Information on Afghan Crochet Hooks
Afghan crochet, also known as Tunisian crochet, resembles both crochet and knitting. This type of crochet is neither Afghan nor Tunisian, but evolved in Western Europe, with the earliest surviving samples dating to the Victorian Era. The special characteristics of Afghan crochet require a tool that is a cross between a knitting needle and a crochet hook to achieve.
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Parts of the Afghan Crochet Hook
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The tip of the Afghan crochet hook resembles other crochet hooks, with the curved point forming the hook and the throat leading to the shaft, whose diameter determines the size of the stitch. Where the differences begin is approximately an inch away from the tip. The Afghan crochet hook has no thumb rest, the flat point where the size of the hook is indicated. The shaft is also longer than other crochet hooks. The Afghan crochet hook's shaft ends in a small knob at the end. Because the live stitches remain on the hook, the knob is needed to keep them from sliding off the end.
Materials Used in Making Afghan Crochet Hooks
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Afghan crochet hooks are available in wood, aluminum, and plastic. Aluminum hooks may be finished to increase friction and help the stitches stay in place. Among wooden Afghan crochet hooks, bamboo is a popular choice. Extendable Afghan crochet hooks are available, with a cable at the end of the shaft. The knob is at the end of the cable on extendable Afghan crochet hooks. These are recommended for wide projects to reduce the need for seaming. On extendable Afghan crochet hooks, the cable is always made of plastic.
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Uses for Afghan Crochet Hooks.
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In Afghan crochet, live stitches remain on the shaft of the hook as in knitting, but are worked using the hook as in crochet. Unlike either knitting or crochet, each stitch is worked in two directions to complete the stitches, and the work is never turned.
Afghan crochet hooks can also be used like other crochet hooks, and for Portuguese-style knitting. They do not come in appropriate sizes for thread crochet. Afghan crochet hooks can be used to pick up dropped stitches in knitting and embellish the ends of knit, crochet, or woven fabrics.
Afghan Crochet Fabric
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Afghan crochet produces a dense, elastic fabric that curls at the edges, like knit stockinette stitch. Passing the yarn back and forth through the live stitches produces work that resembles crocheted and woven fabric. A variety of shaping techniques exist for Afghan crochet, and stitches can be worked in the round, using a method akin to knitting's Magic Loop. Stitches can vary by height as in crochet, and a mix of short and tall stitches produces a dropped stitch look. Like knit and crochet fabrics, blocking with water or steam enhances stitch evenness and definition.
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References
- Photo Credit crochet image by Lytse from Fotolia.com
