MAKE AN OLD-FASHIONED TRIANGLE SHAWL

Article Tools

Image Gallery

Print

E-mail

Comments

RSS

Getting Started

I refer to leftover yarn as scraps. Always wind your scraps into small balls and set them aside for other projects. I'm a frugal "scrapper," as are the kids, so we organize our scraps. The tiny balls go into empty cookie tins; medium-size in a wooden cheese wheel; and larger ones (grapefruit-size) in a tall version of a snake charmer's basket. Remember: "Use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without."

As you become more experienced, there are variations to experiment with. For example, sport-weight yarn (which is 2-ply, popular for making baby items and socks because of its finer weave), and a smaller hook, such as an F size, will make tighter, smaller stitches. Using 4-ply yarn and a large hook, such as J or K, produces stitches that are large and loopy. I've also made lap throws using two strands of yarn held together and a size K hook. This makes a warm, heavy piece with a puffy look. Another type of thread is crochet cotton, which is mostly used for making doilies and laces... fancywork. Experiment—all you need is a hook, some yarn, and your imagination.

Choosing yarn is fun; be forewarned though, with all the beautiful colors to choose from, you may buy more than you intended. On the skein of yarn, there will be a wrapper that shows the ounces and the ply. Skeins are usually 3.5, 4, or 8 ounces; just add up the ounces until they total the amount needed. My pattern calls for 12 ounces, which makes a modest-size shawl, but you may opt to purchase more yarn and make a larger one. I don't specify a definite color combination; pick one, two, or three colors that you like. By changing the color as desired, you'll create your own unique shawl.

You'll also need to purchase a size H or 8 (5 mm) aluminum crochet hook. My Gramma passed her hooks on to me, mostly steel ones, but my favorites are made of bone and ivory. They're beautiful and a pleasure to use. Bone and ivory hooks may still be found at antique shops and flea markets. When she came for a visit, Gramma would tell me about her precious hooks... how she used them to make laces for weddings and three generations of baby items that grace our cedar chests today. I carry on this tradition, just as my children will after me.

Many people insist there is a right and wrong way to hold your hook. Maybe so, but I say hold your hook however it's most comfortable. The illustrations (see Fig. 1) show what some say is the proper way, with your thumb and index finger at the center of your hook, your third finger steadying your work, and the hook resting on the arch of your hand between the thumb and index finger. The free hand controls the working yarn. I hold mine like a cowboy holds his spoon while eating grub: My thumb and third finger hold the hook at the center, while my index finger steadies my work that's on the hook. This irritated Gramma to no end—I was supposed to hold it daintily, as a lady should. (She did forgive once she saw my creations.)

RSS | Comments | E-mail | Print