Help for Curling Edges on Tunisian Crochet
Subscriber Robbie Montgomery wrote with the following question:

"I have made several afghans using the afghan stitch and have had a real problem with the beginning rows rolling up. I read somewhere that a border around the afghan would correct this problem, but it hasn't. Can anyone tell me how to get my afghan to lay flat?"

I took Robbie's question directly to a Tunisian (afghan-stitch) crochet expert, well-known designer Kim Guzman, and here are her suggestions:

"Tunisian crochet, like knitting, tends to have more fabric on the back side than the right side. For this reason, most projects will curl. It is just the nature of Tunisian crochet. However, there are ways to combat the curling and, in some cases, eliminate it altogether.

"The most common way to decrease the curling is to use a larger hook. With Tunisian crochet, I will usually recommend a hook that is two or three sizes larger than the recommended crochet hook size for the yarn. For instance, if the yarn band recommends a size I hook, I will usually use a K or L in order to achieve the best results. It doesn't mean the curling will be eliminated, but it will produce projects with less curling.

"My favorite means to prevent the curling, though, is by combining stitches which put more fabric in the front, counteracting the curl. My favorite is the Tunisian Reverse Stitch. Working a few rows of Tunisian Reverse Stitch at the bottom, sides and top of your projects will counteract the curling, much like applying garter stitch around the edges does in knitting."

Thanks, Kim, for sharing your expertise with our readers! For those who are not familiar with the Tunisian Reverse Stitch, here is a great online video tutorial that shows how to work it.

Back to top

Ghosts & Pumpkins Unite!
In our Sept. 16 and Oct. 7, 2008 issues, we included some cute patterns for Halloween -- a trio of ghosts spelling out "BOO" and a basket of pumpkins. Reader Shawn Holloway decided to create her own unique projects using a combination of the pumpkins and ghosts from the two patterns.

Says Shawn:

"I combined the Boo Ghosts from the September issue and the pumpkins from the Basket of Pumpkins in the October issue and created some fun ghosts that had a pumpkin in between them as the first 'O' in 'BOO.' I have one of them on my desk at work. Thank you again for always giving us great ideas and sharing so much valuable information."

Here are Shawn's cute projects:

You did a great job, Shawn! Thanks for sharing the photos.

Back to top

Making Slippers Nonslip

I received the following e-mail from reader Theresa Smith:

"My grandchildren love my crochet slippers that I make for them each winter. However, what concerns me is that they have wood floors and ceramic tile floors. The slippers need something on the bottom to prevent them from slipping, but so far, I can't seem to come up with anything that would work. Any suggestions would be appreciated."

While a variety of techniques and products have been used by crocheters and knitters to make handmade slippers nonslip, this knitter (who has obviously tried most of them) offers her best solution for making nonslip slippers.

Back to top

More Ideas for Arthritis Relief
In our Sept. 16, 2008 issue, we discussed a number of ways to help relieve stiffness and pain in the hands and shoulders when crocheting. Several of our readers e-mailed to share their suggestions:

Nanette Stillwell:

"Here is a helpful hint for arthritis pain in the hands and fingers that my massage therapist shared with me. Purchase river rocks like the ones used at spas (I purchased mine from Target) and heat them, wrapped in a wet washcloth, for about a minute in the microwave.

"Hold the rocks in your hand for a few minutes and the moist heat loosens the stiffness in hands and fingers. You may leave your hands open or clinch them -- open works best for me."

Tina Crotty:

"In this issue, you gave instructions on how to make neck warmers for people with arthritis. I've made them using pieces of hand towels instead of muslin. They hold together much better. I fill them with plain old-fashioned white rice, as I had never heard of using birdseed or corn."

Jo Gay:

"Another way to make a heated neck collar is to fill a stretchable sock with inexpensive rice. Fill it up, leaving enough room to tie the end, and heat in the microwave for about two minutes. Adjust the time to suit you. When the collar needs to be washed, simply untie the sock and empty it to launder. Refill it with the same rice, and you are ready for relief again. It conforms easily to whatever shape you need: neck, wrist, back. This is the best tip that I ever got from a nurse!"

More Suggestions for Hook Care
In our Oct. 7, 2008 issue, we talked about ways to care for different types of crochet hooks. Hook maker extraordinaire Jim (Jimbo) Price of "Jimbo's Front Porch" wrote to share his suggestions for cleaning wood hooks. Jim crafts beautiful crochet hooks (I'm the lucky owner of one!), and here is what he suggests for caring for wood hooks:

"I'd use the really fine sandpaper (600-grit wet/dry) for touch up since 350-grit might change a hook's size if the person doing the cleaning gets a little too aggressive with the sandpaper. The 600-grit used lightly should polish with minimal removal of wood.

"I prefer beeswax over furniture oil. There are lots of different oils out there and some could gum up. A little beeswax, a clean cotton cloth and a little elbow grease works wonders on most wood hooks."

Reader Cookie Gates offers the following solution for storing the lighted crochet hooks:

"I really love the lighted crochet hooks for traveling, for when the electricity goes out and for using with very dark yarns. I use a plastic scissors case (it looks like an eyeglass case) to store and protect my lighted crochet hooks. I can put at least six hooks in it, and storing them in this case prevents the lights from getting accidentally switched on and running down the batteries."

Back to top

Free Crochet Baby Cap Pattern for Knit One, Save One Project
Leading crochet designer, author and teacher Noreen Crone-Findlay wrote to express her excitement about the Knit One, Save One cap campaign that we featured in the Oct. 7, 2008 issue. While attending the Knit & Crochet Show in Portland, Ore., in September, she met and talked with representatives from Save the Children, sponsors of the cap project, and was inspired to design an adorable earflap-style baby cap for the campaign.

Noreen created this particular style because representatives in Nepal have been asking for earflap baby caps. She is graciously offering her free crochet pattern so that other crocheters can get involved and make caps for the campaign. You can find the pattern link at Noreen's Web site here. Thank you, Noreen, for sharing your pattern for this worthy cause!

And, speaking of the Knit One, Save One project, even Hollywood celebrities have picked up their crochet hooks and knitting needles and joined the effort to provide warm caps for the program. You can read about it and see some of their cute cap creations here.

Your Family Will Cherish This Keepsake for Years to Come!

Crochet Creche