Helpful hints
The following information will help you make the projects in this
section. If a special skill is needed, the directions will tell you the
page on which that skill is explained. For example: “Hook the design on
the burlap (see hooked project, page 177).” If you do not know how
to hook, you will find directions on page 177.
Here are directions for some basic hooks, weaves, knots, and braids.
Once you can do these, you’ll be able to create hook, weave, knot, and
braid patterns of your own.
Hooking
A hooked project has little loops or pieces of yarn sticking up from a
burlap backing.
A crochet hook is used to hook loops of yarn into a burlap backing.
This tool is a steel or plastic hook. It comes in various sizes. Size G,
or 5, or larger, works best for hooking in burlap.
A frame is used to stretch and hold burlap backing while you work on
hooked projects. For small projects, use an embroidery hoop. For larger
projects, use a picture frame or make a cardboard frame.
Before you make a frame, decide how large you want to make the project
area. The project area is the open space within the edges of the
frame.
1 To make a cardboard frame, measure and cut four cardboard strips.
Each strip should be about 3 inches (8 cm) wide and about 6 inches (15
cm) longer than the project area. Staple the cardboard strips so they
form a frame.
2 To use the frame, staple the backing to one edge of the frame. Then
stretch the backing tight and staple it to the other edges of the
frame.
To start a hooked project, use a pencil to draw a design on a piece
of burlap. Leave a 2-inch (5-cm) border around the design.
Stretch the burlap over a frame. Make sure the design is centered in
the project area. Tack or staple the burlap to the frame.Hook the outline of the design first. Hold the yarn underneath the
burlap. Poke the crochet hook through the burlap from the top to the
bottom. Hook the yarn over the crochet hook. Pull a little loop
through to the top of the burlap. Make another loop next to the
first one.Carefully pull the end of the yarn from the first loop to the top.
Push the end through the second loop and pull the loop tight. Cut
the end even with the loop.Now, use the crochet hook to make as many loops as you need to fill
in your project. Try to make the loops about 7 inch (6 mm) high.
When you come to the end of your yarn, or when you are finished
hooking, pull the end of the yarn from the last loop to the top.
Push the end through what is now the last loop and pull it tight.
Cut the end even with the loops.Finish the project by folding the border under and stitching it down
with the hemming stitch (see hemming stitch, page 156).
You can create interesting textures in your hooked projects by
sculpturing and shearing. To sculpture, make some of the loops
high and others low. To shear, make high loops. When you are finished
hooking, cut the loops to different lengths.
Weaving
In weaving, threads (or strips of material) are passed over and
under each other to make a piece of cloth or to form a design. The
threads that go up and down are called the warp. Those that go across
are called the weft, or woof. The weft is always woven over and under
the warp.
Most weaving is done on a loom. The warp threads are wrapped around the
loom. Blunt needles and stick needles threaded with yarn are used to
weave the weft over and under the warp.
A blunt needle looks like a big sewing needle without a sharp point.
It is used to weave thread in narrow places. You can buy one called a
tapestry needle or a stole weaving needle.
A stick needle is used to hold yarn as you weave. You can make a
stick needle from an ice-cream stick or a stiff piece of cardboard. When
weaving, thread the stick needle with about 3 feet (1 m) of yarn.
To make a wooden stick needle, use an ice-cream stick. Punch a hole in
one end with a hammer and a small nail.
To make a cardboard stick needle, use a piece of stiff cardboard about 1
inch (2.5 cm) wide and 5 inches (12.5 cm) long. Cut a point at one end
and punch a hole in the other end.
A beater is used to push woven threads together tightly. You can use
a fork or a wide-toothed comb to beat your weaving.
A loom is used to hold threads being woven into cloth. You can make
looms in many different shapes. Your weaving will take the shape of the
loom. You can make a simple loom out of cardboard. Or, make a stronger
one out of wood.
I To make a cardboard loom, cut a piece of cardboard the size you want
your loom. Measure in about inch (13 mm) from the top and bottom of the
cardboard and draw lines.
2 Place a ruler along the lines and make a mark every j inch (6 mm).
Use a ruler to draw slanted lines from the marks to the edge of the
cardboard.
3 Cut along the slanted lines, stopping at the straight line. When
you are finished, you will have notches that look like rows of teeth
along the top and bottom of the loom.
There are many weaving patterns, all fun to do. You can even make a
special knot to give your weaving a shaggy look. The pictures show you
how to start and finish off yarn ends, do two basic weaves, and make a
Ghiordes knot.
Start your weaving at the bottom center of the loom. Weave toward
one edge. Loop the thread around the last warp strand and then weave
back toward the other edge.
Finish off your weaving when you reach the end of a piece of yarn,
when you finish a color, or when you complete a project. To finish off,
weave the yarn end back into the weaving to hold the end in place.
Knotting
Tying knots in decorative patterns is called macrame. For most
macrame
projects you will need several lengths of cord, each measuring about
eight times the length of the finished project.
The pictures show you how to make a knotting board, make butterflies,
start a project, and tie a square knot.
A lark’s head or grouped overhand knot starts the macrame. To
begin, fold each cord in half. Use the lark’s head knot to attach the
folded cords to a holding cord, or tie the folded cords in a grouped
overhand knot, as shown.
Butterflies make the long cord ends easy to handle. To butterfly a
cord end, wrap the cord around your hand until about 12 inches (30 cm)
of cord is left near the beginning knot. Slide the cord off your hand
and put a rubber band around the butterfly.
A knotting board holds the cords as you tie the knots. Use a block
of Styrofoam or a piece of corrugated cardboard as a knotting board. Pin
the cords to the board, as shown.
Braiding
A braid is a band formed by weaving three or more threads together.
You can sew braids together to make belts, bracelets, place mats, and
rugs.
A three-strand braid is started by tying three strands of yarn
or string in a knot at one end.Bring the right strand over the middle strand. Then bring the left
strand over the middle one, and so on.Continue this way, weaving the outside strands over the middle
strand. Make a knot at the end when you are finished. If you want to
make a fatter braid, use more strands. Divide the strands into three
groups.A four-strand (or more) braid is started by tying the strands to
a pencil.Braid from the right. Pass the strand at the right over and under
the other strands. Do the same with the strand that is now at the
right. Continue this way until finished.When you are finished braiding, slip the braid off the pencil and
knot or sew the loose ends together.
