Tools and Gadgets for Knit/Crochet

[Shandeh]

Good idea! But, some people would probably need a way to lock it, so their pets wouldn't advance the counter. Ha!

[laceyj1204]

This isn't really a reply about the tools I use, but more of a question for anyone else. I'm having issues with my hands hurting after I crochet for a while (worse when it's cold outside) and I was wondering if anybody had ever used the Provo Craft ergonomic hooks with the handles? Here is a link if you don't know what I'm talking about http://www.cutratecrafts.com/product.php/sku/074808?s=qt6PCFzR This is the cheapest I've ever seen these and would love to know if they're worth purchasing or if I should look for something else. Thanks in advance for your help.

[karenarp]

This isn't really a reply about the tools I use, but more of a question for anyone else. I'm having issues with my hands hurting after I crochet for a while (worse when it's cold outside) and I was wondering if anybody had ever used the Provo Craft ergonomic hooks with the handles? Here is a link if you don't know what I'm talking about http://www.cutratecrafts.com/product.php/sku/074808?s=qt6PCFzR This is the cheapest I've ever seen these and would love to know if they're worth purchasing or if I should look for something else. Thanks in advance for your help.

I have that set and so does my brother. I find it sticks to almost all my yarn - I absolutely love the handles included! I wish to heck there was a way to make the metal shaft smoother. I would never put them down if there was. Now my brother, he just loves that set and he never could feel what I meant by the yarn sticking. He tried other hooks but only like the way that one felt.
That is one terrific price! Now hopefully they don't kill you on shipping!

[Shandeh]

This isn't really a reply about the tools I use, but more of a question for anyone else. I'm having issues with my hands hurting after I crochet for a while (worse when it's cold outside) and I was wondering if anybody had ever used the Provo Craft ergonomic hooks with the handles? Here is a link if you don't know what I'm talking about http://www.cutratecrafts.com/product.php/sku/074808?s=qt6PCFzR This is the cheapest I've ever seen these and would love to know if they're worth purchasing or if I should look for something else. Thanks in advance for your help.

Some of us have already been talking about that set in the "Crochet Hooks" discussion.
viewtopic.php?f=151&t=961

It's a love-hate thing for that set. The handles are great, but the actual hooks are bad.

[laceyj1204]

This isn't really a reply about the tools I use, but more of a question for anyone else. I'm having issues with my hands hurting after I crochet for a while (worse when it's cold outside) and I was wondering if anybody had ever used the Provo Craft ergonomic hooks with the handles? Here is a link if you don't know what I'm talking about http://www.cutratecrafts.com/product.php/sku/074808?s=qt6PCFzR This is the cheapest I've ever seen these and would love to know if they're worth purchasing or if I should look for something else. Thanks in advance for your help.

Some of us have already been talking about that set in the "Crochet Hooks" discussion.
viewtopic.php?f=151&t=961

It's a love-hate thing for that set. The handles are great, but the actual hooks are bad.

Thanks for the link to the other discussion, I'll have to check it out. I really hate to purchase something like that and not like it, but I need something to help my hands too....I like the looks of the Addi hooks, but the price seems a bit steep. I've looked at the clover hooks, but they seem like they're going to be too short. Guess I'll just have to go buy some polymer clay and make my own personal hook handles over my existing hooks. The clay only bakes at 250 or 275 so the steel and aluminum should hold up fairly well.

[karenarp]

Thanks for the link to the other discussion, I'll have to check it out. I really hate to purchase something like that and not like it, but I need something to help my hands too....I like the looks of the Addi hooks, but the price seems a bit steep. I've looked at the clover hooks, but they seem like they're going to be too short. Guess I'll just have to go buy some polymer clay and make my own personal hook handles over my existing hooks. The clay only bakes at 250 or 275 so the steel and aluminum should hold up fairly well.

FYI: the clay could make the hook much heavier than you may end up liking. I would recommend testing it out on the cheapest steel / aluminum you could find then using the newly designed hook to make a project before doing it on others.

[laceyj1204]

Thanks for the link to the other discussion, I'll have to check it out. I really hate to purchase something like that and not like it, but I need something to help my hands too....I like the looks of the Addi hooks, but the price seems a bit steep. I've looked at the clover hooks, but they seem like they're going to be too short. Guess I'll just have to go buy some polymer clay and make my own personal hook handles over my existing hooks. The clay only bakes at 250 or 275 so the steel and aluminum should hold up fairly well.

FYI: the clay could make the hook much heavier than you may end up liking. I would recommend testing it out on the cheapest steel / aluminum you could find then using the newly designed hook to make a project before doing it on others.

I hadn't thought about the extra weight the clay would add, but all the extra plastic and rubberized stuff adds extra weight too I would assume. I've got duplicates of most of my hooks, so I'll try one just to see how it goes. If the polymer clay doesn't suit there's always the lightweight stuff that sculpey makes that is air dry I think. I'm working on designing a Christmas pin for my Aunt to wear made of the lightweight stuff. Well, off to go work on something. Thanks again for the advice on added weight. Extra opinions are always good to have!!!

[karenarp]

Has anyone ever used either of these products?
http://www.herrschners.ca/product.aspx?pid=55716
http://www.herrschners.ca/product.aspx?pid=55706
Would they really help with gauge / Tension?
They look so cool and simple. Wonder if they are comfortable enough to wear? If they would help with scratchier yarns?
Cro-Knit, the name seems wrong. Cro-Knit is usually a technique, so using that name here makes it confusing.

[JazzHooked]

What items do I always have with me for crochet:

collapsible scissors on a string (so they can go around my neck)
lots of hooks
sewing needles
tapestry needle
safety pins
pens
alligator clips (for markers)
small tape measure
8" ruler
notepad (I'm forEVer changing patterns)
postits

and coffee.

as for inventions...I asked my brother, who is a woodworker, to use some scrap lumber to make me a fringe guide. it has grooves on 2 sides so you can wrap yarn around it, and scissors fit into the groove to make it easier to cut. Before this I used cardboard, and that got frustrating. This is heavy, but it works beautifully. I asked him to put the groove on 2 sides so that I could wrap yarn in either direction and make either long or short fringe.

jaz

[MissMylin]

I was browsing around the forums earlier and thought "what an interesting little kit". Then I went to Michael's and guess what I found?! I was skimming through the diagrams, and I can't wait to give it a try!