Hooks and news

Welp, we're back from the SUNNY Caribbean.  That's our boat in the distance, Jimbo feet in the foreground, and in between; Karol frolicking in the most amazingly blue water I've ever seen.

  It was a fun cruise, but I missed my whittling blades.  Ah but all was not lost in the sand and beautiful blue water.  I crocheted!!  Yup, I actually made a couple of scarves.  Well I call them scarves.  Some might call them something less than scarves, but hay, I gave them my full attention for like hours.  I'll show you the result along with the hook I used.   And let me say this about my crocheting.  I LOVE that hook!  It certainly wasn't the hook's fault that the scarves look like fishing nets that "Jaws" got tangled in.  No, the hook actually works amazingly well for a totally hand carved hook.  Why, then, you ask, are you selling it?  Look at what I made.  That hook deserves better.  But you can see what open lacey work it might be able to do in the right hands..

Here's one of the hook with my "artwork"....

I know, I know... stick to hook making.  I agree.  But the hook is a beauty and it's for sale.  It's made from the bramble bush up on Deadman Crick; whittled from a dead branch with lots of little bug trails.  Evidently little bugs don't mind the thorns.  I left their tracks and filled the deeper ones with the white filler you see.  I thought the bug trails were interesting enough to leave and besides, I wanted a big hook.  Plus the shape of the stick just fit my hand so well that I just couldn't bring myself to cut deeper.
So the hook ended up at 15.6 mm.  That's in the Q neighborhood.  big, eh?  Nice for FAST gift making.
I'll let this well traveled "Carib" hook go for $35. (SOLD)

Now for something totally new.

A spiffy shawl pin.  I've been tossing around idea for novel shawl pins and this is what I came up with.  Actually it's not totally new.  I came up with the idea while getting ready for my button and shawl pin carving class in October, and liked it so well that I've made several.  You see one here, but there are others.  I have an inventory well into the fives.  Not all look exactly like this one, but they're all similar in the captured post aspect.  All are made of spalted Aspen from the crick.  Different pins though.  This one is made from Montana Juniper.  Beautiful!  You see it in action above, trying really hard to make my crocheted scarf look good.  These beauties are a little over 2 inches in diameter, and the post in the center is shy of a 1/2 inch in diameter.
Price:  $25 (Two sold but more left)

And here's another, of the standard Jimbo freeform variety shawl pin.  It's made of wood from the venerable Apple Tree from up on the ranch, and is oh about 5 1/4 inches long.  So smooth I don't want to put it down.  But for YOU?  $20 (Sold)

Tis the season to be jolly, and here come some more Jimbo Crimmis hooks.  This time with a little more variety, as you can see....

These Jolly little hooks are here to get you into the spirit and make your Christmas gift making all the more fun.  They're fully functional hooks with a little bit of Christmas added. 

Lets start with the standard old run-o-the-mill Jimbo Crimmis hook at the bottom.  This hook is made of maple and has a genuine Christmas tree light removably attached to the foot.  You can take the bulb out if you like, or leave it in while you're making auntie Flo's Christmas scarf.  It's a 7mm, and without the bulb, is 7 1/2 inches long.
Price:  $35

Next up is the Green Ball hook.  It's also made of Maple, but has a decorative green glass ball on the foot.  The ball can be removed should you like, for off season crochet.  It's an N (10mm) and is about 7 3/4 inches long without the ball. 
Price:  $35

Now here's a really special hook.  It's made of maple, but has an intricately turned Christmas tree on the foot.  The tree is an integral part of the hook.  It's all one piece of wood.  No dowels, no lamination, no glue... just one stick of wood.  I was thinking of painting the tree, but Karol thought it would be a shame to cover that pretty wood, so I left it.  It's an L and is 8 1/2 inches long.  Unique.
Price:  $45 (SOLD)

And now the Red Ball hook.  This one is made from a wood that looks strikingly like Mahogany but isn't.  Might be a cousin of mahogany, but this is Lyptus, a very nice hardwood used in fine furniture and what's nice is that it's a sustainable hardwood.  Beautiful and unique grain with lots of "chatoyance".  It's a 7mm size and is 8 inches long including the ball.  Oh and the ball is glued in because the base was slightly smaller than the mounting hole, so a friction fit wasn't possible.  In short, the bal and hook are inseparable.
Price:  $35 (SOLD)

And how about these......

MORE!!  And they're all for sale!

Let's start at the top with this HUGE but very functional hook.  This monster is made from Deadman Crick Red Fir so it's fairly light for the size.  It's a whopping 1.5 inches in diameter.  The idea in making this hook was to provide a useful HUGE hook that wasn't Tunisian, so you can crochet with it in a normal fashion.  This biggie welcomes multiple strand, super chunky yarns without even a whimper.  And smooooooth?  Man oh Man!  Oh, and it's 9 1/4 inches long.  This is a REALLY unique hook that will definitely turn eyes at your crochet clutch.
Son of Dippy Price: $45 (SOLD)

Moving down from Son of Dippy, we have a succession of Beech hooks, three to be more specific.  Beech is a beautiful but tough wood that is often used in tool handles and wood working benches.  I like Beech for it's strength to weight ratio.  Very light, very strong.
The top Beech is a J (6mm) and is 7 1/4 inches long (gifted)
The middle Beech is an H and is a little over 8 inches long (SOLD)
The bottom Beech is an F (3 3/4 mm) and is 7 1/4 inches long
Price:  $25 each or $70 for the set

Down from the Beech group, we have a little hook that's a bit of a mystery to me.  I know the wood came from up on the Ranch, but I don't know the species.  Frustrating.  Anyways the wood is pretty, light weight, and is 7 1/4 inches long.  Slender, for a Jimbo hook, eh? 
Price:  $20 (SOLD)

The bottom hook is one of the most strikingly beautiful woods just ever.  It's , (Dalbergia cochinchinensis of the family Leguminosae)  and is also known as Siam Rosewood.  It's just amazingly beautiful. Color  and grain pattern with chatoyance is the most breathtaking.  A big drawback to a hook like this is that you'll loose crochet time just turning and looking at the hook instead of your project.
It's an H (5mm) and is 8 inches long.
Price:  $50 (SOLD)

Ok now lets move to the left side of the photo where we find a size 7 stand-up hook and a 7.5mm egg hook.
The size 7 stand-up hook is made of  a beautiful Deadman Crick Apple Wood and can stand on it's flat foot to become a little piece of sculpture.  While standing, this little hook reaches a whopping 7 inches tall.  And believe it or not, when it's laying down, its 7 inches long!  heh
Price:  $20 (sold)

The egg hook is made of good ole Deadman Crick Maple and is of the "Egg" hook variety.  Frankly, this is my favorite hook style because the bulb fits so well in my hand.  I especially like the little dark oval, which is really part of the cambium layer.   This hook is so comfortable using that you'll probably become mesmerized and crochet right through your private polo lesson.  Size is 7.5 mm (between a K and L) and it's 5 inches long.  If you're an over hand crocheter and experience hand pain, this style hook could be the answer to your dreams.
Price:  $30 (SOLD)

Last, we have the hook on the right side of the picture.  Lets call it Right Hook.  This hook is made from Thunder Plum, a wood I've made several hooks from and that I rescued from certain cremation at our local "waste-to-energy" waste disposal plant.  An iinteresting cambium layer and bark pattern helps make this stand up hook a totally unique look.  It's an H (5mm) and stands 7 inches tall.  Lay it down and it sure enough becomes 7 inches LONG.  ha  got you again!
Price: $30 (SOLD)

So there you have it.  Everything you need to fill your Christmas list!  All hand made.  All unique.

If you'd like to purchase one or more of these items. please drop me an email at 

jimbocrochetwhittler@yahoo.com

Thanks!  and Happy Thanksgiving!!
Jimbo

Off Cruising... be back in 9 days

Karol, Phyllis, Mike and I are off for a week on an eastern Caribbean Cruise!  Any crocheters in San Juan Puerto Rico or St Maartins?  We will be on the Holland American Cruise line and should be arriving in San Juan on Wed. the 16th for the day, and St Maartins the next day.   Wouldn't it be a hoot to meet up! 
  My son Andrew will be house-sitting but isn't a hook whittler so my blog will be on hiatus for a few days.  I'll be back to show  you some things I have been working on, and VERY possibly some interesting hooks for sale.

Maybe my feet will get a better tan this time?

Hasta la Vista!
Jimbo

Jimbo Hooks up for sale...

Oh, and a picture from the Ranch last week....

The leaning tree in the lower left is the old apple tree that has donated so many discarded branches for crochet hooks. 

Ok, now for the upcoming sale!  Lots of hooks!! 

This is a genuine Deadman Crick wood handle made for the "Boye" brand Interchangeable Head Crochet Set.  It comes with 14 different size thread hooks that can be used with this ergonimically designed handle.  I have had a number of inquiries from the very talented crochet artists in Brazil and Paraguay for this set.  The complete set including the handle, 14 interchangeable hooks, and a zippered case sells for $65 US.  Shipping is a significant factor, so please when you order, let me know where the set is to be shipped and I will research the shipping cost.  I have found that shipping to Brazil and Paraguay is very slow and expensive. ( from $7 to $14 for regular postage).  Payment by Paypal is preferred.  Also please note that I have other sets and can make the handles to order.
Order by email to me at jimbocrochetwhittler@yahoo.com

Next up...

Here are a dozen hooks of various styles and they're all for sale except for the standing Thunder Plum figured hook in the top center of the picture... it is already sold and will soon be winging it's way to Amy's talented hands in Nova Scotia!
OK... Lets start with the standing hooks at the top of the picture.  From left to right:

Hook 1 is standing on the far left and has it's best features hidden from you.  I made this one from Maple and left some of the bark on the handle near the thumb rest.  Trust me, its amazing.  Like me, I didn't get it turned correctly for the photo.  duh.  Anyways, this is an H (5mm) and it's 7 inches long and light as a feather.  Price $30 (SOLD)

Hook 2 is very special.  Remember the old apple tree I keep harping about?  The one in the photo above?  The tree that started this hook making career? Well  hook #2 is made from a discarded branch from that tree. Yup it's apple wood and a beauty at that.  It's an I (5.5mm) and is 7 3/4 inches long.  Price $30 (sold)

Hook #3 is another beauty, made of Thunder Plum.  Sorry folks, but it's sold and will be making warm things in Nova Scotia!

Hook #4 is partially hidden by hook 3 so you'll have to trust me on this one too.  Its a beautiful piece of Maple with a bit of bark left on the foot and a hook head with a deep bowl and medium length throat.  It's a K (6.5mm) and is 7 3/4 inches long.  Price:  $25 (SOLD)

Hook #5 is another one from a bramble bush near the old apple tree up on the ranch.  You might be able to see it in the photo to the right of the apple tree.  Long pointy thorns on this bush make collecting discarded branches a challenge but the wood it worth the spilled blood.  Truthfully, I didn't bleed getting this one.  Got lucky this time.  And I got really lucky with the wood because it's just so very nice.  A little bark ring around the foot of this one too, keeps some of the character of the bush. It's a size 7 (4.5mm) and is 7 1/4 inches long.  Price: $30

Now we come to the hooks laying down (lying down?  I can never remember the correct grammar).  Ah but this isn't about grammar, it's about hooks.  Lets begin, then from the left again.

Hook #6 is a beauty made of Thunder Plum with a beautiful length of the heartwood showing.  It's an H (5mm) with a bit shallower bowl and super lightweight.  Length is 7 inches.  Price: $30 (SOLD)

Hook #7 is the only non-local wood hook in this bunch.  And it's a beauty!  This hook is made of Tiger Wood (no it's not a piece of the famous golfer)  Tiger wood is an exotic hardwood with really beautiful distinctinve grain marking.  This one is an H (5mm) and is 7 3/4 inches long. Price: $35 (sold)



Hooks  #8, 9 and 10 are all hand carved by me.  No lathe work on these; just a sharp knife, saw and what my momma called "elbow grease": lots of rubbing with sandpaper.

  Hook #8 is carved from a down branch of red fir up on the ranch.  It's pretty enough to be used as a hair stick or shawl pin, but should work VERY well as a crochet hook too.  It's a bit of a Boye hook style and a bit of a K sizewise.  I'm hoping this hook inspires you to do some freeform work because the hook itself is pretty much a free form.  Fits the hand well though and I dare you to find a smoother finish.  Price: $20 (SOLD)

Hook 9 is hand carved from a piece of Thunder Plum.  The handle is sort of triangular in cross section with bark remaining  from the thumb rest to the foot.  Beautiful, and there's a sort of "trigger" opposite the thumb rest where the shank of the hook transitions into the handle.  I left the knife marks there because the wood is so smooth and I like to leave Jimbo tracks when I can; like artist's brush strokes.  This beauty is a 7 (4.5mm) and is 7 inches long.  Price: $20 (SOLD)

Hook 10 is another hand carved rustic beauty, made (I believe) from Maple.  I left the cambium layer (the layer between the bark and wood) because of it's character and the contrast between the dark cambium layer and the thumb rest and shank is pretty nifty.  It's a K (6.5mm) and  is 7 1/2 inches long.  Price: $20 (SOLD)

Hook 11 could be a local wood, but isn't.  It's cherry.  I love cherry, especially the dark heartwood that make up this hook.  Beautiful glistening chatoyance that you don't see in ordinary cherry.  This hook is MUCH prettier than the picture can convey, because the camera can't capture the depth of grain and the changing colors as the hook is turned in the light.  A truly beautiful hook.  It's a snug L (8+mm) and is a smidge over 8 inches long.  Price:  $30 (sold)



Hook 12 is good old Black Walnut.  Walnut was my favorite wood back in the old days, and I still have a fondness for it.  Light weight for a big hook.  It's an M (9mm) and is 8 inches long.  Price: $30 (sold)



There you have it, for now.  Quite a bunch, eh?   So if you'd like to purchase any of these hooks, please email me at  http://www.blogger.com/goog_1754796226 . 

More to come!!  I've been experimenting with shawl pins and have some really interesting ones finally ready for sale, so please stay tuned.

Oh.... ahem  you might want to check out Interweave Crochet Accessories edition this month.  Not to spill the beans, but there's something in there that might have something to do with ole Jimbo....and maybe even a cameo appearance by an old giant hook friend as well....  just sayin..

Thanks for dropping by!!
Jimbo