Knooking is the latest craze in the yarn world and I'm dying to try it! I LOVE crochet, but my knitting skills are quite juvenile. Normally this is not a problem since pretty much anything that can be knit can also be crocheted. However, when it comes to socks and mittens crochet just doesn't cut it. Its nearly impossible to crochet socks or mittens that are not too stiff, and that's IF you can find a pattern. Of course you can go for a more lacy pattern, but then they won't be warm. SO, unfortunately for us crochet lovers, the only choice is to suck it up and knit them. This is problematic, since socks and mittens are some of the more difficult things you could choose to knit. So logically there are two options. 1. Start with easy projects and learn how to knit well. (Blech, not interested.) and 2. Attempt knitting socks, and just suffer through it until you figure it out. (I've tried and tried, and its just not going to happen.) And that's where I've been for quite some time now.
Well apparently I'm not the only one, and now there's a new option.
Introducing the Knook:
It is quite simply a crochet hook with a hole in the end that you thread a cord through. You then use the hook to knit. Yes, knit not crochet. You will use the hook to make actual knit and purl stitches, not look-alikes. This means that you can knook any pattern written for knitting. The link above has lots of instructional videos for all the different stitches.(They're also on youtube) So the only problem so far is that the only size of knooks currently available are the medium sizes, suitable for sport or worsted weight yarns. These size yarns can be used for socks, but I want to use a fingering weight wool for a warm, but light sock. Thankfully I'm not the first person with this problem either.
Ronda at I'd Rather Be Knooking has solved this problem for me.
I've called my local Michael's Store, and they have the Pony Bead Lacing in stock. So now I'm very impatiently waiting until my next scheduled trip to Brandon so I can get started.
I also found a very helpful thread on Ravelry.
Oh, and I almost forgot to mention that with the knook, you can easily switch back and forth from knitting to crochet. My brain is running wild with ideas!
Update: Well, I made the knook with pony bead lacing, but I'm finding the lacing to be too "grippy". Its not a problem with the yarn, its just when you're working the row that the lacing seems to grip the hook. So it works, but not smoothly. I'm looking for another solution.
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