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  • November 14, 2024

    Best Crochet Hooks For Beginners

    Best Crochet Hooks For Beginners

    Just like our recent guide to the best knitting needles for beginners, we had to make a guide for the best crochet hooks for beginners as well! In this guide we separate the crochet hooks by ‘best’ categories and within those categories a budget, mid-range, and a splurge option. Whether you’re looking to buy for yourself or gift someone in your life, this list has got everything you need to know to help you choose which crochet hook to buy.

     

    Best Quality Crochet Hooks

    Budget: HiyaHiya Aluminium Crochet Hooks

     

     

    • The HiyaHiya Aluminium Crochet hooks are durable and have a nice semi-pointy tip that makes it easy to hook into tight stitches. Starting at only £2.05 a hook, this is the best budget crochet hook.

    Mid-range: Lykke Driftwood Crochet Hooks

     

     

     

    • The Lykke Driftwood Crochet Hooks are not only sleek and stylish, but they are also smooth to the touch, light, and the perfect length for a comfortable crochet experience. Since they are made of wood, they are not cold to the touch like metal ones are.

     

    - Splurge: Tulip Pink Etimo Rose Ergonomic Crochet Hooks

     

     

     

    • The Tulip Pink Etimo Rose Ergonomic Crochet hooks are top tier. They come in a beautiful range of shades of pink and have a soft and comfy ergonomic handle that helps reduce hand cramps and discomfort while crocheting.

     

    Best Looking Crochet Hooks

    Budget: KnitPro Zing Crochet Hooks

     

     

     

    • he KnitPro Zing Crochet Hooks come colour-coded with bright colourful handles. Simple and durable, these crochet hooks have shiny silver tips and a flat middle for good grip.

     

    Mid-range: KnitPro Symfonie Crochet Hooks

     

     

    • The KnitPro Symfonie Crochet Hooks are crafted with the classic Symfonie colourful swirled wood. Smooth and light, these crochet hooks not only look good, but work even better. Their pointy tops make it easy to insert into tight/small stitches and their wooden composition gives them a smooth finish which aids in the ease of crocheting.

     

    Splurge: Tulip Pink Etimo Rose Ergonomic Crochet Hooks

     

     

    • Because of their gorgeous pink handles, the Tulip Etimo Rose Ergonomic Crochet Hooks are one of our favourites. Not only do they look cute, they work great for crocheting quickly because of the shape of their handle!

     

    Best Crochet Hook Set

    Budget: KnitPro Waves Crochet Hook Set

     

     

    • Coming in at £23.99, the KnitPro Waves Crochet Hook Set is a great budget set! It includes nine colour-coded crochet hooks and a bright case.

     

    Mid-range: HiyaHiya Crochet Hook Set

     

     

    • The HiyaHiya Crochet Set is a great nag for your buck! This set comes with 17 high-quality aluminium and acrylic crochet hooks from sizes 2.00mm-15.00mm so there’s a crochet hook for every project. The hooks themselves are colour-coded and come in a beautiful roll-up brocade case.

     

    Splurge: Tulip Pink Etimo Rose Ergonomic Crochet Hook Set

     

     

    • The Tulip Pink Etimo Rose Ergonomic Crochet Hook Set not only comes with 10 crochet hooks, but also includes a cute pink case, darning needles, and a pair of scissors. These gorgeous pink crochet hooks are great quality and help reduce wrist and hand cramps when crocheting.

     

    Best Ergonomic Crochet Hooks

    Budget: KnitPro Waves Crochet Hooks

     

     

    • As opposed to the traditional thin handles that most crochet hooks have, the KnitPro Waves Crochet Hooks have a flat and wide handle that helps with grip and reduces movement when crocheting.

     

    • With a nice cushiony grip handle, it's no wonder the Clover Soft Touch Ergonomic Crochet Hooks are one of the most popular crochet hooks! Even with all the support of the handle, this crochet hook is light and feels natural in your grip.

     

    Splurge: Tulip Pink Etimo Rose Ergonomic Crochet Hooks

     

     

    • The Tulip Etimo Rose Ergonomic Crochet Hooks have soft, cushioned handles that help reduce hand cramps and discomfort while crocheting.

     

    Best Tunisian Crochet Hook Set

    Budget: KnitPro Symfonie Tunisian Crochet Hook Set

     

     

    • Made with the classic Symfonie swirled wood, the KnitPro Symfonie Tunisian Crochet Hook Set comes with a mixture of the most popular crochet hook sizes.

     

    Mid-range: KnitPro Ginger Tunisian Crochet Hooks Set

     

     

    • The KnitPro Ginger Tunisian Crochet Hook Set is one of our bestsellers and it’s no wonder why! This set not only looks, but also feels luxurious and high-quality. Hand-crafted by artisans, they have smooth cable joins and are smooth to the touch.

     

    Splurge: Lykke Driftwood Interchangeable Tunisian Crochet Hook Set

     

     

    • The Lykke Driftwood Interchangeable Tunisian Crochet Hook Set is hand-crafted in Kathmandu, Nepal and their quality can be seen in the deep grooves found in their tips which help hold onto yarn better. Made of birchwood, these hooks are smooth and lightweight.

     

    I hope that this helps you with your crochet hook choice! We know that the choices can be quite overwhelming, so feel free to email us at hello@crafty-llama.com if you have any questions.

    All of these hooks and sets can be purchased in our Crochet Shop. Check out our blog for some FREE crochet patterns and check out our Instagram @craftyllamauk for crochet inspiration! Tag us @craftyllamauk if you purchase any of these sets for a chance to be featured!

    Have fun and happy crocheting!

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  • November 14, 2024

    What is Yarn Bombing?

    What is Yarn Bombing?

    What is yarn bombing – or graffiti knitting, urban knitting, guerilla knitting, kniffiti? Why do people do it? How can you do it safely?

    Some consider it a beautiful art form while others consider it graffiti, but one thing yarn-bombing does do is attract the attention of every passer-by, and when done with care, it could raise a smile and brighten somebody’s day.

    Yarn bombing has become really common around Europe, North America, and Australia. Have you ever noticed anything yarn bombed around your own neighbourhood? The most common yarn-bombed items are post boxes, lamp posts, and trees.

     

     

    The purpose of yarn bombing is to reclaim and give life to sterile and cold public places that lack personality. In many cases, it’s a form of self-expression from groups of individuals who want to revitalise their community.

    The practice of yarn-bombing is thought to have originated in the US in the 1990s or 2000s, when Texan knitters wanted to find a way to utilise their leftover and unfinished knitting/crocheting projects. Now a worldwide phenomenon, over the years people have yarn-bombed all sorts of items from stop sign poles and trees, even tanks! While some people yarn-bomb to spruce up their community, others have used it as a means of voicing their political statements. One resident of Dresden, Germany decided to yarn-bomb a tank in front of a military museum to voice her anti-military statement.

    Unlike graffiti, yarn bombing pieces are not classified as permanent as they can be easily removed if necessary. That being said, yarn-bombing can be considered illegal in some places. If you’ve been considering adding some colour to your local area, make sure to seek appropriate permission from your local government authority first.

    If you’ve seen some yarn-bombing in real life, why not share it on Instagram and tag Crafty Llama so we can check it out?

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  • November 14, 2024

    19 FREE Halloween Knitting & Crochet Patterns

    19 FREE Halloween Knitting & Crochet Patterns

    Calling all ghouls and goblins! With Halloween just around the corner, we here at the spooky haunted Crafty Llama shop have rounded up 19 terrifying Halloween knitting and crocheting patterns... did we say terrifying? We mean FREE patterns!

    Let’s start off with a crochet Halloween 'Creepy Candy Bowl' by @Drops Design. This festive black and orange candy bowl is the perfect cosy decoration for Halloween night!

     

     

    Here’s what you’ll need:

     

    Craving a spookier candy box? This ‘Frankenstein Candy Box’ by @Uyen Nguyen is sure to make all trick-or-treaters gasp!

     

     

    Here’s what you’ll need:

     

    You can’t go trick-or-treating without a spooky candy box! This crochet ‘Frankenstein Candy Pouch’ by @Fabiana Canu is the perfect mix of spooky and stylish.

     

     

    Here’s what you’ll need:

     

    Planning an epic trick-or-treating spree with your friends? This ‘Halloween Candy Bags'’ crochet pattern by @Sigoni Schaap features four different spooky crochet halloween candy bags. Whether you choose one to make or make all four, these candy bags are cute enough to wear the whole month of October!

     

     

    Here’s what you’ll need:

     

    Throwing an epic Halloween party and need some decor? Why not make this ‘Halloween Applique Garland’ by @Rajeshwari Singh? Make it as long or short as you want and change up the colours to fit your aesthetic.

     

     

    Here’s what you’ll need:

     

    Want to start repping the Halloween spirit early? What better way to start subtly sprinkling in the spooky vibes than with these cute knit ‘Hall-owl-een’ socks by @Erna de Groot. The pattern features stern-faced owls, superstitious black cats, spooky skulls, and a scary spider sitting inside its web.

     

     

    Here’s what you’ll need:

     

    Another way to start dressing for the Halloween season while accounting for the colder weather is to make this crochet ‘Rag Doll Scarf’ inspired by ‘Nightmare Before Christmas’. @Crochet by Coraggio is a crochet scarf pattern that features a Frankenstein-esque patchwork design and tassels!

     

     

    Here’s what you’ll need:

     

    Who else is excited for the new Hocus Pocus movie?!? This crochet ‘Hocus Pocus Book Cover’ by @Crochet by Coraggio is the perfect prop to make for all Hocus Pocus lovers! This intricate and amazingly detailed crochet book cover is too cool not to make!

     

     

    Here’s what you’ll need:

     

    Everybody knows Autumn is the season of pumpkin spice, so this ‘Pumpkin Patch Cup Cozy’ by @Kylee Keller is absolutely an autumnal necessity!

     

    Here’s what you’ll need:

     

    Want to jazz up your coasters to make them more Halloween-y? Well then this crochet ‘Eyeball Coaster’ pattern by @Fay Lyth needs to be on your projects list!

     

     

    Here’s what you’ll need:

     

    This ‘Halloween Bowling Set’ by @Lindsey Dale is the perfect little crochet Halloween activity for your little ones! This spooky crochet bowling set features ghost bowling pins and a little pumpkin bowling ball.

     

     

    Here’s what you’ll need:

     

    12. Lil Monsters Mummy Pumpkin Crochet Patterns

    These ‘Lil Monsters Mummy Pumpkins’ knitting and crocheting patterns by @See Love Share are the perfect little mantlepiece decorations! They have the right amount of spooky and adorable-ness.

     

     

    Here’s what you’ll need:

     

    13. Trio of Pumpkins Knitting Pattern

    Not only are these ‘Trio of Pumpkins’ knitted pumpkins by @Just Jen the perfect Halloween decorations, they are also a timeless autumnal home decor piece – so don’t worry if you forget to take these off your shelves after Halloween!

     

     

    Here’s what you’ll need:

     

    14. Mini Frank Amigurumi Crochet Pattern

    Are you a fan of amigurumi and want to make some cute little halloween amigurumi dolls? Well then this ‘Mini Frank Amigurumi’, an adorable take on the ferocious Frankenstein's Monster by @Ana Carolina Figueiredo is perfect for you!

     

    Here’s what you’ll need:

     

    Another spooky Halloween amigurumi is this ‘Voodoo Doll Pincushion’ by @Jonas Matthies. This little doll isn't just cure, it’s also perfect for holding all your sewing pins!

     

     

    Here’s what you’ll need:

     

    Are you a fan of the trendy crochet amigurumi octopus? Well if so then you have to make this ‘Halloween Octopus Frankie’ by @Mitch Agot!

     

     

    Here’s what you’ll need:

     

    Halloween isn’t Halloween without spiders and cobwebs! This crochet ‘No Sew Amigurumi Spider’ pattern by @Cassandra Babb is so simple to make, you can make a whole lot of them and dot them around the house!

     

     

    Here’s what you’ll need:

     

    Are you a fan of Hocus Pocus, Sabrina the Teenage Witch, or any other witch for that matter? Well then this amigurumi crochet pattern for ‘The Three Witches’ by @Catherine Bligh is perfect for you! Make the witches look like any character you want – or even dress up as a witch this Halloween and create yourself a mini-me.

     

     

    Here’s what you’ll need:

     

    What’s better than a spooky ghost? A cute ghost! This adorable ‘Ghost Amigurumi’ by @Spin a Yarn Crochet is too cute not to make! You can string a bunch together to make a garland, or create a giant version to create a plushie.

     

     

    Here’s what you’ll need:

     

    Thanks to all the artists who have given us permission to share their patterns and photos. All pattern and photography credits go to them – check them out for more crochet and knitting patterns!

    If you make any of these free Halloween patterns, be sure to tag us on Instagram @Craftyllamauk so we can see what you make! Check out our knitting and crochet products to help you create these marvellously spooky patterns.

    Have a safe and happy Halloween!

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  • November 14, 2024

    Best Knitting Needles for Beginners

    Best Knitting Needles for Beginners

    Are you looking to take up knitting but don't know where to start? Navigating the many different types of knitting needle available to you can be difficult for beginners. That's why we've compiled a list of best knitting needles for beginners - no matter what the occasion!

    First we’ll start off with the best straight knitting needles for beginners. A lot of people prefer straight knitting needles as they have a longer needle for holding on to while getting to grips with the different knitting stitches. They are also usually easier to get started with as they don’t come in separate pieces like interchangeable knitting needles do, which makes them perfect for most beginners.

     

    Best Straight Knitting Needles for Beginners:


    Knitpro Zing Straight Knitting Needles – One of the most affordable standard knitting needles on the market, KnitPro Zing straight knitting needles are made with light metal and are colour-coded by size, so you can easily identify and match up knitting needles when using them. Since they are made of metal, these needles are more durable than most wooden or bamboo needles, though they are prone to bending/warping over time.

    • Pros:

      • Affordable

      • Colourful, colour-coded needles for organisation and ease of use

      • Metal = easy to slip stitches on and off

      • Durable

    • Cons:

      • Might warp with use and prone to scratches

      • Metal is good for sliding stitches on and off but could also make keeping stitches on the needle hard for beginners

    Knitpro Symfonie Straight Knitting Needles – The Knitpro Symfonie straight knitting needles are made of polished wood which has a beautiful and colourful swirl effect. Made of wood, this needle warmer is to the touch (compared to metal) and has a better grip of yarn, which makes it perfect for beginners who have trouble getting their stitches to stay on the needle.

    • Pros:

      • Affordable

      • Colourful and pretty pattern

      • Wood = warmer to the touch

      • Good grip of yarn

    • Cons:

      • Because it’s made of wood, it can be broken if bent

      • Wears faster than metal needles

      • Has good grip of yarn, but could also snag sometimes

    HiyaHiya Interchangeable Straight Knitting Needles – HiyaHiya interchangeable straight knitting needles are the first of their kind! Made with high-quality stainless steel, these needles are strong and long-wearing, while the hollow construction makes them lightweight. These needles don’t typically come with tips (unless bought in a set), but they are compatible with all HiyaHiya tips, giving you the option of getting steel, sharp, or bamboo tips (choose whichever one is perfect for the knitter in your life!).

     

    These needles are also compatible with most HiyaHiya accessories, such as cables, tip adapters and cable connectors.

    • Pros:

      • High-quality stainless steel = durable and long-lasting

      • Being interchangeable, they are perfect for all knitters – people can choose their favourite material to knit with

      • Perfect for easing into circular knitting as well since all HiyaHiya accessories are compatible with them and you won’t need to rebuy tips

      • Length of the knitting needle is adjustable (just put on as many needle pieces as you’d like to make it longer/shorter!)

    • Cons:

      • Costs more

      • Not the best for people with dexterity issues since pieces need to be screwed onto each other

      • Has a lot of pieces that go into it

    Want to get a set instead of individual straight needles? Here’s the best straight knitting needle set to get started with:

     

    Best Straight Knitting Needle Set for Beginners:

     

    HiyaHiya Steel Interchangeable Straight Knitting Needle Set – The HiyaHiya Steel Interchangeable Straight Set comes with straight needle pieces as well as seven pairs of steel tips, an ideal amount for beginner knitters to start their knitting journey. This set also comes with everything you need to construct the straight needles (a pair of bead stoppers, a needle gauge, needle grips and cable key, and a beautiful brocade case to hold everything).

    • Pros:

      • Has everything you need for the interchangeable straight knitting needles

      • High-quality stainless steel which makes it easy to slip stitches on and off

      • Perfect set to get into circular knitting as well since you have most of the materials already

      • 7 pairs of tips fit for every project

    • Cons:

      • Costs more

      • Only available in steel (currently)

      • Not the best for people with dexterity issues since pieces need to be screwed onto each other

    For those who are a bit more adventurous or want to try out circular knitting, here's our recommendation for the best interchangeable circular knitting needles for fledgling knitters:

    Best Interchangeable Circular Knitting Needles for Beginners:

    Knitpro Smartstix Interchangeable Knitting Needle Tips – The KnitPro Smartstix interchangeable knitting needle tips are made of fine grade aluminium which makes them durable and easy to knit with. These tips have a ruler-like pattern on them with 2cm marked intervals, making it easy to measure your piece as you knit. These tips are also colour-coded so you can match them up easily. Since they are tips only, cables will need to be purchased separately. Cables come in a range of lengths.

    • Pros:

      • Durable and easy to slip stitches

      • Ruler marks

      • Colourful and colour-coded

    • Cons:

      • Not the best of quality and colour can wear down with use

      • Metal = can be slippery when knitting

    Lykke Grove Bamboo Interchangeable Knitting Needle Tips – Lykke Grove bamboo interchangeable knitting needle tips are smooth, flexible, and strong. The bamboo material makes these needles warmer to the touch than steel. Made in Kathmandu, Nepal, these tips are made by dedicated craftspeople which mean they are good quality and perfect for all knitters. Make sure to pair these needle tips with Lykke interchangeable cables get the most versatile circular knitting experience.

    • Pros:

      • Affordable and good quality

      • Natural and organic look

      • Warm touch from bamboo

      • Good grip of stitches

      • Seamless cable joins

    • Cons:

      • Bamboo can easily be broken if bent too much

      • Wears quicker than metal tips

    HiyaHiya Bamboo Interchangeable Knitting Needle Tips – HiyaHiya bamboo interchangeable knitting needle tips are made of high-quality resin-injected bamboo, so they’re super strong and don’t warp or splinter over time. They offer seamless joints and are much warmer to the touch than steel tips. Make sure to buy the HiyaHiya interchangeable cables to pair with these tips.

    • Pros:

      • High-quality bamboo that doesn’t warp or splinter

      • Available in different lengths and tip sizes

      • Warmer to the touch than steel

      • Seamless cable joins

    • Cons:

      • Different screw sizes for different tip sizes = requires different cable sizes

      • Since it is made of bamboo, it can get scratched with use

    Want to get a set instead of individual tips and cables? Here’s the best interchangeable/circular knitting needle set to get:

    Best Circular Knitting Needle Set for Beginners:

     

     

    KnitPro Smartstix Deluxe Interchangeable Needle set – The KnitPro Smartstix Deluxe Interchangeable Needle Set includes eight pairs of tips (from 3.50mm - 8.00mm) which is perfect for beginner knitters who want to try their hands at a variety of projects! Also included are four cables in three different sizes, end caps, cable keys, and cable connectors – the perfect starter kit.

    • Pros:

      • Durable and easy to slip stitches

      • Ruler marks

      • Colourful and colour-coded

      • All accessories needed are included

      • Comes in a nice case

    • Cons:

      • Not the best of quality and colour can wear down with use

      • Metal = can be slippery when knitting

    Looking for a nice gift set to give to the knitter in your life? Here’s a list of them categorised by price range.

    Best Knitting Needle Gift Sets for Beginners:

     

     

     

    - Budget: KnitPro Self Love Interchangeable Knitting Needle Set – The KnitPro Self Love Set not only comes in a beautiful display box but also includes eight pairs of tips (from 3.50mm - 8.00mm), accessories (cables, fabric pouches, end caps, cable keys, and cable connectors), a knitting journal to create your own designs, and a knitted bookmark! This set is perfect for gifting as the tips themselves are made of colourful laminated birch knitting needles that are warmer to the touch than steel and four cables in three different sizes.

    • Pros:

      • Affordable

      • Pretty packaging perfect for gifting

      • Everything you need to knit with

      • Comes with extras

    • Cons:

      • Birch needles are not the best of quality and can break if too much pressure is applied

      • Cables aren’t the most flexible

    - Mid-range: Lykke Cypra Interchangeable Copper Knitting Needle Set – The Lykke Cypra Interchangeable Copper Knitting Needle Set is not only stunning but also functional! These copper needles are intentionally left untreated so that over time, with use, they will develop gorgeous sheens of oranges, purples, and greens. This set comes with 12 pairs of tips, five cables in three different sizes, two connectors, four cable keys, eight stoppers, and a beautiful black or brown vegan suede case.

    • Pros:

      • Beautiful suede case

      • Unique copper tips that change colour over time

      • Comes with all the accessories you’ll need

      • Luxurious feel

      • Smooth knitting with metal tips

    • Cons:

      • Cables aren’t the most flexible

      • Metal tips can scratch easily with use

      • Metal cold to the touch


    - Best-quality: HiyaHiya Pinnacle Plus Interchangeable Set - The HiyaHiya Pinnacle Plus Interchangeable Set is the set of all sets. It includes 16 pairs of the most popular tip sizes (in either steel or sharp steel), small and large interchangeable straight knitting needles (mentioned earlier), and a whole bunch of accessories such as cable stoppers, tip adapters, safety pins, darning needles, cables, etc. This set is perfect for the beginner knitter who wants to dive headfirst into the knitting world and create a variety of projects from socks to hats to jumpers!

    • Pros:

      • Comes with all the accessories you’ll ever need to knit with

      • Gives you the options of circular knitting AND straight knitting

      • Comes with all the tip sizes you’ll need

      • High-quality stainless steel tips

      • The ultimate knitting set

      • Choice of 4” or 5” tips as well as steel or sharp steel tips and case colour

    • Cons:

      • Costs more

      • Metal cold to the touch

    I hope that this helps you with your knitting needle choice! We know that the choices can be quite overwhelming, so feel free to email us at hello@crafty-llama.com if you have any questions and we’ll try our best to advise you. If you need similar help with entering the wonderful world of crochet, why not check out our best crochet hooks for beginners blog too?

     

    All of these needles and sets can be purchased from our Knitting Shop. Check out our blog for some FREE knitting patterns and check out our Instagram @craftyllamauk for knitting inspiration! Tag us @craftyllamauk if you purchase any of these sets for a chance to be featured!

    Have fun and happy knitting!

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