Crochet Tips--Crocheting Materials You'll Need and How to Wash and Shape Crocheted Items

Follow these tips and tricks to make fine crocheted edgings, doilies and tablecloths, crocheted runners, bedspreads, window or wall hangings or curtains.

What You'll Need:

• steel crochet hooks
• mercerized cotton

Mercerized cotton (pearl) is treated to make cotton thread stronger and to give it a lustrous appearance. This treatment also helps the cotton to resist mildew. As well, mercerized cotton is particularly suited for fine crocheting because it has an inherent stiffness which helps finished pieces to hold their shape.

How you treat your fancy work can make a big difference to overall appearance and can add years of life to any piece.

Washing your Doilies

• Never launder crocheted items in your washing machine
• Wash by hand and avoid using hot water because the cotton will shrink
• If you want to tighten your work (if you feel your tension was on the loose side), wash in lukewarm water to shrink work
• Squeeze gently and place your crocheted pieces on a towel

"Pulling out" Instructions for Your Crocheted Pieces

Spread pieces out with your fingers, pulling gently, working with your hands to shape. Keep spreading and working out toward the edges so that pieces assume same size as prior to washing. This step is important and will transform the look of any crocheted piece. By spreading and gently pulling, you almost give your work an ironed look. The stiffness of the cotton will help the crocheted items to retain shape.

Some people opt for a doily board. This can be made from a piece of Styrofoam and you follow the same procedure, then pin your work on the board to dry.

Drying Instructions for Doilies and Crocheted Items

Never place items in dryer. Always allow crocheted items to air dry. Any heat would cause shrinking and crochet would lose the necessary stiffness needed for the finished appearance.

If desired, you can press your work with a warm iron but be careful when doing so to avoid scorching.

Some people opt to starch their crocheted items. This can be done after pieces are washed.

Add some Ivory starch to water and stir (following starching instructions), then dip crocheted items in the mixture.

Continue with pulling out and drying instructions.

Further Reading:

• A to Z of Crochet: the Ultimate Guide for the Beginner to Advanced Crocheter
• Crochet Stitches--Visual Encyclopedia
• The Crochet Stitch Bible
• 50 Fabulous Crochet Squares
• Crochet Patterns for Dummies
• Hooked Hats: 20 Easy Crochet Projects
• Cuddly Crochet: Adorable Toys, Hats and More
• Our Best Afghans
• Quick and Cozy Afghans
• Wrapped in Crochet
• Uncommon Crochet: 25 Projects Using Natural Yarns and Alternative Fibers
• 200 Crochet Flowers
• Kids Crochet: Projects for Kids of All Ages
• The Complete Photo Guide to Crochet
• Crocheting for Dummies
• Stitch N Bitch Crochet: Happy Hooker
• The Chicks With Sticks

By following the crochet tips in this Hub, you will turn out fine crocheted pieces you can be proud of.

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