Keychain Crochet Hook - A tutorial February 11, 2007
I find myself leaving the house and grabbing a “to-go” knitting project to take with me, often socks. Nothing like knitting away while waiting in line at the post office, or in a waiting room, or trapped at an awful social event. Usually I have just a little mesh project bag with my sock and yarn in it… No notions. I will be happily knitting away, then, a moments distraction, and a stitch jumps off the needle.
Dreaded dropped stitch
Of course the best way to remedy this situation is to use a crochet hook to pick up the stitches.
Picking up dropped stitches with a crochet hook
But I don’t have one in my bare bones travelling sock project bag. So I decided to make one that I could keep with me, even on the go.
Behold! The keychain crochet hook.
To make one you will need:
- An Aluminum crochet hook of small size (less than 3 mm)*
- Wire clippers
- Needle-nosed pliers
- Jewelery findings: Jump rings and a clasp
- Eye protection
To start, clip the hook near the flat part in the middle. You want to keep the flat part connected to the hook, and move as far down the handle as you can. If you get all the way to the round part, it may be too difficult to cut through.
Then, use the needle-nosed pliers to fold the flat part of the handle back into a loop.
Use the same pliers to attach a jump ring and a clasp. Now you can clip it on your keychain and remove it whenever you have a dropped stitch that needs saving.
* I know that it is practically unbelievable, but I got this hook for 25 cents at a thrift store.
What a great idea, I’ve got a ton of extra crochet hooks I hardly ever use. I’m making one today!
I love that idea! I’m on it!
That is awesome!!! Must…have….one……
That is such a great idea! I have a bag of notions, and it seems like it’s always in a different WIP bag than the one I happen to have at any given time. Thanks!
Brilliant idea!
Awesome idea! Thanks for sharing your creative solution.
so damn clever, I can barely stand it!
That is so Cool!!!
Effing brilliant!
Allow me to join the chorus
Great idea!
So cool! I’m making one now!
That\’s very clever!!
Knitters are always coming up with nifty ways to make the “habit” easier! Way to go. Now where are my pliers?
wonderful!
I need one!
(hmmmmm…. surely I have an old one somewhere I can sacrifice? I’ve got dozens… must go look
omg, you are a genius!
What a fabulous tool. Thanks for sharing!
Brilliant!
I sound like a broken record, but this is too cool! And I love your photo-illustrations. They’re perfect. Fantabulous!
ah i did those b4 no biggie
I love that keychain idea! How perfect, considering how I usually forget my box of tools when I travel or go to my knitting group. I can’t wait to try this. Thanks for such detailed directions!
What a great idea! I definitely need one.
That is the best idea for a keychain I’ve ever seen. Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful idea!!
Cool! I am going to make one right away, cuz I am always taking my sock projects with me, they travel so well, and like you, I don’t typically take any notions with me. Thanks for such a great idea.
That is so cool! I’m going to make one for sure! Thank you!
I am having palpitations! I can\’t tell you how many times I have had to improvise with a paperclip. Now I am joining the ranks of super-pro knitters everywhere.
Thanks for looking after us!
AWESOME! I actually made one and it\’s sooo cool! Thanks for the sweet idea!
This is such a wonderful idea. Thanks so much for an item much needed while knitting on-the-go. Why didn\’t I think of this. You are so smart.
Great tutorial! Blogged at: http://noricum.blogspot.com/2007/08/found-on-flickr_6047.html
this is amazing! i found a link to this on noricum\’s blog. it\’s so cool, that i posted a link to it on the daily chum. i hope it\’s ok, but i used your completed project picture to illustrate. thanks!
and just you know that word’s getting around, i found you through the daily chum. what a must have item indeed. and i even have the jewelry making tools!
I totally love this idea! I have GOT to make one too!
Marly
yarnthing.blogspot.com
holidaykalcal.blogspot.com
very good idea; but clip it to your work bag. easier than fumbling with your keys
Hi. I loved your hook keychain idea so gave it a try this morning. Cutting the hook was easy but I can\\\\\\\’t get the flat end to bend around without breaking off. Could you drop me an email please? I\\\\\\\’d like some advice before I destroy another hook LOL! (the flat end broke off of the 1st attempt). I\\\\\\\’m trying a sz 3mm/D aluminum hook so it is a small one. TIA!
I had the same problem as Shell… any helpful tips???
I’m sorry that I don’t have a solution for a hook that breaks. I tried this with an aluminum hook from the japanese dollar store, and it broke on me. I have had success with the Boye aluminum hooks (as pictured). Perhaps all is not lost though… if you have a dremel or similar tool, you could just drill a litte hole in the hook to attach it to you keychain. Sorry and good luck!
Thanx for the swift response Karrie, I don\’t have any drills but I was thinking about sanding it down abit (sharp corners) and then wrapping wire around it and fastening it with a drop or 2 of super glue. I think that will work;)
What an incredible idea!