Last night I made a tiny flower from very fine thread and I think I will be needing glasses very soon!
According to my eye specialist, my sight is perfect for my age.
The qualifying statement "for my age" disturbs me because it reminds me that no one can halt or escape the ageing process, including me!
Is it just me or is the print on product labels, publications and the like getting smaller? I know for sure that in many instances it is getting smaller to fit more print on a page and save money. With the rise of electronic publishing, I suspect editors aren't even thinking about the font sizes any more, relying on our electronic gadgets to zoom in for us.
No more can I make excuses!
This tiny flower has shown me that my eyesight is deterioriating.
This tiny flower has shown me that my eyesight is deterioriating.
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| Remnant stash: Size 80 cotton thread (green). |
Made from size 80 cotton thread, I thought it would be the perfect size to decorate a card. It would use up some stashed cotton and refresh my thread crochet skills.
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| This Irish Rose Jug Cover used Coats Mercer Size 20 thread. (Made by Jodiebodie 2011) |
Boy, did my skills need refreshing! I hadn't worked with fine thread since 2011 (Irish Rose Jug Cover) and the last thread project was a family of ducks on a pond which used a much thicker size 5 thread.
If you are unfamiliar with thread sizes, the larger the number, the finer the thread. Size 80 is comparable to the thread used in sewing machines.
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| Size 20 white cotton thread. It was much easier to get started by working the white thread together with the green as if they were one strand. |
For the first time, my fine steel hooks, ranging in size from 0.6 mm to 2 mm, felt awkward and fiddly in my hands.
I couldn't adjust to the new thread size as easily as before and then I realised it was not my hands or the hooks, but my eyes!
Evening light did not help despite working under a bright lamp but I was determined.
Casting aside the smallest hooks, I settled for a 1.25 mm hook and joined a white and green thread together to make a thicker strand which enabled me to work 12 dc (AUS/UK) into a magic ring to get my flower started. Once the first two rounds were established, I could drop the white for pure green.
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| Size 80 cotton thread. Hot pink was used to create the petals. |
The intention was to create a rainbow mandala in the centre with layers of petals radiating Irish Rose style around the edges, starting with a vibrantly hot pink but after just 4 rounds, the centre diameter (22 mm) was big enough.
By the time I had completed one round of petals, I was too tired to continue with my plans for a round of yellow petals etc. The flower's diameter was already a useful size of 40 mm.
I have learned the hard way to quit while I'm ahead.
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| I do like the lacy loops around the edges of the petals. The combination of green and white appears pale blue! |
Pattern Details
I didn't follow any particular pattern but made thing up as I went along, working in a spiral.
The basic formula was to start with 12 dc in a magic ring and increase by 6 dc each subsequent round.
The 4th round of green had 30 dc.
After one round of hot pink (36 dc) I worked chain loops around the outside:
rep (3 ch, miss 2 dc, dc into next dc).
The petals were worked into the chain loops:
(dc, 6 tr, dc) into each chain loop, fasten off and weave in ends.
I am happy to elaborate on this if you have any questions. Feel free to ask by leaving your question(s) in the comments below or email jodiebodiecrochets@gmail.com.
What are your experiences with thread crochet?
Do you have any advice?
Related Posts on Lupey Loops
"Quack!", 6 March 2014: http://lupeyloops.blogspot.com.au/2014/03/quack.html
I love the work around you made at the beginning to solve the dilemma of thread too fine. It added an interesting colour change as a bonus. I don't own a metal hook any finer than 1.0
ReplyDeleteThanks, Adrienne, I was happy with the head size of the 1.25 mm hook, but was getting frustrated with the size 80 thread not going where I wanted it to go but that was the fault of my eyes!
DeleteThat colour change is not just a camera effect - it really does look like pale blue to the eye. I wish I had the stamina to add more colourful layers. Once I get into the feel of finer threads and hooks again, it is not much harder than working with other weights. I do love the stitch definition of the mercerised cottons. What's the finest thread you have ever used for crochet?
So lovely! Glasses aren't the end of the world, we will match! 😘
ReplyDeleteHa, ha! Another excuse to have fun ;-)
DeleteGetting old girl!! I had to succumb to glasses last year after being told the year before that I wouldn't need glasses for another 5 years. The kids laugh because I have to move things backwards and forwards to get to the point where I can focus! The glasses really do make evening and fine a whole lot easier :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks for giving me a sense of camaraderie with your comment and I love your expression. :-)
DeleteThe use of 'succumb' resonates so much with me. I've been advised to leave the transition to glasses as late as possible. That was 2-3 years ago but I fear the time is drawing near. My children laugh at me too as I have to put papers etc. at arm's length to read them. When they get sick of me asking to read things out to me, then I will know it is time. ;-)
I am glad that your glasses make life easier for you, especially for crafting, of course!
Thank you Mary-Anne. I do love the dainty quality.
ReplyDeleteMy tiny flower reached its recipient:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.crochetconcupiscence.com/2015/10/jodies-crochet-mandalasformarinke