OK. So about a month or so ago I was poking around in a thrift shop (as you do) and came across some fantastic old craft magazines from the 1970's.
You'll have to ignore any under current of reluctance you may pick up on, but the thing is..............!
I've had this post in my pending pile for ages now and just haven't been able to find the words to muster up any thought process - putting it all together.
And gawd knows why I've chosen today to sit down and sift through my head (and pictures) when I'm not feeling tippity top. But the rest of the household are otherwise occupied and I just thought I should try.
So here it is - I can't promise it will make much sense, but I will give it a go.
Right!
As I said - a month or so ago, a thrift shop and some fantastic 1970's craft magazines.
The stack was huge and I could of bought them all, but where would I put them at the end of the day - probably the loft and what would be the point in that, to be buried away in a box and never looked at again.
So I carefully went through them all and deliberately picked only a few. The ones dated 1972 - the year I was born - a jolly good year, indeed.
I didn't look through the magazines at the time, I just wanted a little piece of something from that year. And as I mentioned in my posting yesterday - I have very nostalgic memories of the 1970's.
Of course when I got home and found a few seconds for myself I did actually sit down and flick through my 70's thrift store craft magazines.
In places they are hilarious, dated (of course) and down right 'OMG' did we used to live with that kind of decor in our homes? But on other pages my eyes kept falling to the crafts that are now having a very popular resurgence and ones I have partaken in (for sure) myself.
Have you ever heard of Tunisian Crochet?
Well I haven't / hadn't.
Not even in my grandmother's old craft things could I find a clue to this way of crocheting and it took a little research to acquire the right hook and know how.
For you see Tunisian crochet is a cross between knitting and crochet and you need a special needle to achieve this look. Basically a knitting needle with a hook at the end.
It all looks very straight forward and it is, in fact (once you get the knack) a very easy process to follow with different ways of getting there - in a stitch kind of way - and after a wee while of persevering I am (finally) achieving the look I think I am suppose to.
OK, so the concept makes you feel like you are continuous casting on then off then on again - so on and so forth - but it is a very therapeutic crafting rhythm to follow.
The plan was to start easy - a scarf for little miss T with some left over yarn in double Tunisian crochet - it's getting cold and she could do with a new one and it is coming along.........................but very slowly.
Mix 'umph' and 'lack of' together and that's where I am at the moment.
A scarf, I know - that's easy, but I just can't seem to finish this one off.
I'm not selling this to you at all - am I?
Taking the whole avoidance thing away I am loving the way this is coming together - even if it is a little slow and it's also very easy to put down and walk away from, picking it up as and when you choose.
I'm awful at crafting!
But I hope I have inspired - a little. Even if I don't feel so at the moment.
I did say I would try.
Have a fabulous day.
xXx
But I hope I have inspired - a little. Even if I don't feel so at the moment.
I did say I would try.
Have a fabulous day.
xXx
24 comments:
Dearest Nina
Another lovely post, I was born in 1970 and am with you on the 1970's memories xox I have always wondered what those knitting needles with crochet hook at the end are, wow it looks like such fun. So far I would say you're pretty good at your crafting, I look forward to seeing the scarf once finished, I hope you keep feeling better each and every hour x
Oh I think you're very brave! My DD tried to learn this a while back and gave it up. Looks like you've gotten the hang of it already though, and if it's giving you the crafty therapy buzz, then it's all good I'd say ;).
I think google ate my reply! I will wait a while and comment again if it doesn't appear!! :-)
Oh my! What memories. I remember those magazines, and I think I had the one with Tunisian crochet in it, which I tried, of course. I don't recall making an actual item but I was fascinated by the whole process. I seem to remember that I was frustrated by the size of object that could be crocheted because of the restrictive length of the hook. I wish you well in finishing the scarf.
You were born the year before my daughter.
Loved this. My parents subscribed to the Golden Hands craft magazines in the 1970s and I spent hours looking at them. In fact they gave them to me when I left home but unfortunately they got damaged in storage when we moved house several years ago. I have an old plastic tunisian crochet hook from the 1970s but I gave never used it. I really like the scarf so I may give it a try some time.
Wow, the 70's! I know I was there, and I have the mini-skirt to prove it.
I have heard of Tunisian crochet, but have never tried it myself. Time to search some of my old sewing mags to see if I can find it. Can't wait to see the finished product. As always, your photos are wonderful.
Strikes me that more than a few of the people I know, who have tried Tunisian crochet, have found it hard, looks like you are making good progress and I think you also appear to be very good 'at crafting'
I have never heard of Tunisian crochet so this posting was very interesting. Will look out for other examples of it.
Wow thta looks amazing - i have never heard of Tunisian crochet but it sounds like you are making great progress. The scarf looks beautiful x
Believe it or not I bought myself a tunisian crochet hook a couple of weeks ago and set about learning to do it!
I didn't like it! I got the hang of it ok but it's an awful lot of work for very little return, it's so much slower than either normal crochet or knitting. So I gave up and don't think I'll go there again.
Vivienne x
Great pictures as always. I so want to give this a try now. Your colors couldn't be better.
I just learned how to do tunisian crochet last week and am going to start a project prety soon. It looks really neat. Your scarf will be pretty.
I think I need to learn how to crochet before I try Tunisian crochet. It looks lovely and I'm sure it is the remnants of your cold making you feel dissatisfied with it. Leave it for a day or two perhaps until your're feeling more you usual lovely self then have another go.
I was born in 1970 my brothers in '72 & '76, but I think I was born 40/50 years to late as I hate the 70's & 80's and would rather have been a 30's baby!
CKx
Ah the 70's! I was born in 73 but remember not much of it! lol.
Loved those photo's of your Tunisian crochet. It sounds rather tricky but looks really good. Love the colours too. It's surprising what those old school craft books have in their yellowed pages. Some good some best not to dwell on. ;0)
Wishing you and yours a wonderful weekend.
MBB x
Hello Nina
I must confess I only recently heard of Tunisian crochet and discovered that you need special long hooks to do it on, so I didn't venture any further having got about six billion crochet projects on the go at the minute (one more would tip me over the edge) but to be honest, now Ive seen yours Im rather intrigued, and am thinking that one day I might just have to investigate further and give it a go! The scarf is looking great, and the colours will be fabulously bright and cheery for winter!
Thank you for sharing, hope you have a lovely weekend.
Julia x x x
Your scarf is looking lovely and the colours are fabulous. I've hard of Tunisian crochet and have pondered giving it a go. It does seem easier than knitting. Can wait to see how your scarf finishes up.
Have a lovely weekend.
What? Tunisian crochet - Oh man I am so out of the loop (tee hee). Those colours are glorious, and your shots are stunning. I am inspired to keep coming back to see your posts so consider yourself a success :D x
Sarah x
I remember those magazines, in fact my mother still had some in her loft I think! And I have a craft book from the 70s with a whole chapter on Tunisian crochet. But I've never tried it. The fabric it makes looks quite dense, does it have much drape?
My Daughter was born in 72. Those were very crafty years for me. I did alot of raggedy anns and andys. I didn't learn to crochet until years later, but love it now. Your Tunisian Crochet is lovely. I saw a book on it at the fabric store the other day. I may try it after all.quiltexas@gmail.com
I love the texture of the Tunisian crochet, Nina. It does sound rather complicated compared to the normal crochet which I have only just learnt and am rather keen on. You are very good for persevering with this, and I look forward to seeing your scarf when it's finished....but no pressure, just take your time and do it when you feel in the mood! This was a very interesting post and now I know what Tunisian crochet is at last!
Helen x
It looks great! I do like the neat rows; they appeal to the sense of order that I wish I had.
i tied it in the 70s and found it made a very firm fabric if you wanted to make a bag. But it was very time-consuming and slow progress was made!!
Dear Nina,
This is a wonderful post for which I thank you. Your pictures are beautiful as ever.
Are you coldridden too?
Stephanie
I have enough problems doing normal crochet!
I hope you’ve all had a lovely day today....
Lou xxx
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