Lee Ward's crochet hooks (restoration query)
pancho or amama
I was recently given an awesome gift. A close friend of mine bought a bag
of crochet thread at a thrift store, which included a case of Lee Ward's
crochet hooks. Being the crochet junkie that I am, I was super happy to
receive this gift.
There is one tiny problem though. Some of the hooks are tarnished. What I
mean by that is that there are areas on some of the hooks that have this
black looking stuff on them. It appears that they were subjected to high
humidity, not uncommon for this area (Georgia). Does anyone know how I can
recondition them? I really want to salvage them.
Any and all advice appreciated,
amama
--
Do not be concerned about others not appreciating you. Be concerned about
your not appreciating others.
-Confucius
Gemini
<Y3kk6.646$yw6....@news1.atl>...
<snipped>
I
> mean by that is that there are areas on some of the hooks that have this
> black looking stuff on them. It appears that they were subjected to high
> humidity, not uncommon for this area (Georgia). Does anyone know how I
can
> recondition them? I really want to salvage them.
very old crochet hooks (tiny) in the same condition as you described...
guess I should give it a try too! ;o)
Peace! Gemini in Ontario, Canada
http://members.nbci.com/planetgemini/
(remove the 2 in my email to reply)
mommadona
find someone who works on cars or a garage and see if they have a "dip tank" as
they call it. This stuff is NASSSSTY - wouldn't bother buying it yourself
unless you plan on taking a piece of machinery apart to clean....the cleaner
will remove anything gunky - that's what it sounds like you have. It doesn't
take long and you should have them back to normal. This stuff is used because
it doesn't have abrasive in it (for the finish) so it doesn't harm the metal
but kills everything else! What a treasure - I love rescueing old needles like
this. The way some are bent from use and fit just right in your hand......
Seanette Blaylock
Ward's crochet hooks (restoration query)":
[re: tarnished hooks]
>You might try soaking them in a cleaner made for auto parts - easiest way is
>find someone who works on cars or a garage and see if they have a "dip tank" as
>they call it. This stuff is NASSSSTY - wouldn't bother buying it yourself
>unless you plan on taking a piece of machinery apart to clean....the cleaner
>will remove anything gunky - that's what it sounds like you have. It doesn't
>take long and you should have them back to normal. This stuff is used because
>it doesn't have abrasive in it (for the finish) so it doesn't harm the metal
>but kills everything else! What a treasure - I love rescueing old needles like
>this. The way some are bent from use and fit just right in your hand.....
I'd start with something a touch less drastic, like maybe Tarn-X. :-)
--
Seanette Blaylock [make obvious address correction to e-mail]
"Either you're being sarcastic, or your post leaked over to me from a
parallel universe, or one or both of us is insane and/or stupid and/or
not paying attention and/or lying." Ben, ATSR
Gemini
<3A9211CB...@cruzio.com>...
<snipped>
> will remove anything gunky - that's what it sounds like you have.
I'm not sure what amama has on her crochet hooks, but the old ones I have
in my sewing basket aren't gunky or even slightly sticky, they just look
black rather than the silver that they should be. In fact, at least one of
them has only a bit that is black, where the person's fingers had held it.
Much like an old tarnished silver teapot. :o)
mommadona
You're right - this does seem a bit drastic, but she said the needles had "some
black looking stuff" on them - sometimes this happens if they're stored in a
damp place with a lot of dust/gunk around (boy, this is getting gross!) - I've
had some pretty gamey looking needles, and this was the only way I could get
them back (especially the fine ones with the hooks full of stuff.... If it's
just natural patina, my goodness - enjoy it like a treasured piece of silver!
pancho or amama
gunky or sticky. The black spots on them are rough, and there are rust
spots in the case matching up to the spots on the hooks. As a matter of
fact, the black areas are rough enough that I fear that if I use them, the
thread will get caught in them.
I hope that's a better description :)
amama
Gemini <2rum...@xcelco.on.ca> wrote in message
<01c09b72$efbd1fe0$80eb5ed8@default>...
MissAngela
actually works best) not the gel variety. My music professor introduced me
to it in college to polish instruments and now I will swear by it. I use it
for everything. It's cheap, works well, and it won't damage anything. Just
rub it on and buff off with a soft cloth.
Hope it helps!
Angela
--
Find lots of free patterns and fun information on crochet at
http://www.MissAngelasPlace.com!
"pancho or amama" <nospamfo...@bellsouth.net> wrote in message
news:Y3kk6.646$yw6....@news1.atl...
Familie Nelles
pancho or amama schreef:
> Sorry for the bad description everyone. I should say that my hooks aren't
> gunky or sticky. The black spots on them are rough, and there are rust
> spots in the case matching up to the spots on the hooks. As a matter of
> fact, the black areas are rough enough that I fear that if I use them, the
> thread will get caught in them.
>
> I hope that's a better description :)
I have some very thin some dp needles that used to be my grandmothers´. I have
the same problem with them. The newest fashion here in Belgium are knitted
rings and I was trying to make some, but with these spots, I think I will damage
the yarn.
Ria
Helen Fleischer
non-woven plastic scrub cloth and polish them smooth, then coat them
with paste wax and buff with a firm cloth. If the scrub cloth doesn't
get them perfectly smooth, try automotive sand paper, used wet, all the
way up to 1500 grit. Then wax and buff.
| On Tue, 20 Feb 2001 23:36:57 -0500, "pancho or amama" <nospamfo...@bellsouth.net> wrote:
>Sorry for the bad description everyone. I should say that my hooks aren't
>gunky or sticky. The black spots on them are rough, and there are rust
>spots in the case matching up to the spots on the hooks. As a matter of
>fact, the black areas are rough enough that I fear that if I use them, the
>thread will get caught in them.
>
>I hope that's a better description :)
>
ha...@flashcom.net
Helen "Halla" Fleischer,
Fantasy & Fiber Artist in Fairland, MD USA
Gemini
<3A93C766...@worldonline.be>...
>
> pancho or amama schreef:
>
> > Sorry for the bad description everyone. I should say that my hooks
aren't
> > gunky or sticky. The black spots on them are rough, and there are rust
> > spots in the case matching up to the spots on the hooks. As a matter
of
> > fact, the black areas are rough enough that I fear that if I use them,
the
> > thread will get caught in them.
>
> the same problem with them. The newest fashion here in Belgium are
knitted
> rings and I was trying to make some, but with these spots, I think I will
damage
> the yarn.
the silver polish, or the other suggestions for removing the black?
M. S.
flat green ones---why can't I name it?!!) They're abrasive, but not as much
as steel wool. They seem to polish nicely. If you want more sheen, try
jewelers rouge after the really rough spots are buffed out (get it at a
hardware store?). The cloths you can buy at the jewelry store for polishing
may help.
Most importantly, enjoy the process of polishing and getting to know these
new friends. Don't let this become a chore that will hurt your enjoyment of
the hooks themselves!
Margaret
elsje
<mg...@yahoo.com> wrote:
Just read bout the problem with the tarnished and a bit rusty crochet
hooks. Very fine wet sandpaper will just do fine for both problems. The
hardware store will carry the sand paper and ask for the very fine wet
sandpaper. This is the sand paper you use to do the last buffing on
furniture with. when you are refinishing a piece. Very fine steel wool
will do as well. After that to keep the hooks in good shapewhen not
using, wrap them in a soft flannel piece of cloth made of cotton. They
will stay as good as new.
I alway thought that it could be very humid in Georgia during the summer
months. My son used to live in Tiftinia and now lives in Chattanooga,
Tenn. just.over the border ..... :-)
Els, on Vancouver Island where it is always very wet during the winter months
--
delete "nojunk" from E-mail address in order to talk to me.
Donna S
out scratches in gold, silver and glass (watchfaces), If you have a jeweler
you trust you might could take it there, just a thought.
Donna S
"M. S." <mg...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:GUSk6.44563$446.2...@typhoon.kc.rr.com...
mommadona
saved.
gwyn
>
><<<<I have some very thin some dp needles that used to be
my grandmothers´.>>>>>
Try soaking them in malt vinegar overnight. It will work
with steel needles and hooks
Gwyn
Kristen
use it on all my nice silver jewelry and it makes it look good as new.
~Kristen
"Seanette Blaylock" <seanette.spam...@impulse.net> wrote in
message news:job49t8jh4qk9be4n...@4ax.com...
Familie Nelles
side to do the very dirty dishes. The spots are still black but no longer
rough. While I was doing this, I remembered my great-grandmother ( the needles
probably have been hers). She used to rub her needles in her hair to 'oil'
them. Anyway now they feel soft like the behind of a baby.
Thank you all
Ria
"M. S." schreef:
