Uncommon Crochet Thread Uses, No. 1

Because I named this blog "Uncommon Crochet Threads," it only makes sense that I should mention some uncommon crochet thread uses. Here is one I found by searching for something else on Yahoo:

Weaving a Basket with Crochet Thread Tutorial - How to weave a basket using painted crochet thread and covered wire. Includes complete instructions for making this cute tiny basket.

I'll keep a lookout for more.

Hand-Dyed and Hand-Painted Crochet Thread

I've been purchasing hand-dyed and hand-painted crochet thread for several years now and have quite a collection of it. I like it because of the beautiful color combinations the makers come up with, and compared to the hand-dyed and hand-painted yarns out there, the crochet threads are fairly inexpensive.

Although the two are often interchanged -- hand-dyed and hand-painted -- there is a difference. Basically, hand-dyed yarns and threads involve dipping the material into the dye. With hand-painted, the dye is applied to the material with a paintbrush, foam brush or squirt bottle.

Both are easy to find online, especially on Etsy and eBay. Because I no longer shop on eBay, most of the thread I purchase is from sellers on Etsy.

Size 10 Crochet Thread at Bre-Aly Threads

One of my favorite Etsy shops is Bre-Aly Threads. I have shopped there for years and have a large plastic container full of their threads. She sells hand-painted size 10 crochet thread in 50 yard center-pull balls for $1.50 and 150 yard balls for $3.95. Bre-Aly's color combinations are unique and her prices are very reasonable.

Another favorite seller is Sara's Colorwave Yarns. I found this shop not on Etsy, but by searching on Yahoo. As far as I know, she doesn't sell on Etsy or eBay. She offers sizes 10, 20, 30, and 40 hand-dyed crochet threads, as well as a variety of hand-dyed yarns. The one thing I don't like about this shop is you can only purchase size 10 thread in 300-yard balls for $8.00 each.

Unfortunately sellers come and go, especially on Etsy. Many of the sellers I've purchased hand-dyed or hand-painted crochet threads from are currently not selling anything. But luckily, there are also many new sellers to try.

It's Up....My First Crochet Pattern!!

Today I published my first crochet pattern on Ravelry. I started making crochet thread bowls over a year ago, and at first, I didn't write out the pattern as I made them. The first pattern I wrote was for a small one that is very easy to make.

Eventually, I had so many that I didn't want to continue to call them by color or style, so I started naming them. This one is named DENA.

Here is a link to the pattern on this blog.

My new website is up!

I've spent the last couple of weeks working on my new website and it is finally up. Check it out at algaltdesigns.com.

If it looks good, please give it a Facebook "Like." 

Now I have more time to spend on my blog.

What to Do About Those Dull Smelly Steel Hooks

They've been around forever, those dull silver metal hooks we would find in our grandmother's sewing cabinet. We would learn how to crochet with larger hooks, and as difficult as it was with a G or H hook, we couldn't imagine crocheting with those tiny ones.

I think its generally the same for all of us. We soon found out it wasn't so hard and we bought our own shiny new steel crochet hooks. It was fine for awhile until the finish wore off and our hands would sweat and smell.

Luckily, there are alternatives, such as Clover Soft Touch Steel Crochet Hook, but they can be expensive. There are other options as well, such as plastic or bamboo handles with steel heads, removable plastic handles and interchangeable sets.

I admit that I haven't tried them all because these days, I have to do everything on a budget and let's face it, crafting supplies can get expensive. But at Amazon.com, I found a set of 8 with bamboo handles that costs almost the same as one of the Clover hooks.

Yes, they are made in China (what isn't these days?) and you will probably wind up not using some of the sizes, but at $9 for eight of them, who cares?

I like them so much that I've already purchased two sets, and not because they fell apart. I tend to use one of a few sizes when I crochet and I temporarily lose the size I need sometimes. So its nice to have a backup.

Here I go again

OK, I'm going to try this again. 

A year or so ago, I started a blog with the same name--Uncommon Crochet Threads. I worked very hard on it for a few months. And I think that was the problem. I went all out. I was using the full version of WordPress (the one that was downloaded on my site and cost me a fee every month). But it was so complicated and expensive that I gave it up.

But I had a great idea for a blog.

With the many crochet and knitting blogs out there, I don't know of many that focuses on crochet thread and the many things you can make with it. 

Some of the topics I hope to cover are brand comparisons, books and magazines, hand-dyed threads offered on Etsy and other sites, vintage patterns and some of my own originals.

Please feel free to leave a comment. Just say "Hi" so I know someone is reading this.