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Crochet Hooks: Wood, Plastic, or Metal?

Crochet hooks are made out of many different materials, and all have different qualities, both good and bad. Will a wood, metal or plastic crochet hook be best for you?

When deciding what type of crochet hook to buy, read this to determine what size you'll need based on what project you'll be working on. Once you know what size hook your project requires, you can decide on what material your crochet hook should be composed of.

 

Metal Crochet Hooks

The most common crochet hooks are made of metal and many who have been crocheting for years prefer to use the same type of hook they learned to crochet with. You probably remember your mother or grandmother using a metal crochet hook.

 

The major advantage to working with a metal crochet hook is durability. They are virtually indestructible so unless you have a habit of misplacing them, metal crochet hooks are a good investment. Being durable can also be a disadvantage, though, for someone who suffers from arthritis, as holding the rigid hook for long periods of time can cause pain and stiffness in the fingers and wrist.

 

I personally don't like to use metal hooks because of the cold feel to them and also find them too rigid. You can buy spongy covers that slip over the metal that make them more comfortable to use, but that's an added expense over and above the cost of the hook itself. Since I tend to lose crochet hooks on a regular basis, replacing metal crochet hooks would be costly for me.

 

Plastic Crochet Hooks

Plastic hooks made of plastic are less expensive than either metal or wood, so if you're just learning to crochet, they may be the best option for you. You can buy a single crochet hook in the size needed for your first project, or a kit that contains several sizes so you'll have what's needed as you continue exploring your craft. I find the plastic hooks easy to work with and like that they're lightweight and don't have that cold, industrial feel to them.

 

One disadvantage to plastic crochet hooks is that they break more easily than either wood or metal. It doesn't happen often with normal use and they're inexpensive to replace, but if you leave them where kids could get at them or you're prone to sitting down without looking, you may want to opt for one of the other types of hooks.

 

Wood and Bamboo Crochet Hooks

My first experience using wooden hooks was with those carved out of birch by Brittany Needles. They are my favorite crochet hook to work with, but hand carved wooden hooks can be more costly than those made with other materials. I find the wood to be very sturdy, but since it is a natural material, it appears to have a bit more 'give' to it, although you can't actually feel the wood bend (much like a wood floor). This particular brand of crochet hook is longer than most and takes a little getting used to, but many who try them never go back to metal or plastic. Wood hooks are often recommended to those who have arthritis or other hand pain.

 

Bamboo is one of the newer materials that crochet hooks are being made from, and while I haven't used one myself, I've heard good reports about them. The material feels much like other wooden hooks, so the comfort factor should be equitable. Those I've seen are more expensive than plastic or metal hooks, but since they're available in many craft stores, they're less costly than hand carved.

 

If cost isn't a factor, I would recommend wooden hooks to anyone that doesn't have a dog that likes to chew. My Rosie didn't even like to chew dog toys, but for some reason she loved to snatch my Brittany crochet hooks if left unattended. Her teeth marks can still be seen in one of the wooden hooks in the above photo.

 

How to Screw Down a Metal Roof ?

Metal roofing is held down more securely by screws than by nails, because screws have threads that dig into the wood underneath the metal roofing and give resistance to any forces that pull up on the roofing. Whether you are screwing down an existing metal roof from which old nails have worked loose, or a new metal roof that is being screwed down for the first time, the process is the same.

 

Step 1:

Test the clutch setting on your screw gun by driving a roofing screw through a scrap piece of metal roofing and into a piece of wood. Set the clutch so that the drill stops driving the screw at the point where the rubber gasket is snugly and firmly trapped between the metal washer on the screw and the metal roofing beneath it. If it's too tight, the rubber gasket could be damaged. If it's too loose, the hole won't be waterproof.

Step 2:

Drive a roofing screw into a lower corner of the roofing. Put the screw into the top of one of the ridges on the metal roofing.

Step 3:

Measure two feet up the roof from the first screw. Drive in another roofing screw at that point, on the same ridge. Work your way systematically across the roof, placing screws at regular intervals, so that you don't miss any sections of roof. To replace loose nails, pull out the old nails and put the new screws in through the same holes to minimize the number of holes you make in the roof.

 

Step 4:

Reposition any metal screws that spin without activating your clutch after you have put them in. These screws have failed to make a connection with the sub-roofing underneath the metal roofing.

How to Attach a Picture Frame Wire?

Artwork, hangable curios and family portraits are necessary elements to make a house to be a home. While some pictures and artwork are light enough that you can use the hook on the back of the frame and a small picture hanger in the wall, other larger pieces require picture frame wire attached to the back of the frame. Today I would like to present you how to attach a picture frame wire by two screw eyes.

 

Firstly, select the proper drill bit size. The drill bit should be the same diameter as your screw eyes minus the threads. Then, choose your work space. Find a flat surface, such as a table or workbench, and lay the picture on it face down.

 

After that, affix the screw eyes to the frame. With the measuring tape and pencil, mark a spot that is one-third down the side of the frame on each side. Drill a small hole in that spot, and then screw the screw eyes into the frame.

 

Lastly, attach the picture wire. Cut a length of picture wire six to eight inches longer than the frame is wide. Thread one end of the wire through the screw eye and twist it back on itself two or three inches. Repeat on the other side. The picture is now ready for hanging.

 

Install Plastic Anchors into Your Wallboard

Plastic anchors are used to support light loads on drywall without fastening to a wall stud. Simple anchors just push into a guide hole, gripping the gypsum board and protecting it from the threads of the screw. Molly bolts and toggle bolts expand inside the wall. Molly bolts burst open and flare out when you insert a screw. Toggle bolts have spring-loaded metal wings that flare out. Some anchors also have spiraling flanges around the shaft that grip into the drywall inside the guide hole.

 

Step 1 – Select Appropriate Anchor/Plastic Anchor and Fasteners for Weight

 

Determine whether the object you are trying to hang can be supported by a drywall anchor. Check the manufacturer’s specifications on the package of the anchor. These instructions should also indicate the diameter of the guide hole and the diameter of compatible screws.  Tap-in anchors are rated for low weights; screw-in expanding anchors can hold slightly larger weights. However, you should only hang decorative objects such as picture frames or mirrors with drywall anchors. For heavy loads such as pot racks, you will need to fasten to the wall studs. You can hang small shelving units with anchors but they will not be able to support volumes of encyclopedias. Overloading the anchors will cause them to tear out of the wall, leaving a gaping hole to patch and paint.

 

Step 2 – Measure and Mark Hangers

 

Measure out the locations of the guide holes using a tape measure and a level. You don’t necessarily have to use a tape measure, however. For objects such as calendars, which have holes, hold the calendar up against the wall with the level and draw a circle in the hole through a pencil. For objects with hanger brackets, such as mirrors, coat the back of the brackets with toothpaste. Now hang the mirror where you want it on the wall and level it out. Push it firmly against the wall so toothpaste will stick. Mark the stains with a pencil and drill them out. Take care when measuring so you don’t have to drill a second hole next to a mistake. This weakens the wall and reduces the weight the anchor can support.

 

Step 3 – Drill Guide Holes

 

Drill the guide hole according to the specifications on the package. You will usually drill a hole slightly smaller than tap-in anchors and slightly larger than expanding screw-in anchors. Push the anchor into the hole with your thumb; tap it into place gently with a mallet if necessary. Drive the anchor until it is flush with the wallboard. Pushing it any further is ineffective.

 

Step 4 – Drill Screw

 

Drive the screw into the anchor with a drill or screwdriver. With some expanding anchors, you may have to hold the anchor with pliers or a second screwdriver while you turn the screw. For hanging picture frames and mirrors, leave the head and a small length of screw sticking out to support the mounting brackets.

 

 

 

Source: http://www.doityourself.com/stry/how-to-install-plastic-anchors-into-your-wallboard#b#ixzz2U62wkxTG

Screen Door Replacement

 

Some screen door repairs can’t be completed with the door in place. Removing the door is not difficult, but it is awkward as screen doors are lightweight and can twist and flex when held upright out of the door tracks. Remove your sliding screen door carefully – it uses some fragile plastic parts -- and lay it down on a large flat surface to complete repairs or to install a replacement.

Just follow the instruction and make it as a piece of cake.

·  Loosen the tension screws on the sides of the doors with a Phillips screwdriver to create a little extra room to wiggle the door between the top and bottom tracks. Gently wedge a flat head screwdriver under the wheel to push it up and create the space to lift the door up and out.

· Measure the screen door to order a replacement or to make repairs after it is removed.

·  Slide the new or repaired door top first into the track, raise up on the door then push the bottom into the lower track. Adjust the tension screws if the door doesn’t slide into the tracks and try again.

· Slide the door back and forth to make sure it operates properly. Adjust the tension screws or level the door evenly with the doorjamb. If you are installing a new door, attach the new door handle according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

· Close the screen door and mark the place where the door handle hits the jamb. You can also measure each distance to get the correct placement of striker plate. Install the striker plate and check the latch lock.

Read more: How to Replace a Sliding Screen Door | eHow http://www.ehow.com/how_4857513_replace-sliding-screen-door.html#ixzz2TusGw45t

 

What do You Need to Aware as Removing a Plumbing Compression Fitting?

Compression fittings allow you to make connections to copper pipes without soldering them. They are especially useful for shutoff valves, such as the ones for your sinks and toilets. However, compression fittings are not designed to be removed once they are attached. In order for them to work properly, they must be tight enough to make removal very difficult, if not impossible. If the fittings are removed, it is likely that the copper tubing where they were attached will be distorted so it cannot be reused. In most cases, you cut the tubing above the fitting and attach a new fitting on the uncompressed tubing. If you have no other choice, you can try to remove the compression fitting and reuse the tubing, but be prepared for minimal success.

 

Hence, if you're replacing a compression valve, you should always remove the old ferrule and slide on a new one when you screw on the new valve. Reusing the old ferrule because it is too difficult to remove will probably result in a leaky fitting. Besides, compression fittings are delicate. Once you've tightened one, avoid putting any lateral pressure on the pipes it is joining or the fitting will leak.

 

Slice of Life: Lisa Nilsson‘s Tissue Series

 

Lisa Nilsson‘s Tissue Series, currently on exhibit at the Lavender Door Gallery in Stockbridge, depicts anatomical cross sections, created from rolled paper. Lisa Nilsson is a graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design where she studied Illustration, and more recently of the McCann Technical School’s medical assisting program, where her life-long aesthetic interest in anatomy and cool-looking medical things grew a bit more informed. She lives in North Adams, Massachusetts.

Artist Lisa Nilsson constructs anatomical cross sections of the human body using Japanese mulberry paper and the gilded edges of old books. They are constructed by a technique of rolling and shaping narrow strips of paper called quilling or paper filigree. Depending on its function she rolls the paper on almost anything small and cylindrical including pins, needles, dowels, and drill bits (she even attempted using some of her husband’s 8mm film editing equipment but to no avail).

The inspiration for this piece is quite clear to point out. She had to do something creative with any of the circular narrow fabric machine at the school and decided that the one which made jersey/narrow fabric tubes was just the one she wanted to work with.

I had seen Lisa Nilsson's "Tissue Series" earlier and I guess the material and the visual inspiration interweaved with each other in one split second. I have a major weakness for hand sewing details, most of the time I have no idea what I am doing, probably just creating a mess, and in the end I have worked on one piece of narrow fabric for so long that I'm sick of seeing it, but I still keep insisting on doing it.

 

Crochet Is Making A Comeback! You Can Make By Yourself.

It may conjure up images of tacky doilies or hippy-style waistcoats but crochet is staging a comeback. A great deal of international fashion brand like Diane von Furstenberg, Chanel and Dolce & Gabbana are championing crocheted fabrics, dresses, bras, handbags and even earrings. You can turn around your frayed jeans with a crochet patch on the knee or on the pockets. Or use crochet trimmings to decorate your denim skirts. No wonder it is an immortal that can be worn at any time of the year. You can match it with a range of fabrics, from georgette to denim. It’s an ideal replacement for lace.

 

Crochet is a method of making fabric by looping thread into a pattern of connected stitches, using a hooked needle. The word is derived from the French word, meaning hook. It was developed in the 19th century as an imitation of exquisite lace. The kind of fabric uses a third more yarn than knitted fabric, but only one hooked needle is required to crochet. Knitting requires more specialized needles to create circular rounds, but crocheting requires only one hook.

 

Some people think crochet cannot be done by a crochet knitting machine. It must have to be done by hand with a hook. A dress represents a good 2-3 days full-time effort, even for the fastest worker. The hook is available in many sizes and materials, such as bone, bamboo, aluminum, plastic and steel. Handmade crochet items are as varied and diverse as the creative people behind them. For most basic crochet patterns, there are a few basic techniques you'll need to know Just remember to keep a loose hold on the yarn, don't worry about mistakes, pick up a crochet hook and have fun!

Have Difficulty to Rip Lumber? Frame Saw is Your Best Tool!

       If you want to cut wood or lumber to make a table, you must make a good use of tools. Otherwise, it’ll seem to be very difficult to cut into the exact shape you want. Frame saw is one of the convenient tools for cutting or ripping staffs. As a type of rip saw, frame saw consists of a relatively narrow and flexible blade held under tension within a rectangular frame. Specially designed for making rip cuts, the cutting edge of each tooth has a flat front edge and it is not angled forward or backward. This design allows each tooth to act like a chisel, preventing the saw from following grain lines, which could curve the path of the saw. By acting like a chisel, the saw can more easily cut across deviating grain lines, which is necessary if a straight cut is to be achieved.

       Here are some simple instructions on how to rip wood neatly with the frame saw. First of all, stand the wood up lengthwise and hold it tightly. Be sure that your hand is away from the area you are about to saw. Then, make a small mark on the place you want to rip. Finally, place the saw end closest to your hand at the far edge of the wood, and move the saw forward and backward on the line you want to cut. Cut straight until you’ve sawed through the wood. It’s not very complicated, but you need to make sure that you place the wood firmly and to saw steadily. If needed, find some one to assist you. In the end, I’m sure that you can make your own home-made work pieces.

The benefit of riding a steel bike frame bicycle

 
      Which traffic tool you take to go working in the morning? By bus, MRT, motorcycle or cars? Each of them is common but also has the same problem, it need the fuel; and that means you have to pay. Besides, all of them would generate pollution, I guess that is the reason why bicycle has become the popular choice in many big cities.

        Riding a bicycle is quite convenient and healthy, it generates almost zero pollution and is free to park easily. All you have to pay is to assemble your bike with the steel bike frame, wheels, handles and enjoy the fun of DIY your own bike; or you can simply buy the finished one instead. Once you start to ride it, you may feel the difference and fun of riding bike.

        It used to be only few choices of bikes, now, there are various kind of choice, the bicycle with carbon or steel bike frame, for riding in the city or mountain, it can be folded or not and etc. No matter which kind you prefer, just remember to choice the one with firm structure for your safety, then you can feel the change and enjoy the benefit of riding bike.