New crochet tools I've never heard of useful or not

[agulley]

I need your help I recently got a new crochet book that uses new tools I've never heard of.  I don't  know if I should buy them or not.  I know some of you have been crocheting for years so I need your advice.  First tool is WRAPS PER INCH WOODEN TOOL it is used to compare and substitute yarns in patterns.  Second is SOCK BLOCKERS plastic foot shaped molds that after you make your socks you block them on these molds.  Third and lastly BLOCKING WIRES these make sense since I hate all the pins when I have to block an afagan but still a little pricey at 28.00.  I just wanted to know are these things I need or things I can do with out?  I appreciate your expertise.

Amy Gulley

[Carol Ann]

Hi, Amy.  Welcome to the Forum   As for those tools---I do not have any of them.  I have never even seen them, LOL, or heard anyone talk about using them.  That doesn't mean they aren't useful but I have never looked for such items nor seemed to have needed them.  One or all may be worth getting---or none at all.  I guess I am useless to you on this subject.  Let's have the "pro's" jump in and see what they say.  I'd like to hear the answers too.

[Bende - Forum Admin]

I just saw the sock blockers for the first time the other day...I personally don't use any of those items.  I really don't feel I have the need for them..guess it's a matter of preference, but I'm sure they are good products.

[debsydoo]

welcome to the group. i have been crocheting for 30 years and have never used or had any need to use any of those tools. to be honest i have not heard of them before today.

[Sharon]

I am like the others, have never heard of them before today.  Don't think, if I knew about them, that I would use/need them.  I have been crocheting for over 30 years, and mainly afghans, and have never blocked an afghan.    If you feel that you would benefit from using them, then you should.  New items are coming on the market all the time for everything. 

[tweed]

I haven't heard of them either. I have to admit I have gotten along without them all this time but, I think the "wraps per inch tool " might be handy. I have yarns that were given to me. Some are from Canada and some are "older", I just do swatches til I find the right gauge.  That tool might save a bit of time. I'll have to check it out. Maybe it's something wwe could take a look at and create our own. Thanks for you info Amy.

[mlmoore3]

I'm getting the impression that these items are sold by the makers of the pattern book you are using.  Possibly a way to get you to spend more money.  They might be handy little 'inventions' to make your crocheting projects easier to complete, but if the price seems a little high, you might want to attempt the projects first without the added items.  If your projects turn out okay - goodie goodie - that's what we all want.  But if you feel the projects would have turned out better with the items, then you might want to consider spending the money to purchase them.

[tigermom]

I remember my grandmother have the sock blockers. Here were metal and had little "sliders" on the sides to adjust for different size socks. Don't know what ever became of them. I think the wraps per inch is use in Europe for yarn weights. Nothing I would use either. Ther is a site maybe yarntex, something like that, you can look for yarn subs there. I have found some of the newer books I have gotten use yarn I have never heard of and they don't tell you what weigh it is (dk,ww etc) This site you can find a sub for any yarn.

[cis4crochet]

What are sock blockers???

[Aunt Em]

You can make your own wraps-per-inch tool out of anything.  I don't use them because I don't need them.  I have seen beautiful, carved wooden ones that spinners use and ones from cardboard boxes.  Anything that comes out to the inch.

I use pins on styrofoam for blocking thread pieces.  For yarn, I just tug and stretch here and there as the piece dries on the rack.  However, if I made clothing, I would need something better than my tug-and-stretch method.

I don't make socks, but if I did, the blockers would come in very handy.  They ensure a well formed sock.

[cis4crochet]

Ooooooooooooooooooooh! Now I get it! Anyway, won't be using them for awhile.