The History of the Crochet Hook

August 17, 2023 By Nadia Fuad in accessories, Blog Posts, history, Products I love, Uncategorized Tags: antique, bone, cool, crochet, crochet hooks, crocheting, europe, fun facts, historical, history, history of, hook, lace, learn, now you know, old, old school, primitive, roots, steel, teach, trivia, vintage, wood, yarnutopia, yarnutopia and more 2 Comments

The history of the crochet hook is quite fascinating. Crochet itself is believed to have originated in the early 16th century in Europe. However, the exact origin of the crochet hook is a bit unclear. That makes this art more mysterious because there is also some evidence of crochet possibly having roots in early China or Arabia. So, who were the earliest pioneers of this craft? What tools and techniques were used in those early centuries?

Whoever it was that discovered this popular art form and the tools necessary, we owe a debt of gratitude for providing us that tool for this long-living and sustainable life skill. Let’s dig a bit into some historical trivia surrounding the crochet hook.

Hooks of all kinds

The first crochet hooks were likely made from simple materials like bone, wood, or even ivory. These early hooks were handmade and varied in size and shape. Over time, as crochet became more popular, hooks started to be produced on a larger scale and with different materials such as metal. We have been searching for vintage crochet hooks or trying to produce some of our own.

Many of our followers have known how Fuad himself creates his own unique hook handles on Wood Be Fancy. He has also dabbled in making his own fully hand carved wood hooks. We have yet to discover any bone or ivory hooks while antiquing, but one can imagine how rare these must be.

Visit Fuad’s etsy shop HERE.

Metal hooks and more!

In the 19th century, steel crochet hooks became particularly popular due to their durability. They didn’t break or wear down as easily with use. They were often used for delicate and intricate lacework. The size and shape of the hooks also began to mass produce during this time, making it easier for patterns to be shared and replicated.

In the modern era, crochet hooks are available in a wide range of materials including plastic, aluminum, and bamboo. They also come in various sizes and designs, catering to different preferences and crochet techniques. Company branding and designs were perfected and the industry has grown significantly.

Crochet hooks have evolved alongside the art of crochet itself, allowing people to create beautiful and intricate designs with ease. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced crocheter, having a good crochet hook is essential for bringing your creative ideas to life!

What is your go-to hook? Share with us in the comments!

Happy Hooking!

~Fuad, Shannon, and Nadia

This post contains affiliate links, which I may be compensated for when you make a purchase. That means if you click on any link and buy from the linked websites, I will receive a small percentage of the value of your order. The amount you pay is not changed. Thank you for all your support in clicking the links in my blog!! You all are so amazing!! ~Nadia

How to: Make Cowboy Candy – Candied Jalapeños

July 30, 2023 By Nadia Fuad in Baking and Cooking, Recipes, Uncategorized Tags: candied, candy, canning, canning peppers, condiment, cook, cooked, cooking, cowboy, cowboy candy, cream cheese, dip, eat, farm to table, Fuad and Shannon, gardening, hot pepper, hot peppers, how to, how to make, Jalapenos, kitchen, make, moms home cooking, old school, party, peppers, pioneer, recipe, shannon's kitchen, teach, yarnutopia, yarnutopia and more, yarnutopia fam Leave a comment

Each summer, I love to visit the Farmer’s Market and purchase local produce. Two years ago, we visited a booth where the vendor had jars of “cowboy candy”. Curious, I bought a jar. Fuad ate it all in one sitting! I vowed to try to make my own version when I had a chance.

Fast forward to today and I decided to finally give it a try. Here is my recipe and tips for making, AND canning, jars of Cowboy Candy.

Let’s get started:

To start, this recipe is based upon 2lbs of jalapeños. You can adjust your recipe to make it more or less as desired.
Before you begin, please be sure to have your canning jars clean and ready. Wash your jars thoroughly and COMPLETELY rinse. Submerge them onto a rack in boiling water for 10 minutes as your last step of sanitization.

Recipe:

Ingredients:
Jalapeno Peppers (I used approx. 2lbs or 1kg) I had around 40-50 jalapenos from the farmer’s market
4 cups of white granulated sugar
2 cups of Apple Cider Vineagar
2 tsps of tumeric powder
2 tsps of ginger powder
3 teaspoons of chili powder
Dash of kosher salt

Instructions:
~Remove stems and cut your jalapenos into thin slices. I didn’t measure but approx. 1/4 inch coin slices worked well.
~Combine all your sugar, vineagar, and spices in a pan. Bring this to a rolling boil and cut the heat to simmer.
~Stir until your sugar dissolves and makes a syrup. Add your pepper slices to the syrup and coat thoroughly.
~Mix them completely and bring to a rolling boil once again.
~Once boiling, reduce heat to simmer and cook for about 5 minutes or until your jalapenos soften and begin to darken in color.
~With a slotted spoon, remove jalapenos from your syrup and place into clean, prepared jars. filling up to 1/2 inch from top. Shake and wiggle jar so peppers settle leaving more room to add as needed.
~Once each jar has been filled, pour the syrup over peppers in each jar. Leave about 1/4 inch from top, being sure all are covered.
~Cover and secure lid. Wipe the outside of jar and lid clean because syrup is STICKY!
~Place your secured jars of peppers into a boiling water bath for 10 minutes. Jars should pop to insure they have sealed correctly. If your jar lid does not pop, don’t worry! The peppers are still good but storage is best in the fridge and eaten within a few weeks.
~Properly canned jars can be stored in cool dry place for up to a year.

This Cowboy Candy can be served over cream cheese and spread on crackers, over burgers, nachos and more! They are sweet with a punch of heat!

Thank you so much for giving our recipe a try! We hope our Cowboy Candy is a hit at your home as much as it is at ours!

Happy Hooking and Cooking!
~Shannon and Fuad

How to make: 4-ingredient no-knead artisan bread in cast iron Dutch oven

January 24, 2023 By Nadia Fuad in Baking and Cooking, kitchen, Recipes, Uncategorized, Video Tutorial Tags: 4, artisan, bake, bake bread, bake with me, baked, baking, basic, beginner, bread, breadmaker, breadmaking, breads, cast, cast iron, chef, cook, cooking, delicious, dutch, dutch oven, easy, economical, family, fancy, four, fuad, Fuad Azmat, homemade, how to, ingredient, ingredients, iron, let's make bread, loaf, mom, moms home cooking, nadia, old school, our family, oven, pioneer, round, simple, step by step, tutorial, video tutorial, yarnutopia, yeast Leave a comment

Here is a simple step-by-step recipe that is sure to wow your guests at any dinner party or satisfy the most insatiable craving for homemade bread you have EVER had! Trust me when I say, when you make your very own loaf, you won’t want to stop at just one! You will be a bread making aficianado before you know it! Follow my recipe below and watch my step by step video to guide you through this easy process! By this afternoon, your house will smell like rich homemade bread and your meals will be next level with this fantastic recipe!

finished loaf of artisan bread

Recipe AND Video Below:

We made a quick artisan bread loaf using only four (4) ingredients! No kneading! No mess! Easy step by step tutorial to help you achieve the greatest results proving that you don’t need to exhaust yourself to make fancy, delicious bread!!

Easy to Bake 4-ingredient, no-knead artisan bread

3 cups all purpose flour

2 tsp quick rise instant yeast

2 tsp kosher or cooking salt

1 1/2 cups warm water (Not hot! Luke warm 130*F or 55*C)

(You will need parchment paper)

Mix all ingredients in one bowl. Dough will be sticky. Let sit for 1-3 hours until dough doubles in size. (A perfect time to work on your crochet projects!) Preheat oven to 450*F (232*C) and set empty cast iron Dutch oven inside with lid on while oven preheats. Heat empty Dutch oven for 30 minutes. NOTE: This bread dough can be kept in refrigerator for up to three days and made later. The time in the fridge can even enhance flavor!

While oven/Dutch oven preheats, sprinkle a little flour on clean surface. Roll your dough onto floured surface and fold each ‘side’ into itself. I do 6-8 folds until dough forms nice round ball. Place dough on parchment paper and transfer dough ball into clean bowl. Using sifter, sprinkle a small amount of flour onto dough ball top surface. Using a lame or sharp knife cut design onto top. Let sit for duration of time it takes to preheat oven and heat up Dutch oven.

a slice down the middle, fresh from the oven!

AFTER 20-30 minutes, using oven mitts, remove HOT Dutch oven from preheated oven and carefully remove lid. Your cast iron pot is going to be EXTREMELY hot!! Use caution. Place parchment with dough ball into the hot pan and replace lid. Place back in oven and bake with LID ON for 30 minutes. AFTER 30 MINUTES, Remove the lid from your Dutch oven pot and bake bread uncovered for an additional 15 minutes or until you have a nice and toasty brown crust! Guaranteed your house will smell amazing! Carefully remove bread from pan and let cool for 10-15 minutes on cooling rack. Slice and serve! It tastes incredible with fresh butter melting on warm bread!! Mmm mmm mmm!!! Be sure to share with us how your finished loaves turn out!!!

a beautiful slice of warm, fresh made bread slathered in butter!

If you like easy to follow recipes and a variety of more fantastic videos, be sure to follow our SECOND channel Fuad Azmat/Ambient Sounds WE HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!!

“The more you know, the more you can create. There’s no end to imagination in the kitchen.” ~Julia Child

Happy Hooking…and Baking!
~Fuad, Shannon, & Nadia

YARNutopia & More

All things Yarn Related: Crochet, DIY, and Crafts

Tag Archives: old school

The History of the Crochet Hook

How to: Make Cowboy Candy – Candied Jalapeños

How to make: 4-ingredient no-knead artisan bread in cast iron Dutch oven

Recipe AND Video Below: