How Crochet Hooks Make Your Knitting Easier

Knitters who don't crochet seldom realize that a crochet hook can make their knitting much easier in many different ways. Listed below are just a few of the ways crochet hooks can make your knitting easier and faster.

When the instructions say "make 1," use your crochet hook to draw the new loop through under the bar and place it on the left hand needle. You will find that the stitch you are trying to create will be easier to pull up since it will not slip off the hook.

Use a crochet hook to pick up stitches along the edge of a knitted piece. This is useful for picking up the stitches along a neckline in preparation for knitting a collar or turtleneck, or for picking up stitches for sleeves or knitted-in pockets. Use your crochet hook to pull up the required number of loops and place them on your knitting needle.

If you accidentally drop a stitch as you are knitting and several rows unravel, you can use your crochet hook to pick up the stitches. By picking up knit stitches from the front of the work and purl stitches from the back, you can easily rebuild your pattern.

You can also stitch your knitted garments together using a crochet hook to slip stitch the seams together. This method results in a neater appearance on both the inside and outside of the garment and the joining is far more even than seams made with a yarn needle.

If you are adding fringe to a scarf or afghan, a crochet hook provides an easy way to pull the cut yarn through the stitches before knotting. This method is much faster and easier than using a yarn needle to draw through the yarn, and you can adjust the ends of your yarn before completing the knot. This saves a great deal of time in trimming the fringe once you have finished.

Use a crochet hook to create a finishing border for afghans, rugs, and other flat items. The border will enhance the appearance of your finished project, and will help the piece lay flat. If you don't know how to crochet, all you need to do is to learn how to make a few simple stitches. You will find then that it is possible to create a very decorative edge for your finished piece, enhancing both its beauty and its value.

Crochet hooks can also enhance and stabilize knitted buttonholes. Use a crochet hook and either matching or contrasting yarn to slip stitch around the buttonhole, working three stitches in each end. The buttonholes will lay flat and create a nice, finished look to your garment.

Pick up a few crochet hooks and keep them with your knitting needles. Try some of the suggestions listed here, And if you've never crocheted before, by learning a few simple stitches you will find yourself adding crochet to your list of needlework skills.