Help! What do I do with these hooks?

[LeahB]

I went to a local dairy festival today, and as it happens, there was a woman there who was doing a spinning demonstration (It was very cool). She was also selling some afghan hooks. I think I may have seen them called Tunisian hooks elsewhere. They seemed like a good price ($1 each), so I bought a few in various sizes. Of course, now I am not sure what to do with them!

 

Let me tell you about the hooks. I got two kinds: one kind has a normal crochet hook on one end and a metal stopper on the other end; the other kind has a crochet hook on both ends. So, I basically have two questions: What is the difference between them (other than the obvious fact that they look different)? And, what do I do with them now that I have them?

 

Thanks!

[stargazingirly]

Well I've never used them, but some ladies on the CAL page have started a CAL using these hooks, I bet if you stepped on over there and asked they'd know the answer!

[Me&P]

For the kind with a hook on both ends you can make things with a different color on each side... Google books for "Double-Ended Crochet" to get some ideas.

[Krystal16]

Leah - the double-ended hook is also called "On the Double" when you look for pattern books. Annie's Attic has a few on sale right now (dirt cheap). The other hook with the stopper is called "Tunisian Crochet" or "Afghan Hook" and there is a member here that specializes in patterns AND instruction - go to http://www.crochetkim.com .

[JCB]

Wow! For $1 each you got a VERY good deal. I just paid $15 plus shipping for a double-ended (also called cro-hook) hook.

 

Go to Kim Guzman's blog:

http://kimguzman.bravejournal.com/

On the left side bar she has her schedule of free on-line classes. She also has transcripts of previous classes. They are very easy to follow and you will be Tunisian crocheting in no time!

 

Have fun!

 

Joan

[crochetkim]

My goodness, goodness! What a terrific find!

 

The hooks with a stopper are afghan hooks used for Tunisian (also called railway knitting, tricot). The ones with double hooks are also for Tunisian, usually called cro-hook. Both use the same stitches, but cro-hook uses two balls of yarn, one for each hook end. I love using both types of hooks and have been working with them for about 9 years.

 

As a matter of fact, just yesterday, I updated my online index of Tunisian patterns and it starts here:

 

http://www.crochetkim.com/tunisianpatterns.html

 

That should give you a really great start to playing.