Crochet on the Double

Marylee Klinkhammer

When Annie's Attic introduced Crochet on The Double patterns, the double ended hooks available were typically a 10" hook. It worked wonderfully for the smaller projects like dishcloths and pillows but it didn't take long for customers to ask for more! After stitching a 40" or 55" afghan, packing 200-plus stitches on a single hook, and working against the weight of the project, many stitchers asked why there wasn't a cabled version of the hook available. The customers said that they loved the technique, just needed an easier way to create the wonderul things they loved.

Ask and ye shall receive! Jennifer McClain and a team of crochet experts helped develop several prototypes and with the input of product testers, the new hook was born. But it was an long and arduous process.

The first Annie's Attic Crochet on the Double connected hook prototypes didn't swivel. First came hooks with screw-on ends which sometimes came unscrewed during stitching allowing the accumulated stitches to fall off. Then there were hooks with a solidly connected cable which were hard to use, because during the crocheting process with the hook turning back and forth, and back and forth - the entire round of stitches had to turn as well. Jennifer didn't give up, and after a conversation with family members she realized that the hook and cable needed a swivel connection.

The innovative swivel allows you to turn only the portion of the hook you are working with. It's a "live" swivel, meaning it rotates freely in any direction independently of the other end of the hook. What does this mean in crochet terms? An easier to use product that lets projects rest on your lap and takes the weight of all that heavy yarn off your shoulders and wrists. The patented swivel connectors mean no snags, no kinks and no twists ever again! PLUS, you get an extra long cable for extra big projects.

Using this special technique, you can create a soft, reversible fabric unlike anything you can make with a regular crochet hook or knitting needles. And, it can be combined with standard crochet stitches for even more variety. It's fascinating and gets the attention of knitters and crocheters alike, since the fabric has more of a knit-like look. And each stitch gives you an interesting two-sided look that will have everyone asking, "How'd you do that?" They've created a special book to teach all of us this wonderful technique. Filled to the brim with full-color photos and tips to make learning easier, you are sure to love the How to Crochet on the Double book.

Manufacturer Info: Here's a look at just a few of the patterns available for this technique.