How to Crochet With Eyelash Yarn
By Rachel Choi – 9 Comments| Eyelash yarn (popularly known as Fun Fur) and other novelty yarns can be difficult for beginners to crochet with since it is hard to see the stitches. These yarns aren’t like regular yarns you may be used to crocheting with. The strands of yarn are “furry” and textured causing your work to have a unique look that hides your stitches. |  |
To crochet with eyelash yarn and other fun novelty yarns you crochet the same way as you normally would. But because it may be a little tricky when you first start, here are some tips that can help you out:
Use muscle memory. You already know how to crochet. You already know where your stitches are suppose to be. So why does it matter if you can see them? Insert your hook where you think your stitches are. Often times you’ll be correct. Just trust yourself. But if you’re wrong, does it really matter? You can’t even see if it’s wrong because the eyelash yarn covers it up!
Use larger hooks. When you use a larger hook then you normally would, it makes it slightly easier to see the stitches. Plus, with all the furriness of the yarn, you don’t need your work to be too tight.
Crochet with another strand of yarn. If you’re really worried about not seeing your stitches then you can crochet your eyelash yarn while holding it together with a regular strand of yarn. You’d be crocheting with 2 strands of yarn held together. Start by trying to use a color that is similar to the eyelash yarn you’re using. But if you still have trouble, use a colored yarn with more contrast. You can use any weight yarn that you feel comfortable with.
These tips can be used for any novelty yarn where you may have trouble seeing the stitches, such as eyelash yarn, boucle, ladder yarn, ribbon yarn etc.
Do you have a tip share? Feel free to leave it as a comment on this post!
Thank you so much for these tips. I really wanted to make a Amigurumi with the white I have, but I was always messing up. I think I will try again with these new tips 😀
Braille method – feel for where your stitch should go. Works, more or less, for boucle-type yarns like Homespun, too. If it’s your first experience with Fun Fur, don’t be surprised when the lashes are on the “wrong” side. You’re pulling them through the stitch and half of the lashes don’t make it unless and until you help free them. I like to use a knitting needle to help liberate them!
Although I have been crocheting for many years, I leave the fun fur type yarn at the store! I just don’t care for the aggravation of trying to work with it.
I have made several fluffy and furry scarves, using a strand of baby or sports yarn in near the same color, it’s not harldy noticable to the inexperienced, and gives the item great drape, and has a wonderful “hand” that way. The recipients of my items, cherish them, and wear them when they want to feel special!
I found it a lot easier to go between stitches (doubles at least) instead of ‘into’ the stitches. Great for hats and scarves!
[…] yarn woven together and take the idea of “multi-colored” to the next level. Boucle and eyelash yarn are two specific kinds of novelty yarns and can add a lot of texture to a project and may be […]
Another trick when working the eyelash yarn, is using place holders at an interval of 10 stitches or so. While counting stitches as I crochet, I’ll know if I’m in the ball park of the number of stitches I need to be. For place holders, I use large safety pins.
I’m still fairly new to using eyelash yarn, but here’s another tip for pulling the “lashes” free of the stitches: Using a very light, gentle touch, brush the piece with the type of hairbrush that has plastic “spines” with little ball tips. You’re barely touching the surface of the piece with the brush. Stop when you feel resistance – you don’t want to snag a stitch on the brush.
I started making ladder necklace for my self until several ladies saw mine and wanted more. So to make the necklace more fluffy I added several strings of eyelash yarn and secured the ends with a nice catch. The turquoise one I made sold for $20. and have orders for red ones with earrings to match for Christmas. What fun!!