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CROCHET HOOKS ... Crochet hooks are made of steel, composition, bone, and wood. For fine work with cotton threads, the steel hooks are always preferable. In the larger sizes they may also be used with wool. Steel crochet hooks range in sizes from 2/0, the largest, to size 14, the smallest. Each is especially adapted for use with a certain size of thread. To insure the correct results, it is important that you use the size specified in the directions. A tight crocheter may take one size larger and a loose crocheter may take one size smaller. Before making a change it is wise to make a test as directed under instructions on gauge. The composition, bone, and wooden hooks are especially suitable for use with wool. Casein crochet hooks come in sizes 1 to 9, size 1 being the smallest and size 9 the largest. There are two special hooks, Rug and Afghan Hook in steel and a longer Afghan Hook in casein. The former is used in crocheting with heavy cotton lot heavy wool rug yarns. The Afghan Hook is used in making the Afghan stitch illustrated on page 16. It is a combination crochet hook and knitting pin. It is long and, like a knitting pin, has a millimeter size which is always specified in the directions. The millimeter size is the exact measure of the diameter at the largest part of the needle. GAUGE . . . When you are planning to make an article, it is very important that you should not ignore the word gauge if you wish your article to be the correct size. The word gauge may not appear in every set of crochet directions, but it does appear wherever necessary. Gauge means the number of stitches equivalent to one inch; and the number of rows equivalent to one inch. Make a practice piece at least two inches square; using the hook and thread specified in directions. If your stitches to the inch do not correspond with the stitches to the inch in the gauge, something is wrong. More stitches than those specified to the inch means that you should use a larger hook. With less stitches to the inch, use a smaller hook and try again. Keep changing your hook until your gauge is exactly the same as the gauge specified. BLOCKING... When you have finished your article, it must be pressed in a special manner known as "blocking.'" If your work should have become soiled, wash it before blocking. Laundering instructions are given below. Pin the damp article to a padded ironing board with rust proof pins, gently stretching and shaping it to the measurement specified in the directions. If the article has not been laundered, press through a damp cloth with a hot iron. Leave in position until thoroughly dry. LAUNDERING CROCHET... Make a lather of soapy suds and hot water. Place the crocheted piece into this water and squeeze the article in and out. Repeat this process until the article is thoroughly cleansed. Rinse the article in lukewarm water several times until the soap is thoroughly removed. Then rinse it in cold water. Roll in a bath towel to absorb some of the moisture. When you have laundered your article, starch if necessary, block to measurements given. FINISHINGS... Finishings are just as important as any other part of your work. Fine needle-women take as much pride in the back of their work as they do in the front. After you have finished the article on which you are working, cut the thread about 4 inches away from the last loop. Thread this end in a needle and make a secure finish by darning it through the solid part of the crochet. Cut off the remaining thread close to work. The starting ends should be sufficiently long to enable you to finish off these ends in the same manner. When you are sewing pieces together, no knots should appear. Begin with several over and over stitches and if possible by darning the thread through the solid portion for a short distance. ABBREVIATIONS IN CROCHET
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