Knitty! has a new crochet editor, and she approaches crochet from a knitter’s perspective.
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I saw that article and thought, finally an explanation I can understand for those strange crochet charts. Thanks for posting the link.
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Probably because I crocheted first, crochet charts make much more sense to me than knitting charts. As long as I’m working with the chart for the thing I’m doing, no problems. I mean, working from a crochet chart using knitting needles just won’t fly.
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Yeah, when I first saw a knitting chart, I was so confused. Went to the LYS and got some help, but when I said crochet charts look like what you’re actually making, they said “So does this!” Nuh-uh! The pattern I was knitting was this:
…but the chart was all straight lines. I could NOT see where the zig-zags came from! I’m better at interpreting knitting charts now, but they still don’t often look like the finished item to me.
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Binding off and casting on to make an opening was a difficult concept for me. Crochet? Just work to where you want a gap and make a chain. I wish my right wrist didn’t complain so much when I crochet. I miss hooking. I do love knitting but crochet is my first yarn love.
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How do you hold your hook? Can you hold it the “other” way, and it won’t hurt your wrist as much? I hold underneath, like a pencil, and feel like I use my fingers as much or more than my wrist. Holding overhand, I seem to use my wrist and elbow more.
BUT–changing your grip feels awkward as heck, so you might not enjoy crocheting as much, at least at first.
I crochet only from charts and enjoy challenge like brugges crochet.
In that link ColoCro gave you can see exactly how that is made. So easy once you try. Made this long ago with only chart, written instructions will be imposible long to write.
Crochet and knitting are wery hard for me now, my right side is still not fully recovered after stroke but I push thru numbness and try to knit but miss crocheting, wrist is numb and hurt after.
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Beautiful and inspiring!
I started with pencil grip then forced myself to use overhand knife grip. Pencil grip isn’t possible for me anymore - finger issues. I’ve worked out knitting with extremely limited finger involvement. If I could learn to throw the yarn with my right hand, crochet might be easier. Some do crochet that way. I cannot manage the yarn with my dominant right hand but keep trying. One day my right hand might decide to cooperate.
eta It has occurred to me that learning to crochet all over again with emphasis on learning new habits might be a good idea. That’s hard to do.
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I’ve a friend who had a stroke when she was still quite young. I don’t know how she manages to knit and crochet, but she does. She’s my hero. I applaud your determination.
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Thank you GrumpyGramma, if I overdo pain made me aware I’m lucky and survived.
Right now I’m trying to finish short sleeve top, it is almost done, than planing another brugges project.
Miss crocheting.
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There’s a young woman in our knitting group who had a stroke at 32. She has no use of one arm at all, but still manages to knit by holding the needle under that arm and doing everything else with her active arm and hand. It’s truly amazing how many projects she gets through!
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You’re brave. My friend is brave. You face life’s challenges head on and conquer.