Crocheting

Crochet, or crocheting, is an art which involves the use of yarn or thread for creating different dorms of fabric. The word was derived from a French word, which means hook. Crocheting primarily makes full use of a crochet hook. This process is performed in the same manner as knitting, and involves the pulling of yarn into other loops. However, in crocheting only one loop remains active, and a crochet hook is mainly used, instead of a knitting needle.

Crochet Hooks Come In Different Sizes
Crocheting hooks come in a wide array of sizes, and can perform a range of specific tasks. Some steel hooks have sizes ranging from .04 to 3.5 mm in size and are commonly used for completing more delicate and finer crocheting tasks. Aluminum or plastic crochet hooks range from 2.5 to 19 mm. Some artisan-made hooks, which are made from wood, are even decorated with beads or even precious stones. Individual crocheters begin their work by creating what is called a test swatch, and whenever there's a discrepancy, they adjust this through using either a smaller or larger hook. In the United States, this is called a gauge, which refers to the end result of the adjustments. Crocheters in the United Kingdom on turn, refer to this as tension, which refers to the crafter's grip on the yarn.

Other Standard Crocheting Materials Used
While a standard crocheting process involves the use of a yarn and thread, some materials may also be needed to guide the crocheter towards perfecting the process. You will need cardboard cut-outs, which are used to produce fringe, tassels and other materials. A tape measure is used to accurately measure crochet work, and a pompon circle is utilized for making pompons. Plastic rings are also used for doing other specialized crocheting tasks.

History of Crocheting
While historians have theorized that crocheting began in South America, Asia as well as in the Arabian Peninsula, there has yet been no concrete evidence to fully back-up this claim. The Industrial Revolution though is credited with spurring the development of crocheting. As the price of cotton became cheaper, and machine-spun cotton became easily available in Europe, more and more people delved into crocheting, and this became a popular tool for producing clothing and other items. The invention of the cotton gin in the United States, as well as the development of the spinning jenny, made crocheting a favored technique for churning out cotton fabrics.

Crocheting was also viewed by many to be a less-costly alternative to creating other forms such as lace. While the price of cotton thread began to drop, crocheted laces continued to become popular, because crocheting was considered to be a much faster technique, and it was easier to teach to students as well. With the drop in global cotton prices, crocheting became a booming cottage industry. It supported communities from France to Ireland, allowing women to earn extra income from churning out clothes and other household items, and also allowed families to stave off hunger during wars and famines. The completed crochet items were also prized by the emerging middle class, who regarded these as affordable imitations of much fancier designs.

Modern Trends in Crocheting
With the advent of the 19th Century, the appetite for strong Victorian-era colors began to fade away. Newer designs featured the use of while and pale threads, which were used for churning out fancy bags, purses and other household items. The newer crochet designs also featured brightly elaborate colors, and were elaborately beaded as well. During the1960's and 1970's, the world experience a revitalized interest in home crafts, and more and more people began to show interest in crocheting. More crochet designers crafted potholders, purses and other items, and the patterns featured thicker threads and yards, and incorporated a wide array of sharper and much bolder colors. These days, it's normal to find people crocheting fabrics and clothing, and then donating these items to hospitals, homeless shelters, nursing homes and other charities.