and are meant to be combined.
Wow, Susan, this is a great discussion. I've always been a little "crochet-shy" with no good reason.
I'm always so surprised that people have such strong feelings about the knit/crochet thing. I learned to knit first and that is my favorite. I love using crochet edgings and making granny square things (have you seen that pattern for a granny square shawl made from Kid Silk Haze?---to die for!). I only wish I could crochet as well as I can knit!
I just learned to crochet. I enjoyed the tutorial.
I come from a family of crocheters but I really don't like it. I find that my mind and hands just don't work the way they need to for crocheting. I will crochet a basic border but that's about it. I love your patterns and own both of your books. If I REALLY liked a project I would only tackle the crochet if there were very good instructions.
Susan, I am confused by the petal instructions for the flower pacifier clips. If I k1,sl1 to end of row for 12 rows, there is no knit side. Should it be k1, sl1 to end of row for all wrong side rows? Am I reading the instructions wrong? I would appreciate your help...Susan Hall
p.s. I have finished the elephant clip and it is adorable.
I like crocheted edges for blankets. But it helps that I can crochet and knit.
I love having the option of adding a crochet edge to a blanket.
Hey, I just listened to the Craftsanity podcast with Lily Chin. She states that any needleworker, either a "crocheter" or a "knitter" does themselves a disservice by not knowing at least some rudimentary skills in the other technique.
Thought you might like to hear her opinion!
Thanks for posting the video! I didn't know how to crochet in a round before. Now I do! Thanks so much! It really helped!
I have crocheted a scarf before, but it is really hard for me to do. I can't start a crochet, so my mom had to start the chain for me and crochet a few row.
I don't really like crochet, i know it makes some really cute stuff, but it looks so different from a knitted piece that i don't think it looks atractive when they are put together.
I am knitting your Elefante right now, it's adorable, but I'll probably find a different way to do the ears.
Thanks sooo much for the video! I'm done my elefante except for the ears and have been struggling with them. They now make perfect sense!
thanks! I have always had a lot of trouble visualizing what I"m supposed to do with crochet, and was about to figure out a knit alternative for the Elefante ears. But I thought I'd try google, first, and found your extremely helpful video and now? Elefante has ears.
Well, one ear so far, but I'm pretty sure I can manage a second. :)
Sometimes crocheting is much easier than knitting, especially when it comes to edgings. I vote for doing whatever gets you to the final product you want in the easiest way.
I need help with the teapot pattern. This is probably a dumb question, but how do you keep the poly-pellets in the teapot? Mine are leaking out like crazy. Any help would be greatly appreciated!
Christina,
When I knit toys I always knit with a smaller needle than recommended so that I get a tight, dense fabric. This way the pellets don't leak out. If your pellets leak out you can always sew a muslin or cotton pouch to insert into the toy before you add the stuffing to prevent leaking.
This is always a good idea if you are worried about young children/babies and choking hazard or leave the pellets out completely and just use the stuffing.
Hope that helps.
susan
I am a crocheter actualy, but I like to knit too. I learned when I was around 5 and find it alot easier than knitting. Besides, all you need is a hook (a crochet hook that is, I am afraid I find it a bit hard to crochet with a fishing hook, or any other hook for that matter).
So, I have two more words to say... GO CROCHET! ... And knitting. :)
i have been knitting for 9 years and i have elefante done all execpt the ears..... and why is that.?.?.? BECAUSE I CANT CROCHET and noone around where i live can in a circle.
Thanks for the tutorial. I only knit and I don't have any idea how to crochet. I would never ever normally do a knit pattern with crochet added in, I don't like how crochet looks, I don't like the construction or anything - that's why I knit. I'm making the crochet ears for the elephant to see what they look like and then I will probably make up my own knitted ones. I also really dislike the look of the two different types of stitches together. I don't think it's a good idea to assume just because people craft they can (or will) do both. If you're going to design a knitting pattern knit it, if a crochet pattern crochet it, etc...
Hey Susan,
I love your knits! I've just started your cupcake hat and I'm a little daunted by the idea of having to crotchet the cherry and the picot edge. I don't know how! But I'm excited to learn because it truly is beautiful. I love the look of crotchet touches... I'm just a scaredy-cat you could say.. :S
i'm glad to have found this video tutorial for these ears, because i'm trying to make the reversible lion/elephant toy right now, and it's the last thing i have left; i've been knitting for 6+ years but never tried any crochet. i love the look of the crocheted ears much better, and i would love to become proficient enough in crochet to do a little accent things like this in projects; but after several attempts of trying to make these ears, i must say i MUCH prefer knitting, maybe because i already know it and have gotten past the awkward stage... not giving up on the ears, but not exactly enjoying it either. i'm having a lot harder time keeping track of where i am in the pattern, how many stitches i've done, where the stitch is that i need to work with, etc. needles are my comfort zone!
Update from my last comment- I finally figured it out, and i'm really glad i kept trying for the ears, because they are super cute!! once i figured out that there is a difference in slip stitching and single crocheting, things went a LOT better! there's an extra yarn over in there i was missing!!
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