A Few of My Favorite Things

When it comes to crocheting Cute & Cuddly dolls & stuffed animals there are certain tools that make things a little bit easier. Everyone has their own preferences but here are a few of my favorites.

Comfortable Hooks

1. Clover Soft Touch - These are slightly more economical than some of the other comfort hooks available & they're amazing. I used to have problems with my fingertips getting numb & tingly when I crocheted. Since switching to these hooks I have not had that problem at all.
2. Clover Amour - These are a little more pricey but if you watch for those lovely 40% or even 50% off coupons they aren't that bad! Unfortunately Soft Touch hooks don't come in the larger sizes so I use Amour for 6.5 mm & up. They are wonderfully comfortable & glide through the yarn effortlessly.

A Variety of Needles

1. Metal Yarn Needle - This is great for going between stitches. I use it for sewing on limbs of dolls & my smaller stuffed animals. I prefer metal because it is less likely to snag on the stuffing & pull it out through the stitches.
2. Super Jumbo Tapestry Needle - This needle is essential for sewing on the limbs of my Huggable Buddies. It has a blunt, bent tip & an eye big enough to thread super bulky yarn through. One of these days I'll upgrade to a metal one!
3. Sharp Tapestry Needle - Unlike my sewing needles, the eyes of my Tapestry needles are big enough to easily thread worsted weight (4) yarn through them. I use these for embroidering noses & mouths & sewing on felt details.
4. Finishing Needle - The ultimate weaving-in-the-ends tool! Even teeny-tiny ends!

Stitch Marker

1. Locking Stitch Markers - I love the coil-free safety pin style. I got mine at Stunning String Studio on Etsy. These are great for marking my place, holding pieces together while I sew them & for securing the yarn if I have to put down my project for a time.
2. Running Stitch Marker - When I'm making parts that are only a few stitches per round it seems to take more time to move my stitch marker than to finish a round. That's when I use a running stitch marker instead. I simply take a scrap of yarn & lay the yarn across where the first stitch of the round will go. Then, I make the first stitch over the scrap of yarn & continue with the round as usual. When I get back to the beginning, I flip the end of the same scrap of yarn over the first stitch of the previous round & then make the first stitch of the next round. Continuing to flip the yarn over the top of the piece marks where each round begins. Not only does this keep track of the first stitch of the current round but every single round before it. This way I can really see how straight my seam is (or isn't) & more easily count how many rounds I've completed if I lose track.

Very Sharp Scissors

These are the sharpest scissors I have ever owned. I only recently bought them so I'm hoping they will stand the test of time & a lot of use! Usually any reasonably sharp pair is good enough, but when it comes to making & trimming doll hair a seriously sharp pair saves me a lot of frustration!

Having the proper tools can save you headaches & make projects more enjoyable! And most of the time they don't even cost very much. If you're having a hard time with a certain step (say attaching the limbs) consider upgrading your tool (try switching from plastic to metal) & see if that helps!

Do you have a favorite tool that helps projects go more smoothly?

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