I *TRIED* To DIY Crochet Hooks

[@WillowCrochet]

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[@WinkTartanBelle]

I'd really like to try making a yarn bowl from this stuff! They are so pricey and not easily sourced in my area. Shipping such large, heavy and fragile objects is always an expensive risk. While I haven't tried this specific product (yet!), my experiences with similar products have taught me a few things. I offer some of these ideas and methods in hopes they prove useful to others. I carved little ditches and hollows into a slab of crafting foam (the stiff stuff you put artificial floral picks into, not the thin floppy stuff) to help hold my silicone molds and keep them from becoming distorted by the weight of my resin. I used anything that seemed to suit my needs to carve these shapes. A metal straight edged ruler, a kitchen spoon, and a metal French curve turned out to be my favorite tools here. Wooden toothpicks and skewers also came in handy to stick into the foam to prop up some molds. For a few long thin molds meant to be straight, I made little "fences" out of wooden skewers and thin laminate (the stuff kitchen counters are often covered in. I had scraps left from a prior project) that became another often-reached-for tool. I just stabbed the skewers into the foam to allow the horizontal laminate pieces to brace my molds and keep them straight. I could see something similar working well for the crochet hook molds. The mixing measurements for these products is not a suggestion. It's chemistry and so you must be quite precise to obtain the desired results. It doesn't hurt to have a weight for use in calibrating your scale before use. You'd be amazed how much difference this makes. Also worth mentioning: Any additions such as dye or "inclusions" (like embedded flowers or beads) must not be calculated into the weights used for mixing the resin. This seems obvious but we all can get distracted in the heat of creation. I have not made any crochet hooks. I cannot believe the idea never occurred to me! I don't use resin or plastic hooks very much due to my (weird?) sensitivity to the squeak factor. Maybe if I made my own, pretty ones that I can be proud of, I'd get over that? Worth a try? I have a long winter ahead and something interesting to do indoors is always a good thing. There is a product I use on wooden, metal, plastic, and resin items around my home that I tested on some of my hooks and needles to good result. It's a coating used in museums on artifacts, so I feel confident in using it without ruining my possessions. I'm not affiliated with this company in any way, I'm just someone who uses this product. It's called Renaissance Micro-crystalline wax polish by Picreator Enterprises Ltd in England. It buffs out to a slick and glossy finish that makes my yarn glide over my hooks and needles. I've never experienced it leaving any residue, odor, or color after allowed to dry and buffed off lightly. It isn't cheap but a very little goes a long way. I use it on family heirlooms around my home, as well as some rather expensive and critical (to my household) tools. I've used it on resin jewelry and it really brings out the colors. Respect and best wishes from north Texas. ;)

[@WillowCrochet]

Oh wow, thank you for so many useful tips! These will be so useful for the next time I have go, especially the ones about supporting the molds, so clever! 😊

[@kywire._]

Thanks for sharing! I saw RetroGeek try this product a bit ago and I wondered if it could be used for crochet projects :~) I agree with the other commenter that Mod Podge or some kind of glossy sealant would definitely help smooth out the chalky grippy texture, and also help prevent dents and scratches in the surface. It might be especially useful for ergonomic crochet hook handles rather than the hooks themselves! If you end up trying to seal your hooks to help with texture, please share!

[@WillowCrochet]

It looks like mod podge is the answer, I’ll pick some up and give it a go! I did think as soon as I finished that I would have been better off just making handles and using metal hooks or even interchangeable ones… a future video maybe 🤔

[@karamichele9981]

Resin artists simply use Mod Podge or spray sealer. I would recommend letting any sealer dry for 24 hours before use.

[@WillowCrochet]

Thank you, I will look into these!

[@ChaosCraftingandCrochet]

You could try gloss varnish, gloss mod podge, or even clear nail polish! I love the green and yellow one, that color combo is ADORABLE! Makes me want to paint tiny daisies on it hah! Lovely video, subscribed and hoping to binge your content tomorrow!

[@WillowCrochet]

Great ideas!! Tiny daisies would look soooo good!

[@heidiburford]

So flipping cool!

[@WillowCrochet]

It was a lot of fun, can’t wait to do it again!

[@pammeade6448]

I like to use fingernail file and the polishing cubes.

[@cobayo1000]

I cut the molds open a little at the front of the head with a cutter, then you can get the needles out better, no matter what material they are.

[@WillowCrochet]

I wish I'd done that!

[@sonjadoyle2761]

Next time try propping up the molds with pins.