Imagine crocheting a garment or fashion accessory without a crochet hook – talk about the ultimate easy-to-take-anywhere project. Well, it can be done using a technique called “finger crochet.”
We were introduced to the method in the book “The New Crochet: 40 Wonderful Wearables” by Terry Taylor ($24.95), which features a scarf-and-hat ensemble, designed by Ruthie Marks, that can be made using only bulky yarn and fingers.
It was an intriguing idea, so we decided to give it a try, but the book offers only a couple of brief paragraphs on the technique, and other books and online instructions are practically nonexistent.
You can do an online search to see what you come up with, but our search results yielded nothing but one or two sites that mention the procedure without description or illustration.
Still, we believe that with a basic knowledge of crochet (using a hook), you can probably get the hang of the technique fairly quickly.
Keep in mind that using your fingers is like using a very large crochet hook, so you’ll need to use chunky yarn for your projects. It’s best to stick to chain, slip and single crochet stitches, even though double crochet is possible.
We wanted to get a feel for the process, so we decided to make a small practice piece, which we eventually turned into a coin purse that measured roughly 5 by 5 inches, with a fold-over top and a button closure.
After several initial tries at getting started, our stitches became somewhat uniform and we were ready to roll.
To begin the process, make a slip knot and insert your index finger through the loop and pull it comfortably tight (loose enough to pull a loop through without hurting your finger or tugging on the yarn). See our photo illustration for the basic yarn and finger position.
Make a base chain by pulling a loop through the loop on your finger – just as you would with a crochet hook – until the chain is the length you desire. Turn the chain and make a single crochet in each chain across, again using your finger as you would a hook and following the basic single crochet method.
Repeat each subsequent row in single crochet until the piece is long enough to fold over into a coin purse. Tie off and weave in the end of the yarn and then sew up the sides. Add a button or other item of choice for a closure.
For our second sample, we decided to try a larger purse, this time using our old favorite crochet pattern, which has appeared in this column several times because of its versatility
Begin by crocheting a base chain, which will give you the desired width of the purse, working in multiples of three. Our sample is about 10 by 10 inches with a fold-over closure.
At the end of the base chain, turn and slip stitch into the fourth chain from your finger (aka “the hook”), chain three, skip two chains, slip into the third, chain three, skip two, and so on across.
Chain three at the end of the row and then slip into the first chain-three space from your finger. Chain three, slip into the next chain-three space and repeat across and for each subsequent row until the piece is the appropriate size for the purse you intend to make.
To make a rounded edge for the closure, start decreasing one stitch on each side until you’re down to one chain-three space, which you’ll use for the closure loop. Sew up the sides and add a button for closure.
To make a handle strap, make three chain-stitch cords, braid them together and tie off the ends with an overhand knot. Sew the two ends of the braid to the sides of the purse with the end knots at the bottom of the bag. Fringe the ends to finish if you wish.
The finished product looks as though you crocheted it with a giant hook. It has an interesting pattern – and just think how impressed your friends will be when you tell them you completed the project without any crochet hooks.
A couple of thoughts: You will, of course, need to use a needle to sew up the sides and add the handle; and keep in mind that this procedure can be tough – although not prohibitively so – on arthritic fingers.
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