Knitting gum is accompanied by almost every process of creating clothes with a hook or knitting needles. It is simply necessary in sweaters, hats, and socks. Therefore, it is worth learning the basics of its implementation. Our article and a detailed description of how to crochet an elastic band will help you with this.
But there is one significant nuance. Speaking of crochet gum, you can understand this phrase in a slightly different context. For example, what this topic is about making rubber bands for hair. So for those who decided to get acquainted with this option for creating jewelry, there will also be a lot of interesting things.
How to crochet a gum pattern? Main way
What does the name "gum" mean? The fact that this part should have such properties as elasticity and the ability to stretch with the subsequent restoration of its original shape. So, her knitting should be different from the usual technique. In the case of an elastic band made with knitting needles, everything is much simpler. There, elasticity is achieved by simple alternation of the front and back loops in various quantitative combinations.
Crochet
gum has a slightly different character. We will talk about this further. So, where to start and how to crochet an elastic band?
Beginning of work
As usual, we start with a chain of air loops. The next row will be the usual double crochet. Now carefully. At the next stage, we will alternate the relief columns of two types. We are talking about convex and concave columns with a crochet. Before starting to knit the second relief row, it is necessary to knit two air loops for lifting and turn the knitting over. To get a convex column, the hook must be entered from right to left under the double crochet in the first row. All other actions are the same as when performing normal double crochet.
Knitting the next, concave column, you need to do this. The hook is also inserted from right to left, but from the wrong side, grasping the next double crochet in the previous row. You need to drown him in a knitting fabric.
Important Tips
Here, in principle, all the nuances. Next, we continue knitting, alternating convex and concave columns with a crochet. Please note that, having knitted the first embossed columns, you might think that you do not get elastic. Do not pay attention to this, continue to work. Only when you finish the third row will the result be visible. This is due to the fact that in the first row the preparation of the base is carried out, and it fits without relief. The second row does not yet give a complete picture of the pattern. Only by completing the third, you will see what kind of elastic crochet. For beginners, it is best to try to knit this pattern from yarn consisting of one well-twisted thread. It will be easier.
Continue to work until you reach the gum width you need. Just as with knitting, you can make this part not only 1x1, but also its other options, for example, 1x2 or 2x2.
Do not forget that such a crocheted elastic is quite dense and tough. If you need softer and more elastic, then you can achieve such qualities by knitting air loops between the columns. For example, this: first two convex double crochets, then an air loop, then two concave columns and again an air loop. Performing the alternation in this way, you will get a softer and more elastic gum.
Another way to crochet gum
There is another fairly common way that explains how to crochet an elastic band. Its only drawback is direction. The elastic in this case is obtained not horizontal, but vertical. From this it follows that it will have to be knitted separately from the main fabric, and subsequently the parts of the product will be stitched.
The essence of this method is as follows. The beginning, as usual, involves a set of air loops. Their number should correspond to the height of the future gum. Next, crochet columns. Turning the product, in the next row, single crochet bars are performed only for the back wall of the loop of the previous row. This method allows you to create a relief that resembles the technique of knitting gum. Elasticity is slightly affected in this case. But the appearance is quite aesthetic and neat.
How to crochet an elastic band will be convenient for you, decide for yourself. Based on this, choose a method.
Scrunchy
You can even crochet accessories for decorating hair with a hook. There are a lot of ways, and the gums are unique and original. Try to make such a hairpin for your daughter, she will surely be delighted. And now we will consider the basic techniques for making rubber bands for hair using a hook.
The photo shows the easiest way to decorate ordinary hair bands. Even a beginner needlewoman will cope with it. Crochet elastic for hair knits in just 5 minutes. We take the usual elastic from the store and tie it with crochets. Do not forget to connect the first column with the last one at the end, as shown in the photo. But that is not all. Although already in this form, your eraser will be different from what it was originally. And if you also use fantasy yarn, the result will be visible immediately after knitting the first row.
But now is not about that, and with ordinary yarn you can get a good result. For example, such as in the following photo.
To do this, in the next row we knit air loops. Determine the length of the chain yourself. If you want a more voluminous rubber band, then the number of air loops in each ring will be more. Having connected, for example, 10 loops, we fix them on the same column from which we started knitting. Etc. For a more magnificent gum, you can even knit several rings of air loops in one column of the previous row. The result is a wonderful decoration. Most importantly, no one else will have such an elastic band for hair.