What is the difference between the Crochenit Needle and other double hooks?
There are two major differences. First, the Crochenit Needle has a specially designed tip that is more pointed than a typical crochet hook or other double hooks. This makes it much faster and easier to slip through the stitches.
Second, Mary Middleton has designed over two hundred patterns for the Crochenit Needle. These patterns are easy to follow, with many illustrations and samples. They have all been created and sized so you can do any of them using just the one size needle. The stitch and the kind of yarn used make it possible to create items from lacy shawls or baby afghans to heavy potholders, afghans or sweaters (and much, much more). All these take less yarn than other methods, are easier to do and take much less time.

Do I need a cable hook to make large items?
No, you don't. I have a simple technique you can learn to make items as large as you want using the standard Crochenit Needle. It's easier than using a cable hook. I call it the "Bedspread Technique" because it is perfect for making a bedspread. I teach the technique in a video clip which you can view free. Click here for more information.

Can I use Crochenit patterns with other double hooks?
Yes, you can, but there are some adjustments you will need to make.  The Crochenit patterns are designed for a size M needle.  If you are using a double hook of a smaller size, your stitches will be tighter and your finished article will be heavier and will require more yarn.  Toys and clothing sizes will be different as well.  Depending on the look you want, you can make the adjustments as you go.  Make a sample swatch first to help you in making your adjustments.

I want to use Crochenit for humanitarian projects.  What are some good patterns to use?
We offer several free patterns that are very popular with humanitarian projects.  Free is always a good place to start, although there are many other original patterns available on our site.  You may want to start with the Baby Afghan in Basic Stitch (a free pattern).  This is a great one for beginners to learn on.  A beginner usually can complete their first afghan in about 40 hours, depending on how fast they pick up new things.  After that, they can try the Baby Afghan in Advanced Stitches (also a free pattern).  There are three stitches presented in this pattern: the shell stitch, the fluffy stitch and the corn stitch.  Using the shell stitch, which is the fastest of all, an experienced person can finish a baby afghan in about 10 hours.  This takes less than two 8-ounce skeins of yarn.  The same afghan in the fluffy stitch takes between 25 and 30 hours, and takes two full skeins.  This is the same size, but includes a wide edging and has a tighter stitch.  The corn stitch takes a little more yarn, as it is a tighter stitch still, and to complete a baby afghan takes about 27 to 32 hours.  The finished product is about 3 feet square.

Why a needle with a hook on each end?
A hook on each end allows you to reverse the right and wrong side of the work. By alternating the use of each hook it produces unusual combinations of new stitches, some very soft and fluffy, others very heavy.

Why red and green stitch protectors?
These represent STOP and GO. Because large articles may be made with the CROCHENIT needle, the red protector is used to keep the stitches from falling off while working with the other end of the needle. The stitches are pushed against the red protector and the green one is used only when setting the work aside, to keep the stitches from falling off and to show the direction to work.
NOTE: We are temporarily out of red stitch protectors.

Why two colors of yarn?
Each color will show more on one side of the work than the other. Articles may be made in one color by using two balls of the same color.

How do I keep the yarn from twisting?
To avoid yarn twisting, turn hook (TH) alternating clockwise and counterclockwise as needed to keep yarns straight.

How can I join yarns?
Because this work is reversible, knots in the middle of the work should be avoided. It is better to check the amount of yarn left before starting another row. If there is less than 5 times the length of the row, tie another skein at the beginning of the row. When starting or ending allow enough yarn for fringe length so the ends will be lost with the fringe to be added later.

Why the name Crochenit?
Because it is started with a chain (ch) like crocheting. The next pick up row (PU) is done by placing the loops on the needle like in knitting. Some articles can look like knitting, others like crocheting. It is unique and does not replace knitting or crocheting but brings new ideas and patterns.

What is the Crochenit needle made of?
It is made of plastic.  This is much lighter than metal and very easy to use.

Do the sharper points make stitching with fluffy natural fibers more difficult (i.e. splitting the yarn)?
No, they are not that sharp, just not as rounded as a crochet hook.

How long is the hook?
14 inches.

What size is your hook?
It's 3/8 inch in diameter, size M.

What yarns do you prefer to work with?
Any kind works well, but I choose my yarn according to the stitch I'm using. I use wool, cotton, sports yarn, baby yarn, fancy yarn, or rug yarn. Some yarns I use double.

How wide is the widest item you have made and how may loops was it?
The widest thing I made was a 7 foot wide bedspread, with no seams since it was all done in one piece using the standard 14 inch needle. I think there were about 600 loops, but they were not all on the needle at the same time. The needle can hold about 200 stitches at one time, using a fine yarn. The technique I used for the bedspread is described in Book 12 on page 8.

Do you have a booklet, or plan to produce one, that would have only the stitches illustrated?
I have not had a need to create this. My stitches are introduced in various books along with the instructions to create an article with it. This is the most common way I have found people want to learn.