Windows - New Crochet Hooks!

I try to update my blog regularly, but time just gets away from me! However, I DO add new items to eBay every other day, so please check out some brand new crochet hooks, posted just this evening! Check Etsy too for new items!

Today I'd like to introduce a new series of crochet hooks -- Windows! (I have some on auction right now!)



These are what woodturners call "multi-axis turnings" because they are mounted two different ways on the lathe.

I took inspiration from the 2011 Winter issue of Woodturning Design magazine (#28), (thank you Thomas R. Farrell for the idea!) and adapted the turning style to my crochet hooks, and to the wood being used.

Indeed, they remind me of the colorful glass ornaments on a Christmas tree -- the ones that have a concave opening, faceted on the inside, that sparkle wildly in the lights of the tree!

First, I mount the rectangular block of wood sideways, so that I can turn the hollow. (Good thing I have a enough swing on my lathe!) I create "steps" that become progressively smaller as they go deeper into the wood. I take advantage of the layered nature of this wood by making each step a different color. I then drill a calibrated hole for the silver setting to rest within.

Now, time to flip the blank around and turn as spindlework, with the grain running parallel to the bed of the lathe. I then turn the piece almost as normal, making sure to be careful around the hollowed area.

The depth of the hollowed bit is crucial: it allows more "steps" to be seen, more colors to show. Therefore, I leave as large a diameter as possible on that part of the hook, (and hence the larger rag/rug hooks that I've been making).

When turning this area, you much make sure to take gentle cuts -- the layers of dyed wood want to chip off fairly easily. Sharp tools are a must. (As always! :-)



After turning and finishing the crochet hook, I then choose a matching stone. In these hooks I've used a cubic zirconia gemstone, set in sterling silver. Not a simple crystal, cubic zirconia has the the second-highest refractive index in the world, (just below diamonds on the scale!)

In the light, these stone sparkle like mad! The drilled hole is precise so the setting fits in with a snug fit, secured by a drop of epoxy.

The photos don't show the depth of the hollowing, but they are really cool to look at in the hand! They remind me of the stepped wells of old India and other ancient cultures.

I love to experiment with new designs, and these are just the latest! It's always fun to take an idea seen in a magazine, or the world, and apply it to what you do, and make it your own.

Have fun!
Katherine

New Jingly Ring Hooks!

I've had so many requests for these! I've just made and posted lots of new Jingly Ring hooks on eBay and Etsy. These hooks have captured rings that spin freely, adding extra fun and delight to your crochet time! :-)

Posting Day

I listed more absolutely GORGEOUS hand-made crochet hooks on eBay today! (And the second set will be up on Sunday!) Check them out!


(Click the photo to make it larger and the hooks in all their glorious detail!

Published Article

First, I've got new work! Check out these gorgeous crochet hooks on eBay! (I also have lots of new nostepindes, thimbles, and beads on Etsy, including my famous "Sun Rainbow" colorway!)

The hook in the photo, furthest to the right, is the largest hook I have ever made! A size S, 17mm, for only the most ambitious crochet projects! (In contrast, the hook furthest to the left is a Q, the largest most of us ever attempt!) Both beauties are listed now on eBay.

Without further ado, I give you a photo, then on to the main topic of the day!



It all started one day when I was asked to give a demonstration on how I did my crochet hooks... I was absolutely terrified, but when the time came, everything went very well indeed, and I gained huge confidence in my ability to present a woodturning topic. I also found out one very critical thing that had not occurred to me previously -- people were interested in what I did... !

I thought everyone knew how to make a crochet hook! After all, they've been around for hundreds of years! Well, turns out that it's relatively specialized, and by making very high quality hooks, I had developed even more specialized techniques.

Later, it was suggested that I write an article about making crochet hooks. And again, it seemed to me that the world probably already knew everything I would have to say... but to my great surprise, my idea was preliminarily accepted to be published! So I wrote, took photographs, and turned. And, at length, (the publishing industry has a long lead time), my article has been published in the February 2011 issue of American Woodturner!

You can view it at my web site here: Creating Crochet Hooks article by Katherine Kowalski

We all have our own ways of working, and sometimes it seems so normal to us that we don't even bother talking about it. I would heartily encourage anyone, everyone to share what you know, even if it seems commonplace to you. Give a presentation to your group, write an article for your art/craft magazines.

How do you get started? E-mail the editors of the relevant publications, and ask for their submission guidelines as well as what types of articles they are looking for.

When you hold that magazine in your hand, see your work in full color, and your name on the article, it gives an unforgettable feeling of pride and satisfaction, along with a strong dose of je ne sais quoi! :-)

And, on a more personal note, it was an absolute joy to work with the editor of American Woodturner, Betty Scarpino!

Holiday Crochet Hooks, Captive Rings

Closer come the holidays, and I've been busy as a little bee, making new crochet hooks, thimbles, nostepindes, (ball winders), needle/toothpick cases, and all manner of lovely things! Check out my selection on eBay and Etsy. (There's still time to ship for Christmas!)

Some of these are on eBay right now!



One of my favorite types of hooks to create is one with captive rings. What are captive rings??? These are doughtnut-shaped pieces of wood that are turned in place, spin on a shaft, not allowed to slide off the piece.

In short, they're lots of fun, as you can gleefully twiddle and spin them with your fingers, gloriously ignoring your work in progress!

How are they made?

Step 1: Cut one or several small "beads" in the finial of the piece. (Make sure to make it far enough off the end so that the hand doesn't touch them when used -- the rings could break).

Step 2: Grind a special tool from a hacksaw blade, in essence a tiny parting tool, and cut into the side of the beads at a 45' or shallower angle, but don't part all the way through.

Step 3: Make sure you didn't "free" the rings in Step 2! Sand and finish the rings as you would the rest of the piece.

Step 4: Make additional cuts with the tiny captured ring tool, carefully so that you do not mar the finish on the surface, and part free.

Step 5: This is the tricky bit -- make cuts around and underneath the rings to give them room to wiggle and spin. Use your tiny parting tool, and a 1/16" parting tool to liberate some more wood chips.

Step 6: Check for breakage. Inevitably a ring or two will break, but don't despair, more practice and altering your angle of approach will see success. Always start more rings than you need in Step 1. Fractured rings may benefit from a drop of CA glue, but it's generally better to break off the imperfect ones, since sanding the join is difficult at best.

Step 7: As a measure against future mishap, turn a pretty shape along the shaft, underneath the rings by moving them to either side. (See why below.)

Step 8: Turn either end abutting the ring shaft, but keep the diameter large enough that the rings won't slide off the piece. (This is very important to the "captured" aspect!)

Step 8: Sand and finish your piece as usual.

A completed piece!



In reference to Step 7 above: I once went to a show in which I was demonstrating turning during the day time, and consequently was unable to watch my items on the table behind me. One hook I'd set out had 4 captured rings... and by the end of the day there was only one left! Yes, someone had maliciously broken them...

The point of this story is... Turn a pretty section underneath so that in case of such mishaps, the piece will still be decorous enough to appeal. (A straight, cylindrical section where there is supposed to be decoration, is rather dreadful looking...)

This technique, of course, can be used on any variety of spindlework, especially small items like stick pens, hair sticks, crochet hooks, fine finials, bottlestoppers, etc. One can also use this technique for making rings on the outside of bowls with colored-graining. You won't want the ring to spin freely, just move it enough so that the grain pattern is shifted slightly, and put a dab of glue to stick it in place. (Try this technique on a sapwood/heartwood bowl, and shift the ring so that dark is on light, and vice versa).

Have fun with it!
Katherine

Thimbles & Posting Day

New crochet hooks posted on eBay tonight! (And check out the brand new THIMBLES on eBay and Etsy -- great stocking stuffers!)

Guess what... (you probably already did, based on what I just wrote,) ...but... I have now added Thimbles to my collection of fiber arts tools! Not only that, but I've recently acquired NEW colorways in the dyed hardwoods, and they make exquisite thimbles and crochet hooks.

How exactly is a thimble made? First, I cut a block of wood to size, carefully on the bandsaw. I then mount in the chuck on the lathe, and hollow out the center with a specially-shaped drill bit.



I then re-mount the block on a tapered form, (a jam chuck for all the woodturners out there), and turn the final shape, removing the tail support, and carefully cutting the rings on the top side. (If you don't do it carefully, (and make sure you use italics), the piece is liable to jump off of the lathe and end up who-knows-where. (Don't ask me how I know this... keep your tools sharp!)

One also must make sure the walls of the thimble are the perfect thickness, and that the piece doesn't crack while on the jam chuck. The tail-stock must not be over-tightened, (again, cracks may happen). Critically , I cut the grooves in the top deep enough to support a needle -- after all, these are usable, functional tools, and must serve their purpose.

The inside is left unfinished, providing for superior grip-ability, and the outside is polished to a high shine!

Shape-wise, I chose a moderne design, opting out of over-ornamentation, going with a sleek look. (They look quite good on! (See below))



These thimbles make a lovely and fun addition to your collection of needle-working notions, and are perfect gifts for yourself, and friends who like to quilt, do needlepoint, sewing, embroidery, etc. (Even crocheters and knitters may need them as they tuck in the tail-ends of their yarn!)

Thimbles, are of course, an excellent way of helping push needles through difficult situations!

Enjoy the glorious colors! See my shops on eBay and Etsy for my new thimbles.

Katherine

P.S. And please don't hesitate to ask if you need more details -- whether you are a woodturner or a needleworker I'm happy to help. E-mail me at katherine@daystarhandworks.com

Last Harvest...

... well, one of the last anyway. An early frost in the beginning of September forced us to pick nearly all of our tomatoes as the leaves had withered in the cold. Same with the cucumbers and cantaloupes...

BUT -- and forgive my inattention to writing about the garden during the summer -- we had an almost miraculous harvest during the entire aestival season! Cucumbers grew with zeal, sending out runners and producing buds and yellow flowers like wild! And under that canopy of shade leaves, fruits grew by the DOZENS to fill our eager pantry!

Snowpeas attended trellises, and we made two complete harvests before the plants had exhausted themselves. Green onions grew from the onion sets, and were so delicious that we relied on their steady production for our daily dishes! (It's amazing how much tastier they were, fresh from the garden, than from the grocery store...) Our persistent "deforestation" of the onion groves will probably prevent any large onions from appearing, but it was worth it!


Our chard continues to produce, and we have enough frozen now to last in making quiches through the winter! The parsley survived too -- even through the plague of grasshoppers that descended upon us mid-season, (which destroyed the dill entirely!). The turnips are still growing beautifully and the beets as well.

At last we come to the end of the growing season -- it is always short here in Wyoming. I'm amazed we grew anything at all -- the soil is poor and hard as concrete, and the wind blows persistently. However, with a few loads of manure and compost and daily watering, our garden thrived, giving us glorious produce that we could enjoy.

And while tending a garden didn't necessarily save us any money from a dollar-per-hour standpoint, (I really should have been making crochet hooks), we ate naturally-grown organic vegetables and fruits that were much tastier than store-bought, (no doubt because of the true ripeness and farm-to-store travel time). We also ate foods that we probably wouldn't have purchased at the store -- turnips, (which are new to us this year), chard, and more cucumbers and beets than we would have bought on a regular basis.

It was an interesting experience, though trying at times. I certainly learned quite a bit about organization in a growing field, and what I would alter in next year's garden plan. E.g.: Forty tomato plants is probably too many for two people to eat from... (though it works well for sharing with good friends!), and eating cucumbers three times a day due to overproduction can be a singular experience..., and green onions are so fresh and vibrant picked from the garden we should plant TONS more next year..., and Bright Lights (Swiss) chard is the most loyal, productive plant I've ever seen!

A work-intensive, but very productive summer journey!