Tunisian Adventures

I've had this desire to learn new yarn-y type skills of late, perhaps it's the new year. So I thought I would give knitting another go, popped to the shop to buy myself some knit sticks, watched some YouTube vids, settled down on the couch and got set to make a scarf (isn't that what everyone knits first?).

I lasted a whole 15 minutes before giving in and picking up my hook..

BUT then... What's this Tunisian crochet (aka Afghan crochet) business all about? It's crochet but looks like it could be a knit... I gave it a shot with my regular hook. SO not as difficult as it looks! The next day I bought my first (of what I suspect to be many) Tunisian hooks.

It was a little slow going at the start since I crochet differently. I had to relearn how to hold the yarn properly and regulate my tension, but for you who already know how to do this it should be a breeze! Granted, I've only mastered the basic Tunisian Simple Stitch, but there is a whole new crochet world opening up now. EXCITING!

You can go here http://www.crochetmagazine.com/stitch_guide/index.html?content_id=58 and have a try too (hope the link works, posting through the blogger iPhone app for the first time so things are a little different). Or have search on YouTube.

One little tip I've found for making it a little easier, if you know how to cast on with knitting you can do that and skip the chain/cast on at the start. Just remember to add one to the length.

I made this guy from a grid and he's found a home in a frame. It's a bit squishy for him but I preferred it with the mount.

And I've been making some cosies too, which has worked well, given it produces a thicker fabric than regular crochet.

Be sure to let me know if you give it a go.
x Adele